thetennesseestar--2020-07-03--State Senator Jack Johnson on Laws Passed in Final Week of Tennessee’s General Assembly

Live from Music Row Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed Tennessee state Senator Jack Johnson in the studio .
At the end of the second hour , Johnson described the primary goal of the Tennessee General Assembly and what may lie ahead in the summer months noting that the budget was the primary issue that has been completed before adjourning .
Leahy : We are delighted to have in studio with us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guitarist for the Austin Brothers .
( Johnson laughs ) I love listening to those guys .
And also the State Senate Majority Leader John [ Jack ] Johnson .
Jack again welcome to our studios .
We are delighted to have you here .
Johnson : Thanks , Michael .
It ’ s great to be with you here in person .
Johnson : I ’ ve done this on the phone but this is my first time in person .
Leahy : It ’ s always more fun in person because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should come in .
It just works better I think in person .
It ’ s more interesting to the listeners as well .
As the majority leader of the state senate , you have a very significant responsibility .
Tell us what ’ s happened here in terms of the final week or so of the Tennessee General Assembly which has adjourned but might come back .
Tell us what ’ s going on .
Johnson : Sure .
Well for all of us , 2020 has been such an interesting year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for some tragic year .
We came into session the second Tuesday in January as we are constitutionally required to do every year .
And when you look back at that time .
I remember Governor Lee coming and delivering his state of the state address and talking about how our revenues were exceeding expectations and Tennessee had just been voted by US News and World Report which are not a conservative outlet by the way .
Leahy : No , not at all .
Johnson : But voted us the number one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leahy : A lot of people in the state legislature are responsible for that rating .
But there is one guy who is no longer with us and who ’ s not always sort of the champion by conservatives but I think there is one guy who really probably was the most important person for having that happen .
And I remember having lunch with him at J. Alexanders about a year or so before he passed away .
Ideologically we were a little different .
I ’ m more conservative .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He brought with him reams and reams of paper and he put it on the table .
And he said this is the budget !
This is where we are being fiscal .
He was Senator Charles Sargent .
You knew who I was talking about .
He was obsessed with the fiscal rating of the state .
Johnson : He was for many years .
And served in the House .
I think he went to the House in 1996 .
Don ’ t hold me to that .
I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in and very quickly was assigned to the Finance Ways and Means Committee .
Became vice chairman as a Republican obviously .
Democrats had controlled the state until 2011 and then he became chairman .
I miss Charles for many many reasons .
He was a dear friend .
What I miss is being able to pick up my phone and call and he would answer and say , hello Mr. Jack in that raspy voice of his .
Leahy : He was from New York City .
Johnson : He was he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Leahy : How could you not like somebody who is Irish and from New York says Michael Patrick Leahy from New York .
( Chuckles ) Johnson : You could ask him any question about the budget and he knew it off the top of his head .
Leahy : He took those reports , he studied them .
They studied them carefully .
You are exactly right .
Johnson : Just an immense wealth of knowledge about that .
and then obviously COVID happens and we just put everything on pause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get out of there because we didn ’ t know what was going to happen with this pandemic and like everyone had a lot of questions .
So we very quickly turned all of our attention in early March to passing a budget because that is the one constitutional .
Johnson : That ’ s the one thing we have to do every year .
And we didn ’ t know if we ’ d be able to come back .
We planned to come back .
But think back in March .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to happen .
So we very quickly passed a budget so the state government could continue to function .
Then we recessed until June 1 .
We kind of picked that date out of the AI .
Our fiscal year ends June 30 so we wanted to come back before the fiscal year in the even we needed to make any revisions to the budget .
And so we did .
We came back on June 1 .
And just adjourned sine die .
Leahy : Tell the audience what adjourning sine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Latin phrase .
Johnson : To complete .
Finish something .
I can ’ t tell you exactly .
But it means you ’ re done .
Johnson : Sine die .
The way it works is that every general assembly is two years .
So we have elections on even number years .
All 99 House members are up .
Half of the Senate is up .
Senators have four-year terms .
Half are up on the gubernatorial cycle .
Half are up on the presidential cycle .
But every two years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then we have two sessions of the general assembly because we do meet every year .
Some states like Texas don ’ t .
They meet every other year unless they come into special session .
So the second session which is what we just concluded we have wrapped up now the 111th General Assembly .
We ’ ll have elections this November .
And then when we reconvene in January we ’ ll reconvene the 112th General Assembly .
So we ’ ll have the first session in 2021 of the 112th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back and made revisions to the budget .
We can get into the details on that if you want .
Took up pertinent matters and the House was a little more aggressive in terms of legislation .
We wanted to consider the Senate .
We took more of a top-down approach .
that ’ s the most important thing we do .
Make sure we have a goo fiscally conservative budget .
Then we took up relative to COVID , economic development , and other things that we deem to be time-sensitive .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the definition means , without a further meeting or hearing .
Johnson : OK. You ’ ve taught me something .
I should know that probably .
Leahy : But , the General Assembly has no further plans .
But in our constitution the governor can call a special session I think at any time .
Johnson : He can .
He can .
Leahy : So what ’ s going on there ?
Johnson : One of the issues that we did not , unfortunately , address right at the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protection for businesses , churches , schools , and local governments relative to COVID .
It stands to reason that there is probably going to be a litigious environment .
You ’ re probably going to see some lawsuits that come about because of COVID .
What we wanted to do was get some type of liability protection for those entities that are doing the right things and that were substantially compliant with CDC guidelines .
Unfortunately , we were unable to get that done but may come back into a special session @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full second hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ Tennessee General Assembly ” by Bill Lee .

Live from Music Row Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville’s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed Tennessee state Senator Jack Johnson in the studio.
At the end of the second hour, Johnson described the primary goal of the Tennessee General Assembly and what may lie ahead in the summer months noting that the budget was the primary issue that has been completed before adjourning.
Leahy: We are delighted to have in studio with us my good friend and the lead bass guitarist for the Austin Brothers. (Johnson laughs) I love listening to those guys. And also the State Senate Majority Leader John [Jack] Johnson. Jack again welcome to our studios. We are delighted to have you here.
Johnson: Thanks, Michael. It’s great to be with you here in person.
Leahy: Yes. In-person.
Johnson: I’ve done this on the phone but this is my first time in person.
Leahy: It’s always more fun in person because of the non-verbal signals about when you should come in. It just works better I think in person. It’s more interesting to the listeners as well. As the majority leader of the state senate, you have a very significant responsibility. Tell us what’s happened here in terms of the final week or so of the Tennessee General Assembly which has adjourned but might come back. Tell us what’s going on.
Johnson: Sure. Well for all of us, 2020 has been such an interesting year. A challenging year. And sadly for some tragic year. We came into session the second Tuesday in January as we are constitutionally required to do every year. And when you look back at that time.
I remember Governor Lee coming and delivering his state of the state address and talking about how our revenues were exceeding expectations and Tennessee had just been voted by US News and World Report which are not a conservative outlet by the way.
Leahy: No, not at all.
Johnson: But voted us the number one fiscally managed state in the nation.
Leahy: A lot of people in the state legislature are responsible for that rating. But there is one guy who is no longer with us and who’s not always sort of the champion by conservatives but I think there is one guy who really probably was the most important person for having that happen.
And I remember having lunch with him at J. Alexanders about a year or so before he passed away. Ideologically we were a little different. I’m more conservative. He was more what you would call center-right. He brought with him reams and reams of paper and he put it on the table. And he said this is the budget! This is where we are being fiscal. He was Senator Charles Sargent. You knew who I was talking about. He was obsessed with the fiscal rating of the state.
Johnson: He was for many years. And served in the House. I think he went to the House in 1996. Don’t hold me to that. I think that’s when he first went in and very quickly was assigned to the Finance Ways and Means Committee. Became vice chairman as a Republican obviously. Democrats had controlled the state until 2011 and then he became chairman. I miss Charles for many many reasons. He was a dear friend. What I miss is being able to pick up my phone and call and he would answer and say, hello Mr. Jack in that raspy voice of his.
Leahy: He was from New York City.
Johnson: He was he was. He grew up in Manhattan.
Leahy: How could you not like somebody who is Irish and from New York says Michael Patrick Leahy from New York. (Chuckles)
Johnson: You could ask him any question about the budget and he knew it off the top of his head.
Leahy: He took those reports, he studied them. They studied them carefully. You are exactly right.
Johnson: Just an immense wealth of knowledge about that. and then obviously COVID happens and we just put everything on pause. And we knew we needed to get out of there because we didn’t know what was going to happen with this pandemic and like everyone had a lot of questions. So we very quickly turned all of our attention in early March to passing a budget because that is the one constitutional.
Leahy: That’s your job. Pass the budget.
Johnson: That’s the one thing we have to do every year. And we didn’t know if we’d be able to come back. We planned to come back. But think back in March. We didn’t know what was going to happen. So we very quickly passed a budget so the state government could continue to function.
Then we recessed until June 1. We kind of picked that date out of the AI. Our fiscal year ends June 30 so we wanted to come back before the fiscal year in the even we needed to make any revisions to the budget. And so we did. We came back on June 1. And just adjourned sine die.
Leahy: Tell the audience what adjourning sine die means. It’s a Latin phrase.
Johnson: To complete. Finish something. I can’t tell you exactly. But it means you’re done.
Leahy: Sine die.
Johnson: Sine die. The way it works is that every general assembly is two years. So we have elections on even number years. All 99 House members are up. Half of the Senate is up. Senators have four-year terms. Half are up on the gubernatorial cycle.
Half are up on the presidential cycle. But every two years we start a new general assembly and then we have two sessions of the general assembly because we do meet every year. Some states like Texas don’t. They meet every other year unless they come into special session.
So the second session which is what we just concluded we have wrapped up now the 111th General Assembly. We’ll have elections this November. And then when we reconvene in January we’ll reconvene the 112th General Assembly. So we’ll have the first session in 2021 of the 112th General Assembly. But anyway we came back and made revisions to the budget.
We can get into the details on that if you want. Took up pertinent matters and the House was a little more aggressive in terms of legislation. We wanted to consider the Senate. We took more of a top-down approach. that’s the most important thing we do. Make sure we have a goo fiscally conservative budget. Then we took up relative to COVID, economic development, and other things that we deem to be time-sensitive.
Leahy: So sine die according to the definition means, without a further meeting or hearing.
Johnson: OK. You’ve taught me something. I should know that probably.
Leahy: But, the General Assembly has no further plans. But in our constitution the governor can call a special session I think at any time.
Johnson: He can. He can.
Leahy: So what’s going on there?
Johnson: One of the issues that we did not, unfortunately, address right at the end of the session was some type of liability protection for businesses, churches, schools, and local governments relative to COVID. It stands to reason that there is probably going to be a litigious environment.
You’re probably going to see some lawsuits that come about because of COVID. What we wanted to do was get some type of liability protection for those entities that are doing the right things and that were substantially compliant with CDC guidelines. Unfortunately, we were unable to get that done but may come back into a special session to do that.
Listen to the full second hour here:

