thetennesseestar--2020-10-01--Jack Windsor of The Ohio Star Discusses His National Story About Mom Being Tased Over Not Wearing a

Jack Windsor of The Ohio Star Discusses His National Story About Mom Being Tased Over Not Wearing a Mask

Live from Music Row Wednesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed The Ohio Star Managing Editor Jack Windsor to the newsmakers line .
During the third hour , Windsor discussed his breaking story about a Marietta mother who was tased while watching her son ’ s football game in Logan-Hocking , Ohio .
He later disclosed that after the story went national it gained the attention of Sandmann versus CNN famed attorney Lin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ council in Ohio .
Leahy : On the line right now is the man The New York Times fears and Governor Mike DeWine the big RINO up there in Ohio also runs away from .
Managing editor of our own The Ohio Star Jack Windsor .
Good morning , Jack .
Windsor : Mike .
Good morning .
Good morning Crom .
It ’ s good to talk with you both today .
Leahy : You are the guy who breaks news left and right , and in this particular case you were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you broke this massive story .
And I ’ d like you to bring us up to date on this .
This is an Ohio football mom tased and arrested for not wearing a mask at a game .
Tell us about the story and tell us where we are on that story a week later .
Windsor : So Alicia Kitts lives in Marietta and she drove to Logan , Ohio , which is about an hour and 15 minutes to an hour and a half .
And when she arrived at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for her ticket .
And on her way , and she was told she needed to mask .
And she said no I have an exemption .
I have asthma .
And apparently , the lady who took her money said , okay , well , I ’ m just required to tell you that .
So the mom goes into the stadium and sits and watches the football game .
It ’ s her son ’ s 7th-grade football game .
And at one point a school resource officer approaches her and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have to put that mask on she said no , I have an exemption .
I don ’ t need to put the mask on .
And the officer proceeds to say if you don ’ t put the mask on then I ’ m going to arrest you .
I ’ ll take you out of here because you ’ re trespassing .
And she said well who wants me to put it on ?
He said well the school , the administrator , the officials want you to put it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well send him over here and I ’ ll talk to him .
And he said nah , I ’ m going to go ahead and arrest you .
And so he tases her because she refused .
She wasn ’ t kicking and screaming but she said no , I ’ m not going to go and you ’ re not going to arrest me .
He ends up tasting her and handcuffing her and escorting her out of the stadium .
Now the controversial part of it is this is Ohio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in that mandate , there are exemptions for medical purposes including asthma .
There are also exemptions for people who are outside seated or more than six feet away from people who are not in their family .
In this instance , she was much further than six feet away from other people and she does have a medical condition .
So this story made a splash immediately .
It showed up on Breitbart News , The Blaze , HuffPost , Tucker Carlson , and Ben Shapiro picked it up .
And Nick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of us remember him and Nick Sandmann ’ s struggle with CNN and his massive settlement .
He picked it up and made some commentary on it .
So this thing made national and international headlines last week .
Leahy : And you broke the story , Jack .
Congratulations .
Good work .
Windsor : Thank you .
Thank you Carmichael : Now is Nick Sandmann ’ s attorney Lin Wood now representing this lady ?
Windsor : So actually there is an Ohio attorney .
His name is Maurice Thompson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center .
He is taking the lead in representing this mom .
Her name is Alicia Kitts .
I do not know if Lin Wood is involved at all or if he ’ s co-counsel .
But I do know that she ’ s in great hands with Maurice Thompson .
He has battled the state at least I want to say three or four times during this pandemic and one each of those cases .
Carmichael : So who is she who will she be suing ?
Windsor : I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in court is October 7 .
My understanding is if they proceed with the charges , there ’ s a strong likelihood they may drop the charges .
And then it looks like it would probably be the police department , school or you know school district .
And then the state of Ohio .
But we ’ ll learn more on October 7 .
Leahy : Now did you reach out to them ?
I guess it ’ s a Logan Ohio Police Department , Did you reach out to them for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the conduct of their officer ?
Windsor : So they did .
When I originally reached out I asked an explicit question .
What written law or rule did she break ?
And the officer there officer Captain Gabriel said to contact Logan-Hocking School District board office .
The school district board office , it was school policy and I said , okay wait a minute .
So she was arrested for violating school policy and he said no the school policy states that spectators must wear masks while in the stadium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was subsequently arrested on the charge of criminal trespass .
