thetennesseestar--2020-11-10--Georgia Whistleblower: Officials Used Ballot Machines Missing Security Seals in Gwinnett County

A GOP poll watcher reported that officials allowed workers to use ballot machines that were missing security seals in Gwinnett County , Georgia .
Beth Sexton first called into The Tennessee Star Election 2020 Unmasked tip line to report the incident on Monday .
According to the report Sexton gave the tip line , a group of concerned-looking poll workers were gathered around a ballot machine .
When Sexton approached them , she overheard them discussing missing security seals .
Ballot box security seals are small colored plastic tags that have codes or numbers printed on them .
Sexton asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but was told she couldn ’ t ask questions .
At that point , Sexton reported that she called the hotline number they ’ d been given .
The worker told her to take note of what happened and return to work .
As soon as Sexton returned inside , she saw another group of concerned-looking poll workers gathered around a different ballot machine .
She overheard them discussing more missing security seals .
Sexton relayed to The Star that she turned around immediately and called the hotline again .
“ I went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hotline agent ] seemed very alarmed and told me to go back in and tell the poll manager that she wasn ’ t to use the machines.
” Sexton said that the polls manager brushed her off after she ’ d relayed what the hotline worker had informed her .
“ She said to me , ‘ Someone else must ’ ve cut them off , they probably didn ’ t know [ they weren ’ t supposed to do that ] .
’ But the way they are setting things up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ setting things up one at a time , so I didn ’ t see how anybody could run around and cut the seals off.
” Later that day , Sexton said that a woman identifying herself as an area election manager approached her .
The woman informed Sexton that the security seals probably came off in transit or were accidentally misplaced in some kind of bag .
Sexton reported that the woman kept downplaying those particular security seals ’ importance .
“ They continued to use those machines that day .
I mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those security seals off the switch and inserted hardware that could alter or remove people ’ s votes .
I was alarmed about it.
” Sexton also stated that there may have been other issues to occur – but it was difficult to watch the whole room with the amount of activity occurring .
“ I was just one person – there ’ s no way that one person could stay on top of everything .
[ So ] at other precincts , who knows if they had those issues ?
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues that alarmed Sexton .
She reported that there were two Democrats that told her they ’ d flown in from San Francisco to be poll watchers .
One of the two men would disappear at random , Sexton said , and she ’ d discover them outside talking to voters .
Sexton added that she ’ d been instructed as a poll watcher to not talk with voters .
Tips can be reported via the 24-hour tip line at ( 615 ) 747-1500 .
Read more of The Star election coverage here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Tennessee Star and the Star News Network .
Follow her latest on Twitter , or email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Gwinnett County Polling Place ” by Gwinnett County .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-10--Commentary: The NeverTrump Spectrum, Explained

NeverTrump was a loose term for lots of different Republican apostates .
First , were a small cadre of self-described conservatives and doctrinaire Republicans , who under no circumstances would have ever voted for Trump or embraced his agenda , or in some extreme cases , ever voted for any who would vote Trump .
So there are gradations of “ NeverTrumpers.
” But mostly the general pique comes down to cultural , comportment , class – and often careerist – concerns , rather than policies per se .
After the election , we can now see better the contours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were .
Give the hardcore tiny credit for consistency : they hated candidate Trump .
They swore that he would never be nominated , never be elected , never finish his term , and never be reelected .
Since 2015 most of their lives have been consumed by joining everyone from the Anonymous nonentity to the Mooch in damning Trump .
A few claimed that they still remained conservative , but their venom prompted them to oppose almost all Republican Senators and House members for their apostasy of Trump support .
Some claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are Stalinist prosecutors .
In fact , they are akin to nerds in high school who snooted about the people on their no-invite lists for parties none of those people wanted to attend , anyway .
They did not just vote against Trump , but voted enthusiastically for Biden and raised many millions for their affiliated firms and friends to work toward his victory .
A few have now become unapologetic liberal Democrats , or perhaps returned to their earlier selves .
How strange that in their fury against a purported racist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they voted for a race-jabbering , segregationist-praising careerist , of a corrupt family syndicate , and someone who would likely flunk the much-ballyhooed Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test .
But again , many insist they are still Republicans .
In narcissistic fashion , these activists , lobbyists , consultants , pundits , grifters , and ex-politicians envision a Phoenix scenario , with themselves of course at the center of the rebirth .
In the ashes of a Trump defeat , the Republican NeverTrump Phoenix bird of prey would arise with a new doctrinaire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like a younger Romney , a wonkish clone of Paul Ryan , a rebranded and reenergized Jeb Bush – or a MAGA-veneered , reverse-engineered Marco Rubio or Nikki Haley , who now claims to be suspicious of China or wants fair rather than just free trade .
More likely , they believe that the Trump agenda could be repudiated and replaced with a new NeverTrump “ contract with America ” – détente with China , an end to the Israel-Arab alliance with the Palestinians again funded by the United States at the center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wall torn down and borders again porous , along with blanket amnesties ; an end to presidential jawboning about outsourcing and offshoring ; more moderate judges than polarizing jurists like Neil Gorsuch , Brett Kavanaugh , and Amy Coney Barrett .
The NeverTrumpers likely never envisioned themselves in their fading moments as orphaned grifters begging for left-wing cash to play the role of useful idiots – only to be cast off by their paymasters after their inept roles have been played out—which is now their immediate fate .
Yet they were never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largely because of their incoherence .
Trump received 93 percent Republican support in some 2020 exit polls – increasing in party support the more Republican gatekeepers damned him .
Now Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-NY ) is demanding to see the figures on Lincoln Project effectiveness and , in good socialist fashion , wants the bunch to hand over their cash on hand to more deserving leftists .
Almost on spec , just hours after the election ended , the NeverTrumpers were derided by the Left as impotent scam artists , and undeserving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did they oppose all the agendas that Trump enacted that they had once sworn were their own – originalist justices , deregulation , global warming skepticism , pro-growth trade and tax reform , a beefed-up military , a pro-Israel , anti-Iran Middle East policy , more gas and oil development ?
Apparently to endorse the reification of their lifelong agendas was to concede that an unwelcome agent had skills beyond their own to push through the laws of their dreams .
To paraphrase Cicero , they would rather Trump fail with their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him succeed enacting all that they had once demanded .
They cited Trump ’ s pre-White House crudity and uncouthness , but without any historical context whether such assumed pathologies emulated or exceeded those of a sitting president Roosevelt , Truman , JFK , LBJ , or Bill Clinton , or were the artifacts of the tell-all age of the Internet and social media , or the hyped dividend of a 93 percent negative media .
NeverTrumpers had no recollection that their current allies in the media once damned George W. Bush as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who with his cabinet officers had “ no-blood-for-oil ” stains on their hands as would Nazi-like criminals .
They turned John McCain into a supposedly adulterous conniver , and redefined him as near-senile who could not remember how many houses he had leveraged in his second marriage by leaving his wife to court a young rich heiress .
They reduced Mitt Romney into a teenage snot-nosed hazer , a vulture capitalist , an animal torturer , a callous rich kid who had grown up with an elevator in his house , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kindness to his garbage collector .
Nor could hard-core NeverTrumpers ever explain how their own brilliance and insight were going to recapture the lost 6-10 million working-class voters of the Midwest , or to increase black support to 12 percent or Latinos to 35 percent or to win over seniors who did not wish to have their Social Security pensions privatized , or how those whom they mocked and smeared would welcome them back as saviors .
Instead , we are left with the “ racist ” Trump getting support from more minorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rights movement .
A second , saner group of NeverTrump realists was also more polished and practical , and avoided both the crudity and the apostasy of the unhinged Lincoln bunch .
They , of course , secretly hoped that the Democrats ’ constant melodramas of the past four years might rid them of Trump .
So they kept mostly mum during the Russian collusion fraud , the Mueller hoax , the 25th Amendment joke , or the whistleblower Ukraine set-up .
In their world , the crime was not so much fabricating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complaining that his wires were “ tapped ” – the former was a lie , the latter true , given the surveillance of his national security advisor and campaign aides .
But all the same , they cheered on the good judicial appointments and were outraged at the Democrats ’ treatment of Kavanaugh and Barrett .
By threading the needle , they never would give Trump much credit for either being in the position of a Republican president to appoint such stellar justices or refusing to repeat the error of appointing a John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ David Souter .
They praised the Middle East breakthrough , the exits from the Iran deal and the Paris Climate accord , but felt they were marred by Trump ’ s braggadocio or merely spontaneously generated without Trump ’ s parentage .
They clapped for record-low minority unemployment , and conceded that the Trump recovery boom was historic , but seldom to the extent they connected cause and effect .
They faulted Trump for his “ sloppy ” rhetoric during the COVID-19 pandemic , the quarantine lockdown , and the rioting and looting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that might have produced better results .
They cheered Trump ’ s singular effort to champion religious liberty and to protect the unborn , but from the sidelines and without having to lend their overt support to his messy thankless efforts to enact their lifelong agendas .
Others more deplorable and irredeemable might do that .
They see occasional bouts of advantage with Trump , but are happy to cut him loose when they feel his utility has now ended .
They envision a failed Biden presidency , and hope for a Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show the pathway to a more mannered Republican nominee .
When Biden begins to issue his left-wing executive orders and a billion dollars soon pours into the Georgia races from Bloomberg , Steyer , and Soros affiliates , few will listen to the NeverTrump light gnashing of teeth .
But like the hardcore , the realists have no plan for how to keep MAGA stalwarts in the party .
They have no real idea how or why Trump won more minority support .
They don ’ t buy into fair trade rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ OK with some , but not massive , illegal immigration , with jawboning , but not tariffing , China , with encouraging , but not hectoring , industries to stay in the heartland .
They were indifferent to Robert Mueller , impeachment , and the current voting mess – calibrating their views on whether Trump implosion would or would not hurt their own Republican agendas .
At best , they would say they found Trump at times useful in the “ calling balls and strikes ” sense , without accepting that a viable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are central to the republic needs support in extremis and when it is unpopular to offer it .
Finally , there were a third group of quasi-NeverTrumpers who likely voted for Trump .
They saw the world in more pragmatic terms of 51 percent advantage when they collated his deficits and assets .
At times , they were amused that Trump ’ s bull-in-a-china-shop energy could be directed in the right direction .
But they were “ ambiguous ” about Trump .
If he got himself in trouble with sloppy talk that won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mishandled the whistleblower gambit and thus earned a railroaded impeachment , or found himself in the present fix of losing an election to possible voter fraud – well , then , he was damned well on his own , and should have known the eventual wages of his trash talking .
When they wrote reluctant endorsements for him , they usually spent three-quarters of their essays throat-clearing by first listing the various crudities , their own past renunciations of Trump , and the pervasive callousness of Trump before finishing the last quarter of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s better than the alternative right now.
” They were happy that Trump made good judicial appointments , but were not ready to concede that no other Republican in 2016 would likely have been in such a position of power to have made any ; or , if they had been , would have made such good ones .
They saw themselves as sort of free riders , to board and depart the Trump train , depending on whether his accomplishments in any given week outweighed his tweets .
So the NeverTrump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actively worked to destroy Trumpism as payback for their own inert careers .
They are not realist NeverTrumpers who see advantage in Trump ’ s anti-Left animus but never so much as to vote for or condone it .
The NeverTrump Trumpers liked almost everything about the actual Trump record , indeed more so than anything the two Bushes accomplished .
But they feel they are under no compulsion to defend the agenda ’ s author .
Somehow they believe that better , kinder , and more gentler surrogates will pursue many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them through , and rally the troops in the arena – but can do all that in the fashion of a Ronald Reagan II : a happy warrior who would never joke of civic unrest about getting the bloodbath over with , or dreaming that forced free food handouts to the poor might be infected with botulism , or recklessly on a hot mic jesting about bombing Russia .
And the pro-Trumpers ?
It was simply a question of whether the livelihoods of the middle classes were better off before or after Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in particular will be safer now or before Trump , whether the U.S. economy was better or worse for Trump ’ s efforts , and whether the progressive cultural agenda is stronger or weaker for his presence .
Perhaps bad men can do a few good things , but they can not do a lot of good things .
And Trump did a lot more good for the country than had prior supposedly good presidents .
Oh , and they saw Trump the target as a strange illuminator of those targeting him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nature of the mainstream media , the Washington political establishment , and the bureaucratic elite at the FBI , CIA , and Justice Department .
In the end , most Trumpers appreciated that Trump took risks to enact a populist agenda that could save conservatism from its theorists and unite the formerly suspicious of different backgrounds and races , in a common belief in an America worth conserving .
Or maybe it was simply the ancient idea that the cinematic Pike Bishop reminded his crew of deplorables in “ The Wild Bunch ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man you stay with him .
If you can ’ t do that , you ’ re like some animal !
You ’ re finished !
We ’ re finished !
All of us !
” Victor Davis Hanson is an American military historian , columnist , former classics professor , and scholar of ancient warfare .
He was a professor of classics at California State University , Fresno , and is currently the Martin and Illie Anderson Senior Fellow at Stanford University ’ s Hoover Institution .
He has been a visiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hanson was awarded the National Humanities Medal in 2007 by President George W. Bush .
Hanson is also a farmer ( growing raisin grapes on a family farm in Selma , California ) and a critic of social trends related to farming and agrarianism .
He is the author most recently of The Second World Wars : How the First Global Conflict was Fought and Won ( Basic Books ) .