– – –
Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510. Listen online at iHeart Radio.
Photo “Tennessee General Assembly” by Bill Lee.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-03--US Tries to Seize Iranian Gas Heading Toward Venezuela

MIAMI , Florida ( AP ) — U.S. federal prosecutors are seeking to seize four tankers sailing toward Venezuela with gasoline supplied by Iran , the latest attempt to disrupt ever-closer trade ties between the two heavily sanctioned anti-American allies .
The civil-forfeiture complaint filed late Wednesday in the District of Columbia federal court alleges that the sale was arranged by a businessman , Mahmoud Madanipour , with ties to Iran ’ s Revolutionary Guard Corps , a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization .
“ The profits from these activities support the IRGC ’ s full range of nefarious activities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destruction and their means of delivery , support for terrorism , and a variety of human rights abuses , at home and abroad , ” prosecutor Zia Faruqui alleges in the complaint .
Alireza Miryousefi , a spokesman for the Iranian mission to the United Nations , said any attempt by the U.S. to prevent Iran ’ s lawful trading with any country of its choosing would be an act of “ piracy , pure and simple.
” “ This is a direct threat to international peace and security and in contravention of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said in a statement .
The Trump administration has been stepping up pressure on ship owners to abide by sanctions against U.S. adversaries like Iran , Venezuela and North Korea .
In May , it issued an advisory urging the global maritime industry to be on the lookout for tactics to evade sanctions like dangerous ship-to-ship transfers and the turning off of mandatory tracking devices — both techniques used in recent oil deliveries to and from both Iran and Venezuela .
The campaign appears to be working .
On Thursday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eight vessels that were recently found to have transported Venezuelan crude .
The move followed an attempted auction Wednesday by federal marshals in Houston of 100,000 barrels of gasoline seized from a Greek-managed ship whose owner suspected the cargo was heading toward Venezuela .
None of the five parties at the auction agreed to the minimum $ 2.5 million bid .
As commercial traders increasingly shun Venezuela , Nicolás Maduro ’ s socialist government has been increasingly turning to Iran .
In May , Maduro celebrated the arrival of five Iranian tankers delivering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have led to days-long gas lines even in the capital , Caracas , which is normally spared such hardships .
Despite sitting atop the world ’ s largest crude reserves , Venezuela doesn ’ t produce enough domestically-refined gasoline and has seen its overall crude production plunge to the lowest in over seven decades amid the ongoing crisis and fallout from U.S. sanctions .
We are “ two rebel nations , two revolutionary nations that will never kneel down before U.S. imperialism , ” Maduro said at the time .
“ Venezuela @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brave friends at that.
” The flotilla ’ s arrival angered the Trump administration , which struck back by sanctioning the five Iranian captains of the vessels .
The four tankers named in the complaint filed Wednesday — the Bella , Bering , Pandi and Luna — are currently transporting to Venezuela 1.1 million barrels of gasoline obtained via risky ship-to-ship transfers , prosecutors allege .
Of the four , the Bella is currently sailing near the Philippines , ship tracking data shows , while the Pandi appears to have turned off its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having spent two weeks between Iran and the UAE .
The other two were last spotted in May — the Bering near Greece and the Luna sailing between Oman and Iran .
One of the companies involved in the shipment to Venezuela , the Avantgarde Group , was previously linked to the Revolutionary Guard and attempts to evade U.S. sanctions , according to prosecutors .
An affiliate of Avantgarde facilitated the purchase for the Revolutionary Guard of the Grace 1 , a ship seized last year by Britain on U.S. accusations that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denied the charges and the Grace 1 was eventually released .
But the seizure nonetheless triggered an international standoff in which Iran retaliated by seizing a British-flagged vessel .
According to the asset forfeiture complaint , an unnamed company in February invoiced Avantgarde for a $ 14.9 million cash payment for the sale of the gasoline aboard the Pandi .
Nonetheless , a text message between Mandanipour and an unnamed co-conspirator suggest the voyage had encountered difficulties .
“ The ship owner doesn ’ t want to go because of the American threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and we even agreed We will also buy the ship , ” according to the message , an excerpt of which was included in the complaint .
Joshua Goodman is a reporter for The Associated Press .

MIAMI, Florida (AP) — U.S. federal prosecutors are seeking to seize four tankers sailing toward Venezuela with gasoline supplied by Iran, the latest attempt to disrupt ever-closer trade ties between the two heavily sanctioned anti-American allies.
The civil-forfeiture complaint filed late Wednesday in the District of Columbia federal court alleges that the sale was arranged by a businessman, Mahmoud Madanipour, with ties to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization.
“The profits from these activities support the IRGC’s full range of nefarious activities, including the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, support for terrorism, and a variety of human rights abuses, at home and abroad,” prosecutor Zia Faruqui alleges in the complaint.
Alireza Miryousefi, a spokesman for the Iranian mission to the United Nations, said any attempt by the U.S. to prevent Iran’s lawful trading with any country of its choosing would be an act of “piracy, pure and simple.”
“This is a direct threat to international peace and security and in contravention of international law including the UN Charter,” he said in a statement.
The Trump administration has been stepping up pressure on ship owners to abide by sanctions against U.S. adversaries like Iran, Venezuela and North Korea. In May, it issued an advisory urging the global maritime industry to be on the lookout for tactics to evade sanctions like dangerous ship-to-ship transfers and the turning off of mandatory tracking devices — both techniques used in recent oil deliveries to and from both Iran and Venezuela.
The campaign appears to be working.
On Thursday, the U.S. Treasury Department lifted sanctions on eight vessels that were recently found to have transported Venezuelan crude. The move followed an attempted auction Wednesday by federal marshals in Houston of 100,000 barrels of gasoline seized from a Greek-managed ship whose owner suspected the cargo was heading toward Venezuela. None of the five parties at the auction agreed to the minimum $2.5 million bid.
As commercial traders increasingly shun Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro’s socialist government has been increasingly turning to Iran.
In May, Maduro celebrated the arrival of five Iranian tankers delivering badly needed fuel supplies to alleviate shortages that have led to days-long gas lines even in the capital, Caracas, which is normally spared such hardships. Despite sitting atop the world’s largest crude reserves, Venezuela doesn’t produce enough domestically-refined gasoline and has seen its overall crude production plunge to the lowest in over seven decades amid the ongoing crisis and fallout from U.S. sanctions.
We are “two rebel nations, two revolutionary nations that will never kneel down before U.S. imperialism,” Maduro said at the time. “Venezuela has friends in this world, and brave friends at that.”
The flotilla’s arrival angered the Trump administration, which struck back by sanctioning the five Iranian captains of the vessels.
The four tankers named in the complaint filed Wednesday — the Bella, Bering, Pandi and Luna — are currently transporting to Venezuela 1.1 million barrels of gasoline obtained via risky ship-to-ship transfers, prosecutors allege. Of the four, the Bella is currently sailing near the Philippines, ship tracking data shows, while the Pandi appears to have turned off its satellite tracking system on June 29 after having spent two weeks between Iran and the UAE. The other two were last spotted in May — the Bering near Greece and the Luna sailing between Oman and Iran.
One of the companies involved in the shipment to Venezuela, the Avantgarde Group, was previously linked to the Revolutionary Guard and attempts to evade U.S. sanctions, according to prosecutors. An affiliate of Avantgarde facilitated the purchase for the Revolutionary Guard of the Grace 1, a ship seized last year by Britain on U.S. accusations that it was transporting oil to Syria.
Iran denied the charges and the Grace 1 was eventually released. But the seizure nonetheless triggered an international standoff in which Iran retaliated by seizing a British-flagged vessel.
According to the asset forfeiture complaint, an unnamed company in February invoiced Avantgarde for a $14.9 million cash payment for the sale of the gasoline aboard the Pandi. Nonetheless, a text message between Mandanipour and an unnamed co-conspirator suggest the voyage had encountered difficulties.
“The ship owner doesn’t want to go because of the American threat, but we want him to go, and we even agreed We will also buy the ship,” according to the message, an excerpt of which was included in the complaint.
– – –
Joshua Goodman is a reporter for The Associated Press.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-03--Law Prof Wants to Scrap US Constitution’s ‘Racist’ and ‘Gendered’ Language