And in that police report , which we were able to obtain the arresting officer said in his narrative , I asked the female to put on her mask .
She told me she was not going to put on a mask because she had asthma .
I advised her she did not put her mask on she would have to leave the stadium .
She then asked me what she was supposed to do with her children because she was watching her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that if she did not leave the stadium then she would be arrested .
So even his narrative is not it ’ s not too encouraging for him .
It sounds like she ’ s asking questions and he ’ s coming down heavy-handed on her .
She ’ s not in violation of the statewide mask order .
And there is a sports order and in that sports order that the state released , it indicates that hey there are exemptions in this statewide mask order and they apply in the sports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them .
Leahy : It sounds like she may have a pretty good case against the city there .
Windsor : You know , it really does .
A lot of people are divided and really based on their you know , their political striping I guess .
But she does have a very strong case .
She was violently removed from the stadium and it ’ s a shame .
I honestly feel bad for the school district and the resource officer .
I understand the school district .
They want their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So they ’ re trying to do everything that they can because look Governor DeWine has sent around snitches .
There are people that are out watching these games and you know , they ’ re going to report back to the governor and in other powers that be .
So they ’ re in a tough spot .
The school districts want to do it , right ?
The resource officer is really , you know , it ’ s like they release the Kraken .
Go get her and so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do .
He just did it violently and he did it in a way that it just does not look good for him .
Carmichael : Yeah , and it ’ s very it mean it ’ s you know when you look at that if we ’ re down kind of in the weeds where we ’ re trying to where the government is trying to give authorities and the power of the authority to remove people from watching a football game .
I mean when you get right down to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a little bit like out in Idaho there was that church service that was being held out in a parking lot and people were singing .
And I guess the minister or somebody the authorities showed up and arrested that person .
And there ’ s not been a single hospitalization in that county .
Not one hospitalization in the county and yet the police show up .
And the police even told the guy and said I ’ m doing this because the mayor is forcing me to do it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because even the policeman said I don ’ t think this is the right thing .
Carmichael : And when you have people in authority who abuse their authority and that ’ s abuse there ’ s you know .
There ’ s a fine line .
And once you step over it and you and I guess he ’ s these politicians they get high on on on exercising their authority in ways that really really hurts people for no good reason .
Windsor : We can ’ t have state Representative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican out of here on Ohio .
He said we can ’ t have public policy that ends with someone getting arrested just for sitting with the family outside watching their child play football .
And he was quick to point out that the legislature amended Senate Bill 55 for that type of situation and that bill would have taken away the criminal element for minor health violations and it would have lowered the fines if somebody was in violation .
And the governor after the General Assembly both , you know , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that bill .
And so , you know early on in his handling of COVID the governor said , hey the buck stops with me .
Well does it is ?
Is this what you want ?
Leahy : Good point Jack now , let me ask you .
I ’ m gathering that in the week since you broke this major national story you ’ ve been a very popular guest on a lot of national and Ohio radio and television programs .
What is your sense of how the people of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Yeah , so it ’ s really like I said before it ’ s divided by a political stripe .
There are people who say my gosh .
Okay , this woman ’ s watching her son and this is out of control .
It ’ s very unnerving when you watch the video .
It does compel you emotionally one way or the other .
Either because she gets to tased and it ’ s ugly .
It ’ s not fun to watch .
So there are a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we are in a state where rules and regulations have brought us to this point .
There are other people who say it ’ s just a darn mask .
Put the mask on .
Listen to the full third hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ Alecia Kitts Being Arrested ” by The Timmyz .

Live from Music Row Wednesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville’s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed The Ohio Star Managing Editor Jack Windsor to the newsmakers line.
During the third hour, Windsor discussed his breaking story about a Marietta mother who was tased while watching her son’s football game in Logan-Hocking, Ohio. He later disclosed that after the story went national it gained the attention of Sandmann versus CNN famed attorney Lin Wood who directed the mother to legal council in Ohio.
Leahy: On the line right now is the man The New York Times fears and Governor Mike DeWine the big RINO up there in Ohio also runs away from. Managing editor of our own The Ohio Star Jack Windsor. Good morning, Jack.
Windsor: Mike. Good morning. Good morning Crom. It’s good to talk with you both today.
