thetennesseestar--2020-10-09--Supremes Hear Google, Oracle Case of Copyright Clash

WASHINGTON , D.C. ( AP ) — The topic was high tech : the code behind smartphones .
But on Wednesday the Supreme Court looked to more low tech examples , from the typewriter keyboard to restaurant menus , try to resolve an $ 8 billion-plus copyright dispute between tech giants Google and Oracle .
The case , which the justices heard by phone because of the coronavirus pandemic , has to do with Google ’ s creation of the Android operating system now used on the vast majority of smartphones worldwide .
In developing Android , Google used some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some justices seemed concerned that a ruling for Oracle could stifle innovation .
Chief Justice John Roberts was among the justices who turned to examples beyond technology to try to get a handle on the dispute , asking Oracle ’ s lawyer to imagine opening a new restaurant and creating a menu .
“ Of course you ’ re going to have , you know , appetizers first , then entrees and then desserts .
Now you shouldn ’ t have to worry about whether that organization is copyrighted , ” Roberts said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to far .
But Roberts also had strong words for Google ’ s lawyer .
“ Cracking the safe may be the only way to get the money that you want , but that doesn ’ t mean you can do it , ” Roberts said , suggesting Google could have licensed what it wanted to use .
To create Android , which was released in 2007 , Google wrote millions of lines of new computer code .
But it also used 11,330 lines of code and an organization that ’ s part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Google says what it did is long-settled , common practice in the industry , a practice that has been good for technical progress .
And it says there is no copyright protection for the purely functional , noncreative computer code it used , something that couldn ’ t be written another way .
But Oracle says Google “ committed an egregious act of plagiarism ” and sued .
Justice Sonia Sotomayor was one of several justices who worried about the consequences of ruling for Oracle .
She noted that what Google took was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Java code ” and asked why the justices should “ upend ” the current understanding of what is able to be copyrighted .
Justice Elena Kagan said that there are “ all kinds of methods of organization in the world , ” from the keyboard to the periodic table , and she said Oracle was suggesting that the person who developed them could have a copyright and “ prevent anybody else from using them.
” The case has been going on for a decade .
Google won the first round when a trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but that ruling was overturned on appeal .
A jury then sided with Google , calling its copying “ fair use , ” but an appeals court disagreed .
Because of the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , only eight justices are hearing the case .
The questions for the court are whether the 1976 Copyright Act protects what Google copied , and , even if it does , whether what Google did is still permitted .
Justice Brett Kavanaugh noted that the justices had been told “ the sky will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Google .
But he also he wanted to know : “ You ’ re not allowed to copy a song just because it ’ s the only way to express that song .
Why is that principle not at play here ?
” Justice Samuel Alito said he was concerned that under Google ’ s argument “ all computer code is at risk of losing protection.
” Microsoft , IBM and major internet and tech industry lobbying groups have weighed in , in favor of Google .
The Trump administration , the Motion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of America are among those supporting Oracle .
The case is Google LLC v. Oracle America Inc. , 18-956 .
Jessica Gresko is a reporter with The Associated Press .
Photo “ Larry Ellison ” by Oracle PR CC2.0 and “ Sundar Pichai ” by Google

by Jessica Gresko
WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) — The topic was high tech: the code behind smartphones.
But on Wednesday the Supreme Court looked to more low tech examples, from the typewriter keyboard to restaurant menus, try to resolve an $8 billion-plus copyright dispute between tech giants Google and Oracle.
The case, which the justices heard by phone because of the coronavirus pandemic, has to do with Google’s creation of the Android operating system now used on the vast majority of smartphones worldwide. In developing Android, Google used some of Oracle’s computer code.
Some justices seemed concerned that a ruling for Oracle could stifle innovation.
Chief Justice John Roberts was among the justices who turned to examples beyond technology to try to get a handle on the dispute, asking Oracle’s lawyer to imagine opening a new restaurant and creating a menu.
“Of course you’re going to have, you know, appetizers first, then entrees and then desserts. Now you shouldn’t have to worry about whether that organization is copyrighted,” Roberts said, suggesting Oracle’s argument went to far.
But Roberts also had strong words for Google’s lawyer. “Cracking the safe may be the only way to get the money that you want, but that doesn’t mean you can do it,” Roberts said, suggesting Google could have licensed what it wanted to use.
To create Android, which was released in 2007, Google wrote millions of lines of new computer code. But it also used 11,330 lines of code and an organization that’s part of Oracle’s Java platform.
Google says what it did is long-settled, common practice in the industry, a practice that has been good for technical progress. And it says there is no copyright protection for the purely functional, noncreative computer code it used, something that couldn’t be written another way. But Oracle says Google “committed an egregious act of plagiarism” and sued.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor was one of several justices who worried about the consequences of ruling for Oracle. She noted that what Google took was “less than 1% of the Java code” and asked why the justices should “upend” the current understanding of what is able to be copyrighted.
Justice Elena Kagan said that there are “all kinds of methods of organization in the world,” from the keyboard to the periodic table, and she said Oracle was suggesting that the person who developed them could have a copyright and “prevent anybody else from using them.”
The case has been going on for a decade. Google won the first round when a trial court rejected Oracle’s copyright claim, but that ruling was overturned on appeal. A jury then sided with Google, calling its copying “fair use,” but an appeals court disagreed.
Because of the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, only eight justices are hearing the case. The questions for the court are whether the 1976 Copyright Act protects what Google copied, and, even if it does, whether what Google did is still permitted.
Justice Brett Kavanaugh noted that the justices had been told “the sky will fall” if the court rules against Google. But he also he wanted to know: “You’re not allowed to copy a song just because it’s the only way to express that song. Why is that principle not at play here?”
Justice Samuel Alito said he was concerned that under Google’s argument “all computer code is at risk of losing protection.”
Microsoft, IBM and major internet and tech industry lobbying groups have weighed in, in favor of Google.
The Trump administration, the Motion Picture Association and the Recording Industry Association of America are among those supporting Oracle.
The case is Google LLC v. Oracle America Inc., 18-956.
– – –
Jessica Gresko is a reporter with The Associated Press.
Photo “Larry Ellison” by Oracle PR CC2.0 and “Sundar Pichai” by Google


thetennesseestar--2020-10-09--Virginia Government Asking Citizens to Repay Thousands in Pandemic Unemployment Claims

Virginians are reporting letters from the Virginia Employment Commission ( VEC ) asking for repayment of unemployment claims due to VEC error .
The government hasn ’ t made any exceptions for the VEC ’ s errors resulting in overpayments – even with the mandatory shutdowns throughout this pandemic .
This isn ’ t unusual , according to Republican Party of Virginia ( RPV ) Chair Richard Anderson .
In fact , it ’ s the law .
“ There ’ s no authorities in the Code of Virginia that empower a state agency to forgive those overpayments .
What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out a payment plan , ” Anderson told The Virginia Star .
“ Nobody in state government is empowered to forgive overpayment like that.
” In an interview with The Star , Virginia Beach local Carly Vega shared that she received her overpayment letter last week .
Her neighbor and her neighbor ’ s co-workers received letters prior to that .
“ That letter came in , and when I opened it I was like , ‘ Oh my gosh , I used that money to pay for everything in the 5-6 weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' ” Although the letter states that the VEC as the “ Agency ” is at fault for overpayment , the law considers Vega responsible for repaying the amount .
Since receiving this latest letter , she ’ s attempted to contact the VEC to discuss its implications .
“ My son has special needs .
I can ’ t be on the phone for 3 hours while taking care of him , taking care of my house , and working to make a living.
” Prior to this letter , Vega had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ VEC .
They say she owes nearly $ 5,000 .
Vega runs her own makeup artist business .
When the pandemic hit and most of her wedding clientele disappeared in the spring , she applied for unemployment .
Soon after , she received 5-6 weeks of payments .
When the benefits stopped , Vega attempted to contact the VEC .
She began reaching out in May .
“ I called every day , sent emails to their local office , I even went on Twitter – and couldn ’ t find anyone to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point where I gave up and let it go.
” Vega shared copies of her email exchanges with The Star .
In them , VEC officials informed Vega that she had to wait for an official review of her unemployment , and then the hearing of her separation claim .
Vega couldn ’ t get further clarification .
Communications ended when the Special Assistant to the Chief Workforce Advisor Meaghan Green informed Vega in mid-August that there were two-month backlogs on the claims .
Months later , Vega received 10 simultaneous letters from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With the official denials in hand , Vega attempted to file for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance ( PUA ) .
Vega received PUA for several weeks before stopping the claims in the second week of September when her business began to pick up for the first time since the initial onset of the pandemic .
Then last week , Vega received her notice of overpayment and duty to repay the VEC .
This isn ’ t an isolated incident .
In May , VEC discovered it overpaid 35,000 workers anywhere from $ 600 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the money deducted from future checks .
A spokesperson for the VEC couldn ’ t be reached for comment .
None of the VEC employees knew of a contact point for members of the press .
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Network .
Follow her latest on Twitter , or email tips to [ email protected ] .