A 17-year-old student allegedly opened fire Friday at a high school in Santa Fe, Texas, killing 10 people and wounding another 10, authorities said.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott said police found explosive devices, including a Molotov cocktail, at the suspected shooter’s home and a vehicle, as well as around the Santa Fe High School where the shooting took place.
Law enforcement officials said the suspect, Dimitrios Pagourtzis, a junior at the school, was being held without bond on a capital murder charge.
Abbott said the suspect originally intended to commit suicide following the shooting but told law enforcement officials after he was arrested that he didn’t have the courage to go through with killing himself.
The governor said two guns were used in the attack — a shotgun and a .38-caliber revolver. He said the suspect’s father legally owned both guns.It was not clear whether the father knew his son had taken the weapons.
Abbott said there were “one or two” other people of interest being interviewed about the shooting.
Galveston County Sheriff Henry Trochesset said, “Injured students and staff have been transported to local hospitals.” He also said an officer from the Santa Fe Independent School District was among those shot.
U.S. President Donald Trump described the shooting as an “absolutely horrific attack,” one of many that have “been going on too long in this country.” Trump told the victims and their families that “we’re with you in this tragic hour and we will be with you forever.” He vowed to get guns “out of the hands of those who pose a threat to themselves and to others.”
An unidentified male student described fleeing the school during an interview with KHOU-TV in Houston. He said that after he heard three shots, “we all took off in the back, and I tried to get into the trees. I didn’t want to be in sight. I heard four more shots, and then we jumped the fence to somebody’s house.”
An unidentified female student said tearfully on cable channel CNN, “Nobody should have to go through this. Nobody should have to feel that pain.”
Facebook post
Pagourtzis had posted an image on Facebook of himself wearing a “Born to Kill” shirt, but the motive for Friday’s attack wasn’t known.
Abbott saidthat unlike previous school shootings, “there were not those types of warning signs” about the Santa Fe suspect. The governor saidthe early investigation had found no prior criminal history for Pagourtzis.
“The red-flag warnings were either nonexistent or very imperceptible,” Abbott said, though he acknowledged Pagourtzis’ posting of the photo on Facebook.
That same Facebook profile described Pagourtzis as planning to enter the U.S. Marine Corps next year, but the Marine Corps told The Associated Press it had reviewed its records and had found no one by that name as either a recruit or a person in their delayed entry pool.
Classmates described Pagourtzis as quiet and an avid video game player who routinely wore a black trench coat and black boots to class. He had played football on the school’s junior varsity squad and danced as part of a church group. Those who know him expressed shock he might be involved in the killings.
Calls for action
The latest incident came about three months after a shooter with a semiautomatic rifle killed 17 students and school staff members at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. It was the third-deadliest school shooting in American history.
The Democratic leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, said urgent action was needed to prevent gun violence.
“Congress must show as much courage as they have, and act now to ensure that no other community or family must endure the unthinkable horror of gun violence. Our children deserve real leadership: a vote to prevent gun violence now.”
Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin said Congress must implement reforms that lawmakers recently passed “to make schools safer and keep deadly weapons away from those who should not have them.”
“Our hearts are filled with grief over this horrific loss of life,” he added.
Santa Fe is located in southeastern Texas between the cities of Houston and Galveston.
– – –
Some information for this report came from Associated Press.
VOA News


thetennesseestar--2020-11-10--Glitch-Prone Dominion Voting Software Used in Georgia Counties

A glitch-prone voting software called Dominion Voting Systems ( Dominion ) was used in all 159 of Georgia counties .
Dominion classified their presence in Georgia as a “ statewide voting system rollout.
” This past week , Dominion has caused delayed voting and reporting results in Gwinnett County , Morgan County , and Spalding County .
Gwinnett County is the same location a whistleblower claimed had ballot machines used that were missing security seals .
Spalding County Elections Supervisor Marcia Ridley shared that the glitches were abnormal .
“ [ They ] uploaded something [ on Election Night ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it caused a glitch.
” This past weekend , Fulton County had to re-scan ballots after discovering that the number of votes received and the number of scanned ballots didn ’ t align .
Fulton County officials didn ’ t know why the numbers didn ’ t transfer properly in the system .
One county in Michigan that used Dominion mistakenly awarded a majority of votes to Democratic candidate Joe Biden that were intended for President Donald Trump .
47 other counties in Michigan use the software .
Michigan officials asserted that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not Dominion .
Texas rejected the use of Dominion in their voting systems on three past occasions – including this year – citing security concerns .
The state ’ s investigators found that the model – Democracy 5.5A – could be connected to the Internet through Ethernet ports .
In the fallout after Election Day , it appears that Texas hasn ’ t experienced technical errors in their ballot systems .
One individual was charged with 134 counts of voter fraud this past weekend after submitting faulty voter registration applications .
Georgia Secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement after Senators Kelly Loeffler ( R-GA ) and David Perdue ( R-GA ) called for his resignation .
Raffensperger stated that his administration is investigating all known allegations of voter fraud .
He also asserted that there was unlikely a significant amount of illegal voting that would alter the election outcomes .
28 states use Dominion , including major swing states in this election : Pennsylvania , Nevada , Arizona , Michigan , Wisconsin , and Georgia .
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Network @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Dominion Election Suite Equipment ” by VotesPA .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-10--Ben Carson Tests Positive for Coronavirus

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson tested positive for the coronavirus Monday , becoming the latest member of the Trump administration to contract it .
Carson received his positive test at Walter Reed Hospital Monday morning and has since left , ABC News reported .
Secretary Carson is “ in good spirits and feels fortunate to have access to effective therapeutics which aid and markedly speed his recovery , ” said Coalter Baker , his deputy chief of staff , according to ABC .
Carson attended President Donald Trump ’ s election night party at the White House .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mark Meadows , Trump ’ s chief of staff , who had tested positive for the coronavirus and was seen without a mask at the event .
Meadows and at least six other White House staffers have tested positive for the virus in the past week , according to The Washington Post .
The event is the second of which known to have likely contributed to the spread of the virus among White House officials .
In September , a Rose Garden event meant to formally announce then-Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contracting the virus , including Trump , First Lady Melania Trump , Kayleigh McEnnany , Kellyanne Conway , Sens .
Thom Tillis and Mike Lee , former New Jersey Gov .
Chris Christie and more .
Andrew Trunsky is a reporter at Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Ben Carson ” by Gage Skidmore CC2.0


thetennesseestar--2020-11-10--Stretching Credulity: Crom Carmichael Explains the Difference Between Proof and Evidence