Leahy: You are the guy who breaks news left and right, and in this particular case you were here last week and then that evening you broke this massive story. And I’d like you to bring us up to date on this. This is an Ohio football mom tased and arrested for not wearing a mask at a game. Tell us about the story and tell us where we are on that story a week later.
Windsor: So Alicia Kitts lives in Marietta and she drove to Logan, Ohio, which is about an hour and 15 minutes to an hour and a half. And when she arrived at the stadium she went in and paid for her ticket. And on her way, and she was told she needed to mask. And she said no I have an exemption.
I have asthma. And apparently, the lady who took her money said, okay, well, I’m just required to tell you that. So the mom goes into the stadium and sits and watches the football game. It’s her son’s 7th-grade football game.
And at one point a school resource officer approaches her and says look, you’re going to have to put that mask on she said no, I have an exemption. I don’t need to put the mask on. And the officer proceeds to say if you don’t put the mask on then I’m going to arrest you. I’ll take you out of here because you’re trespassing.
And she said well who wants me to put it on? He said well the school, the administrator, the officials want you to put it on, your table. She said well send him over here and I’ll talk to him. And he said nah, I’m going to go ahead and arrest you.
And so he tases her because she refused. She wasn’t kicking and screaming but she said no, I’m not going to go and you’re not going to arrest me. He ends up tasting her and handcuffing her and escorting her out of the stadium. Now the controversial part of it is this is Ohio has a statewide mask mandate. And in that mandate, there are exemptions for medical purposes including asthma.
There are also exemptions for people who are outside seated or more than six feet away from people who are not in their family. In this instance, she was much further than six feet away from other people and she does have a medical condition. So this story made a splash immediately.
It showed up on Breitbart News, The Blaze, HuffPost, Tucker Carlson, and Ben Shapiro picked it up. And Nick Sandmann’s attorney Lin Wood, some of us remember him and Nick Sandmann’s struggle with CNN and his massive settlement. He picked it up and made some commentary on it. So this thing made national and international headlines last week.
Leahy: And you broke the story, Jack. Congratulations. Good work.
Windsor: Thank you. Thank you
Carmichael: Now is Nick Sandmann’s attorney Lin Wood now representing this lady?
Windsor: So actually there is an Ohio attorney. His name is Maurice Thompson. Maurice is with The 1851 Legal Center. He is taking the lead in representing this mom. Her name is Alicia Kitts. I do not know if Lin Wood is involved at all or if he’s co-counsel. But I do know that she’s in great hands with Maurice Thompson. He has battled the state at least I want to say three or four times during this pandemic and one each of those cases.
Carmichael: So who is she who will she be suing?
Windsor: I don’t have clarity yet. Her day in court is October 7. My understanding is if they proceed with the charges, there’s a strong likelihood they may drop the charges. And then it looks like it would probably be the police department, school or you know school district. And then the state of Ohio. But we’ll learn more on October 7.
Leahy: Now did you reach out to them? I guess it’s a Logan Ohio Police Department, Did you reach out to them for comment? Did they offer any explanation for the conduct of their officer?
Windsor: So they did. When I originally reached out I asked an explicit question. What written law or rule did she break? And the officer there officer Captain Gabriel said to contact Logan-Hocking School District board office. The school district board office, it was school policy and I said, okay wait a minute.
So she was arrested for violating school policy and he said no the school policy states that spectators must wear masks while in the stadium. and because she refused then she was subsequently arrested on the charge of criminal trespass.
And in that police report, which we were able to obtain the arresting officer said in his narrative, I asked the female to put on her mask. She told me she was not going to put on a mask because she had asthma. I advised her she did not put her mask on she would have to leave the stadium.
She then asked me what she was supposed to do with her children because she was watching her son play football. I advised her that if she did not leave the stadium then she would be arrested. So even his narrative is not it’s not too encouraging for him.
It sounds like she’s asking questions and he’s coming down heavy-handed on her. She’s not in violation of the statewide mask order. And there is a sports order and in that sports order that the state released, it indicates that hey there are exemptions in this statewide mask order and they apply in the sports order. And she had two of them.
Leahy: It sounds like she may have a pretty good case against the city there.
Windsor: You know, it really does. A lot of people are divided and really based on their you know, their political striping I guess. But she does have a very strong case. She was violently removed from the stadium and it’s a shame. I honestly feel bad for the school district and the resource officer.