Virginians are reporting letters from the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) asking for repayment of unemployment claims due to VEC error.
The government hasn’t made any exceptions for the VEC’s errors resulting in overpayments – even with the mandatory shutdowns throughout this pandemic.
This isn’t unusual, according to Republican Party of Virginia (RPV) Chair Richard Anderson. In fact, it’s the law.
“There’s no authorities in the Code of Virginia that empower a state agency to forgive those overpayments. What an agency will typically do is work out a payment plan,” Anderson told The Virginia Star. “Nobody in state government is empowered to forgive overpayment like that.”
In an interview with The Star, Virginia Beach local Carly Vega shared that she received her overpayment letter last week. Her neighbor and her neighbor’s co-workers received letters prior to that.
“That letter came in, and when I opened it I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I used that money to pay for everything in the 5-6 weeks that the state was shut down.'”
Although the letter states that the VEC as the “Agency” is at fault for overpayment, the law considers Vega responsible for repaying the amount. Since receiving this latest letter, she’s attempted to contact the VEC to discuss its implications.
“My son has special needs. I can’t be on the phone for 3 hours while taking care of him, taking care of my house, and working to make a living.”
Prior to this letter, Vega had engaged in a months-long ordeal with the VEC. They say she owes nearly $5,000.
Vega runs her own makeup artist business. When the pandemic hit and most of her wedding clientele disappeared in the spring, she applied for unemployment. Soon after, she received 5-6 weeks of payments. When the benefits stopped, Vega attempted to contact the VEC. She began reaching out in May.
“I called every day, sent emails to their local office, I even went on Twitter – and couldn’t find anyone to respond back. I was at a point where I gave up and let it go.”
Vega shared copies of her email exchanges with The Star. In them, VEC officials informed Vega that she had to wait for an official review of her unemployment, and then the hearing of her separation claim. Vega couldn’t get further clarification. Communications ended when the Special Assistant to the Chief Workforce Advisor Meaghan Green informed Vega in mid-August that there were two-month backlogs on the claims.
Months later, Vega received 10 simultaneous letters from the VEC documenting her denied application. With the official denials in hand, Vega attempted to file for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). Vega received PUA for several weeks before stopping the claims in the second week of September when her business began to pick up for the first time since the initial onset of the pandemic.
Then last week, Vega received her notice of overpayment and duty to repay the VEC.
This isn’t an isolated incident. In May, VEC discovered it overpaid 35,000 workers anywhere from $600 to $1,200. These workers will have the money deducted from future checks.
A spokesperson for the VEC couldn’t be reached for comment. None of the VEC employees knew of a contact point for members of the press.
– – –
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Network. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to [email protected].


thetennesseestar--2020-10-09--Virginia Department of Health Spent Over $56K to Sign Teens up for Sex-Ed Texting

The Virginia Department of Health ( VDH ) appropriated over $ 56,000 to fund a sex-help texting line for teenagers .
The resource , BrdsNBz , doesn ’ t require parental permission .
VDH sent out postcards across the state inviting anyone ages 13-19 to anonymously text a number for sex education .
BrdsNBz says it provides “ medically-accurate information about sexual health topics ” relayed by a trained “ Health Education team.
” It also promises “ local resources and referrals , ” though it does not mention what those entail .
Respondents on the text line are “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Association ( ASHA ) .
They don ’ t respond using scripts – rather , they use their training through ASHA to issue information .
State Senator Steve Newman ( R-Bedford ) proposed an amendment to eliminate the BrdsNBz from the state budget .
House Bill 5005 was defeated in a party-line vote .
In an interview with The Virginia Star , Newman explained that he ’ s been rallying against this expenditure for some time .
He called the decision “ disappointing ” because the matter shouldn ’ t be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which are my friends – didn ’ t have a reason not to kill it off , but yet they chose not to make any amendments [ to the budget ] at this time.
” In a Facebook post , Newman reported that the VDH used funds from federal Title V grant dollars , which are meant to provide abstinence-based education .
“ Based on some of the screen shots I ’ ve seen from parents who ’ ve texted with this program , the information provided by this organization is anything but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teens to refrain from sexual activity.
” Even non-Virginians may access the resource by texting the number with the access code .
When individuals request website referrals , BrdsNBz responds with several websites offering detailed information and some praise on topics including intercourse , abortion , and homosexuality .
“ This is a sex to text talk line , which I did not know we authorized in the budget and I ’ ve looked into the budget and actually it ’ s not in there .
We never authorized the budget for this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is something VDH determined to use – get this , they determined to use , basically , Title V funding and they decided to use the grant program dedicated specifically to abstinence.
” Newman asked where the rest of the funding came from , as well as who teens were calling .
VDH is reporting that they ’ re not getting the phone calls : it ’ s some other , private organization that fields the texts and calls .
Newman was unable to obtain any information on the individuals running the organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ checks or if they keep the data .
“ I ’ ve been supportive of sex education for many , many years but I do not believe that anyone should send a flier to a young person and encourage them to text them as it relates to all the [ sexual ] items on this website.
” BrdsNBz originated in North Carolina , and was assumed by ASHA in 2018 .
VDH asserts that their text service is a response to the expressed needs of young people in the state .
Corinne Murdock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Star News Network .
Follow her latest on Twitter , or email tips to [ email protected ] .

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) appropriated over $56,000 to fund a sex-help texting line for teenagers. The resource, BrdsNBz, doesn’t require parental permission.
VDH sent out postcards across the state inviting anyone ages 13-19 to anonymously text a number for sex education. BrdsNBz says it provides “medically-accurate information about sexual health topics” relayed by a trained “Health Education team.” It also promises “local resources and referrals,” though it does not mention what those entail.
Respondents on the text line are “health educators” under the American Sexual Health Association (ASHA). They don’t respond using scripts – rather, they use their training through ASHA to issue information.
State Senator Steve Newman (R-Bedford) proposed an amendment to eliminate the BrdsNBz from the state budget. House Bill 5005 was defeated in a party-line vote.
In an interview with The Virginia Star, Newman explained that he’s been rallying against this expenditure for some time. He called the decision “disappointing” because the matter shouldn’t be a partisan issue.
“The Democrats – which are my friends – didn’t have a reason not to kill it off, but yet they chose not to make any amendments [to the budget] at this time.”
In a Facebook post, Newman reported that the VDH used funds from federal Title V grant dollars, which are meant to provide abstinence-based education.
“Based on some of the screen shots I’ve seen from parents who’ve texted with this program, the information provided by this organization is anything but appropriate and certainly doesn’t encourage teens to refrain from sexual activity.”
Even non-Virginians may access the resource by texting the number with the access code. When individuals request website referrals, BrdsNBz responds with several websites offering detailed information and some praise on topics including intercourse, abortion, and homosexuality.
“This is a sex to text talk line, which I did not know we authorized in the budget and I’ve looked into the budget and actually it’s not in there. We never authorized the budget for this,” stated Newman. “This is something VDH determined to use – get this, they determined to use, basically, Title V funding and they decided to use the grant program dedicated specifically to abstinence.”
Newman asked where the rest of the funding came from, as well as who teens were calling. VDH is reporting that they’re not getting the phone calls: it’s some other, private organization that fields the texts and calls. Newman was unable to obtain any information on the individuals running the organization, such as if they undergo background checks or if they keep the data.
“I’ve been supportive of sex education for many, many years but I do not believe that anyone should send a flier to a young person and encourage them to text them as it relates to all the [sexual] items on this website.”
BrdsNBz originated in North Carolina, and was assumed by ASHA in 2018. VDH asserts that their text service is a response to the expressed needs of young people in the state.
– – –
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Network. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to [email protected].


thetennesseestar--2020-10-09--TRUMPDATE: Latest From the Team Trump Virginia Campaign for October 9

Welcome to the Friday edition of our daily Virginia Trump campaign update !
We will provide our readers with daily updates on the Trump Virginia campaign from today to November 3 ( and after…if need be ! )
.
It ’ s officially 25 days until the election on November 3 – and 22 days until early voting in Virginia closes .
The deadline to register to vote in time for the 2020 election is October 13 , four days from today .
The Commission on Presidential Debates on Thursday morning announced that the second presidential debate between President Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conducted virtually on October 15 .
The move is being done out of an abundance of caution for both candidates , their campaigns and other parties involved since the president , first lady and members of the president ’ s staff contracted COVID-19 .
President Trump responded in an interview with Maria Bartiromo on FOX Business on Thursday morning , saying he wouldn ’ t waste his time with a virtual debate .
He feels the debate moderator , C-SPAN host Steve Scully , is a “ Never Trumper ” and he didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having the ability to turn off his microphone when they wanted .
Mr. Trump also took Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to task for their flip-flops on banning fracking .
Harris , in her debate Wednesday night with Vice President Mike Pence , said the Joe Biden administration wouldn ’ t ban the practice – a direct contradiction from what the running mates stated previously on the campaign trail .
Amy Coney Barrett is set to begin her Supreme Court confirmation hearings on Monday , and one group will welcome multiple stops in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Virginia and Concerned Women for America will welcome the Women for Amy bus tour to Liberty University in Lynchburg and to the Historic Hanover Courthouse in Hanover County .
“ We are thrilled to join our friends across the Commonwealth who support the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court , ” said Victoria Cobb , President of The Family Foundation .
“ Her nomination is a significant win for moms and daughters across America .
If confirmed , she would be the only mother seated on the U.S. Supreme Court—and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to serve as a high court justice .
She ’ s breaking new kinds of barriers for women.
” The event at Liberty University begins at noon between the Reber Thomas Dining Hall and the Freedom Tower .
The event at the Hanover Courthouse begins at 4 p.m. You can register for the Hanover event here .
Check back every day for more Trump Virginia campaign updates !
If you want to join the volunteer team or if you need signs email Fredericks or Justin Rice .
To Donate to our Virginia campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or to sign up to become a volunteer , click here .
John Fredericks is the publisher and editor-in-chief of The Virginia Star .
He is also a Trump 2020 delegate and the chairman of the Trump Virginia Delegation .