Live from Music Row Monday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed the original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael to the studio to clarify the difference between proof and evidence while revealing the facts pertaining to the current presidential election voting tabulations .
Leahy : We are joined now by the original all-star panelist and good friend Crom Carmichael .
Good morning , Crom .
Carmichael : Michael .
How are you , sir ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ interesting Crom , I noticed over the weekend apparently there must have been a change in the constitution at least as far as former President George W. Bush is concerned because apparently under his interpretation of the constitution the Electoral College votes are allocated by the major news networks .
( Laughter ) He congratulated ‘ President-Elect Joe Biden.
’ Carmichael : Well , here ’ s what ’ s interesting .
There are people out there and as I was on the way in I was thinking Carl , would be one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way , Carl is a good friend of the program .
Carmichael : I ’ ve heard him called into the program a lot .
And so Carl is not alone .
I ’ m not isolating Carl .
There is a difference between proof and evidence .
Now , we ’ ve heard of cases where people are convicted based on circumstantial evidence .
We have other cases where they ’ re convicted by proof .
So let me give an example of circumstantial evidence and Carl can think about this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls in .
Generally , he calls him before I get here .
But this would be a case of circumstantial evidence .
You have a husband and a wife .
The wife goes out of town on a business trip .
She comes in a day before she supposed to come back .
She walks into the house and she finds a pair of thong panties in the bathroom that are not hers .
She finds her husband ’ s shirt with lipstick on it that is not her shade .
Leahy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Chuckles ) Carmichael : No , she finds perfume that is not hers in the bed and on the pillows .
now , she has no proof that her husband is having an affair in their own home .
But she has lots of evidence .
So if you were the jury listening to her case if she was suing , how would you decide ?
That would be a question to ask Carl based on those facts which do not include proof but do include a lot of facts that are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s move to the election .
we know for a fact that in Pennsylvania they counted many many ballots that came in after the day of the election .
We know for a fact .
Leahy : We also know that the law… Carmichael : We know for a fact that the law says that for a ballot to be valid in Pennsylvania , which is the law must be in by election day .
They kept counting afterward .
We know for a fact that in Michigan there was one particular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where people because of the machines that were used and the software that were for Trump that they said , oh we found a glitch after they were caught that had gone for a ballot that people would vote for Trump that had been flipped to Biden .
We know that that same software was used in 43 other counties in Michigan .
We ’ ve not looked into that yet .
Leahy : Well , I think 37 other states in various counties as well .
Carmichael : Okay ?
Well , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t know .
I knew about the Michigan part .
We know for a fact that in Milwaukee the voter turnout not only across the state of Wisconsin was way above .
It ’ s kind of like saying to Carl , ‘ Carl .
I ’ m going to flip a coin .
We ’ re on the phone now , Carl .
I ’ m going to flip a coin 50 times in a row and over the phone , I ’ m going to flip it .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ll tell you the result.
’ If I were to do that and then I was going to flip it and call it correctly 50 times in a row and there was nobody in the room with me to confirm it would you believe me ?
And the answer is if Joe Biden were flipping the coin , Carl would want to believe him so badly that he would say yes , even though any reasonable person knows that Carl is stretching credulity here .
Carmichael : Thank you .
Thank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see is across the country like in Nevada we know for a fact that the head of the voter database in Nevada knew and said before they mailed out the ballots to every registered voter that there are tens of thousands of people who are on the registered voter rolls who are either dead or who have moved from the state and should not be on those .
They said they mailed them out anyway .
We know that in Georgia , we know that when they counted the mail-in ballots , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they discarded the outer envelope .
They ’ re not supposed to do that .
They ’ re supposed to keep the outer envelope with the ballot because that ’ s what determines who actually mailed it so that you can determine whether or not the signature is correct .
And here ’ s the difficulty and here ’ s why .
It ’ s like the metaphor that I used .
All of the facts line up to help one candidate .
None of the facts line up to help the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 50 times in a row .
They just can ’ t miraculously all fall the same way .
Now , let ’ s look at additional evidence .
The additional evidence is that Republicans flipped three state legislators in the country .
They didn ’ t lose a single one .
So for those people out there who hate Trump and want Trumpism to be repudiated , they lost .
The Republicans picked up House seats .
We don ’ t know yet how many .
I ’ m hoping that every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And if when it ’ s over , let ’ s assume for purposes of discussion Republicans picked up 10 .
Go back in history and find any time where one party lost the presidency and picked up 10 House seats in the same election .
Find it .
You won ’ t .
That ’ s another fact in evidence .
And so while the Democrats and while the media can claim that Biden has won you correctly told Carl until the vote is certified by a state and that will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also agree with you by the way that the chances that Trump will win are somewhere in the 20 percent range .
Yeah , because the cheating was so pervasive .
And I say that because of facts in evidence .
And by the way , there will be some proof because on some of the program ’ s last night they said that they ’ ve already found ballots in Philadelphia or in Pennsylvania where dead people not only voted they registered to vote after they died .
Carmichael : Those would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voter fraud .
So we ’ ll have to just wait and see .
now do I have a problem with Biden working on what his administration would look like ?
I don ’ t have any problem with that .
It doesn ’ t matter .
It ’ s up to him .
But do I want to wait ?
Yes .
Now do I think it ’ s in and I ’ m sure Carl would agree with this .
Carl would tell you he does not want Biden to win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cheated .
I ’ m sure Carl would say that .
And so since there is so much consternation and concerns about how this election process was done , this country can send a piece of equipment to Mars .
We ’ re working on sending a human being to Mars .
If we can do that surely we can find a way to process votes in a way so that everyone will agree that every legal vote counted and not a single illegal vote counted .
The last piece of evidence that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a huge number of ballots that came in in the various states that are in question where the ballot showed that the voters only voted for Biden .
They didn ’ t vote for a single other candidate in any other race .
( Chuckles ) How many friends does Carl have who go in and say , I think now that I ’ ve waited in line for all these hours and now that I ’ ve gone through this whole process I think I ’ ll just vote for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to ignore the Senate race .
I ’ m going to ignore the congressional races and I ’ m going to ignore all the others ?
I ’ m sorry , the evidence does not support Carl ’ s side .
Carmichael : By the way , it will never support Carl ’ s side .
But that doesn ’ t mean that Biden might not become president , which is why it is so important that we correct the errors in our system .
And so that the public officials are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laws of their own states .
This is not hard by the way .
If the legislature of a state says a valid ballot must be in by election day or it is not valid if that ’ s what the state legislators said , then a public official who violates that is violating our everybody ’ s civil rights and should go to prison .
Leahy : We ’ ll see if the Supreme Court takes that case up .
I think they should .
I think they should .
But you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of late .
Carmichael : Well , John Roberts isn ’ t so dispositive now .
Carmichael : He ’ s not dispositive now .
We have nine members including Amy Coney Barrett .
Leahy : We now have nine members on the court .
Carmichael : We ’ ll see how that turns and and and for anyone – including Carl – who cares about rule of law .
He ought to want the Supreme Court to take it up .
Otherwise , he ’ s showing his hand .
Listen to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-10--Putin, Other Leaders To Wait Until ‘Legal Procedures’ Are Completed Before Congratulating Biden

Russian President Vladimir Putin will not congratulate President-elect Joe Biden , a top Kremlin spokesman said Monday .
“ Anticipating your possible question about Putin congratulating the U.S. president-elect , I want to say the following : we consider it correct to wait for the official summing up of the results of the elections , ” said Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov , according to the Russian news agency Interfax .
In addition to not congratulating Biden , unlike other foreign leaders , Russia has attempted to amplify claims of mail-in vote fraud .
Ella Pamfilova , the head of Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Russian outlet that mail-in voting “ opens immense scope for possible falsifications.
” The practice has been banned the practice in Russia .
Though President Donald Trump and his campaign have claimed that mail-in ballots susceptible to fraud and that Democrats are attempting to “ steal ” the election , there is not yet evidence to support either of his assertions .
When asked why Putin had withheld congratulations for Biden even though he had instantly congratulated Trump on his victory four years ago , Peskov said that the “ difference is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ You see that there are certain legal procedures ahead , which were announced by the incumbent president .
That is the difference .
Therefore , we consider it correct to wait for the official announcement , ” he said , adding that “ there are no official results yet.
” In addition to Putin , the leaders of China , Turkey and Mexico have also refrained from congratulating Biden .
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador also said that he would wait until the pending legal challenges were resolved , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a similar statement .
“ We understand the presidential election result will be determined following U.S. laws and procedures , ” he said , according to ABC News .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-10--Trump Fires Esper, Hires Miller as Pentagon chief