I understand the school district. They want their kids to be able to play sports. So they’re trying to do everything that they can because look Governor DeWine has sent around snitches. There are people that are out watching these games and you know, they’re going to report back to the governor and in other powers that be.
So they’re in a tough spot. The school districts want to do it, right? The resource officer is really, you know, it’s like they release the Kraken. Go get her and so he does what he’s told to do. He just did it violently and he did it in a way that it just does not look good for him.
Carmichael: Yeah, and it’s very it mean it’s you know when you look at that if we’re down kind of in the weeds where we’re trying to where the government is trying to give authorities and the power of the authority to remove people from watching a football game. I mean when you get right down to house how scary that is.
It’s a little bit like out in Idaho there was that church service that was being held out in a parking lot and people were singing. And I guess the minister or somebody the authorities showed up and arrested that person. And there’s not been a single hospitalization in that county.
Not one hospitalization in the county and yet the police show up. And the police even told the guy and said I’m doing this because the mayor is forcing me to do it. I’m not doing it because even the policeman said I don’t think this is the right thing.
Windsor: I agree with that.
Carmichael: And when you have people in authority who abuse their authority and that’s abuse there’s you know. There’s a fine line. And once you step over it and you and I guess he’s these politicians they get high on on on exercising their authority in ways that really really hurts people for no good reason.
Windsor: We can’t have state Representative D.J. Swearingen who’s a Republican out of here on Ohio. He said we can’t have public policy that ends with someone getting arrested just for sitting with the family outside watching their child play football.
And he was quick to point out that the legislature amended Senate Bill 55 for that type of situation and that bill would have taken away the criminal element for minor health violations and it would have lowered the fines if somebody was in violation.
And the governor after the General Assembly both, you know, both chambers past it the governor vetoed that bill. And so, you know early on in his handling of COVID the governor said, hey the buck stops with me. Well does it is? Is this what you want?
Leahy: Good point Jack now, let me ask you. I’m gathering that in the week since you broke this major national story you’ve been a very popular guest on a lot of national and Ohio radio and television programs. What is your sense of how the people of Ohio are responding to this?
Windsor: Yeah, so it’s really like I said before it’s divided by a political stripe. There are people who say my gosh. Okay, this woman’s watching her son and this is out of control. It’s very unnerving when you watch the video. It does compel you emotionally one way or the other.
Either because she gets to tased and it’s ugly. It’s not fun to watch. So there are a lot of people who are extremely upset. One that we are in a state where rules and regulations have brought us to this point. There are other people who say it’s just a darn mask. Put the mask on.
Listen to the full third hour here:

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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 “Alecia Kitts Being Arrested” by The Timmyz.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-01--Nine People Cited for McCloskey Home Standoff Won’t Face Charges, St Louis Officials Say

The nine people who were cited for allegedly trespassing on Mark and Patricia McCloskey ’ s property during a June standoff will not be prosecuted , St. Louis officials announced Tuesday .
The group was issued summonses during the beginning of September , but City Counselor Michael Garvin said “ prosecution is not warranted ” and the arrestees would not have to face criminal proceedings , according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch .
The felony charge of unlawful use of weapon levied against the McCloskeys is still pending , the local outlet reported .
Garvin said the decision came after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and spoke to local homeowners who claimed they didn ’ t want to press charges against the group , the Post-Dispatch reported .
One of the persons cited claimed police issued the “ citations to harass and intimidate.
” “ The St. Louis Police Department sent these citations to harass and intimidate witnesses in the McCloskey case , and to chill the first amendment rights of protestors , ” Micah Hainline , one of the people cited , told the Post-Dispatch .
“ It was clearly trespassing and the McCloskeys were clearly within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” former McCloskey lawyer Joel Schwartz told the local outlet .
The affluent couple was seen on video on their property with an AR-15 rifle and a concealable semi-automatic handgun as a large group of demonstrators flooded their gated community in late June .
Patricia McCloskey said demonstrators threatened to end their lives and move into their home .
“ [ They said ] that they were going to kill us , ” Patricia McCloskey told Fox News in July .
“ They were going to come in there .
They were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ They were going to be living in our house after I was dead , and they were pointing to different rooms and said , ‘ That ’ s going to be my bedroom and that ’ s going to be the living room and I ’ m going to be taking a shower in that room , ’ ” she said .