Welcome to the Saturday edition of our daily Virginia Trump campaign update! We will provide our readers with daily updates on the Trump Virginia campaign from today to November 3 (and after…if need be!).
It’s officially 24 days until the election on November 3 – and 21 days until early voting in Virginia closes. The deadline to register to vote in time for the 2020 election is October 13, three days from today.
President Trump joined conservative talk radio icon Rush Limbaugh on Friday for what was touted as the largest campaign rally ever. Limbaugh, who has been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and had been out for most of the week receiving treatment, returned to the host seat for the special occasion. Trump surprised Limbaugh back in February at the State of the Union by awarding Limbaugh with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The president and Limbaugh talked about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the president recovering from his own COVID-19 diagnosis, the media, the presidential campaign, foreign policy and more. You can watch the full video below:
There are two great events taking place in Virginia today and tonight that you don’t want to miss out on.
The Greene County Republicans are putting on their 41st annual Pig Roast. The event starts at noon and is being held at October Hill Farm. Because of the ongoing pandemic, there will be food trucks versus the traditional roasting and cutting up of the pig. Attendees can also look for speeches from candidates at the state and federal level, as well as remarks from John Fredericks, host of The John Fredericks Show and chairman of the Trump Virginia Delegation. The event is free to the public!
And tonight the Young Republican Federation of Virginia welcome Steve Bannon, former Senior Adviser to President Trump and host of War Room Pandemic, at an event at Madison on Madison Hill (323 N Madison Rd., Orange, VA 22960). Mr. Bannon has made it clear the Democrats plan to steal the 2020 election. This is a golden opportunity to hear about that and how you can work to make sure a fair election takes place on November 3. You can register for tickets to the event here.
Check back every day for more Trump Virginia campaign updates! If you want to join the volunteer team or if you need signs email Fredericks or Justin Rice.
Justin Rice: [email protected]
John Fredericks: [email protected]
To Donate to our Virginia campaign click here.
For more information, or to sign up to become a volunteer, click here.
– – –
Photo “Trump Limbaugh” by The White House.
John Fredericks is the publisher and editor-in-chief of The Virginia Star.
He is also a Trump 2020 delegate and the chairman of the Trump Virginia Delegation.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-09--Political Editor at Breitbart News, Matt Boyle on Debate: A Vote for a Biden-Harris Ticket Would Be

Political Editor at Breitbart News, Matt Boyle on Debate: A Vote for a Biden-Harris Ticket Would Be a Vote for the Chinese Communist Party

Live from Virginia Wednesday morning on The John Fredericks Show – weekdays on WNTW AM 820/ FM 92.7 – Richmond , WJFN FM 100.5 – Central Virginia , WMPH AM 1010 / FM 100.1 / FM 96.9 ( 7-9 PM ) Hampton Roads , WBRG AM 1050 / FM 105.1 – Lynchburg/Roanoke and Weekdays 6-10 am and 24/7 Stream – host Fredericks welcomed Political Editor for Breitbart News , Matt Boyle to the program .
During the show , Boyle discussed the Pence-Harris debate and questioned the media ’ s false narratives and odd ‘ mansplaining ’ accusations against Pence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Towards the end of the conversation , Boyle explained how national polls are to be taken lightly and broke them down by explaining the four tiers of the electoral college .
Fredericks : Joining me now , Matt Boyle .
Matt is the political editor of Breitbart News .
You can go to breitbart.com .
Matt , great to have you .
Boyle : John always a pleasure sir .
Good to talk to you again .
Fredericks : Matt we got a lot to cover here in 20 minutes .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night .
How do you think Pence did and does it matter ?
Boyle : Well first off I think that vice president won a knockout blow against Senator Kamala Harris .
I think that it was a shining performance by the vice president .
He crushed her on every major policy item .
When you see people across the established media trying to change the conversation and trying to say that Pence was mansplaining , I think that was the term that George Stephanopoulos and Van Jones were both using .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a fly landing on his head .
That ’ s what The New York Times is writing about today .
I think that it ’ s pretty clear that when it comes to every major policy discussion that happened last night from court packing to the Chinese Communist Party to the coronavirus pandemic and everything in between the vice president showed his depth and Senator Kamala Harris showed how shallow she is as a person .
And the vice president won in an absolute blowout debate last night .
And I do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it shows first off when we ’ re talking about the house of the various candidates .
I ’ m a huge supporter of President Trump and I know he ’ s going to get through this coronavirus infection .
He seems to be on the upswing right now after spending last weekend in the hospital .
But the point is that we ’ re talking about the health of the President of the United States .
The vice president matters .
Who the vice president matters .
And Joe Biden ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be one heartbeat away from the presidency .
And she clearly showed last night that she is not ready for prime time .
And it ’ s a risk to the American public to put somebody that inexperienced and extreme and from the outside of the mainstream into that type of position .
Somebody who just isn ’ t prepared to represent the United States of America as a commander-in-chief .
She doesn ’ t have the intellectual wherewithal necessary to serve as commander-in-chief .
She doesn ’ t she didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She was asked a softball question .
It ’ s a really easy question .
Is China an enemy and adversary and how would you describe the U.S. relationship with China ?
She couldn ’ t answer the question .
It ’ s a very easy question .
Of course , they ’ re an enemy .
Of course , they ’ re an adversary .
Of course , they are .
They ’ ve been trying to crush us economically for decades .
The fact that Kamala Harris whose own state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negotiations with the Belt and Road Initiative which Kamala Harris hasn ’ t said anything about .
She ’ s been silent on that .
And the fact that she couldn ’ t answer that question shows that she ’ s wholly unprepared for being President of the United States .
And low and behold , if you need any other proof that Vice President Pence is prepared and she isn ’ t , it ’ s that the Chinese Communist Party when broadcasting the debate into China decided to censor Vice President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they carried Kamala Harris ’ in full .
So they censored Vice President Pence and they and they carried and aired Kamala Harris ’ .
Which means that she ’ s in the pocket of the Chinese Communist Party .
So a vote for a Biden-Harris ticket would be a vote for the Chinese Communist Party .
And I think the American worker and the American people out there are tired of the Chinese taking advantage of us .
And they are proud to have an administration finally stand up to them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mansplaining ?
I kind of heard that last night before I went to bed and I get up early but I heard that ’ s floating around .
What does that mean mansplaining ?
Boyle : I don ’ t even know .
Honestly , I don ’ t even know what the heck they ’ re talking about .
The vice president actually spoke less than Senator Harris .
Boyle : But he was more effective in ten percent less of the time right than Senator Harris .
This whole idea of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Now the latest thing this morning is they ’ re moving the next presidential debate , well they say that they ’ re moving it to a virtual debate .
President Trump says he ’ s not going to participate in such a sham .
But here ’ s the deal I think that them trying to change the conversation on that whole thing is another sign that they know that Vice President Pence won last night ’ s debate .
A virtual “ debate ” is not a debate .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cancel the second presidential debate .
Not Donald Trump .
And Joe Biden ’ s going along with the Presidential Commission on Debates to doing this .
This is cheating .
It ’ s an attempt to steal the election and they did it not in consultation with the campaigns .
And the fact that they ’ re doing that is because they saw how effective the vice president was last night .
And absolutely systemically decimating rights of the American people so they ’ re trying to change the subject as fast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And I don ’ t think they ’ ll be successful in it .
I think their decision to cancel the debate and move to a virtual Zoom interview because it ’ s not a debate .
The second they go to a virtual platform which is what they ’ re trying to do , that ’ s not a debate .
There ’ s no way to verify that Joe Biden won ’ t have a teleprompter or somebody with note cards standing behind the camera .
There ’ s no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to cut off mics and whatever and so on and so forth .
All of that stuff .
That ’ s not a debate .
That ’ s called an interview .
You can call it an event .
You can call it a discussion .
Fredericks : Or a forum but it ’ s not a debate .
Boyle : It ’ s not a debate .
It ’ s a forum .
Which is fine if the candidates want to agree to participate in a forum or a discussion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great I ’ m all for it .
But it ’ s not public events and questions of being asked of candidates and so on and so forth .
But the Presidential Commission on Debates by making this decision has decided to cancel the debate .
And I think that ’ s a big deal .
And I think that President Trump is right to fight this .
And he should fight it all the way through .
And I think he should just show up in Miami .
He should show up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what I think .
Show up and show up and debate an empty chair .
I remember that Reagan did that when Carter wouldn ’ t debate him and Anderson came and he demanded that there ’ d be an empty chair there .
And if Carter doesn ’ t want to come he doesn ’ t come .
That was the first debate it ’ s a little before your time Matt .
I ’ m much older than you .
But Matt let me ask you this .
I want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of polls has now come out .
You know we went through this in 2016 .
But a rash of polls has come out showing Biden ahead anywhere from 18 to 10 .
Fox had him at 10 .
Somebody 18 , 16 , 17 , 14 .
And you know he ’ s ahead in all these swing states .
And everybody is now writing the epitaph for Trump .
Break these polls down for us Matt Boyle .
Boyle : Okay so first and foremost I would say be very careful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I don ’ t think that they are in general right .
You can pick up some information from polls , but the idea that they ’ re presenting an accurate picture of the race is not true .
The way I break down the presidential race is this .
First off , national polls are irrelevant .
There are 51 separate elections for electoral college votes in 50 states in the District of Columbia in this country .
So I break the electoral college up .
To win the electoral college @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In most states and in D.C. the winner of the popular vote of that state wins that state ’ s electoral college in two separate states out there Nebraska and Maine .
The winners of congressional districts win that congressional district electoral vote and then the statewide voter wins the electoral vote part of that state ’ s senators .
The way I would break the electoral college down is into four tiers .
And this is President Trump ’ s pathway to victory… Listen to the full show here :