A law professor is calling for changes to the “ outdated ” language of the Constitution .
Richard Albert , a professor of law and government at the University of Texas-Austin , denounced the Constitution in an op-ed for The Hill published Tuesday , saying that “ its gendered and racist words stand in the way of true reconciliation in this divided country and have no place in any modern society.
” Albert cites the 13th Amendment as an example of racism in the Constitution , saying that although it abolishes slavery it still includes the Fugitive Slave Clause ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is “ a painful reminder of America ’ s original sin.
” The Constitution ’ s language also discriminates based on gender , Albert says .
It uses exclusively male pronouns when referring to the presidency , he points out , admitting that this did not prevent Hillary Clinton from running in 2016 , but suggests that the first woman to be elected to the House of Representatives — Jeannette Rankin ( R-Mont . )
, 100 years prior to Clinton ’ s candidacy — faced disapproval merely because the Constitution ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Imagine how schoolchildren must feel when they read the Constitution in their basic civics course .
Some will be made to feel less than welcome in their own country… The highest law of the land creates a hierarchy of citizenship.
” Albert condemns Roger Sherman ’ s argument that changing the founders ’ original words would threaten the document ’ s integrity , saying it is better “ to erase those texts that time had overrun or that present exigencies suggested should be removed , ” as James Madison argued .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ removed , then the Constitution “ would celebrate equality and inclusion , and give Americans a text proudly to call their own — one in which they would see themselves and their hopes reflected.
” “ The Constitution is replete with obsolete and outdated language that weakens rather than enhances the feeling of belonging that a constitution should generate among a country ’ s citizens , ” he concludes .
“ It is time to update the Constitution to reflect America ’ s modern values of equality and inclusion.
” Professor Albert did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ request for further comment in time for publication .
Maria Copeland is a Virginia Campus Correspondent , reporting on liberal bias and abuse on campus for Campus Reform .
She is originally from Herndon , Virginia and received her Associates of Arts in Communications from Northern Virginia Community College this May .
She will attend James Madison University in the Fall .
While on campus , Maria was Gupta Family Foundation Scholar , Vice President of the Loudoun Student Government Association , Vice President of the Loudoun Writing Association , and a Student @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was also a Page for the Fairfax County Public Library .
Maria is a Campus Reform intern this summer .
Photo “ Richard Albert ” by Richard Albert .

by Maria Copeland
A law professor is calling for changes to the “outdated” language of the Constitution.
Richard Albert, a professor of law and government at the University of Texas-Austin, denounced the Constitution in an op-ed for The Hill published Tuesday, saying that “its gendered and racist words stand in the way of true reconciliation in this divided country and have no place in any modern society.”
Albert cites the 13th Amendment as an example of racism in the Constitution, saying that although it abolishes slavery it still includes the Fugitive Slave Clause; which, remaining in the Constitution, is “a painful reminder of America’s original sin.”
The Constitution’s language also discriminates based on gender, Albert says. It uses exclusively male pronouns when referring to the presidency, he points out, admitting that this did not prevent Hillary Clinton from running in 2016, but suggests that the first woman to be elected to the House of Representatives — Jeannette Rankin (R-Mont.), 100 years prior to Clinton’s candidacy — faced disapproval merely because the Constitution’s language only allowed for male leaders.
“Imagine how schoolchildren must feel when they read the Constitution in their basic civics course. Some will be made to feel less than welcome in their own country… The highest law of the land creates a hierarchy of citizenship.”
Albert condemns Roger Sherman’s argument that changing the founders’ original words would threaten the document’s integrity, saying it is better “to erase those texts that time had overrun or that present exigencies suggested should be removed,” as James Madison argued. If “racist and gendered terms” are removed, then the Constitution “would celebrate equality and inclusion, and give Americans a text proudly to call their own — one in which they would see themselves and their hopes reflected.”
“The Constitution is replete with obsolete and outdated language that weakens rather than enhances the feeling of belonging that a constitution should generate among a country’s citizens,” he concludes. “It is time to update the Constitution to reflect America’s modern values of equality and inclusion.”
Professor Albert did not respond to Campus Reform’s request for further comment in time for publication.
– – –
Maria Copeland is a Virginia Campus Correspondent, reporting on liberal bias and abuse on campus for Campus Reform. She is originally from Herndon, Virginia and received her Associates of Arts in Communications from Northern Virginia Community College this May. She will attend James Madison University in the Fall. While on campus, Maria was Gupta Family Foundation Scholar, Vice President of the Loudoun Student Government Association, Vice President of the Loudoun Writing Association, and a Student Ambassador for the Honors Program. She was also a Page for the Fairfax County Public Library. Maria is a Campus Reform intern this summer.
Photo “Richard Albert” by Richard Albert.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-03--Bill Hagerty Announces More Than 1,000 Endorsements From Local Leaders Across All of Tennessee’s 95

Bill Hagerty Announces More Than 1,000 Endorsements From Local Leaders Across All of Tennessee’s 95 Counties

U.S. Senate candidate Bill Hagerty on Wednesday announced more than 1,000 endorsements from government officials , business leaders , law enforcement officers , and community leaders across all of Tennessee ’ s 95 counties .
This , according to a press release that members of Hagerty ’ s campaign posted on his website .
“ Team Hagerty continues to gain momentum every day , and Chrissy and I are humbled to have such strong grassroots support across all 95 counties , ” Hagerty said in the press release .
“ I am grateful for their insight as we work to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state .
They are joining me as I work alongside President Trump to stand up for Tennessee families .
Together , we will put Tennessee and America first.
” State Rep. William Lamberth ( R-Portland ) said in the press release that he endorses Hagerty .
“ I saw Bill ’ s work ethic and devotion to Tennessee families firsthand when he served as our Commissioner of Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development , and anyone who knows Bill knows how hard he works to serve others , ” Lamberth said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and trusted Trump ally we need in the Senate , and he will make Sumner County – and all of Tennessee – proud.
” Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris , meanwhile , also voiced support for Hagerty .
“ We need another U.S .
Senator who understands the commitment of our law enforcement and will work to support and strengthen them , ” Farris said .
“ Bill ’ s dedication to our men and women in blue is unmatched .
I am confident he will continue the fight in Washington alongside Senator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are provided with the tools and resources necessary to do their jobs.
” As The Tennessee Star reported Wednesday , Hagerty announced the Small Businesses For Hagerty Coalition , which includes more than 60 small business owners from across Tennessee .
Also as reported , U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann ( R-TN-03 ) endorsed Hagerty as did U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton ( R-AR ) , the United States Chamber of Commerce , and the Susan B. Anthony List Candidate Fund .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ email protected ]

U.S. Senate candidate Bill Hagerty on Wednesday announced more than 1,000 endorsements from government officials, business leaders, law enforcement officers, and community leaders across all of Tennessee’s 95 counties.
This, according to a press release that members of Hagerty’s campaign posted on his website.
“Team Hagerty continues to gain momentum every day, and Chrissy and I are humbled to have such strong grassroots support across all 95 counties,” Hagerty said in the press release.
“I am grateful for their insight as we work to share my conservative vision with Tennesseans across the state. They are joining me as I work alongside President Trump to stand up for Tennessee families. Together, we will put Tennessee and America first.”
State Rep. William Lamberth (R-Portland) said in the press release that he endorses Hagerty.
“I saw Bill’s work ethic and devotion to Tennessee families firsthand when he served as our Commissioner of Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, and anyone who knows Bill knows how hard he works to serve others,” Lamberth said.
“He is the conservative leader and trusted Trump ally we need in the Senate, and he will make Sumner County – and all of Tennessee – proud.”
Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris, meanwhile, also voiced support for Hagerty.
“We need another U.S. Senator who understands the commitment of our law enforcement and will work to support and strengthen them,” Farris said.
“Bill’s dedication to our men and women in blue is unmatched. I am confident he will continue the fight in Washington alongside Senator Marsha Blackburn to ensure our Tennessee officers are provided with the tools and resources necessary to do their jobs.”
As The Tennessee Star reported Wednesday, Hagerty announced the Small Businesses For Hagerty Coalition, which includes more than 60 small business owners from across Tennessee. Also as reported, U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN-03) endorsed Hagerty as did U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), the United States Chamber of Commerce, and the Susan B. Anthony List Candidate Fund.
– – –
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected]


thetennesseestar--2020-07-03--Tennessee Man Arrested on Eight Charges Connected to Nashville Riots

The Metro Nashville Police Department announced a “ significant arrest ” Wednesday night in connection to the May 30 riots outside the Metro Courthouse .
According to a press release , authorities have arrested 33-year-old Ryan Keith Ray on eight criminal charges .
Ray has been charged with inciting a riot , arson , two counts of burglary , and four counts of felony vandalism .
In camera footage obtained by the Metro Nashville Police Department , Ray can be seen urging protesters to head to Broadway to “ tear s–t up ” after protesters were dispersed from the Metro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ray burglarizing Big Time Boots at 410 Broadway and setting boot boxes on fire inside the business .
He was also recorded while burglarizing Margaritaville at 322 Broadway , destroying property inside , and stealing merchandise and alcohol .
Yet another video shows Ray damaging two vehicles belonging to separate citizens in the 500 block of Church Street , the police department said .
At least four others have been arrested in connection to the May 30 unrest , The Tennessee Star reported .
U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr said last week that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 500 investigations into acts of arson and vandalism across the country .
“ We ’ ve had scores of indictments so far for such things as arson , destruction of federal property , ” said Barr .
“ We have right now about 500 investigations underway , so it ’ s picking up pace .
We are committed to holding accountable the people who engaged in this.
” The nationwide rioting began in response to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis , Minnesota , where at least 10 individuals are facing various @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including one St. Paul man who was charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting at police officers .
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .

The Metro Nashville Police Department announced a “significant arrest” Wednesday night in connection to the May 30 riots outside the Metro Courthouse.
According to a press release, authorities have arrested 33-year-old Ryan Keith Ray on eight criminal charges. Ray has been charged with inciting a riot, arson, two counts of burglary, and four counts of felony vandalism.
In camera footage obtained by the Metro Nashville Police Department, Ray can be seen urging protesters to head to Broadway to “tear s–t up” after protesters were dispersed from the Metro Courthouse area.
Additional video footage shows Ray burglarizing Big Time Boots at 410 Broadway and setting boot boxes on fire inside the business. He was also recorded while burglarizing Margaritaville at 322 Broadway, destroying property inside, and stealing merchandise and alcohol.
Yet another video shows Ray damaging two vehicles belonging to separate citizens in the 500 block of Church Street, the police department said.
A significant arrest Wed night concerning the 5/30 unrest & destruction downtown. Ryan Keith Ray, 33, is charged with inciting a riot, arson, burglary x 2, & felony vandalism x 4. He is accused of breaking into Big Time Boots (fire set) & Margaritaville, both on Broadway. pic.twitter.com/NTkwaPxnrX — Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) July 2, 2020
At least four others have been arrested in connection to the May 30 unrest, The Tennessee Star reported.
U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr said last week that the Department of Justice is conducting roughly 500 investigations into acts of arson and vandalism across the country.
“We’ve had scores of indictments so far for such things as arson, destruction of federal property,” said Barr. “We have right now about 500 investigations underway, so it’s picking up pace. We are committed to holding accountable the people who engaged in this.”
The nationwide rioting began in response to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where at least 10 individuals are facing various criminal charges in connection to the riots, including one St. Paul man who was charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting at police officers.
– – –
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].


thetennesseestar--2020-07-03--‘This is Lunacy,’ Manny Sethi Says of Nashville Mayor John Cooper’s Latest COVID-19 Announcement

U.S. Senate candidate Manny Sethi criticized Nashville Mayor John Cooper Thursday after the mayor announced the city would revert to Phase Two of its planned reopening after COVID-19 .
“ This is lunacy , ” Sethi said in an emailed press release .
“ Mayor Cooper is more interested in shutting down Nashville ’ s economy than he is in leading .
He was more than willing to join mass protests and allow riots , only to pivot now to closing down Nashville , destroying small businesses and hurting working families in Davidson County , while he attempts to raise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Citing an increase in COVID-19 cases , Cooper said at a press conference Thursday that the city will go back to the second of its four-phased rollout to reopen the city .
Nashville will formally go from Phase Three back to Phase Two on Friday .
The city will remain in Phase Two for the next several weeks , Cooper said .
Many socially-driven businesses and activities that opened in Phase Three will now have to temporarily close , including event and entertainment venues .
Nashville ’ s limit on gathering size is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 75 percent capacity to 50 percent capacity , as permitted in Phase One , Cooper said Thursday .
Metro Parks facilities , opened in Phase Three , will remain open , including dog parks , skate parks , basketball courts , and playgrounds .
And recreational leagues and pools are still allowed , Cooper said .
Additionally , all bars in Davidson County , known as limited-service restaurants that derive the majority of their revenue from alcohol sales , will close for a minimum of 14 days beginning Friday , Cooper said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month , Sethi released an ad entitled “ Leftwing Lockdown.
” “ For the last three months liberals said social distancing is so important , you deserve to be arrested if you go out to eat or go to church with too many people .
They destroyed small businesses and ruined lives , ” Sethi said in an emailed press release about the ad .
“ But now , apparently , protesting next to thousands of people is fine , as long as it ’ s for a woke liberal cause .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ John Cooper Press Conference ” by John Cooper .

U.S. Senate candidate Manny Sethi criticized Nashville Mayor John Cooper Thursday after the mayor announced the city would revert to Phase Two of its planned reopening after COVID-19.
“This is lunacy,” Sethi said in an emailed press release.
“Mayor Cooper is more interested in shutting down Nashville’s economy than he is in leading. He was more than willing to join mass protests and allow riots, only to pivot now to closing down Nashville, destroying small businesses and hurting working families in Davidson County, while he attempts to raise property taxes at the same time.”
Citing an increase in COVID-19 cases, Cooper said at a press conference Thursday that the city will go back to the second of its four-phased rollout to reopen the city. Nashville will formally go from Phase Three back to Phase Two on Friday. The city will remain in Phase Two for the next several weeks, Cooper said.
Many socially-driven businesses and activities that opened in Phase Three will now have to temporarily close, including event and entertainment venues. Nashville’s limit on gathering size is now 25. Restaurants will move back from 75 percent capacity to 50 percent capacity, as permitted in Phase One, Cooper said Thursday.
Metro Parks facilities, opened in Phase Three, will remain open, including dog parks, skate parks, basketball courts, and playgrounds. And recreational leagues and pools are still allowed, Cooper said.
Additionally, all bars in Davidson County, known as limited-service restaurants that derive the majority of their revenue from alcohol sales, will close for a minimum of 14 days beginning Friday, Cooper said.
As The Tennessee Star reported last month, Sethi released an ad entitled “Leftwing Lockdown.”
“For the last three months liberals said social distancing is so important, you deserve to be arrested if you go out to eat or go to church with too many people. They destroyed small businesses and ruined lives,” Sethi said in an emailed press release about the ad.
“But now, apparently, protesting next to thousands of people is fine, as long as it’s for a woke liberal cause. It’s total hypocrisy.”
– – –
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “John Cooper Press Conference” by John Cooper.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-03--Nashville Think Tank: Mayor John Cooper ‘Inconsistent and Derelict in His Duty’ Enforcing COVID-19 G

Nashville Think Tank: Mayor John Cooper ‘Inconsistent and Derelict in His Duty’ Enforcing COVID-19 Guidelines

Nashville Mayor John Cooper shows double standards and enforces bad COVID-19 policies upon the city , staff at the Beacon Center of Tennessee said Thursday .
Beacon is a right-of-center think tank .
Staff criticized Cooper in an emailed press release .
“ The Mayor has been completely inconsistent and derelict in his duty when it comes to enforcing existing rules , allowing some businesses to openly flout the law and marching with large groups of people himself in violation of his own orders , ” Beacon CEO Justin Owen said .
“ Despite claiming that the purpose of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the mayor keeps moving the goalposts .
Even though city officials have stated that they are very comfortable with the hospital capacity , the mayor is still going to punish law-abiding , rule-following citizens and struggling businesses by reverting to a previous phase.
” Citing an increase in COVID-19 cases , Cooper said at a press conference Thursday that the city will go back to the second of its four-phased rollout to reopen the city .
Nashville will formally go from Phase Three back to Phase Two on Friday .
The city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next several weeks , Cooper said .
But Owen , in his press release , said Cooper needs to reevaluate his actions .
“ Between this , an inconsistent mask mandate that exempts some but not others , and the unbearably massive tax increase , Mayor Cooper needs to think about the harm he is doing to all Nashville citizens and the future of the city before it is too late , ” Owen said .
Many socially-driven businesses and activities that opened in Phase Three will now have to temporarily close , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s limit on gathering size is now 25 .
Restaurants will move back from 75 percent capacity to 50 percent capacity , as permitted in Phase One , Cooper said Thursday .
Metro Parks facilities , opened in Phase Three , will remain open , including dog parks , skate parks , basketball courts , and playgrounds .
And recreational leagues and pools are still allowed , Cooper said .
Additionally , all bars in Davidson County , known as limited-service restaurants that derive the majority of their revenue from alcohol sales @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 days beginning Friday , Cooper said .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ John Cooper ” by Nashville.gov .

Nashville Mayor John Cooper shows double standards and enforces bad COVID-19 policies upon the city, staff at the Beacon Center of Tennessee said Thursday.
Beacon is a right-of-center think tank. Staff criticized Cooper in an emailed press release.
“The Mayor has been completely inconsistent and derelict in his duty when it comes to enforcing existing rules, allowing some businesses to openly flout the law and marching with large groups of people himself in violation of his own orders,” Beacon CEO Justin Owen said.
“Despite claiming that the purpose of the original shutdown was to flatten the curve, the mayor keeps moving the goalposts. Even though city officials have stated that they are very comfortable with the hospital capacity, the mayor is still going to punish law-abiding, rule-following citizens and struggling businesses by reverting to a previous phase.”
Citing an increase in COVID-19 cases, Cooper said at a press conference Thursday that the city will go back to the second of its four-phased rollout to reopen the city. Nashville will formally go from Phase Three back to Phase Two on Friday. The city will remain in Phase Two for the next several weeks, Cooper said.
But Owen, in his press release, said Cooper needs to reevaluate his actions.
“Between this, an inconsistent mask mandate that exempts some but not others, and the unbearably massive tax increase, Mayor Cooper needs to think about the harm he is doing to all Nashville citizens and the future of the city before it is too late,” Owen said.
Many socially-driven businesses and activities that opened in Phase Three will now have to temporarily close, including event and entertainment venues. Nashville’s limit on gathering size is now 25. Restaurants will move back from 75 percent capacity to 50 percent capacity, as permitted in Phase One, Cooper said Thursday.
Metro Parks facilities, opened in Phase Three, will remain open, including dog parks, skate parks, basketball courts, and playgrounds. And recreational leagues and pools are still allowed, Cooper said.
Additionally, all bars in Davidson County, known as limited-service restaurants that derive the majority of their revenue from alcohol sales, will close for a minimum of 14 days beginning Friday, Cooper said.
– – –
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “John Cooper” by Nashville.gov.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-03--Commentary: Big Tech’s Escalating War on Free Speech