by Robert Burns and Lolita C. Baldor WASHINGTON , D.C. ( AP ) — President Donald Trump fired Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Monday , an unprecedented move by a president struggling to accept election defeat and angry at a Pentagon leader he believes wasn ’ t loyal enough .
The decision was widely expected as Trump had grown increasingly unhappy with Esper over the summer , including sharp differences between them over the use of the military during the civil unrest in June .
But the move could unsettle international allies and Pentagon leadership and injects another element of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden prepares to assume the presidency .
Presidents who win reelection often replace Cabinet members , but losing presidents have kept their Pentagon chiefs in place until Inauguration Day to preserve stability in the name of national security .
Trump announced the news in a tweet , saying that “ effective immediately ” Christopher Miller , the director of the National Counterterrorism Center , will serve as acting secretary , sidestepping the department ’ s No.2-ranking official , Deputy Defense Secretary David Norquist .
“ Chris will do a GREAT job !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been terminated .
I would like to thank him for his service.
” In a letter to Trump , Esper referred to his efforts to keep the Pentagon apolitical – a resistance that often angered Trump .
Esper said he served as defense secretary and Army secretary “ in full faith to my sworn oath to support and defend the Constitution , and to safeguard the country and its interests , while keeping the Department out of politics and abiding by the values Americans hold dear.
” The Associated Press obtained a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t thank Trump , but he also didn ’ t openly criticize the president or his policies .
He said he accepts Trump ’ s decision to replace him , adding , “ I step aside knowing there is much we achieved at the Defense Department over the last eighteen months to protect the nation and improve the readiness , capabilities , and professionalism of the joint force , while fundamentally transforming and preparing the military for the future.
” U.S. defense officials said Miller arrived at the Pentagon in the early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that White House chief of staff Mark Meadows informed Esper of the firing before Trump announced the move on Twitter .
Esper and Miller were in the building at the same time for a while , but Esper left by the end of the day , said defense officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal matters .
Trump ’ s abrupt move to dump Esper triggers questions about what the president may try to do before he leaves office , including adjustments in troop presence overseas or other national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. military continued to operate as usual .
U.S. officials said Gen. Mark Milley , chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , met with Miller on Monday and also gathered the top military commanders and chiefs for a secure meeting .
Officials said Miller ’ s message so far is that he won ’ t make immediate changes and the department will stay the course .
Military leaders , meanwhile , were calling top officials in their various geographic regions to assure them that the U.S. military is maintaining a stable presence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ message to the force , Esper expressed a twinge of disappointment , saying “ I step aside knowing that there is much more we could accomplish together to advance America ’ s national security.
” He said much was achieved , and “ through thick and thin , however , we have always put People and Country first , ” he said .
Trump ’ s decision brings to five the number of men who have held the job of defense chief under Trump — either in an acting capacity or confirmed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ condemned by Democratic members of Congress .
“ Dismissing politically appointed national security leaders during a transition is a destabilizing move that will only embolden our adversaries and put our country at greater risk , ” said Rep. Adam Smith , D-Wash. , chairman of the House Armed Services Committee .
“ President Trump ’ s decision to fire Secretary Esper out of spite is not just childish , it ’ s also reckless.
” Former military leaders weighed in .
Jim Stavridis , a retired four-star Navy admiral , wrote on Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ internationally , and this does not help.
” Republicans praised Esper but largely avoided criticizing Trump .
GOP Sen. Jim Inhofe , the Senate Armed Services Committee chairman , told reporters it was Trump ’ s decision and said , “ I learned a long time ago I don ’ t tell the president not to do anything.
” Biden has not said who he would appoint as defense chief , but is widely rumored to be considering naming the first woman to the post — Michele Flournoy .
Flournoy has served multiple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 1990s and most recently as the undersecretary of defense for policy from 2009 to 2012 .
She is well known on Capitol Hill as a moderate Democrat and is regarded among U.S. allies and partners as a steady hand who favors strong U.S. military cooperation abroad .
Miller most recently served as director of the National Counterterrorism Center and before that was a deputy assistant defense secretary and top adviser to Trump on counterterrorism issues .
He spent more than 30 years in the military , including as an Army Green Beret @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both Iraq and Afghanistan .
After his retirement from the military , Miller worked as a defense contractor .
Esper ’ s strained relationship with Trump came close to collapse last summer during civil unrest that triggered a debate within the administration over the proper role of the military in combating domestic unrest .
Esper ’ s opposition to using active duty troops to help quell protests in Washington , D.C. , infuriated Trump , and led to wide speculation that the defense chief was prepared to quit if faced with such an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Esper would be ousted if Trump won reelection .
Presidents historically have put a high priority on stability at the Pentagon during political transitions .
Since the creation of the Defense Department and the position of defense secretary in 1947 , the only three presidents to lose re-election — Gerald Ford , Jimmy Carter and George H.W .
Bush — all kept their defense chiefs in place until Inauguration Day .
Esper , who was the official successor to former Marine Gen. James Mattis , routinely emphasized the importance of keeping the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politics .
But it proved to be an uphill struggle as Trump alternately praised what he called “ his generals ” and denigrated top Pentagon leaders as war-mongers devoted to drumming up business for the defense industry .
During Trump ’ s presidency , the Pentagon has often been at the center of the tumult , caught in a persistent and erratic debate over the use of American forces at war in Iraq , Syria and Afghanistan , and on U.S. soil , at the Mexico border and in cities roiled by civil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Esper ’ s departure has appeared inevitable ever since he publicly broke with Trump in June over the president ’ s push to deploy military troops in the streets of the nation ’ s capital in response to civil unrest following the police killing of George Floyd .
Esper publicly opposed Trump ’ s threats to invoke the two-centuries-old Insurrection Act , which would allow the president to use active-duty troops in a law enforcement role .
And Trump was furious when Esper told reporters the Insurrection Act should be invoked “ only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situations , ” and , “ We are not in one of those situations now.
” Robert Burns and Lolita C. Baldor are reporters with The Associated Press .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-10--Democrats Invite Voters to Exploit Georgia’s Weak Residency Rules to Stuff Ballot Boxes in Runoff El

Democrats Invite Voters to Exploit Georgia’s Weak Residency Rules to Stuff Ballot Boxes in Runoff Elections

ATLANTA , Georgia – Democrats are advocating for “ blue voters ” to become Georgia residents for the upcoming runoff elections .
Georgia doesn ’ t have a minimum residency requirement , which poses a legal loophole for both parties .
Democrats could drum up enough voters to match general election turnouts and flip the state , and Republicans could ensure their hold on two Senate seats .
Additionally , the state ’ s voter I.D .
laws allow individuals to use an out-of-state driver ’ s license to vote .
However , the law defines residency as “ without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fixed habitation ] .
” “ A person shall not be considered to have gained a residence in any county or municipality of this state into which such person has come for temporary purposes only without the intention of making such county or municipality such person ’ s permanent place of abode.
” On Friday , Democratic activist and former presidential candidate Andrew Yang told his 1.7 million followers to go to Georgia for the two runoff races .
“ The best thing we could do for Joe [ Biden ] is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There should be a coordination of resources .
Everyone who campaigned for Joe should get ready to head to Georgia .
I ’ ll go .
It ’ s the only way to sideline Mitch and give Joe a unified government .
There isn ’ t much time .
The earliest date for absentee ballots to be mailed for the runoff is Nov. 18 .
The registration deadline is Dec. 7 .
The in-person early voting begins Dec. 14.
” The next day , Yang announced his move to Georgia would be specifically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ # yanggang – Evelyn and I are moving to Georgia to help @ ossoff and @ ReverendWarnock win !
This is our only chance to clear Mitch out of the way and help Joe and Kamala get things done in the next 4 years .
More details to come but let ’ s go !
!
!
” Tamara Stevens , another Democratic activist who organized the Handmaids Coalition of Georgia , invited voters to become Georgia residents temporarily for the runoff elections .
“ Hey all you Northern Democrats !
You are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia !
!
!
Come on down and we will cook for you too !
!
!
Y ’ allywood…start ramping up productions and get those West Coast Liberals here too !
” The process to challenge a voter ’ s residency is a costly hassle .
Electors bear the burden to prove that a voter isn ’ t a permanent resident , and the board of registrars must first prove probable cause exists .
On top of that , electors must present the individual ’ s tax records and mailing addresses .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections .
Georgia ’ s two Republican senators , David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler , are defending their seats against Democratic candidates Jon Ossoff and Reverend Dr. Raphael Warnock .
Outcomes for the Senate majority favors Republicans currently .
Runoff elections are January 5th .
Voters must be registered by December 7th , and may have three weeks of early voting .
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 ] .
Photo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and “ Handmaid ’ s Protest ” and “ Biden-Harris Sign Waving ” by Tamara Stevens .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-10--New Lawsuit in Michigan Alleges ‘Massive Fraud’ in Election Vote Counting, Calls for New Election in

New Lawsuit in Michigan Alleges ‘Massive Fraud’ in Election Vote Counting, Calls for New Election in Wayne County