Live from Virginia Wednesday morning on The John Fredericks Show – weekdays on WNTW AM 820/ FM 92.7 – Richmond, WJFN FM 100.5 – Central Virginia, WMPH AM 1010 / FM 100.1 / FM 96.9 (7-9 PM) Hampton Roads, WBRG AM 1050 / FM 105.1 – Lynchburg/Roanoke and Weekdays 6-10 am and 24/7 Stream – host Fredericks welcomed Political Editor for Breitbart News, Matt Boyle to the program.
During the show, Boyle discussed the Pence-Harris debate and questioned the media’s false narratives and odd ‘mansplaining’ accusations against Pence evidencing that he did win the debate. Towards the end of the conversation, Boyle explained how national polls are to be taken lightly and broke them down by explaining the four tiers of the electoral college.
Fredericks: Joining me now, Matt Boyle. Matt is the political editor of Breitbart News. You can go to breitbart.com. Matt, great to have you.
Boyle: John always a pleasure sir. Good to talk to you again.
Fredericks: Matt we got a lot to cover here in 20 minutes. I want to start with the debate last night. How do you think Pence did and does it matter?
Boyle: Well first off I think that vice president won a knockout blow against Senator Kamala Harris. I think that it was a shining performance by the vice president. He crushed her on every major policy item. When you see people across the established media trying to change the conversation and trying to say that Pence was mansplaining, I think that was the term that George Stephanopoulos and Van Jones were both using. And then they’re trying to focus on a fly landing on his head.
That’s what The New York Times is writing about today. I think that it’s pretty clear that when it comes to every major policy discussion that happened last night from court packing to the Chinese Communist Party to the coronavirus pandemic and everything in between the vice president showed his depth and Senator Kamala Harris showed how shallow she is as a person. And the vice president won in an absolute blowout debate last night.
And I do think it matters. I think that it shows first off when we’re talking about the house of the various candidates. I’m a huge supporter of President Trump and I know he’s going to get through this coronavirus infection. He seems to be on the upswing right now after spending last weekend in the hospital. But the point is that we’re talking about the health of the President of the United States. The vice president matters. Who the vice president matters.
And Joe Biden’s older than President Trump so Kamala Harris will be one heartbeat away from the presidency. And she clearly showed last night that she is not ready for prime time. And it’s a risk to the American public to put somebody that inexperienced and extreme and from the outside of the mainstream into that type of position. Somebody who just isn’t prepared to represent the United States of America as a commander-in-chief.
She doesn’t have the intellectual wherewithal necessary to serve as commander-in-chief. She doesn’t she didn’t even know how to describe China. She was asked a softball question. It’s a really easy question. Is China an enemy and adversary and how would you describe the U.S. relationship with China? She couldn’t answer the question. It’s a very easy question. Of course, they’re an enemy. Of course, they’re an adversary. Of course, they are.
They’ve been trying to crush us economically for decades. The fact that Kamala Harris whose own state of California has been trying to back-channel negotiations with the Belt and Road Initiative which Kamala Harris hasn’t said anything about. She’s been silent on that. And the fact that she couldn’t answer that question shows that she’s wholly unprepared for being President of the United States.
And low and behold, if you need any other proof that Vice President Pence is prepared and she isn’t, it’s that the Chinese Communist Party when broadcasting the debate into China decided to censor Vice President Mike Pence’s answer about China and they carried Kamala Harris’ in full. So they censored Vice President Pence and they and they carried and aired Kamala Harris’.
Which means that she’s in the pocket of the Chinese Communist Party. So a vote for a Biden-Harris ticket would be a vote for the Chinese Communist Party. And I think the American worker and the American people out there are tired of the Chinese taking advantage of us. And they are proud to have an administration finally stand up to them.
Fredericks: Matt, what is mansplaining? I kind of heard that last night before I went to bed and I get up early but I heard that’s floating around. What does that mean mansplaining?
Boyle: I don’t even know. Honestly, I don’t even know what the heck they’re talking about. The vice president actually spoke less than Senator Harris.
Fredericks: Yeah exactly.
Boyle: But he was more effective in ten percent less of the time right than Senator Harris. This whole idea of the media trying to change the conversation. Now the latest thing this morning is they’re moving the next presidential debate, well they say that they’re moving it to a virtual debate. President Trump says he’s not going to participate in such a sham.
But here’s the deal I think that them trying to change the conversation on that whole thing is another sign that they know that Vice President Pence won last night’s debate. A virtual “debate” is not a debate. The Presidential Commission on Debates has decided to cancel the second presidential debate. Not Donald Trump. And Joe Biden’s going along with the Presidential Commission on Debates to doing this. This is cheating.
It’s an attempt to steal the election and they did it not in consultation with the campaigns. And the fact that they’re doing that is because they saw how effective the vice president was last night. And absolutely systemically decimating rights of the American people so they’re trying to change the subject as fast as they can to the next one. And I don’t think they’ll be successful in it.
I think their decision to cancel the debate and move to a virtual Zoom interview because it’s not a debate. The second they go to a virtual platform which is what they’re trying to do, that’s not a debate. There’s no way to verify that Joe Biden won’t have a teleprompter or somebody with note cards standing behind the camera. There’s no way to verify and they’ll be able to cut off mics and whatever and so on and so forth. All of that stuff. That’s not a debate. That’s called an interview. You can call it an event. You can call it a discussion.
Fredericks: Or a forum but it’s not a debate.
Boyle: It’s not a debate. It’s a forum. Which is fine if the candidates want to agree to participate in a forum or a discussion or an interview a joint interview then great I’m all for it. But it’s not public events and questions of being asked of candidates and so on and so forth. But the Presidential Commission on Debates by making this decision has decided to cancel the debate. And I think that’s a big deal. And I think that President Trump is right to fight this. And he should fight it all the way through. And I think he should just show up in Miami. He should show up there.
Fredericks: That’s what I think. Show up and show up and debate an empty chair. I remember that Reagan did that when Carter wouldn’t debate him and Anderson came and he demanded that there’d be an empty chair there. And if Carter doesn’t want to come he doesn’t come. That was the first debate it’s a little before your time Matt. I’m much older than you. But Matt let me ask you this. I want to get to these polls because a rash of polls has now come out. You know we went through this in 2016. But a rash of polls has come out showing Biden ahead anywhere from 18 to 10. Fox had him at 10. Somebody 18, 16, 17, 14. And you know he’s ahead in all these swing states. And everybody is now writing the epitaph for Trump. Break these polls down for us Matt Boyle.
Boyle: Okay so first and foremost I would say be very careful believing the establishment media’s polls. I don’t think that they are in general right. You can pick up some information from polls, but the idea that they’re presenting an accurate picture of the race is not true. The way I break down the presidential race is this. First off, national polls are irrelevant. There are 51 separate elections for electoral college votes in 50 states in the District of Columbia in this country.
So I break the electoral college up. To win the electoral college you have to get 270 electoral votes. In most states and in D.C. the winner of the popular vote of that state wins that state’s electoral college in two separate states out there Nebraska and Maine. The winners of congressional districts win that congressional district electoral vote and then the statewide voter wins the electoral vote part of that state’s senators. The way I would break the electoral college down is into four tiers. And this is President Trump’s pathway to victory…
Listen to the full show here:
– – –


thetennesseestar--2020-10-09--Former Trump Deputy National Security K. T. McFarland Details Her Experience with the Swamp and Trum

Former Trump Deputy National Security K. T. McFarland Details Her Experience with the Swamp and Trump’s Decision to Deny a Virtual Debate