On June 19 , 2017 , the U.S. Supreme Court upheld 9-0 the right to freedom of speech , including “ hate speech.
” As Justice Samuel Alito wrote for the court : “ The proudest boast of our free speech jurisprudence is that we protect the freedom to express the thought that we hate.
” Justice Anthony Kennedy added in a concurring opinion : “ A law that can be directed against speech found offensive to some portion of the public can be turned against minority and dissenting views to the detriment of all.
” Tell that to big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hate speech ” is any point of view opposed to the political agenda favored by the people who run their industry and control the platforms that have become the 21st-century version of a public square .
While this is an ongoing story , it is important to understand the theme .
It is not “ big tech platforms censor conservative and nationalist speech by defining it as ‘ hate speech.
’ ” Rather , the theme is more accurately and ominously characterized as “ big tech platforms are continuously widening the criteria for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are defined as ‘ hate speech.
’ ” The first big wave of censorship broke in 2017 when websites offering full-blown neo-Nazi content , such as the notorious Daily Stormer , were deplatformed .
Nobody wanted to defend the right of these content creators to go on publishing , even though in principle , they still should have had “ the freedom to express the thought that we hate.
” The next wave of deplatforming took place in the months leading up to the 2018 midterm elections .
Within a few days in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jones of “ Infowars ” was expelled from Apple podcasts , Facebook , Spotify , and YouTube .
On September 6 , Twitter followed suit .
On September 8 , Apple banned Alex Jones ’ s InfoWars app from its industry-dominating App Store .
Jones was virtually erased .
Prior to that , Jones had 2.4 million YouTube subscribers , all gone ; 830,000 Twitter followers , purged ; his Apple podcast archives were deleted ; his Facebook page , with 2.5 million followers , wiped out .
What did Jones do ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ justification , as often concocted .
He was stigmatized as a “ conspiracy theorist.
” But Jones never violated U.S. law .
He never incited actions to harm others or distributed obscene materials , which are the two primary areas not protected by the First Amendment .
Those familiar with Alex Jones , know that his biggest crime was neither hate speech , nor being loose with his facts , nor being “ hateful.
” What made Jones intolerable to the tech giants is his allegiance to President Trump and , more generally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you review which content creators have been banned , shadowbanned , or demonetized , you will find sites banned across all ideologies and niches for failing to adhere to U.S. laws governing free speech .
But once you pass beyond U.S. law to “ hate speech , ” the vast majority of big tech censorship seems only to afflict conservatives and nationalists .
The cancel campaign is unrelenting and the net is cast wider than ever .
When big tech decides to suppress information that might run counter , say , to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ABC Nightly “ News , ” they have plenty of support from the leftist activist community .
The current “ Stop Hate For Profit ” campaign has released a chilling set of “ recommendations ” to Facebook , their latest target , that includes the following : Any one of these measures should terrify anyone hoping to preserve any sort of open public square .
Put a commissar into Facebook to monitor content ?
Allow outside content auditors ?
Censor “ climate denialism ” ?
Monitor private groups ?
Prevent politicians from uttering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the American Left is incredibly powerful because they use their institutional power via unions , academia , and the press to pressure corporate advertisers .
It isn ’ t as if the major corporations don ’ t already support much of the leftist agenda .
They want immigration to access cheap labor , just as they want to be able to outsource jobs to find even cheaper labor .
If the Left is engaged in calling people opposed to what they want racists , why not join them ?
And why not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ platform , until they comply with these demands ?
It ’ s not as if the American Right has the institutional clout to defend free speech .
Go with the flow .
It ’ s profitable .
In November 2019 , YouTube banned Red Ice ( still available on BitChute ) , a channel that took positions that offended many people , especially leftists , but they relied on facts and logic and sourced their material more responsibly than many surviving , popular platforms .
Of course , defending Red Ice does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They can be defended on principle .
They did not violate U.S. law , and more to the point , the biases they displayed , and the criticisms they offered , would not have earned them banishment if they had been voiced from the opposite point of view .
This bears repeating , especially now .
How many memes survive and go viral that describe white people and Western Civilization as racist and oppressive ?
There are writers for the New York Times ( Sarah Jeong and Nikole Hannah-Jones among the most infamous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terms that are far more offensive and incendiary than anything that Lana Lokteff ever said on Red Ice .
And they write for “ America ’ s newspaper of record ” !
If these women were white , writing this way about nonwhites , they would be marginalized .
If they broke out , they would be banned .
Overnight .
In an interview conducted shortly after her deplatforming , Lokteff had this to say about internet censorship : “ The best course of action is to talk about everything out in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea is harmful or just awful , best to talk about why that is and air everything out from every angle .
The best argument wins .
The truth should not fear any inquisition .
If we do not , that is what creates desperate people doing radical things to be heard.
” The latest major big tech deplatforming occurred June 28 , when YouTube banned Stefan Molyneux , one of the original progenitors of the Intellectual Dark Web .
Whatever else may be said about Molyneux , he is intellectually honest .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ because he believed they merited public discussion and he was willing to stick his neck out to have that conversation .
It is perhaps his honesty as well as his ability to broach these subjects with grace , dignity , and compassion , that made his banishment signify a new threshold for the big tech censors .
Molyneux , with 1 million subscribers and major breakout potential , was a threat .
And so he was silenced .
In a brief statement released on his Twitter page , Molyneux described what ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to urge his followers to not give up on peaceful solutions to social differences .
He claims it is not too late and that there “ is still incredible technology that we can use to further the rational and philosophical discussion of issues within society and I ’ m begging you , please , stay in the conversation.
” Big-tech censorship is consistent with what the major television networks have been doing .
For anyone who bothers even to peruse alternative media , this is all an insult to their intelligence and integrity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ network television is that alternative media proliferates at a rate far too fecund for them to censor all of it .
Still , big tech is big enough to contain it , and at least for now , they are doing a very good job of that .
What the leftist establishment denies—from the corporate boardrooms to big tech to mainstream media—is that truth can not and will not be permanently suppressed .
Leftist ideology , however cultivated , does not constitute reality .
Ultimately , objective truth governs reality .
Only by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. Constitution , and upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court , can truth emerge from vigorous , often unpleasant debate .
Edward Ring is a senior fellow of the Center for American Greatness and co-founder of the California Policy Center , which he co-founded in 2013 .
Photo “ Google Censorship ” by Mike Mackenzie .
CC BY 2.0 .

by Edward Ring
On June 19, 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld 9-0 the right to freedom of speech, including “hate speech.” As Justice Samuel Alito wrote for the court: “The proudest boast of our free speech jurisprudence is that we protect the freedom to express the thought that we hate.” Justice Anthony Kennedy added in a concurring opinion: “A law that can be directed against speech found offensive to some portion of the public can be turned against minority and dissenting views to the detriment of all.”
Tell that to big tech. Because for them, “hate speech” is any point of view opposed to the political agenda favored by the people who run their industry and control the platforms that have become the 21st-century version of a public square.
While this is an ongoing story, it is important to understand the theme. It is not “big tech platforms censor conservative and nationalist speech by defining it as ‘hate speech.’” Rather, the theme is more accurately and ominously characterized as “big tech platforms are continuously widening the criteria for what sorts of conservative and nationalist content are defined as ‘hate speech.’”
The first big wave of censorship broke in 2017 when websites offering full-blown neo-Nazi content, such as the notorious Daily Stormer, were deplatformed. Nobody wanted to defend the right of these content creators to go on publishing, even though in principle, they still should have had “the freedom to express the thought that we hate.”
The next wave of deplatforming took place in the months leading up to the 2018 midterm elections. Within a few days in early August of that year, Alex Jones of “Infowars” was expelled from Apple podcasts, Facebook, Spotify, and YouTube. On September 6, Twitter followed suit. On September 8, Apple banned Alex Jones’s InfoWars app from its industry-dominating App Store. Jones was virtually erased. Prior to that, Jones had 2.4 million YouTube subscribers, all gone; 830,000 Twitter followers, purged; his Apple podcast archives were deleted; his Facebook page, with 2.5 million followers, wiped out.
What did Jones do? His content was attacked, with some justification, as often concocted. He was stigmatized as a “conspiracy theorist.” But Jones never violated U.S. law. He never incited actions to harm others or distributed obscene materials, which are the two primary areas not protected by the First Amendment.
Nationalist and Conservative Content Under Ongoing Attack
Those familiar with Alex Jones, know that his biggest crime was neither hate speech, nor being loose with his facts, nor being “hateful.” What made Jones intolerable to the tech giants is his allegiance to President Trump and, more generally, his opposition to globalism.
If you review which content creators have been banned, shadowbanned, or demonetized, you will find sites banned across all ideologies and niches for failing to adhere to U.S. laws governing free speech. But once you pass beyond U.S. law to “hate speech,” the vast majority of big tech censorship seems only to afflict conservatives and nationalists. The cancel campaign is unrelenting and the net is cast wider than ever.
When big tech decides to suppress information that might run counter, say, to the mainstream anti-Trump leftist narrative as propagandized by ABC Nightly “News,” they have plenty of support from the leftist activist community. The current “Stop Hate For Profit” campaign has released a chilling set of “recommendations” to Facebook, their latest target, that includes the following:
Establish and empower permanent civil rights infrastructure including C-suite level executive with civil rights expertise to evaluate products and policies for discrimination, bias, and hate . . . submit to regular, third party, independent audits of identity-based hate and misinformation with summary results published on a publicly accessible website . . . find and remove public and private groups focused on white supremacy, militia, antisemitism, violent conspiracies, Holocaust denialism, vaccine misinformation, and climate denialism . . . create an internal mechanism to automatically flag hateful content in private groups for human review . . . ensure accuracy in political and voting matters by eliminating the politician exemption.
Any one of these measures should terrify anyone hoping to preserve any sort of open public square. Put a commissar into Facebook to monitor content? Allow outside content auditors? Censor “climate denialism”? Monitor private groups? Prevent politicians from uttering campaign rhetoric? This is tyranny. But the American Left is incredibly powerful because they use their institutional power via unions, academia, and the press to pressure corporate advertisers.
It isn’t as if the major corporations don’t already support much of the leftist agenda. They want immigration to access cheap labor, just as they want to be able to outsource jobs to find even cheaper labor. If the Left is engaged in calling people opposed to what they want racists, why not join them? And why not boycott Facebook, or any other monopoly platform, until they comply with these demands? It’s not as if the American Right has the institutional clout to defend free speech.
Go with the flow. It’s profitable.
In November 2019, YouTube banned Red Ice (still available on BitChute), a channel that took positions that offended many people, especially leftists, but they relied on facts and logic and sourced their material more responsibly than many surviving, popular platforms. Of course, defending Red Ice does not require agreeing with everything they espouse. They can be defended on principle. They did not violate U.S. law, and more to the point, the biases they displayed, and the criticisms they offered, would not have earned them banishment if they had been voiced from the opposite point of view.
This bears repeating, especially now. How many memes survive and go viral that describe white people and Western Civilization as racist and oppressive? There are writers for the New York Times (Sarah Jeong and Nikole Hannah-Jones among the most infamous) who have described white people in terms that are far more offensive and incendiary than anything that Lana Lokteff ever said on Red Ice. And they write for “America’s newspaper of record”! If these women were white, writing this way about nonwhites, they would be marginalized. If they broke out, they would be banned. Overnight.
In an interview conducted shortly after her deplatforming, Lokteff had this to say about internet censorship: “The best course of action is to talk about everything out in the open, more talking. If an idea is harmful or just awful, best to talk about why that is and air everything out from every angle. The best argument wins. The truth should not fear any inquisition. If we do not, that is what creates desperate people doing radical things to be heard.”
The Latest Wave of Online Censorship
The latest major big tech deplatforming occurred June 28, when YouTube banned Stefan Molyneux, one of the original progenitors of the Intellectual Dark Web. Whatever else may be said about Molyneux, he is intellectually honest. He explored topics that are utterly taboo because he believed they merited public discussion and he was willing to stick his neck out to have that conversation. It is perhaps his honesty as well as his ability to broach these subjects with grace, dignity, and compassion, that made his banishment signify a new threshold for the big tech censors. Molyneux, with 1 million subscribers and major breakout potential, was a threat.
And so he was silenced.
In a brief statement released on his Twitter page, Molyneux described what’s happening right now:
The book burning is underway. Myself and many other dissidents and other anti-communists, intellectuals, and speakers have also had channels destroyed across a wide variety of platforms, within the span of only one hour, in what I assume is a highly coordinated effort to silence us. The goal is to remove the middle, to remove those of us who are looking for peaceful solutions, rational solutions, philosophical solutions to social differences, to take us out so that there is no center to society and everyone can gravitate to the extremes wherein the tinderbox of violence can be lit.
Molyneux goes on to urge his followers to not give up on peaceful solutions to social differences. He claims it is not too late and that there “is still incredible technology that we can use to further the rational and philosophical discussion of issues within society and I’m begging you, please, stay in the conversation.”
Big-tech censorship is consistent with what the major television networks have been doing. For anyone who bothers even to peruse alternative media, this is all an insult to their intelligence and integrity. The problem for big tech and network television is that alternative media proliferates at a rate far too fecund for them to censor all of it. Still, big tech is big enough to contain it, and at least for now, they are doing a very good job of that.
What the leftist establishment denies—from the corporate boardrooms to big tech to mainstream media—is that truth cannot and will not be permanently suppressed. Leftist ideology, however cultivated, does not constitute reality. Ultimately, objective truth governs reality. Only by allowing freedom of speech as expressed in the U.S. Constitution, and upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, can truth emerge from vigorous, often unpleasant debate.
– – –
Edward Ring is a senior fellow of the Center for American Greatness and co-founder of the California Policy Center, which he co-founded in 2013.
Photo “Google Censorship” by Mike Mackenzie. CC BY 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-03--FBI Arrests Epstein Pal, Accused of Enabling Abuse of Girls