The Great Lakes Justice Law Center ( GLJC ) announced Monday that it is filing an election crimes lawsuit in Wayne County Circuit Court in Detroit alleging “ massive fraud in the election vote-counting procedures.
” The complaint states that the criminal acts “ disenfranchised lawful voters and potentially changed the outcome of the election.
” The Great Lakes Justice Center is a non-profit corporation dealing with Constitutional liberties and other civil rights issues .
The Michigan law firm is representing two Detroit area residents who claim that Wayne County elections officials knowingly allowed “ illegal , unlawful , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the general election .
The lawsuit was filed in Detroit with six affidavits from election observers alleging that election workers processed invalid ballots .
The poll watchers allege that election officials backdated ballots that came in past the deadline , counted them even though the voter ’ s name did not appear in the official voter rolls , and accepted ballots with no matching signatures .
A city employee also claims that poll workers in Detroit illegally “ coached ” voters to vote for Biden , and even accompanied them into the voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shouldn ’ t be hard to find because , according to the complaint , election workers in Wayne County allegedly inserted the same birthdate of 1/1/1900 for non-existent voters .
Numerous witnesses filed swarm affidavits under oath “ attesting to the fraudulent activities they observed directly.
” Zachary Larsen , an attorney and former Michigan Assistant Attorney General , was a certified poll challenger at the TCF Center .
Larsen submitted an affidavit accusing poll workers of assigning names and numbers to indicate that a ballot was being counted for a non-eligible voter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ book or the supplemental poll book .
He claims that when he tried to get closer to an election official to observe what was going on , they “ immediately stopped working and glared at him.
” After Larsen observed that potential fraud was taking place and had a confrontation with the supervisor , he left the counting room to consult with another attorney .
“ It was at this point that election officials stopped permitting any further poll challengers to enter the counting room , including Mr. Larsen , ” the complaint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Larsen to re-enter the counting room to fulfill his duties as a poll challenger after he had discovered the fraud which was taking place.
” Attorney Jesse Jacobs was an election employee with the City of Detroit was was working at a polling location for approximately three weeks prior to the election .
Jacobs claims she was instructed to pre-date absentee ballots , not to look at signatures , and to never to ask for a driver ’ s license or any photo I.D .
when a person was trying to vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the results in Wayne County to be voided and an entirely new election to be conducted .
“ These acts disenfranchised lawful voters and potentially changed the outcome of the election , ” The Great Lakes Justice Law Center said in the complaint .
The complaint listed four potential violations of the plaintiffs ’ rights .
• Violation of Plaintiffs ’ Constitutional right to Election Accuracy and Integrity .
• Violation of Plaintiffs ’ Quo Warranto right to a fraud-free Election .
• Election workers were ordered to not verify voters ’ signatures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballots , and to process such ballots regardless of their validity .
• Election workers processed ballots that appeared after the election deadline and falsely reported that those ballots had been received prior to November 3 , 2020 deadline .
• Defendants used false information to process ballots , such as using incorrect or false birthdays .
Many times , the election workers inserted new names into the QVF and recorded these new voters as having a birthdate of 1/1/1900 .
• Defendants coached voters to vote for Joe Biden and the Democrat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the voting booths with voters to watch them vote and coach them for whom to vote .
• Unsecured ballots arrived at the TCF Center loading garage , not in sealed ballot boxes , without any chain of custody , and without envelopes .
Defendants refused to record challenges to their processes and removed challengers from the site if they politely voiced a challenge .
“ Based upon the above allegations of fraud , statutory violations , and other misconduct , as stated herein and in the attached affidavits , it is necessary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but not limited to , enjoining the certification of the election results pending a full investigation and court hearing , ordering a recount of the election results , or voiding the election and ordering a new election , to remedy the fraud , ” the complaint states .
The GLJC also called for “ an independent and non-partisan audit to determine the accuracy and integrity of the November 3 , 2020 election , ” and requested that the defendants be prevented from certifying the election results .
The GLC also asked the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November 3 , 2020 election results and order a new election to be held.
” David A. Kallman , Senior Counsel with the GLJC , stated , “ This type of widespread fraud in the counting and processing of voter ballots can not be allowed to stand .
Michigan citizens are entitled to know that their elections are conducted in a fair and legal manner and that every legal vote is properly counted .
Such rampant fraud can not be undone .
We ask the Court to enjoin the certification of this fraudulent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order a new vote in Wayne County.
” David Fink , the lead counsel for the city defendants , said in statement in response to the lawsuit , that the allegations are based on already debunked “ conspiracy theories .
”


thetennesseestar--2020-11-10--Singer Joy Villa and Tennessee Congressman John Rose Urge Donald Trump Supporters to Keep the Faith

Singer Joy Villa and Tennessee Congressman John Rose Urge Donald Trump Supporters to Keep the Faith in Mount Juliet

MOUNT JULIET , Tennessee — Singer , songwriter , and actress Joy Villa told as many as 1,000 Tennesseans at a Trump rally Monday that incumbent President Donald Trump will take the oath of office , again , on January 20 of next year .
Villa said this at a gathering at Mount Juliet ’ s Charlie Daniels Park .
Villa told Trump supporters not to worry about the mainstream media decreeing that former Vice President Joe Biden is now the president-elect .
Villa , who said she was once a liberal , recently relocated from Los Angeles to Middle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brothers and sisters .
I have love for them .
Let them celebrate .
Let them dance in the streets .
Let them riot .
Because they are digging their own grave , ” Villa told the crowd .
“ Because come Inauguration Day we will see the truth .
That President Trump will again be their president.
” Villa also said that “ God is on our side ” and advised the crowd to trust in God .
“ We know he [ Trump ] was chosen for a time such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ main reason that he ’ s in office , ” Villa said .
Meanwhile , U.S. Rep. John Rose ( R-TN-06 ) reminded the crowd that big media , big tech , and Democratic politicians — all of whom have had a pivotal role in the 2020 election — have lied about Trump for years and lied about Trump colluding with Russia .
Rose also said that Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett “ knows how to count votes ” and that Tennesseans expect officials in other states to count their votes accurately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by our president in the days to come to make sure that this election is decided based on legal votes , ” Rose said .
As The Tennessee Star reported , Trump supporters packed Tennessee ’ s state capitol Saturday motivated , energized , and determined to re-elect Trump at a Stop the Steal rally .
State Sen. Mark Pody ( R-Lebanon ) told Monday ’ s crowd that organizers have scheduled a follow-up rally at noon Saturday , again at the state capitol in Nashville .
Rose , though , said Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight ahead.
” “ Over the coming weeks we have to make sure that we provide the support to our president and the resources to his team to make sure they can fight the good fight all across this country and to make sure that the outcome of this election is one that we can rely on , ” Rose said .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-11-10--Commentary: The High Price of Dems’ False Hope

How much money did Democrats squander on hopeless campaigns based on the foolish expectation that Joe Biden would lead a “ blue wave ” landslide sweeping Republicans out of office at every level ?
While we must wait for final vote counts to know who won the presidency — this takes time , considering that some Biden voters have been dead for more than 30 years — we can begin to tabulate the cash total Democrats threw away on other campaigns that were inarguably doomed from the outset .
Start with South Carolina , where Democrats poured unprecedented sums into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenged Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham .
If you know anything at all about South Carolina politics , you know that it is one of the most staunchly Republican states in America .
Even when the GOP picks a guaranteed loser as its presidential candidate ( as in 2008 when they nominated Sen. John McCain ) , that loser will still carry South Carolina by a 10-point margin .
The people who threw money at Harrison obviously didn ’ t know anything about South Carolina , and perhaps didn ’ t care .
Graham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP majority on the Senate Judiciary Committee , which approved three Supreme Court nominees for President Trump , and Democratic donors were so afflicted with Trump Derangement Syndrome that they turned Harrison into the best-funded Senate candidate in American history .
Brace yourself for this number : $ 130 million .
That number for Harrison ’ s campaign doesn ’ t include all the spending by outside groups that “ resulted in wall-to-wall television and digital advertising ” against Graham in South Carolina .
Despite this expensive ad blitz , Democrats bought themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Carolina , as Graham cruised to reelection by a double-digit margin — about the same margin as his reelection six years ago , when his Democrat opponent was a state senator who raised about $ 500,000 .
It is unlikely any South Carolina Republican will ever again face anything like the money Democrats wasted against Graham , as state GOP chairman Drew McKissick told the Associated Press : “ I don ’ t think they ’ re going to be able to find people stupid enough to invest $ 120 million and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of money to flush down the toilet and get beat by 10 , 12 points.
” Much the same could be said for Kentucky , where Democrats poured $ 90 million into Amy McGrath ’ s campaign to unseat Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell .
If you have paid attention to Kentucky politics , you know that the Bluegrass State has been steadily trending toward the GOP for decades .
While Kentucky has not yet attained South Carolina ’ s status as an impenetrable bastion of Republican strength , Democrats seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most parts of the state .
Republicans control five of Kentucky ’ s six U.S. House seats , no Democrat has represented Kentucky in the U.S. Senate since 1999 , and the last time a Democrat carried the state in a presidential election was 1996 , when Bill Clinton squeaked past Bob Dole , 46 percent to 45 percent .
But because Democrat Andy Beshear managed to get elected governor of Kentucky last year , by a razor-thin margin of about 5,000 votes , there seemed to be reason to hope that McGrath @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
False hope is a seed from which grows a tree of folly that yields fruit of bitter disappointment .
In politics , this crop is usually fertilized by misleading polls like the Quinnipiac University poll of Kentucky voters in August that claimed McConnell ’ s lead over McGrath was a mere 5 points , 49 to 44 percent .
( Quinnipiac , once a respectable polling outfit , had some of the most erroneous polls this year ; their final Ohio poll , for example , had Biden leading by 4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8 points . )
Bolstered by such encouraging signs , Democrats sent a tsunami of campaign cash flooding into Kentucky .
Every quarterly report from the Federal Election Commission triggered new headlines about McGrath ’ s record-breaking fundraising .
During the third quarter ( July through September ) of 2020 , for example , McGrath ’ s campaign collected nearly $ 37 million , which was more than twice what McConnell raised in the same quarter .
She entered the final month of the Senate campaign with about $ 20 million cash on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had finally found the formula to defeat their arch-nemesis McConnell , ultimately funded McGrath ’ s campaign to the tune of $ 90 million .
Alas , false hope !
McConnell mopped the floor with McGrath , beating her by a margin of 20 points , 58 to 38 percent .
In her concession statement , McGrath boasted of her “ grassroots campaign ” despite the fact that it was funded by tens of millions of dollars mostly from out-of-state donors .
McGrath ’ s campaign was so obviously a waste of money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Onion as spending lavishly on her “ Concession Bonanza ” with “ dozens of Playboy bunnies passing out Dom Pérignon ” while the candidate drove away from the party in “ a brand-new yellow Bugatti as $ 2 million worth of fireworks spelling out ‘ Resist !
’ exploded in the sky.
” This was just satirical humor , of course ; in reality , the people who get rich from campaigns are the consultants .
Who do you think lives in all those McMansions in Northern Virginia ?
Speaking of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was the scene of another expensive Election Day flop for Democrats .
Everything seemed to be working against Republicans in the district , where incumbent GOP Rep. Denver Riggleman lost his party ’ s nomination to a little-known challenger , Bob Good .
Democrats meanwhile poured money into the campaign of Dr. Cameron Webb , a black physician who emphasized health-care issues amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
By October , Webb was setting fundraising records and reportedly had a 4-to-1 cash-on-hand advantage over the Republican , while polls claimed to show Webb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Instead , the Republican won by nearly a 6-point margin , and Good issued an Election Night statement calling his win “ a victory for the conservative values that founded and sustain this nation.
” It was a long , sad Election Night for Nancy Pelosi ’ s House Democrats , who had hoped to expand their congressional majority , only to watch in horror as it instead began shrinking .
By late Thursday , with some races still in doubt , it appeared House Democrats were facing a net loss of at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call with Pelosi and other leaders turned into a furious round-robin of recrimination .
At least one defeated member , Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell , who lost her South Florida seat to Republican Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Giménez , reportedly broke down crying during the call .
Certainly she and other defeated Democrats couldn ’ t blame their losses on a shortage of campaign cash .
In October , the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee ( DCCC ) crowed in a press release that they were setting new fundraising records : Today , the DCCC announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — raising $ 70.5M between July and September .
The committee closed that quarter with its best ever September — bringing in $ 29.5M for the month… .
With record fundraising from Speaker Nancy Pelosi , the DCCC has raised $ 278M during the 2020 cycle.… The DCCC entered September with $ 35M more cash on hand then the NRCC and outraised the NRCC by $ 57 million throughout the 2020 cycle .
The DCCC ’ s chairwoman , Illinois Rep. Cheri Bustos , boasted in October that her committee would be “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump territory.
” That didn ’ t happen for Democrats , neither “ deep ” nor shallow in “ Trump territory , ” as they instead lost seats in districts that had gone for Clinton four years earlier .
While disappointed Democrats were pointing fingers at Pelosi and pollsters , no one in the party stepped forward to accept responsibility for their overpriced defeat .
Indeed , this is a metaphor for the Democratic policy platform , the core message of their progressive ideology being that no one is ever responsible for their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a woman , your misfortunes are blamed on the “ patriarchy ” ; if you ’ re black , it ’ s “ systemic racism ” holding you down .
Whoever you are and whatever your problems may be , according to Democrats , everything is always the fault of some external scapegoat — you can never be held responsible for anything that goes wrong .
This victimhood narrative has so deeply embedded itself in progressive thinking that it never occurs to any Democrat to acknowledge their own errors or to question their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Florida congresswoman weeping on a House conference call or the contributors to Amy McGrath ’ s Kentucky campaign wondering what the hell she did with that $ 90 million , no Democrat ever ponders the possibility that they have suffered the natural consequences of their own folly .
Who was to blame , after all , for their foolish belief that Joe Biden was headed toward a landslide victory that would bring with it a “ blue wave ” of Democratic victories in down-ticket races ?
Powerline blogger Steven Hayward compiled a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden victory , including “ Prepare for a Biden landslide ” ( Josh Kraushaar , National Journal , June 23 ) and “ Most Democrats are Scared to Say So , but Joe Biden Is Poised for a Landslide Win ” ( Eleanor Clift , Daily Beast , Oct. 28 ) .
Those prestigious journalists have not admitted error , but neither have the pollsters nor the Biden campaign itself , for that matter .
Being a liberal means never having to admit you were wrong .
Could we further delineate the causes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yes , but why help them figure it out ?
Better they should continue chasing after figments of their own imagination — “ Russian collusion , ” “ systemic racism , ” or whatever — and keep throwing away good money on bad candidates .
Fools deserve to lose and lose badly .
The road to political hell is paved with squandered campaign cash .
Robert Stacy McCain is the author of Sex Trouble : Essays on Radical Feminism and the War Against Human Nature .
He blogs at TheOtherMcCain.com .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-10--UVA Men’s Basketball Team Prepares for Season Full of Unknowns