Live from Virginia Thursday morning on The John Fredericks Show – weekdays on WNTW AM 820/ FM 92.7 – Richmond , WJFN FM 100.5 – Central Virginia , WMPH AM 1010 / FM 100.1 / FM 96.9 ( 7-9 PM ) Hampton Roads , WBRG AM 1050 / FM 105.1 – Lynchburg/Roanoke and Weekdays 6-10 am and 24/7 Stream – host Fredericks welcomed former Deputy National Security Advisor K.T .
McFarland to the show to talk about her fight with the swamp and Trump ’ s decision to not participate in a virtual debate .
Fredericks : Joining us now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a political commentator .
She also served as Deputy National Security Advisor under Michael Flynn for the first four months of the Trump administration .
She didn ’ t get along with H.R .
McMaster of disguise .
And she ’ s been doing a lot of different things .
And she ’ s very very well dialed in .
And she ’ s with us now .
K.T .
McFarland great to have you with us .
Fredericks : Well yes you can call me the Godzilla of truth because that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ re trucking it all the time .
( Chuckles ) That ’ s why I was excited to have you on K.T .
I tell you what you ’ ve been through the wringer on some stuff .
You know what ?
I mean the fake news basically the way they ’ ve portrayed you I mean what is up with that ?
You ’ re such a nice person .
You got so much knowledge .
You ’ ve been successful everywhere you go .
The fake news basically has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What is up with that ?
McFarland : Well it wasn ’ t really about me it was about President Trump .
And it was about the same with Michael Flynn .
it wasn ’ t really about Michael Flynn .
It was about President Trump .
And they were trying to find a way that they could get to President Trump .
And we now know that it ’ s absolutely fraught the entire Russia investigation .
The entire FBI and CIA Department of Justice .
The west wing of the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was made up by the Hillary Clinton campaign to divert attention from her own problems .
So they created this myth , this fantasy , and then they made all the pieces fit together so that the government could pursue it .
I mean it ’ s the biggest scandal in American political history because it is one political party working with the deep state to try to take out a president .
A duly elected president of the American people .
So to me , this isn ’ t Republican or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really in charge of America .
Is it the ruling class in Washington D.C. ?
The self-appointed unelected unelectable unaccountable people and accountable only to themselves ?
Or is it the rest of the country ?
And I was a big fish , a big pelt that they tried to tap to the wall .
And I wouldn ’ t do it .
I mean they basically threatened me .
They didn ’ t say it in these words because they ’ re way too smart .
But the implication was if I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that President Trump did things which he did not do they might go easier on me .
And in the end , I was really tempted because it was tough .
You know when I ’ m now getting like the 10th subpoena and I have you know hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees and they ’ re accusing me of stuff that I didn ’ t commit .
And I was really tempted but my wonderful husband and my great lawyer both said look you can ’ t lie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell the truth no matter where it leads for you .
So yeah they destroyed my career .
But they didn ’ t get President Trump because he had done nothing wrong .
In fact , he had done everything right .
And to me , it ’ s just a perfect example of how Donald Trump was elected to drain the swamp .
And who are these guys ?
They are the swamp .
Fredericks : So they fought back .
So what happens to K.T .
McFarland ?
You were in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have legal representation and a position in life where you could afford that .
What happens to people that don ’ t have those resources that go through what they put you through ?
And they have to plea out ?
McFarland : They had to plea out .
This is the dirty little secret that nobody talks about which is that the FBI and the Department of Justice realize that if they have somebody in their sights for their political purposes they realize that even if they can ’ t catch you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And that they know that ’ s just as powerful because people lose their homes .
They have to give up their kid ’ s college education funds .
You pay for that out of your own personal pocket .
And it could be half a million or millions of dollars to defend yourself .
Fredericks : I mean it ’ s just unbelievable .
Now Gina Haspel .
This is bothersome to a lot of people .
And I like Gina Haspel and the Trump appointee obviously .
But she says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release these documents .
I ’ m uncomfortable releasing these because it could soil the reputation of the agency .
What about soiling the reputation of innocent people ?
What about being accountable to the people that pay or like us the taxpayer ?
What about this is our government not theirs ?
When you look at what John Ratcliffe has done over at DNI some of these documents coming out K.T.
, are we ever going to see anything ?
McFarland : I talked to the president yesterday and we talk frequently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just going to release it all because every agency whether it ’ s the CIA or the FBI or the Department of jJustice they all say , oh you can ’ t release that document that ’ s going to endanger national security .
Well , that ’ s the excuse they use to cover up their own incompetence or malfeasance .
And so the president said I ’ m just going to let it all out .
And I think he ’ s right .
Unless it ’ s got some nuclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to know because 86 percent of the population has no confidence in these departments .
That ’ s got to be fixed .
And the good people who work there , their reputations have been dragged through the mud .
So I think it ’ s time for a big purge .
And I think the way you do it is let it all out .
I mean you know what ’ s the best disinfectant sunlight .
Fredericks : So when you talk to the president yesterday were you confident that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ direction K.T.
?
McFarland : Yeah and I think he feels great .
He sounds very robust and energetic and committed .
He was just on Maria Bartiromo ’ s show a little while ago .
He ’ s mad that the departments are dragging their feet and they ’ re slow-walking this .
But the other thing I got from him is he ’ s not done fighting .
He ’ s just only begun to fight .
So I was really energized when I talked to him .
And he pointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said you know look my followers are really really energized they ’ re all going to vote .
The other guy not so much .
So I think that that ’ s another really telling indication that no matter what the media is saying Trump ’ s got a huge amount of support and a lot of silence support of people who don ’ t want to say it because they don ’ t want to be called names .
But they ’ re going to go to the polls and vote for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s radio network we are with K.T .
McFarland .
She was the president ’ s first Deputy National Security Adviser .
She also helped the president turn his campaign promises into an America first foreign policy which you ’ re seeing now .
Prior to that , she was a Fox News national security analyst .
Now she ’ s also an author .
She wrote the book , Revolution Trump Washington and “ We the People.
” And you want to be able to pick that up .
So K.T.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the debate .
The commission changing it to virtual because of Trump ’ s testing positive for COVID although he ’ ll be outside the window in a week and likely to test negative .
So they want to do it virtually .
And the president is saying I ’ m not going to participate in that .
That ’ s not a real debate .
Biden will get earphones , earplugs , headphones , and teleprompters .
They ’ ll be passing him stuff .
I ’ m not doing that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
McFarland : Right move absolutely .
Look if President Trump is testing negative which he presumably will then why not have the debate ?
They can be five feet apart .
Ten feet apart .
Thirty feet apart .
But you ’ ve got to be in the same place .
I ’ ve known every president since Nixon and known some of them extremely well .
And the thing you got to know about a president is that he ’ s got ta have strength .
He ’ s got ta @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ta have that stick to it ness .
Is he going to be tough enough in this case , the violence in the cities ?
The recession .
The pandemic .
And standing up to China and standing up to Russia .
You need a strong tough leader .
And to me I don ’ t really care what Trump says , I don ’ t really like a lot of it .
But he gets the job done .
I want to see Joe Biden stand up to him .
Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s a weak man .
And I think the American people need to see that .
Listen to the full show here :