British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell was arrested Thursday on charges she helped lure at least three girls — one as young as 14 — to be sexually abused by the late financier Jeffrey Epstein , who was accused of victimizing dozens of girls and women over many years .
According to the indictment , Maxwell , who lived for years with Epstein and was his frequent companion on trips around the world , facilitated his crimes and on some occasions joined him in sexually abusing the girls .
Epstein , 66 , killed himself in a federal detention center in New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sex trafficking charges .
Maxwell has , for years , been accused by many women of acting as a madam for Epstein , helping him scout young girls for abuse , then hiring them to give him massages , during which the girls were pressured into sex acts .
Those accusations , until now , never resulted in criminal charges .
The 58-year-old was arrested in Bradford , New Hampshire , where she was living on a wooded estate she purchased for $ 1 million last December .
The FBI had been keeping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public view following Epstein ’ s arrest a year ago .
“ More recently we learned she had slithered away to a gorgeous property in New Hampshire , continuing to live a life of privilege while her victims live with the trauma inflicted upon them years ago , ” William Sweeney , head of the FBI ’ s New York office , told a news conference Thursday .
Brad Edwards , an attorney representing several Epstein accusers , said his clients were relieved by the charges .
“ Today is a very good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indictment , which was unsealed Thursday , included counts of conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts , enticement of a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts , conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity , transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity .
She was also accused of perjuring herself during a deposition in a civil lawsuit over alleged abuse .
“ Maxwell lied because the truth , as alleged , was almost unspeakable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. attorney in Manhattan , said .
Messages were sent Thursday to several of Maxwell ’ s attorneys seeking comment .
She has previously repeatedly denied wrongdoing and called some claims against her “ absolute rubbish.
” Among the most sensational accusations was a claim by Virginia Roberts Giuffre that Maxwell arranged for her to have sex with Britain ’ s Prince Andrew at her London townhouse .
Giuffre bolstered her allegations with a picture of her , Andrew and Maxwell that she said was taken at the time .
Andrew denied her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Giuffre was “ totally lying.
” The prince was not mentioned by name in the indictment , and the charges covered Maxwell ’ s dealings with Epstein only from 1994 through 1997 , a period well before his alleged encounters with Giuffre in 2001 .
Strauss said she would “ welcome Prince Andrew coming in to talk with us , ” but did not answer further questions pertaining to these charges and Andrew .
The indictment focused on Epstein ’ s alleged abuse of three specific girls at his Manhattan mansion and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; Santa Fe , New Mexico , and London .
Their names were not revealed in court filings .
Prosecutors ’ allegations mirrored many claims from civil lawsuits against Maxwell , saying she would “ entice and groom ” minor girls by asking them about their lives , their schools and their families .
“ Through this process , Maxwell and Epstein enticed victims to engage in sexual activity with Epstein .
In some instances , Maxwell was present for and participated in the sexual abuse of minor victims , ” according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a British publishing magnate Robert Maxwell , who died in 1991 after falling off his yacht near the Canary Islands .
At the time , he was facing allegations that he had illegally looted pension funds from his businesses .
Maxwell was in an intimate relationship with Epstein for years and also was paid by him to manage his various properties , according to the indictment , which included a photograph of Epstein with his arm around Maxwell and his head nuzzling hers .
Strauss , at the news conference , stood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news crews captured the moment .
Strauss promised the investigation was continuing and urged other victims to come forward .
In a memo seeking Maxwell ’ s detention , prosecutors wrote that she “ poses an extreme risk of flight ” as she “ faces the very real prospect of serving many years in prison.
” Maxwell has three passports , is wealthy with lots of international connections , and has “ absolutely no reason to stay in the United States and face the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence , ” they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florida and pleaded guilty to state charges in 2008 that allowed him to avoid a lengthy prison sentence .
He was free a little after a year in prison .
At the time , a federal prosecutor in Florida signed off on an agreement , initially filed in secret , that barred the federal government from charging “ any potential co-conspirators of Epstein.
” But Geoffrey Berman , the U.S. attorney in Manhattan until he was fired last month , argued that federal prosecutors in New York were not bound by that agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Maxwell ’ s indictment was celebrated by lawyers for some Epstein accusers .
Jennifer Araoz , a woman who says Epstein raped her in his New York mansion in 2002 when she was 15 , said she feared the financier ’ s ring of conspirators for years .
“ Now that the ring has been taken down , I know that I can ’ t be hurt anymore , ” Araoz , now 33 , said in a statement .
“ Day after day , I have waited for the news that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for her actions .
Her arrest is a step in that direction , and it truly means that the justice system didn ’ t forget about us.
” Spencer T. Kuvin , who represents some of the women , said Maxwell was “ hopefully … the first of many co-conspirators to face the consequences of this horrific crimes.
” Maxwell was described in a lawsuit by another Epstein victim , Sarah Ransome , as the “ highest-ranking employee ” of Epstein ’ s alleged sex trafficking enterprise .
Jim Mustian and Larry Neumeister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AP writer Curt Anderson contributed to this report from Miami and Danica Kirka contributed from London .
About the Headline Photo : Audrey Strauss , Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York , speaks during a news conference to announce charges against Ghislaine Maxwell for her alleged role in the sexual exploitation and abuse of multiple minor girls by Jeffrey Epstein , Thursday , July 2 , 2020 , in New York .
( AP Photo/John Minchillo )