As the return of college basketball quickly approaches , the University of Virginia men ’ s basketball team is preparing for what could be one of the most challenging and unique seasons in the history of the sport due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The Cavaliers , just like every other team , have been attempting to navigate through an odd preseason full of new protocols and adjustments , and trying to get ready for the regular season with many aspects still unknown .
In an online question and answer video for a “ meet the team ” multi-part series @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year ’ s players and some of the challenges they will be facing .
“ It ’ s a challenging time with basketball because it is indoors , there are smaller numbers , officials travel often and we play three or more games a week sometimes , ” Bennett said .
“ So you have some obstacles that remain to be seen.
” Bennett also mentioned that if a player tests positive or is identified to have possibly been exposed through contact tracing , they could miss three or four contests depending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of games , and that , unlike college football , there are no open dates for teams to reschedule .
Another difficult aspect Bennett touched on is the mental strain players might experience during the season since they are essentially completely separated from anyone not involved with the team , including friends and family .
Despite the aforementioned challenges associated with this season , the technically reigning national champions are looking to take back the top spot in the Atlantic Coast Conference ( ACC ) after finishing fourth last year in what was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ key players Kihei Clark , Jeff Haus and Tomas Woldetensae from the 2019 team that finished with a 15-5 conference record and 23-7 overall .
After sitting out all of last season because of the NCAA rules , Marquette transfer Sam Hauser is expected to play an important role on the wing this season .
“ I think this year I ’ m excited about , at times , the ability to open up the floor with some shooting and hopefully make things easier [ for the offense ] , ” Bennett said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if it ’ s always true , but there is a saying that shooting covers over a multitude of sins.
” Bennett also admitted that he is not sure as of now how this year ’ s team will fare defensively .
Under Bennett ’ s 11 seasons as head coach , the Cavaliers have become known for playing lockdown , stifling defense , which he admitted won the team some games in 2019 .
The Virginia Star reached out to the UVA athletics department for comment , but did not hear back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Press ‘ preseason poll released Monday , Virginia is ranked as the # 4 team in the country .
Fellow ACC schools Duke ( 9 ) , North Carolina ( 16 ) and Florida State ( 21 ) also made the top-25 rankings .
College basketball would have normally begun sometime last week , but this year the season was pushed back to November 25th , when the majority of colleges and universities will have already concluded the fall semester and most non-athlete students will be at home .
As of Monday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on its schedule .
The team will begin its season on the 25th playing Saint Peter ’ s University up in Connecticut , before playing Florida two days later .
Virginia then hosts Michigan State as part of the heralded ACC-Big 10 challenge .
Finally , the Cavaliers end its non-conference schedule against Villanova at Madison Square Garden in New York City on December 19th .
In terms of its conference schedule , nobody , not even Bennett , knows what that will look like yet because the ACC has not released it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ESPN radio show Packer and Durham , ACC commissioner John Swofford said the league was very close to announcing the schedule , but not quite there yet .
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 “ UVA Basketball ” by Virginia Men ’ s Basketball .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-10--Gov DeWine Calls Special Presser Alongside Medical Advisors – Hospitalizations the Focus

COLUMBUS , Ohio – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine , leaders of the Ohio Hospital Association and Ohio ’ s incoming Medical Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff ( formerly Chief Medical Officer at Ohio Health ) conducted a 2:00 p.m. briefing .
The press conference was set to address the recent increase in hospitalizations and how the state plans to handle the matter .
“ We are seeing in this state an unprecedented spike in hospital utilization , ” said Dr. Vanderhoff .
The overarching message delivered by the medical director and zone leaders of each of Ohio ’ s hospital regions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a shift in the way cases are going we will have a staffing issue and COVID care could crowd-out care for others .
Ohio ’ s initial response that included a statewide shutdown and stoppage of elective surgeries resulted in closures and furloughs across Ohio ’ s healthcare industry .
According to the Ohio COVID website and records kept form the stie , total hospital capacity is higher today than it was on October 15 .
Deaths in Ohio are flat and have been for months – they peaked on April 28 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tests that began in September and increases in COVID hospitalizations over about the same period .
Despite a higher capacity for care inside hospitals , it appears COVID occupancy is up in outpatient beds and ICU beds , while more ventilators are being used by people sick with COVID .
It is clear the COVID virus is a risk , and a serious one – particularly for the aged and those with existing conditions .
However , CDC Director Robert Redfield previously indicted hospitalizations may be inflated due to reimbursement issues .
How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have skewed Ohio hospitalizations may never be known .
But going forward it will get more difficult to understand if hospital beds , ICUs and ventilators are being used by COVID patients , at least in two of Ohio ’ s major health systems .
WMFD and The Ohio Star were contacted recently and received information that came from employees inside University Hospitals and Ohio Health – who expressed concern that new testing protocols would make it impossible to understand how many COVID-only patients are receiving care .
The information from both health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ohio Health has 12 hospitals and 200 ambulatory sites in 47 counties , with a significant footprint in central Ohio .
The information obtained about the Ohio Health COVID testing protocol from an employee ( who wishes to remain anonymous for safety and security ) indicates there is a “ new COVID/flu order set.
” The order set , the process by which tests are ordered , is driven by an algorithm that will provide an order outcome for “ the test ( s ) that are clinically appropriate.
” The Ohio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care worker entering the patient data to enter “ no symptoms ” as the answer to the question “ symptoms as defined by the CDC ?
” – the algorithm-driven system defaults to an appropriate answer .
Whether the combined testing order process will count both COVID and other flu-like illnesses together has not yet been clarified .
The Star reached out to an Ohio Health spokesperson and is awaiting comment .
The process of combining tests results for COVID and other illnesses does seem to be the case at University Hospitals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centers throughout Northeast Ohio .
An email obtained by The Star from University Hospitals announces “ Combined COVID-19 , Influenza , and RSV testing begins November 17.
” The message came from William Brien , Chief Medical Officer at University Hospitals .
The email is below .
In it , Obrien says ” “ due to the substantial overlap in symptoms , uncertain influenza and RSV rate and prioritization of public health goals ” that “ [ p ] atients who have respiratory symptoms will be co-tested for COVID-19 and influenza nucleic acid.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ anticipate peaks in December and February , per the CDC , we must gain clarity on whether COVID , Influenza A/B and RSV data are going to be combined .
And if so , it raises even more concern , as The Star has already reported on the Ohio Public Health Advisory System and how it may be depicting inflated results due to how COVID hospitalizations and emergency department visits for COVID-like illnesses are recorded .
The Star reached out to spokespersons for both hospital system but had not received a return call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jack Windsor is Managing Editor at both The Ohio Star and The Michigan Star .
Windsor is also an Investigative Reporter at WMFD-TV and The Virginia Star .
Follow Jack on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Image “ Governor DeWine ” by The Ohio Channel .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-10--Gov. Walz Signals Tightening of COVID-19 restrictions on Bars and Restaurants