Live from Virginia Thursday morning on The John Fredericks Show – weekdays on WNTW AM 820/ FM 92.7 – Richmond, WJFN FM 100.5 – Central Virginia, WMPH AM 1010 / FM 100.1 / FM 96.9 (7-9 PM) Hampton Roads, WBRG AM 1050 / FM 105.1 – Lynchburg/Roanoke and Weekdays 6-10 am and 24/7 Stream – host Fredericks welcomed former Deputy National Security Advisor K.T. McFarland to the show to talk about her fight with the swamp and Trump’s decision to not participate in a virtual debate.
Fredericks: Joining us now is K.T. McFarland and she has been a political commentator. She also served as Deputy National Security Advisor under Michael Flynn for the first four months of the Trump administration. She didn’t get along with H.R. McMaster of disguise. And she’s been doing a lot of different things. And she’s very very well dialed in. And she’s with us now. K.T. McFarland great to have you with us.
McFarland: It’s a pleasure. Do I call you Godzilla?
Fredericks: Well yes you can call me the Godzilla of truth because that’s what we do here. We’re trucking it all the time. (Chuckles) That’s why I was excited to have you on K.T. I tell you what you’ve been through the wringer on some stuff. You know what? I mean the fake news basically the way they’ve portrayed you I mean what is up with that? You’re such a nice person. You got so much knowledge. You’ve been successful everywhere you go. The fake news basically has just raked you over the coals. What is up with that?
McFarland: Well it wasn’t really about me it was about President Trump. And it was about the same with Michael Flynn. it wasn’t really about Michael Flynn. It was about President Trump. And they were trying to find a way that they could get to President Trump. And we now know that it’s absolutely fraught the entire Russia investigation. The entire FBI and CIA Department of Justice. The west wing of the White House. It was all fraud.
It was made up by the Hillary Clinton campaign to divert attention from her own problems. So they created this myth, this fantasy, and then they made all the pieces fit together so that the government could pursue it. I mean it’s the biggest scandal in American political history because it is one political party working with the deep state to try to take out a president. A duly elected president of the American people. So to me, this isn’t Republican or Democrat.
This is who’s really in charge of America. Is it the ruling class in Washington D.C.? The self-appointed unelected unelectable unaccountable people and accountable only to themselves? Or is it the rest of the country? And I was a big fish, a big pelt that they tried to tap to the wall. And I wouldn’t do it. I mean they basically threatened me. They didn’t say it in these words because they’re way too smart.
But the implication was if I gave them President Trump and if I said that President Trump did things which he did not do they might go easier on me. And in the end, I was really tempted because it was tough. You know when I’m now getting like the 10th subpoena and I have you know hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees and they’re accusing me of stuff that I didn’t commit.
And I was really tempted but my wonderful husband and my great lawyer both said look you can’t lie. You’ve just got to tell the truth no matter where it leads for you. So yeah they destroyed my career. But they didn’t get President Trump because he had done nothing wrong. In fact, he had done everything right. And to me, it’s just a perfect example of how Donald Trump was elected to drain the swamp. And who are these guys? They are the swamp.
Fredericks: So they fought back. So what happens to K.T. McFarland? You were in a position where you were able to have legal representation and a position in life where you could afford that. What happens to people that don’t have those resources that go through what they put you through? And they have to plea out?
McFarland: They had to plea out. This is the dirty little secret that nobody talks about which is that the FBI and the Department of Justice realize that if they have somebody in their sights for their political purposes they realize that even if they can’t catch you on a crime they can bankrupt you. And that they know that’s just as powerful because people lose their homes. They have to give up their kid’s college education funds. You pay for that out of your own personal pocket. And it could be half a million or millions of dollars to defend yourself.
Fredericks: I mean it’s just unbelievable. Now Gina Haspel. This is bothersome to a lot of people. And I like Gina Haspel and the Trump appointee obviously. But she says well I’m not going to release these documents. I’m uncomfortable releasing these because it could soil the reputation of the agency. What about soiling the reputation of innocent people? What about being accountable to the people that pay or like us the taxpayer? What about this is our government not theirs? When you look at what John Ratcliffe has done over at DNI some of these documents coming out K.T., are we ever going to see anything?
McFarland: I talked to the president yesterday and we talk frequently and he said look I’m just going to release it all because every agency whether it’s the CIA or the FBI or the Department of jJustice they all say, oh you can’t release that document that’s going to endanger national security. Well, that’s the excuse they use to cover up their own incompetence or malfeasance.
And so the president said I’m just going to let it all out. And I think he’s right. Unless it’s got some nuclear code then I think the American people need to know because 86 percent of the population has no confidence in these departments. That’s got to be fixed. And the good people who work there, their reputations have been dragged through the mud. So I think it’s time for a big purge. And I think the way you do it is let it all out. I mean you know what’s the best disinfectant sunlight.
Fredericks: So when you talk to the president yesterday were you confident that he was going to move in that direction K.T.?
McFarland: Yeah and I think he feels great. He sounds very robust and energetic and committed. He was just on Maria Bartiromo’s show a little while ago. He’s mad that the departments are dragging their feet and they’re slow-walking this. But the other thing I got from him is he’s not done fighting. He’s just only begun to fight. So I was really energized when I talked to him.
And he pointed something out when we talked. He said you know look my followers are really really energized they’re all going to vote. The other guy not so much. So I think that that’s another really telling indication that no matter what the media is saying Trump’s got a huge amount of support and a lot of silence support of people who don’t want to say it because they don’t want to be called names. But they’re going to go to the polls and vote for Donald Trump.
Fredericks: John Frederick’s radio network we are with K.T. McFarland. She was the president’s first Deputy National Security Adviser. She also helped the president turn his campaign promises into an America first foreign policy which you’re seeing now. Prior to that, she was a Fox News national security analyst. Now she’s also an author. She wrote the book, Revolution Trump Washington and “We the People.” And you want to be able to pick that up.
So K.T., let’s get to politics and the debate. The commission changing it to virtual because of Trump’s testing positive for COVID although he’ll be outside the window in a week and likely to test negative. So they want to do it virtually. And the president is saying I’m not going to participate in that. That’s not a real debate. Biden will get earphones, earplugs, headphones, and teleprompters. They’ll be passing him stuff. I’m not doing that. Right move? Wrong move K.T.?
McFarland: Right move absolutely. Look if President Trump is testing negative which he presumably will then why not have the debate? They can be five feet apart. Ten feet apart. Thirty feet apart. But you’ve got to be in the same place. I’ve known every president since Nixon and known some of them extremely well. And the thing you got to know about a president is that he’s gotta have strength.
He’s gotta have guts. He’s gotta have that stick to it ness. Is he going to be tough enough in this case, the violence in the cities? The recession. The pandemic. And standing up to China and standing up to Russia. You need a strong tough leader. And to me I don’t really care what Trump says, I don’t really like a lot of it. But he gets the job done. I want to see Joe Biden stand up to him. Joe Biden is an amiable and nice man but he’s a weak man. And I think the American people need to see that.
Listen to the full show here:
– – –


thetennesseestar--2020-10-09--State Rep. Becker Goes to Appellate Court to Force Investigation or Arrest of DeWine

Ohio state Representative John Becker ( R-Union Township/Clermont County ) on Tuesday filed a writ of mandamus with the Twelfth District Court of Appeals in Middletown , Ohio – as a private citizen , using his own resources .
This comes after Becker turned in a Private Client Affidavit ( PCA ) on September 28 that was rejected by Clermont County Prosecuting Attorney D. Vincent Faris .
A writ of mandamus is an order issued by a superior court compelling a government officer to perform a mandatory duty .
In this case , if the Twelfth Circuit Court agreed with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the court would order Faris to either issue a warrant for DeWine ’ s arrest or take up an official investigation into Becker ’ s PCA .
The Ohio Star reported in August on Becker ’ s release of articles of impeachment– along with state representatives Nino Vitale ( R-Urbana ) , Paul Zeltwanger ( R-Mason ) and Candice Keller ( R-Middletown ) .
According to Becker , his Republican colleagues told him they would not support an impeachment that didn ’ t involve a crime .
Weeks later , Becker filed his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misdemeanor allegations .
After prosecutor Faris dismissed the claims made by Becker , The Star reached out to the prosecutor for comment .
After trading phone messages , The Star sent questions to the prosecutor in an email – questions that have yet to be answered .
“ I ’ m very disappointed by Prosecutor Faris ’ failure to perform his clear legal duty under the law , ” Becker said in a released statement provided to The Star .
“ He must have been very busy that day.
” In the statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Ohioans who are also attempting to file PCAs but getting resistance in their local government offices .
Becker said , “ It is likely that many customer service employees in the Clerk ’ s offices are not familiar with PCAs and simply don ’ t know what to do with them .
You might want to explain that a PCA is a sworn statement seeking charges rather than bringing charges .
It would accompany a complaint ( charges ) that a prosecutor could choose to move forward with.
” Becker then lists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through the process .
Jack Windsor is Managing Editor and an Investigative Reporter at The Ohio Star .
Windsor is also an Investigative Reporter at WMFD-TV .
Follow Jack on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .

Ohio state Representative John Becker (R-Union Township/Clermont County) on Tuesday filed a writ of mandamus with the Twelfth District Court of Appeals in Middletown, Ohio – as a private citizen, using his own resources.
This comes after Becker turned in a Private Client Affidavit (PCA) on September 28 that was rejected by Clermont County Prosecuting Attorney D. Vincent Faris.
The PCA listed 10 crimes Becker alleges Governor Mike DeWine committed while leading Ohio’s COVID response.
A writ of mandamus is an order issued by a superior court compelling a government officer to perform a mandatory duty. In this case, if the Twelfth Circuit Court agreed with Becker’s legal argument, then the court would order Faris to either issue a warrant for DeWine’s arrest or take up an official investigation into Becker’s PCA.
The Ohio Star reported in August on Becker’s release of articles of impeachment– along with state representatives Nino Vitale (R-Urbana), Paul Zeltwanger (R-Mason) and Candice Keller (R-Middletown).
According to Becker, his Republican colleagues told him they would not support an impeachment that didn’t involve a crime.
Weeks later, Becker filed his PCA with its seven felony and three misdemeanor allegations.
After prosecutor Faris dismissed the claims made by Becker, The Star reached out to the prosecutor for comment. After trading phone messages, The Star sent questions to the prosecutor in an email – questions that have yet to be answered.
“I’m very disappointed by Prosecutor Faris’ failure to perform his clear legal duty under the law,” Becker said in a released statement provided to The Star. “He must have been very busy that day.”
In the statement, Becker wrote that he received feedback from Ohioans who are also attempting to file PCAs but getting resistance in their local government offices.
Becker said, “It is likely that many customer service employees in the Clerk’s offices are not familiar with PCAs and simply don’t know what to do with them. You might want to explain that a PCA is a sworn statement seeking charges rather than bringing charges. It would accompany a complaint (charges) that a prosecutor could choose to move forward with.”
Becker then lists additional instructions and offers to guide others through the process.
– – –
Jack Windsor is Managing Editor and an Investigative Reporter at The Ohio Star. Windsor is also an Investigative Reporter at WMFD-TV. Follow Jack on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].


thetennesseestar--2020-10-09--Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Using Position to Push Liberal Ideology

Richmond Public Schools ( RPS ) Superintendent Jason Kamras is writing official public letters advocating a political bias , according to Mike Dickinson , candidate for Richmond ’ s 1st Council District .
Dickinson told The Virginia Star , “ Our testing scores are well below the state average , our drop out rates are much higher than the state average , and even recently we had a shortage when schools reopened , we were 10,000 laptops short .
So it seems to me that those should be the pressing problems that the schools Superintendent Jason Kamras would focus on.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest data , Richmond ’ s high school graduation rate has dropped to 70 percent .
In an August email , Kamras said that although the district had anticipated in June a need for more laptops , supply chain problems delayed the shipment .
“ Well , the global supply chain is extremely tight right now and our country ’ s current trade tensions with China have created all sorts of delays .
To learn more about this , I encourage you to read this article from The Washington Post and this one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kamras wrote .
Dickinson summarized Kamras ’ message : “ He linked to two articles that basically blame President Trump for irritating China and that ’ s impacting our laptops chain.
” Dickinson said another email shows the superintendent ’ s distrust in the judicial system .
In response to the Breonna Taylor grand jury verdict , Kamras wrote , “ I ’ d like to begin this evening by acknowledging the pain coursing through our community yet again in the wake of the decision yesterday by a Kentucky grand jury not to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the death of Breonna Taylor with homicide or manslaughter .
Outcomes like this only tear at the unhealed wounds borne by so many within the RPS family .
Please check on your colleagues , friends , and loved ones this evening .
Please recognize that they may need extra time and space to process this latest injustice.
” Dickinson said the emails were sent to him by an RPS employee .
“ The way I see it is , if [ Kamras ] is out here , and he ’ s sending these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if I was a conservative teacher in Richmond , I would be afraid to speak out , because it ’ s very obvious where the Superintendent falls on all of these issues.
” After a student was shot in August , Kamras wrote in an RPS update , “ I beg of you , regardless of which political party you call home , please support candidates this November who will enact common sense gun control legislation.
” “ I didn ’ t know it was [ Kamras ’ ] job as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against political candidates , ” Dickinson said .
“ I didn ’ t know that was his job.
” Kamras did not respond to a request for comment .
Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Jason Kamras ” by Richmond Public Schools .