British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell was arrested Thursday on charges she helped lure at least three girls — one as young as 14 — to be sexually abused by the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, who was accused of victimizing dozens of girls and women over many years.
According to the indictment, Maxwell, who lived for years with Epstein and was his frequent companion on trips around the world, facilitated his crimes and on some occasions joined him in sexually abusing the girls.
Epstein, 66, killed himself in a federal detention center in New York last summer while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Maxwell has, for years, been accused by many women of acting as a madam for Epstein, helping him scout young girls for abuse, then hiring them to give him massages, during which the girls were pressured into sex acts. Those accusations, until now, never resulted in criminal charges.
The 58-year-old was arrested in Bradford, New Hampshire, where she was living on a wooded estate she purchased for $1 million last December. The FBI had been keeping tabs on her after she disappeared from public view following Epstein’s arrest a year ago.
“More recently we learned she had slithered away to a gorgeous property in New Hampshire, continuing to live a life of privilege while her victims live with the trauma inflicted upon them years ago,” William Sweeney, head of the FBI’s New York office, told a news conference Thursday.
Brad Edwards, an attorney representing several Epstein accusers, said his clients were relieved by the charges. “Today is a very good day,” he said.
The indictment, which was unsealed Thursday, included counts of conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, enticement of a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
She was also accused of perjuring herself during a deposition in a civil lawsuit over alleged abuse.
“Maxwell lied because the truth, as alleged, was almost unspeakable,” Audrey Strauss, the acting U.S. attorney in Manhattan, said.
Messages were sent Thursday to several of Maxwell’s attorneys seeking comment. She has previously repeatedly denied wrongdoing and called some claims against her “absolute rubbish.”
Among the most sensational accusations was a claim by Virginia Roberts Giuffre that Maxwell arranged for her to have sex with Britain’s Prince Andrew at her London townhouse. Giuffre bolstered her allegations with a picture of her, Andrew and Maxwell that she said was taken at the time.
Andrew denied her story and Maxwell said in a deposition that Giuffre was “totally lying.”
The prince was not mentioned by name in the indictment, and the charges covered Maxwell’s dealings with Epstein only from 1994 through 1997, a period well before his alleged encounters with Giuffre in 2001.
Strauss said she would “welcome Prince Andrew coming in to talk with us,” but did not answer further questions pertaining to these charges and Andrew.
The indictment focused on Epstein’s alleged abuse of three specific girls at his Manhattan mansion and other residences in Palm Beach, Florida; Santa Fe, New Mexico, and London. Their names were not revealed in court filings.
Prosecutors’ allegations mirrored many claims from civil lawsuits against Maxwell, saying she would “entice and groom” minor girls by asking them about their lives, their schools and their families.
“Through this process, Maxwell and Epstein enticed victims to engage in sexual activity with Epstein. In some instances, Maxwell was present for and participated in the sexual abuse of minor victims,” according to the indictment.
Maxwell is the daughter of a British publishing magnate Robert Maxwell, who died in 1991 after falling off his yacht near the Canary Islands. At the time, he was facing allegations that he had illegally looted pension funds from his businesses.
Maxwell was in an intimate relationship with Epstein for years and also was paid by him to manage his various properties, according to the indictment, which included a photograph of Epstein with his arm around Maxwell and his head nuzzling hers. Strauss, at the news conference, stood silent, pointing at the picture as news crews captured the moment.
Strauss promised the investigation was continuing and urged other victims to come forward.
In a memo seeking Maxwell’s detention, prosecutors wrote that she “poses an extreme risk of flight” as she “faces the very real prospect of serving many years in prison.” Maxwell has three passports, is wealthy with lots of international connections, and has “absolutely no reason to stay in the United States and face the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence,” they wrote.
Epstein was initially investigated in Florida and pleaded guilty to state charges in 2008 that allowed him to avoid a lengthy prison sentence. He was free a little after a year in prison.
At the time, a federal prosecutor in Florida signed off on an agreement, initially filed in secret, that barred the federal government from charging “any potential co-conspirators of Epstein.”
But Geoffrey Berman, the U.S. attorney in Manhattan until he was fired last month, argued that federal prosecutors in New York were not bound by that agreement and brought a sweeping indictment against Epstein.
Maxwell’s indictment was celebrated by lawyers for some Epstein accusers.
Jennifer Araoz, a woman who says Epstein raped her in his New York mansion in 2002 when she was 15, said she feared the financier’s ring of conspirators for years.
“Now that the ring has been taken down, I know that I can’t be hurt anymore,” Araoz, now 33, said in a statement. “Day after day, I have waited for the news that Maxwell would be arrested and held accountable for her actions. Her arrest is a step in that direction, and it truly means that the justice system didn’t forget about us.”
Spencer T. Kuvin, who represents some of the women, said Maxwell was “hopefully … the first of many co-conspirators to face the consequences of this horrific crimes.”
Maxwell was described in a lawsuit by another Epstein victim, Sarah Ransome, as the “highest-ranking employee” of Epstein’s alleged sex trafficking enterprise.
– – –
Jim Mustian and Larry Neumeister are reporters for The Associated Press. AP writer Curt Anderson contributed to this report from Miami and Danica Kirka contributed from London.
About the Headline Photo: Audrey Strauss, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, speaks during a news conference to announce charges against Ghislaine Maxwell for her alleged role in the sexual exploitation and abuse of multiple minor girls by Jeffrey Epstein, Thursday, July 2, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)


thetennesseestar--2020-07-03--Wisconsin Republican Senator Moves to Drop Columbus Day as Federal Holiday

Republican Sen. Ron Johnson ( R-WI ) has cosponsored an amendment to replace Columbus Day with Juneteenth as a new federal holiday .
The measure was introduced Wednesday as an amendment to Sen. John Cornyn ’ s ( R-TX ) bill to declare Juneteenth a federal holiday .
Johnson is co-sponsoring the amendment with Sen. James Lankford ( R-OK ) .
Johnson claimed that his “ sole motivation ” for offering the amendment “ is to prevent giving federal workers another paid holiday and incurring the additional cost.
” “ In response to a bipartisan effort to give federal workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Juneteenth a federal holiday , we have offered a counterproposal that does not put us further in debt , ” he said in a statement posted on Twitter .
“ We support celebrating emancipation with a federal holiday , but believe we should eliminate a current holiday in exchange .
We chose Columbus Day as a holiday that is lightly celebrated.
” Despite the amendment , Johnson insisted that he does not “ support efforts to erase America ’ s rich history.
” “ It is not deprecating Christopher Columbus ’ achievements or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in history , ” he added .
Lankford noted that the cost of a single federal holiday is an estimated $ 600 million in paid time off for federal employees .
“ We should celebrate these strides on the federal level while remaining cognizant of the impact the existing 10 federal holidays have on federal services and local businesses .
We can reduce these impacts by replacing Columbus Day as a federal holiday with Juneteenth , America ’ s second independence day , ” Lankford said in a press release .
Fox News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during his opening monologue Wednesday night .
“ It ’ s easier to give them what they want , so that ’ s what they ’ re doing , ” said Carlson .
“ Today they introduced legislation to abolish Columbus Day .
They want to delete it from the national calendar and replace it with Juneteenth .
This is a big change .
Americans have celebrated Columbus Day as long as we ’ ve had a country .
Columbus Day is a celebration of the nation itself .
That ’ s why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carlson noted that CNN never mentioned “ the word Juneteenth a single time ” on air between 2012 and 2017 , while former President Barack Obama “ never tweeted about Juneteenth once ” during his presidency .
“ But paradoxically – and this is odd – the people who are pushing Juneteenth on the country do not consider Abraham Lincoln a hero , ” said Carlson .
“ Confused ?
Well that ’ s the nature of a hysteria outbreak .
Nothing makes sense .
Sens .
Johnson and Langford may be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ themselves as conservatives , improbable as that may seem .
On some level , they may suspect that all the yelling about Columbus Day and Juneteenth doesn ’ t really have much to do with emancipation or civil rights .
More likely it ’ s just another way to humiliate and demoralize Americans .
On some level , they know that but they ’ re ignoring it .
It ’ s just easier to do what the hysteria patients command .
Unless , of course , their voters notice them doing it.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .

Republican Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) has cosponsored an amendment to replace Columbus Day with Juneteenth as a new federal holiday.
The measure was introduced Wednesday as an amendment to Sen. John Cornyn’s (R-TX) bill to declare Juneteenth a federal holiday. Johnson is co-sponsoring the amendment with Sen. James Lankford (R-OK).
Johnson claimed that his “sole motivation” for offering the amendment “is to prevent giving federal workers another paid holiday and incurring the additional cost.”
“In response to a bipartisan effort to give federal workers another day of paid leave by designating Juneteenth a federal holiday, we have offered a counterproposal that does not put us further in debt,” he said in a statement posted on Twitter. “We support celebrating emancipation with a federal holiday, but believe we should eliminate a current holiday in exchange. We chose Columbus Day as a holiday that is lightly celebrated.”
We support celebrating emancipation with a federal holiday, but believe we should eliminate a current holiday in exchange. We chose Columbus Day as a holiday that is lightly celebrated. — Senator Ron Johnson (@SenRonJohnson) July 2, 2020
Despite the amendment, Johnson insisted that he does not “support efforts to erase America’s rich history.”
“It is not deprecating Christopher Columbus’ achievements or expressing any value judgement regarding his place in history,” he added.
Lankford noted that the cost of a single federal holiday is an estimated $600 million in paid time off for federal employees.
“We should celebrate these strides on the federal level while remaining cognizant of the impact the existing 10 federal holidays have on federal services and local businesses. We can reduce these impacts by replacing Columbus Day as a federal holiday with Juneteenth, America’s second independence day,” Lankford said in a press release.
Fox News host Tucker Carlson excoriated Johnson and Langford during his opening monologue Wednesday night.
“It’s easier to give them what they want, so that’s what they’re doing,” said Carlson. “Today they introduced legislation to abolish Columbus Day. They want to delete it from the national calendar and replace it with Juneteenth. This is a big change. Americans have celebrated Columbus Day as long as we’ve had a country. Columbus Day is a celebration of the nation itself. That’s why it’s a national holiday.”
Carlson noted that CNN never mentioned “the word Juneteenth a single time” on air between 2012 and 2017, while former President Barack Obama “never tweeted about Juneteenth once” during his presidency.
“But paradoxically – and this is odd – the people who are pushing Juneteenth on the country do not consider Abraham Lincoln a hero,” said Carlson. “Confused? Well that’s the nature of a hysteria outbreak. Nothing makes sense. Sens. Johnson and Langford may be a little confused as well. They describe themselves as conservatives, improbable as that may seem. On some level, they may suspect that all the yelling about Columbus Day and Juneteenth doesn’t really have much to do with emancipation or civil rights. More likely it’s just another way to humiliate and demoralize Americans. On some level, they know that but they’re ignoring it. It’s just easier to do what the hysteria patients command. Unless, of course, their voters notice them doing it.”
– – –
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].