Gov .
Tim Walz hinted Monday he would enact targeted restrictions to slow the spread of COVID-19 but didn ’ t describe the new rules planned .
Walz said the state health department had identified three major infection sources of spread : social gatherings , bars and restaurants .
It appears as if those restrictions will mostly affect bars and restaurants .
“ Many of you can extrapolate and start thinking about this : where are the 18-to-34-year-olds congregating together ?
” Walz said .
“ Where are they and what are some of the incidences of the social spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to target those much more surgically and aggressively than a statewide stay at home order.
” A week ago , the Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm said the state had launched investigations into 161 bars and restaurants that officials had linked to 3,185 primary COVID-19 cases .
About 74 of 161 businesses investigated had at least seven cases , accounting for a total of 2,220 primary cases , MinnPost reported .
Liz Rammer , the CEO of Hospitality Minnesota , told The Center Square that only 2 % of COVID-19 cases are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The state has repeatedly told us they do not intend to shut down restaurants and bars , and we have not been told any different today , ” Rammer said in a statement .
“ We would hope that any targeted restrictions being contemplated would take into account that restaurants and bars are affiliated with only 2 % of the cases , and not unfairly single out these businesses .
Closing down bars and restaurants would only serve to push more people to home gatherings where the data shows increased case spread.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state has learned its limits of what activities are possible with proper COVID-19 testing .
“ At this point in time , we ’ ve learned we can do retail , we can do education , some of it in person , if we ’ re able to test , contain and contact trace those folks to get ( their infections ) isolated , ” he said .
Those between the ages of 20-24 make up the largest number of Minnesota ’ s COVID-19 cases with 21,961 and a single death , followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases and three deaths .
However , 92 % of those killed by COVID-19 in Minnesota were 60 years of age or older .
Walz also said the state is considering using mobile devices to track people ’ s movement and proximity to others so they could be notified of possible COVID-19 exposure , the Star Tribune reported .
Mobile contact tracing applications have been used throughout the United States but spark privacy concerns among civil liberty advocates .
Rep. Pat Garofalo , R-Farmington , tweeted in opposition to the vague announcement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the upcoming week .
The confusion from Gov Walz is costing small businesses big $ $ .
If they order products he won ’ t let them sell , it costs them huge $ .
If they DON ’ T order products , they lose $ from lost sales .
They need clarity ASAP !
” Scott McClallen is a staff writer covering Michigan and Minnesota for The Center Square .
A graduate of Hillsdale College , his work has appeared on Forbes.com and FEE.org .
Previously , he worked as a @ @ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-11-10--Senate Passes Majority of Gov. Northam’s Amendments, Concluding Lengthy Special Session

RICHMOND , Virginia – The Virginia Senate on Monday adopted a number of slight changes to legislation and the budget recommended by Governor Ralph Northam , including language for the implementation of the recently-approved redistricting commission .
Overall , including the budget , the Senate passed amendments for ten bills from the House and Senate .
Most passage votes were primarily along party lines with a couple amendments garnering unanimous support .
Many of Northam ’ s amendments were rather small and did not change what the bills actually accomplished or things like that .
For example , amendments made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new system for earned sentence credits and the release of terminally ill inmates , simply changed the month of implementation .
For the budget legislation , HB 5005 , there were ten amendments all together , but the Senate only considered seven of those proposed adjustments , two of which wound up being rejected by the body .
One such amendment that was rejected by the Senate would have removed language calling for residents and employees of nursing and assisted living facilities to receive priority COVID-19 testing to instead allow the Virginia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rely on their own testing and vaccination priorities , which did include the elderly population .
Several legislators spoke in opposition to the amendment , such as Senators Jennifer Kiggans ( R-Virginia Beach ) and David Marsden ( D-Fairfax County ) , arguing that a large volume of COVID cases and deaths in the Commonwealth come from the more vulnerable elderly population .
Sen. Barbara Favola ( D-Arlington ) said the amendment should be adopted because it would give the VDH the flexibility to prioritize testing and , eventually , vaccines for people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one group of people .
The Governor ’ s recommendation was rejected by a vote of Y-12 N-27 .
Another budget amendment considered by the body was the allocation of $ 1 million in fiscal year 2020-2021 to provide funding for an independent , third-party investigation of the culture , traditions , policies and practices of the Virginia Military Institute ( VMI ) .
Senate Minority Leader Thomas Norment ( R-James City ) spoke in favor of the amendment , saying the school ’ s board of visitors welcomed the investigation and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family are looking forward to ” it .
The amendment was then passed almost along party lines ( Y-23 N-16 ) with further debate .
“ I think it ’ s a great amendment , ” Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax ( D ) told The Virginia Star .
“ I think the governor setting aside $ 1 million to actually conduct this investigation , to get to the facts and to get to the bottom of everything is the right way to go.
” The tenth and final budget amendment , pertaining to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state redistricting commission , was almost passed unanimously ( Y-39 N-2 ) .
“ I was very pleased that we were united with the [ redistricting commission language ] , ” Sen. Emmett Hanger ( R-Augusta ) said in an interview with The Star .
“ I ’ m just glad that we got , I think , a reasonable outcome.
” The redistricting language passed down by Northam included some information on the commission that has already been heavily reported , but it also included new details on the timing and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ includes : legislative commissioners must be selected by December 1st of this year , citizen members must be appointed by no later than January 15th , the commission ’ s citizen chairman must be picked by February 1st during a public meeting and the citizen application period will only be four weeks long starting from the beginning of December .
Additionally , in order for any district drawing plan , legislative or congressional , to officially be submitted to the General Assembly , the plan must receive affirmative votes of at least six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eight citizen members .
Hanger also said two minor adjustments were made to the language after discussions took place early last week , both before and after the referendum was passed by voters , where members of the House of Delegates wanted Northam to make significant changes .
One change clarified that the Supreme Court of Virginia would appoint two masters to help the court establish districts if the commission fails to submit plans before the prescribed deadline or if the Assembly fails to adopt a plan before the deadline .
The other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ethnic , geographic , and gender diversity are reflected during the implementation process and work of the redistricting commission .
The Senate and House approving or rejecting Northam ’ s amendments marked the official end to the extremely long 2020 special session , which began all the way back on August 18th .
Despite having to navigate each body working in separate locations through different means , the most frequent complaint among Senators was the 83-day length .
“ The special session was extraordinarily too long , I mean it has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Norment told The Star .
“ The logistics of dealing with it in a pandemic situation has been tortuous.
” “ Jefferson put the country together quicker , ” Saslaw said .
“ Had this crowd over here been in Philadelphia 230 years ago , we would still be singing god save the queen.
” Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Follow Jacob on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-11-10--Richmond Prosecutor: Officer Justified in Marcus-David Peters Shooting

Richmond Commonwealth ’ s Attorney Colette W. McEachin determined that the officer shooting of Marcus-David Peters was justified , according to a report of her investigation into the May 2018 incident .
McEachin ’ s report , released last week , describes Peters , a Black man , having a likely mental crisis that resulted in him running nude on I-95 .
Peters then approached a responding officer who fired first a Taser and then a gun at Peters .
McEachin wrote , “ The officer ’ s ultimate decision to use lethal force was a reasonable response to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public by Mr. Peters ’ continued violent behavior due to his mental deterioration.
” The investigation is the second investigation into the use of force ; a report by McEachin ’ s predecessor came to the same conclusion , according to The Richmond Times-Dispatch .
The paper reported that McEachin began her investigation at the family ’ s request as protests erupted in June over George Floyd ’ s death .
Peters has a legacy in a new ‘ Marcus ’ alert system , part of a bill signed last week by Governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release states , “ [ The bill ] establishes a statewide mental health awareness response and community understanding services ( Marcus ) alert system .
This measure promotes a behavioral health response to individuals in crisis , including by limiting the role of law enforcement , and is named after Marcus-David Peters , who was killed by a police officer while experiencing a behavioral health crisis in 2018.
” “ I think it ’ s definitely a correct direction to be going in , ” Heritage Foundation Legal Fellow Amy Swearer said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ if it had been in place when Mr. Peters was shot , would that have been effective or useful for intervention in that specific scenario ?
I think that ’ s a valid question and I don ’ t think it necessarily would have been.
” Swearer said getting mental health professionals involved in advance of a crisis is best , but having crisis response teams could be appropriate as well .
“ Getting mental health experts into the mix and having them be part of these responses , where that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the right direction.
” She acknowledged concerns that funding for mental health response might come from existing law enforcement budgets .
“ That could be a concern .
You ’ re still going to have law enforcement officers who need to be paid to enforce the law and still need resources , ” Swearer said .
“ I think the best way of looking at this is as a ‘ both and ’ approach , ” Swearer said .
“ I don ’ t think you necessarily want to be stripping money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a sort of intentional , anti-law enforcement way .
But it is also important that one of the best things that you can do for law enforcement is to help them be able to do their jobs better and some of that is by taking mental health crises off their plate and having professionals deal with that.
” Swearer said , “ It ’ s something that you ’ re seeing more states explore and it certainly is something that is worthwhile exploring , even if in the long run it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Colette W. McEachin ” by Colette W. McEachin .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-10--Central Ohio Focus of Increasing Military, Federal Jobs