Richmond Public Schools (RPS) Superintendent Jason Kamras is writing official public letters advocating a political bias, according to Mike Dickinson, candidate for Richmond’s 1st Council District.
Dickinson told The Virginia Star, “Our testing scores are well below the state average, our drop out rates are much higher than the state average, and even recently we had a shortage when schools reopened, we were 10,000 laptops short. So it seems to me that those should be the pressing problems that the schools Superintendent Jason Kamras would focus on.”
NBC 12 reports that in the latest data, Richmond’s high school graduation rate has dropped to 70 percent.
In an August email, Kamras said that although the district had anticipated in June a need for more laptops, supply chain problems delayed the shipment. “Well, the global supply chain is extremely tight right now and our country’s current trade tensions with China have created all sorts of delays. To learn more about this, I encourage you to read this article from The Washington Post and this one from The Wall Street Journal,” Kamras wrote.
Dickinson summarized Kamras’ message: “He linked to two articles that basically blame President Trump for irritating China and that’s impacting our laptops chain.”
Dickinson said another email shows the superintendent’s distrust in the judicial system. In response to the Breonna Taylor grand jury verdict, Kamras wrote, “I’d like to begin this evening by acknowledging the pain coursing through our community yet again in the wake of the decision yesterday by a Kentucky grand jury not to charge any of the officers involved in the death of Breonna Taylor with homicide or manslaughter. Outcomes like this only tear at the unhealed wounds borne by so many within the RPS family. Please check on your colleagues, friends, and loved ones this evening. Please recognize that they may need extra time and space to process this latest injustice.”
Dickinson said the emails were sent to him by an RPS employee. “The way I see it is, if [Kamras] is out here, and he’s sending these emails out to teachers, I guess, if I was a conservative teacher in Richmond, I would be afraid to speak out, because it’s very obvious where the Superintendent falls on all of these issues.”
After a student was shot in August, Kamras wrote in an RPS update, “I beg of you, regardless of which political party you call home, please support candidates this November who will enact common sense gun control legislation.”
“I didn’t know it was [Kamras’] job as the public school superintendent to lobby for or against political candidates, ” Dickinson said. “I didn’t know that was his job.”
Kamras did not respond to a request for comment.
– – –
Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “Jason Kamras” by Richmond Public Schools.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-09--A Week from Hell for William & Mary Athletics: Athletic Director Resigns and Student-Athletes Test P

A Week from Hell for William & Mary Athletics: Athletic Director Resigns and Student-Athletes Test Positive for COVID-19

In the span of a single week William & Mary athletics director Samantha Huge resigned after facing backlash from cutting seven sports programs last month , and a mix of student-athletes and athletics department staff have tested positive for coronavirus .
The university announced Tuesday that Huge was stepping down from her position and then on Wednesday news broke that athletics employees and athletes had tested positive for COVID-19 .
The announcement of Huge resignation was made by university president Katherine Rowe in a Tuesday letter to the William & Mary community .
In the letter , Rowe wrote that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between her and Huge to part ways “ so the university can focus on the critical questions facing W & M Athletics.
” Huge was facing massive backlash from the decision last month to discontinue seven sports programs after the 2020-2021 academic year as part of a school-wide review on adjusting to the operational and financial challenges brought upon by COVID-19 .
Those teams included : men ’ s and women ’ s gymnastics , men ’ s and women ’ s swimming , men ’ s indoor and outdoor track and field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision cut William & Mary ’ s 23 varsity sports to 16 and impacted 118 student-athletes and 13 coaches .
The athletes , who had already returned to campus and paid tuition for the new semester , were notified of the decision via a Zoom call that lasted six minutes and featured no explanation or discussion , according to the Save Tribe Swimming website .
“ I think it ’ s been a mismanagement on a lot of different levels , ” a former William & Mary student-athlete , who requested to not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It ’ s been a mismanagement on the sports that they targeted , I think it ’ s been a mismanagement on the lack of transparency and I think it ’ s been a complete and utter abomination of leadership.
” The former student-athlete whose own sports program was cut by the university during his time added : “ As an athlete , [ your sport ] is a key driver of your identity .
You worked hard for years and years to have the opportunity to play at a division @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suddenly taken away from you and you might lose a year of eligibility because of it , it ’ s catastrophic.
” In a September 18 statement on the decision , Huge said : “ We clearly fell short of the William & Mary community ’ s standards .
Upon reflection , we should have taken more care with the review of the materials we shared with our community.
” With those athletics department cuts , William & Mary is projected to save $ 3.66 million annually in 2021-22 after honoring current scholarships @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a news release from the school .
A change.org petition that was created last month and is titled “ Save William & Mary Athletics ” has been signed by nearly 22,000 people .
In the meantime , Jeremy Martin , Rowe ’ s chief of staff , has assumed the role of interim athletics director until a new person is appointed .
As far as the student-athletes and athletics department staff who tested positive for the virus , information was shared in a statement from Erin Zagursky , associate director of university news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive cases of COVID-19 reported over the last few days as a result of our prevalence testing and through our self-reporting system , ” Zagursky said .
“ They include 12 people associated with W & M Athletics , and we have temporarily paused all athletic team activities as a precaution and to conduct testing.
” No William & Mary sports teams can practice or conduct training sessions until given permission to do so by the athletics department chief medical officer , who keeps in close contact with state health officials , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals who received positive test results , a specific breakdown of how many were department staff versus student-athletes was not provided to The Star because that information could compromise privacy , Zagursky said .
The COVID-positive students and staff must now self-isolate for ten days and anyone who had been in close contact is being asked by the school to quarantine for 14 days , according to Zagursky .
Zagursky also reiterated that William & Mary is following all university , CDC and NCAA guidelines and is taking every precaution necessary to prevent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Martin did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Star on the positive cases .
William & Mary has reported that 28 students and less than 10 employees have tested positive for coronavirus this semester , according to the school ’ s COVID-19 dashboard .
Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Follow Jacob on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Samantha Huge ” by William & Mary .
Background Photo “ William & Mary Football @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2.0 .

In the span of a single week William & Mary athletics director Samantha Huge resigned after facing backlash from cutting seven sports programs last month, and a mix of student-athletes and athletics department staff have tested positive for coronavirus.
The university announced Tuesday that Huge was stepping down from her position and then on Wednesday news broke that athletics employees and athletes had tested positive for COVID-19.
The announcement of Huge resignation was made by university president Katherine Rowe in a Tuesday letter to the William & Mary community.
In the letter, Rowe wrote that it was a mutually agreed upon decision between her and Huge to part ways “so the university can focus on the critical questions facing W&M Athletics.”
Huge was facing massive backlash from the decision last month to discontinue seven sports programs after the 2020-2021 academic year as part of a school-wide review on adjusting to the operational and financial challenges brought upon by COVID-19.
Those teams included: men’s and women’s gymnastics, men’s and women’s swimming, men’s indoor and outdoor track and field, and volleyball. Overall, the decision cut William & Mary’s 23 varsity sports to 16 and impacted 118 student-athletes and 13 coaches.
The athletes, who had already returned to campus and paid tuition for the new semester, were notified of the decision via a Zoom call that lasted six minutes and featured no explanation or discussion, according to the Save Tribe Swimming website.
“I think it’s been a mismanagement on a lot of different levels,” a former William & Mary student-athlete, who requested to not be named, told The Virginia Star. “It’s been a mismanagement on the sports that they targeted, I think it’s been a mismanagement on the lack of transparency and I think it’s been a complete and utter abomination of leadership.”
The former student-athlete whose own sports program was cut by the university during his time added: “As an athlete, [your sport] is a key driver of your identity. You worked hard for years and years to have the opportunity to play at a division 1 level, but it’s suddenly taken away from you and you might lose a year of eligibility because of it, it’s catastrophic.”
In a September 18 statement on the decision, Huge said: “We clearly fell short of the William & Mary community’s standards. Upon reflection, we should have taken more care with the review of the materials we shared with our community.”
With those athletics department cuts, William & Mary is projected to save $3.66 million annually in 2021-22 after honoring current scholarships and coaches’ contracts, according to a news release from the school.
A change.org petition that was created last month and is titled “Save William & Mary Athletics” has been signed by nearly 22,000 people.
In the meantime, Jeremy Martin, Rowe’s chief of staff, has assumed the role of interim athletics director until a new person is appointed.
As far as the student-athletes and athletics department staff who tested positive for the virus, information was shared in a statement from Erin Zagursky, associate director of university news.
“We had a number of positive cases of COVID-19 reported over the last few days as a result of our prevalence testing and through our self-reporting system,” Zagursky said. “They include 12 people associated with W&M Athletics, and we have temporarily paused all athletic team activities as a precaution and to conduct testing.”
No William & Mary sports teams can practice or conduct training sessions until given permission to do so by the athletics department chief medical officer, who keeps in close contact with state health officials, according to Zagursky.
Out of the 12 individuals who received positive test results, a specific breakdown of how many were department staff versus student-athletes was not provided to The Star because that information could compromise privacy, Zagursky said.
The COVID-positive students and staff must now self-isolate for ten days and anyone who had been in close contact is being asked by the school to quarantine for 14 days, according to Zagursky.
Zagursky also reiterated that William & Mary is following all university, CDC and NCAA guidelines and is taking every precaution necessary to prevent the further spread of the virus.
Martin did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Star on the positive cases.
William & Mary has reported that 28 students and less than 10 employees have tested positive for coronavirus this semester, according to the school’s COVID-19 dashboard.
– – –
Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network. Follow Jacob on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “Samantha Huge” by William & Mary. Background Photo “William & Mary Football Game” by benuski. CC BY-SA 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-09--State Inspector General Substantiates Multiple Allegations Against the Virginia Parole Board