thetennesseestar--2020-07-03--Adding Another 37,000 Claims, Michigan Unemployment Ranks Seventh Highest Nationally

Although the U.S. economy added 4.8 million jobs in the month of June , the number of unemployed workers in Michigan continues to rise .
Michigan ranks seventh in the nation for total number of unemployment claims .
According to U.S. Department of Labor data , Michigan added 37,312 unemployment claims in the week ending June 27 .
That bumps the number of new unemployment claims 17,671 above the previous week ’ s 19,641 new claims and brings the number of unemployed in the state to 595,627 , up 11.2 from the previous week .
It ’ s a number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the effects of Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ’ s Executive Order to once again prohibit indoor service in bars in all but two of the state ’ s eight regions are felt .
Whitmer issued the order Wednesday .
Only California , Florida , Illinois , New York , Pennsylvania and Texas posted higher unemployment numbers than Michigan , at , respectively , 2.9 million ; 1.05 million ; 676,328 ; 1.6 million ; 814,330 ; and 1.3 million .
New unemployment claims in the nation dropped by 55,000 to 1,427,000 new claims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Labor reports the total number of national unemployment claims is slightly below 18 million claims .
All told , the U.S. economy added 4.8 million jobs in June , dropping the national unemployment rate to 11.1 percent .
Bruce Walker is a regional editor at The Center Square .
He previously worked as editor at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy ’ s MichiganScience magazine and The Heartland Institute ’ s InfoTech & Telecom News .

by Bruce Walker
Although the U.S. economy added 4.8 million jobs in the month of June, the number of unemployed workers in Michigan continues to rise.
Michigan ranks seventh in the nation for total number of unemployment claims.
According to U.S. Department of Labor data, Michigan added 37,312 unemployment claims in the week ending June 27. That bumps the number of new unemployment claims 17,671 above the previous week’s 19,641 new claims and brings the number of unemployed in the state to 595,627, up 11.2 from the previous week.
It’s a number that will more than likely increase once the effects of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Executive Order to once again prohibit indoor service in bars in all but two of the state’s eight regions are felt. Whitmer issued the order Wednesday.
Only California, Florida, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas posted higher unemployment numbers than Michigan, at, respectively, 2.9 million; 1.05 million; 676,328; 1.6 million; 814,330; and 1.3 million.
New unemployment claims in the nation dropped by 55,000 to 1,427,000 new claims from the previous week. The Department of Labor reports the total number of national unemployment claims is slightly below 18 million claims.
All told, the U.S. economy added 4.8 million jobs in June, dropping the national unemployment rate to 11.1 percent.
– – –
Bruce Walker is a regional editor at The Center Square. He previously worked as editor at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy’s MichiganScience magazine and The Heartland Institute’s InfoTech & Telecom News.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-03--Ohio House Democrats Introduce Bill That Would Limit Law Enforcement’s Ability to Get Military-Grade

Ohio House Democrats Introduce Bill That Would Limit Law Enforcement’s Ability to Get Military-Grade Equipment

Ohio House Democrats introduced a bill Thursday that would restrain state law enforcement ’ s ability to secure military grade-equipment .
House Bill ( HB ) 721 , which was introduced by state Representatives Casey Weinstein ( D-Hudson ) and Erica Crawley ( D-Columbus ) , wants to reform Ohio ’ s participation in the federal program 1033 .
This program provides law enforcement agencies with military equipment from the Defense Logistics Agency at discounted rates or no cost .
If HB 721 did become law , it would prevent the transfer of “ drones , aircraft , grenades , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Defense Logistics Agency to local law enforcement agencies , ” according to Crawley ’ s press release .
“ This type of military-grade equipment was largely intended to be used in counter-terrorism activity by trained military personnel .
Deploying this equipment in the field is counterproductive and proves to be escalatory , ” said Rep. Weinstein .
“ In the exceedingly rare event where the use of military-grade equipment might become necessary , it should be properly trained members of the military responding , not law enforcement.
” Crawley said that Ohio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement agencies has broken down relations between police and communities .
“ Community trust is vital to the foundation of safe communities ; however , when militarized equipment is used , it is believed that law enforcement officers adopt a warrior mindset where the public is the enemy rather than the people they serve , ” she said .
“ To achieve the foundational trust , the view of police as a military unit going into war against the public must be eliminated.
” Last week , Ohio House Democrats introduced four pieces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Ohio .
These proposals wanted to implement more state law enforcement training , eliminate the use of tear gas , establish a use of force police database , and prevent police officers from engaging in biased policing .
– – – Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media .
If you have any tips , email Zachery at [ email protected ] Follow Zachery on Twitter @ zacheryschmidt2 .
Photo “ Ohio Law Enforcement ” by Becker1999 .
CC BY 2.0 .

Ohio House Democrats introduced a bill Thursday that would restrain state law enforcement’s ability to secure military grade-equipment.
House Bill (HB) 721, which was introduced by state Representatives Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson) and Erica Crawley (D-Columbus), wants to reform Ohio’s participation in the federal program 1033. This program provides law enforcement agencies with military equipment from the Defense Logistics Agency at discounted rates or no cost.
If HB 721 did become law, it would prevent the transfer of “drones, aircraft, grenades, grenade launchers and weaponized armored vehicles from the Defense Logistics Agency to local law enforcement agencies,” according to Crawley’s press release.
“This type of military-grade equipment was largely intended to be used in counter-terrorism activity by trained military personnel. Deploying this equipment in the field is counterproductive and proves to be escalatory,” said Rep. Weinstein. “In the exceedingly rare event where the use of military-grade equipment might become necessary, it should be properly trained members of the military responding, not law enforcement.”
Crawley said that Ohio must address how the militarization of law enforcement agencies has broken down relations between police and communities.
“Community trust is vital to the foundation of safe communities; however, when militarized equipment is used, it is believed that law enforcement officers adopt a warrior mindset where the public is the enemy rather than the people they serve,” she said. “To achieve the foundational trust, the view of police as a military unit going into war against the public must be eliminated.”
Last week, Ohio House Democrats introduced four pieces of legislation aimed at reforming police departments in Ohio. These proposals wanted to implement more state law enforcement training, eliminate the use of tear gas, establish a use of force police database, and prevent police officers from engaging in biased policing.
– – –
Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media. If you have any tips, email Zachery at [email protected] Follow Zachery on Twitter @zacheryschmidt2.
Photo “Ohio Law Enforcement” by Becker1999. CC BY 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-03--Absentee Voter Applications Up By One Million Compared to 2016

Requests for absentee ballots are up by nearly one million compared to 2016 , an increase of 350 percent , according to the Michigan Secretary of State .
Compared to this time in 2016 — 35 days before the primary election —the number of applications for absentee ballots is up by 945,605 .
Michigan has issued nearly 1,006,000 ballots compared to just 283,731 in 2016 .
More than 35,000 have already been returned , compared to the a little more than 23,800 four years ago .
“ Michigan voters have embraced their right to vote from home with enormous enthusiasm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Benson in a statement .
New voter registration is also up by more than 11,000 .
Michigan residents voted to expand voting access in 2018 by allowing all voters to vote absentee without giving a reason .
This year , the Michigan Secretary of State mailed an absentee voter application to every Michigan resident to hinder the spread of the coronavirus while encouraging voting .
“ This significant increase in those requesting to vote by mail already this year confirms they recognize that this option is a safe , secure and convenient way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard , even in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic , ” Benson said .
The decision to mail out absentee ballot applications was originally criticized by President Trump in May , who warned of voter fraud and threatened to withhold federal funding from the state .
Benson said at the time that “ by mailing applications , we have ensured that no Michigander has to choose between their health and their right to vote.
” The Secretary of State said voters are encouraged to return their ballots as soon as possible and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it to a local election clerk ’ s officer or a ballot drop box .
Michigan residents can register to vote and request an absentee ballot here .
Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Michigan Star .
Follow her on Twitter at @ JordynPair .
Email her at [ email protected ]

Requests for absentee ballots are up by nearly one million compared to 2016, an increase of 350 percent, according to the Michigan Secretary of State.
Compared to this time in 2016 — 35 days before the primary election —the number of applications for absentee ballots is up by 945,605. Michigan has issued nearly 1,006,000 ballots compared to just 283,731 in 2016. More than 35,000 have already been returned, compared to the a little more than 23,800 four years ago.
“Michigan voters have embraced their right to vote from home with enormous enthusiasm,” said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in a statement.
New voter registration is also up by more than 11,000.
Michigan residents voted to expand voting access in 2018 by allowing all voters to vote absentee without giving a reason. This year, the Michigan Secretary of State mailed an absentee voter application to every Michigan resident to hinder the spread of the coronavirus while encouraging voting.
“This significant increase in those requesting to vote by mail already this year confirms they recognize that this option is a safe, secure and convenient way for them to ensure their voices are heard, even in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic,” Benson said.
The decision to mail out absentee ballot applications was originally criticized by President Trump in May, who warned of voter fraud and threatened to withhold federal funding from the state.
Benson said at the time that “by mailing applications, we have ensured that no Michigander has to choose between their health and their right to vote.”
The Secretary of State said voters are encouraged to return their ballots as soon as possible and can do so by mail or bringing it to a local election clerk’s officer or a ballot drop box.
Michigan residents can register to vote and request an absentee ballot here.
– – –
Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Michigan Star. Follow her on Twitter at @JordynPair. Email her at [email protected]