With more than 90,000 jobs and 30 defense installations across the states , Ohio political leaders continue to push the state ’ s commitment to military personnel and its role in the country ’ s defense operations .
U.S. Sens .
Rob Portman ( R-OH ) , and Sherrod Brown ( D-OH ) , recently joined Congresswoman Joyce Beatty , Congressman Steve Stivers , Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof and State Sen. Stephanie Kunze in a virtual town hall with JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef regarding the state ’ s plan on expanding its military and federal assets job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our commitment to the nation ’ s military and to those who serve , ” Obhof said .
“ We have worked hard to protect our current military installations , attract new opportunities and provide a welcoming home for our military families and veterans .
I appreciate the support and expertise JobsOhio provides to our state and communities in this effort.
” Ohio is home to the Defense Supply Center in Columbus , the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland , the nation ’ s second largest Air Guard in Toledo , Mansfield @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Youngstown Air Reserve , and Lima ’ s heavy armor plant , among many others .
In September , NASA released its first agency wide economic-impact study that detailed all NASA activities across the country in an effort to understand how the U.S. economy benefited from lunar and mars exploration efforts .
Ohio ranked eighth in the nation in total number of NASA jobs with 11,139 .
The agency ’ s economic output for Ohio is $ 2.3 billion annually .
Also , Gov .
Mike DeWine recently asked President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Dayton .
The headquarters are expected to house 1,400 military and civilian jobs .
Ohio also received a $ 5 million U.S. Defense Department grant to improve defense manufacturing and train state workers for next-generation jobs .
That grant went along with the state being named as a Defense Manufacturing Community .
More regional town halls are planned throughout the state in November and December .
J. D. Davidson is a Regional Editor for The Center Square .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-10--After Teacher ‘Sick-Out’ Fizzles, Students Return to In-Person Learning in Chesterfield County

An anticipated organized ‘ sick-out ’ by Chesterfield County Public Schools ( CCPS ) teachers did not develop Monday , as the last cohort of students returned to in-person classes .
This week , grades 6-12 are entering a hybrid in-person program where students are in-person two days a week , according to documentation from the school board .
Younger students have already returned .
Parents were given the choice to opt-in to the hybrid program .
CCPS posted pictures on Facebook of faculty greeting returning students and of socially distanced classrooms .
Many parents commented thanking the district .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ children a CHOICE .
Some kids are having a really hard time mentally and socially being isolated for so long , ” parent Julie Watson wrote .
“ Kudos to you for opening your doors and allowing some form of face to face interaction .
I didn ’ t expect it to be even close to normal but this is better than sitting in a room alone for hours stating at a screen where most kids choose to not be seen.
” Other commenters noted the lack of choice given to teachers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and middle school teacher Emma Clark published a press release expressing concern over the plan and shared results of unaffiliated Chesterfield Education Association ’ s survey of teachers .
Clark wrote , “ The vast majority of the nearly 900 responses indicate feeling unsafe and/or unprepared.
” In a statement responding to the Chesterfield Educators United release and press conference , CCPS said , according to NBC12 , “ The school division has received some inquiries about secondary employees who are stating that they do not plan to report to work on Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employee ( s ) to reiterate our commitment to a safe working and learning environment as well as all the precautions that are in place ( e.g .
mask-wearing , availability of face shields , other PPE if applicable , changes in cleaning procedures , social distancing , etc . )
” On Monday evening , Clark told The Virginia Star that a formal sick-out never really developed , but that she had heard of a few teachers who stayed home .
Clark herself did not report to her classes in person , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that she had warned the district that she would not report in person , and the administration replied that could lead to termination .
“ I was teaching virtually when they disabled my account midway through my lesson , ” Clark said .
Clark said she was reprimanded by the principal .
“ What I do feel bad about are the teachers , and some of the teachers don ’ t have a choice .
It ’ s either go to work or lose your job , ” said parent Karen Henderson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she ’ s been involved with CCPS issues for years .
Her daughter is a high school senior this year .
“ I ’ m glad that [ we ] have the choice if we wanted to keep our kids home , if we wanted to send them back.
” Henderson said she ’ s opted to keep her daughter home , but that the school board ’ s decision to make a return optional was important .
“ The fact that Chesterfield gave us the option , that made me happy because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can make this choice for my child . '
” Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Chesterfield Schools ” by Chesterfield County Public Schools .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-10--$20 Million Literacy Program Endorsed by Common Core Set to be Implemented in Tennessee before 2021

$20 Million Literacy Program Endorsed by Common Core Set to be Implemented in Tennessee before 2021 legislative session

Tennessee House Republicans have said childhood literacy is a top priority for 2021 , but one literacy initiative endorsed by a drafter of Common Core standards and designed to encourage 40 school districts to comply with state standards is on track to be implemented before lawmakers return to Nashville .
The Tennessee Department of Education ’ s ( TDOE ) Comprehensive Literacy State Development program is designed to raise literacy achievement in 40 lower performing school districts .
It is funded by a $ 20 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to be distributed over five years .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we need to get started right away on addressing the gaps that have been created , the learning loss , from months away from the classroom , ” Gov .
Bill Lee said of the program in a recent news conference .
“ I think the legislature and the department are grateful for the federal funds that will allow us to bridge the gap until we get legislation in place.
” According to the TDOE grant proposal , the program will establish regional networks to provide instructional support for 40 lower performing school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the state .
The networks will host monthly webinars and visits to school districts to teach and discuss adherence to a state-provided instructional practice guide .
The guide included with the department ’ s grant application contained 13 pages of content from Student Achievement Partners , an organization founded and run by writers of Common Core standards .
With the grant proposal , the TDOE submitted a letter of support from David and Meredith Liben , both on staff at Student Achievement Partners .
David Liben ’ s staff biography notes that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Common Core English Language Acquisition standards .
The program is slated to be implemented before the Tennessee Legislature returns in January , and rollout seems to be on track .
A manager has been hired to oversee the federal grant , and the department is advertising to hire a project manager .
It ’ s also scheduled to contract vendors this month , for monthly meetings to begin by January .
Several lawmakers on the House Education Committee , however , are concerned about the TDOE moving forward with a literacy program without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s caused significant tension between the Legislature and the department and prompted multiple lawmakers to call for Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn ’ s removal .
“ Our members have clearly communicated on several occasions that we want to work with Commissioner Schwinn and the department to better prepare Tennessee ’ s students for tomorrow , ” Rep. John Ragan told The Center Square .
“ We need to be sure we ’ re aiming for the same goal , and we expect that to be a collaborative team effort.
” Schwinn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ briefings , a summer meeting of the House Education Committee and on a webinar with legislators , but the details and structure of the comprehensive literacy program have not been discussed extensively in public .
Ragan and eight members of the House Education Committee wrote a letter to Schwinn last month expressing concerns that the Legislature had not been sufficiently informed of the program and the program was significantly influenced by organizations and individuals closely associated with federal Common Core standards , which Tennessee has rejected .
“ The grant directly mentions Common @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entity that created Common Core , ” Ragan told The Center Square .
“ For the Tennessee Department of Education to adopt a pilot program in 48 low performing schools that we know we aren ’ t ever going to implement isn ’ t just a waste of time and valuable resources , it ’ s nonsensical and counter-productive to what we want to accomplish.
” Responding to legislators ’ concerns , Schwinn said the program is not tied to Common Core standards , is “ entirely optional ” and “ in no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In no way does the grant have anything to do with Common Core , ” Schwinn wrote in her response to lawmakers .
“ That requirement is used within the grant application and subsequent competitive processes as well .
Additionally , no provider , tied to Common Core or otherwise , has been selected to support administering this grant.
” In criteria for vendor selection included in the grant request , the TDOE said it will consider vendors for the program based on their ability to comply with the 29-page instructional practice guide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesperson for the department told The Center Square the department has updated the guide to be Tennessee specific since submitting the grant request .
“ There is not a single part of this grant that is connected with Common Core , nor was it in any way used in this process , ” a department spokesperson told The Center Square in an email .
“ The IPG rubric is built to be agnostic to state standards , so that states can make necessary changes and modifications to meet their specific state requirements , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the updated guide provided to The Center Square by the department is identical to the last page in the original 29 page guide provide to the USDOE – simply eliminating previous content from Student Achievement Partners .
Likewise , a link in the grant request to the originally submitted instructional practice guide with Student Achievement Partners content , previously hosted on the TDOE website , has now been disabled .
“ As we partner with our educators and communities to respond to the academic needs of our students , we remain absolutely committed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in any way , involved in the education efforts in Tennessee .
We have gone above and beyond to add language in our procurements explicitly prohibiting the use of Common Core , and we continue to engage key Tennessee stakeholders in the development and review of materials to align to the needs and values of Tennesseans .
We look forward to continuing critical conversations related to literacy with the legislature , incorporating their thoughts and feedback , and continuing to partner with leadership on strategies to accelerate reading profile changes in our @ @ @