The Office of the State Inspector General ( OSIG ) has released reports substantiating multiple allegations that the Virginia Parole Board ( VPB ) violated state statutes as well as its own policies and procedures after investigating complaints regarding the parole of specific Department of Corrections offenders .
On Tuesday , the OSIG released copies of the reports , originally sent to Governor Ralph Northam ’ s administration , to media outlets who requested them that were mostly redacted and did not offer the specific findings of the investigation into the VPB .
On the same day , Senate Minority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) and House Minority Leader Todd Gilbert ( R-Shenandoah ) published a joint statement calling for the State Inspector General , Michael Westfall , to provide the unredacted copies as required by Virginia law .
“ The Office of State Inspector General must provide legislative leaders with unredacted copies of these reports , ” Gilbert said in the statement .
“ Until they do so , they are not in compliance with the law .
We will be making this clear to the Inspector General , in court if necessary.
” The Virginia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Inspector General to the Northam administration .
One was addressed to Clark Mercer , the governor ’ s chief of staff , dated October 6 , and provides a broad summary of the substantiated allegations against the VPB .
The other was addressed to Brian Moran , the governor ’ s secretary of public safety and homeland security , dated September 18 , detailing recommendations for the VPB based on the findings of the investigation .
According to the summary letter to Mercer , the OSIG substantiated five out of seven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notifications of offenders ’ pending parole to Commonwealth Attorneys ( CA ) within the allotted statutory timeframe , which says notice must be sent to the CA in the jurisdiction the inmate was sentenced by certified mail at least 21 business days before the release on a prisoner convicted of a felony and sentenced to ten or more years .
The OSIG also substantiated all seven allegations that the VPB did not “ endeavor diligently ” to contact victims prior to making decisions on granting discretionary parole to offenders , as required by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the summary letter .
Additionally , the OSIG found an allegation that the VPB released an offender on parole after that person only served one-third of his or her sentence to be accurate , according to the summary letter .
These findings are especially problematic for the victims of crimes and the families of victims .
“ I have heard from some citizens and they are horrified , ” Norment said in an interview with The Star .
“ In some instances , the traumatic impact does not completely heal with the passage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are suffering from a form of post-traumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ) , and just because someone has been convicted and incarcerated does not mean that the vivid recollection of what took place has totally been eradicated from their mind .
“ And the potentiality of seeing your criminal in public , on the street , not knowing they ’ re there is going to trigger that PTSD.
” There have been multiple examples of victims or their families not being properly notified of an offender ’ s release by the VPB .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this year when a Associated Press reporter was the first person to notify Juanita Gillis that the man who shot her brother in 1993 had been granted parole by the VPB .
“ I mean , good grief .
What , they were never going to tell us and here we are thinking this killer is still in jail ?
” Gillis told the AP .
Chuck Smith , a retired U.S. Marine and Republican candidate for Virginia Attorney General in 2021 , criticized the VPB ’ s actions .
“ When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to be released into the community , the parole board , ergo the state government , should show more concern for the citizens , the victims , more concern for the community then they are about the individual being released to the extent that they notify people before that release takes place , ” Smith told The Star .
According to the letter to Moran , the OSIG made a total of ten recommendations on how the VPB should operate going forward .
One recommendation stated that the parole board should develop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focuses on impartiality , integrity and transparency when making parole-related decisions .
The complaints leveled at the VPB were made through the State Fraud , Waste and Abuse Hotline .
During the Senate session Wednesday afternoon , Sen. Mark Obenshain ( R-Rockingham ) gave a passionate speech to the body on the OSIG redacted reports and the allegations of wrongdoings by the VPB .
“ I believe that the governor needs to fire this parole board , replace every single one of them , ” Obenshain said .
“ I think that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impartially , provide the reports that he is required to provide by law and the Governor needs to step up and ensure that it takes place.
” Two Senate bills that would have brought greater transparency to the individual votes of parole board members and to the criminal history of offenders released on parole were killed by the Virginia House of Delegates Committee on Courts of Justice earlier in the 2020 special session .
Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Follow Jacob on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protected ] Background Photo “ Virginia Capitol ” by Martin Kraft .
CC BY-SA 3.0 .

The Office of the State Inspector General (OSIG) has released reports substantiating multiple allegations that the Virginia Parole Board (VPB) violated state statutes as well as its own policies and procedures after investigating complaints regarding the parole of specific Department of Corrections offenders.
On Tuesday, the OSIG released copies of the reports, originally sent to Governor Ralph Northam’s administration, to media outlets who requested them that were mostly redacted and did not offer the specific findings of the investigation into the VPB.
On the same day, Senate Minority Leader Thomas Norment (R-James City County) and House Minority Leader Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah) published a joint statement calling for the State Inspector General, Michael Westfall, to provide the unredacted copies as required by Virginia law.
“The Office of State Inspector General must provide legislative leaders with unredacted copies of these reports,” Gilbert said in the statement. “Until they do so, they are not in compliance with the law. We will be making this clear to the Inspector General, in court if necessary.”
The Virginia Star obtained copies of two letters sent by the Inspector General to the Northam administration.
One was addressed to Clark Mercer, the governor’s chief of staff, dated October 6, and provides a broad summary of the substantiated allegations against the VPB.
The other was addressed to Brian Moran, the governor’s secretary of public safety and homeland security, dated September 18, detailing recommendations for the VPB based on the findings of the investigation.
According to the summary letter to Mercer, the OSIG substantiated five out of seven allegations that the VPB did not give notifications of offenders’ pending parole to Commonwealth Attorneys (CA) within the allotted statutory timeframe, which says notice must be sent to the CA in the jurisdiction the inmate was sentenced by certified mail at least 21 business days before the release on a prisoner convicted of a felony and sentenced to ten or more years.
The OSIG also substantiated all seven allegations that the VPB did not “endeavor diligently” to contact victims prior to making decisions on granting discretionary parole to offenders, as required by Virginia Code § 53.1-155, according to the summary letter.
Additionally, the OSIG found an allegation that the VPB released an offender on parole after that person only served one-third of his or her sentence to be accurate, according to the summary letter.
These findings are especially problematic for the victims of crimes and the families of victims.
“I have heard from some citizens and they are horrified,” Norment said in an interview with The Star. “In some instances, the traumatic impact does not completely heal with the passage of time. Many of these victims are suffering from a form of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and just because someone has been convicted and incarcerated does not mean that the vivid recollection of what took place has totally been eradicated from their mind.
“And the potentiality of seeing your criminal in public, on the street, not knowing they’re there is going to trigger that PTSD.”
There have been multiple examples of victims or their families not being properly notified of an offender’s release by the VPB.
One such instance occurred back in March of this year when a Associated Press reporter was the first person to notify Juanita Gillis that the man who shot her brother in 1993 had been granted parole by the VPB.
“I mean, good grief. What, they were never going to tell us and here we are thinking this killer is still in jail?” Gillis told the AP.
Chuck Smith, a retired U.S. Marine and Republican candidate for Virginia Attorney General in 2021, criticized the VPB’s actions.
“When you have a violent offender that is going to be released into the community, the parole board, ergo the state government, should show more concern for the citizens, the victims, more concern for the community then they are about the individual being released to the extent that they notify people before that release takes place,” Smith told The Star.
According to the letter to Moran, the OSIG made a total of ten recommendations on how the VPB should operate going forward. One recommendation stated that the parole board should develop and follow a code of ethics which focuses on impartiality, integrity and transparency when making parole-related decisions.
The complaints leveled at the VPB were made through the State Fraud, Waste and Abuse Hotline.
During the Senate session Wednesday afternoon, Sen. Mark Obenshain (R-Rockingham) gave a passionate speech to the body on the OSIG redacted reports and the allegations of wrongdoings by the VPB.
“I believe that the governor needs to fire this parole board, replace every single one of them,” Obenshain said. “I think that the Inspector General needs to do his job impartially, provide the reports that he is required to provide by law and the Governor needs to step up and ensure that it takes place.”
Two Senate bills that would have brought greater transparency to the individual votes of parole board members and to the criminal history of offenders released on parole were killed by the Virginia House of Delegates Committee on Courts of Justice earlier in the 2020 special session.
– – –
Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network. Follow Jacob on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected]
Background Photo “Virginia Capitol” by Martin Kraft. CC BY-SA 3.0.