St. Louis Police officers executed a search warrant on the couple ’ s home a few weeks after the incident and seized an AR-15 rifle , Mark McCloskey told radio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The city tacked on a felony charge to the couple shortly after the rifle seizure and the pair was issued a criminal citation , according to a separate Post-Dispatch report .
Jake Dima is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ McCloskeys ” by Reuters .

by Jake Dima
The nine people who were cited for allegedly trespassing on Mark and Patricia McCloskey’s property during a June standoff will not be prosecuted, St. Louis officials announced Tuesday.
The group was issued summonses during the beginning of September, but City Counselor Michael Garvin said “prosecution is not warranted” and the arrestees would not have to face criminal proceedings, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
The felony charge of unlawful use of weapon levied against the McCloskeys is still pending, the local outlet reported.
Garvin said the decision came after the city reviewed video, conducted interviews and spoke to local homeowners who claimed they didn’t want to press charges against the group, the Post-Dispatch reported.
One of the persons cited claimed police issued the “citations to harass and intimidate.”
“The St. Louis Police Department sent these citations to harass and intimidate witnesses in the McCloskey case, and to chill the first amendment rights of protestors,” Micah Hainline, one of the people cited, told the Post-Dispatch.
“It was clearly trespassing and the McCloskeys were clearly within their rights to do what they did,” former McCloskey lawyer Joel Schwartz told the local outlet.
The affluent couple was seen on video on their property with an AR-15 rifle and a concealable semi-automatic handgun as a large group of demonstrators flooded their gated community in late June. Patricia McCloskey said demonstrators threatened to end their lives and move into their home.
“[They said] that they were going to kill us,” Patricia McCloskey told Fox News in July. “They were going to come in there. They were going to burn down the house.”
“They were going to be living in our house after I was dead, and they were pointing to different rooms and said, ‘That’s going to be my bedroom and that’s going to be the living room and I’m going to be taking a shower in that room,’” she said.
In a video posted to social media, peaceful protesters in St. Louis calling for police reforms walked past a couple brandishing firearms as they were ordered to stay away from the couple’s home https://t.co/bYl06iAiTo pic.twitter.com/wOZ1Wr3yac — Reuters (@Reuters) June 29, 2020
St. Louis Police officers executed a search warrant on the couple’s home a few weeks after the incident and seized an AR-15 rifle, Mark McCloskey told radio host Todd Starnes shortly after the search. The city tacked on a felony charge to the couple shortly after the rifle seizure and the pair was issued a criminal citation, according to a separate Post-Dispatch report.
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Jake Dima is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Photo “McCloskeys” by Reuters.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-01--Kamala Harris Dodges Court Packing Question Following Debate

Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris dodged questions about whether or not her party would seek to add Supreme Court justices if Republicans were to confirm a justice before the November election .
“ There should be consideration to adding seats to the U.S. Supreme Court , ” CNN ’ s Jake Tapper said following the first presidential debate on Tuesday .
“ Neither you nor Joe Biden are willing to give a straight answer as to whether or not you ’ re willing to entertain that idea.
” Harris responded : “ We are 35 days away from an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election of our lifetime and our children ’ s lifetime , and there is nothing about these next 35 days that Joe or I will take for granted , and so the focus right now is on reminding people that we have this election that it is very much in play.
” At the end of the segment , Tapper said , “ I will respectfully note you also declined to answer that question with me.
” Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden avoided the question on the issue of court packing during Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ position I take , that will be the issue , ” Biden said to a question on adding justices .
“ I ’ m not going to answer that question because , ” Biden said before he was cut off by President Donald Trump .
In another interview following the debate , Harris told CBS News ’ John Dickerson that Biden ’ s answer was clear .
Dickerson called Biden ’ s answer to the Supreme Court question a “ straight-up dodge ” in an interview with Harris , asking why Biden “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wants to do , what he thinks should happen ?
” “ He is very clear , John , which is that he is very focused as we all should be on the next 35 days , ” Harris said .
Trump selected Amy Coney Barrett as his pick to replace former Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , who died Sept. 18 , and the Senate Republicans promised to hold a vote on her nomination , according to CNN .
Jake Dima is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .

by Jake Dima
Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris dodged questions about whether or not her party would seek to add Supreme Court justices if Republicans were to confirm a justice before the November election.
“There should be consideration to adding seats to the U.S. Supreme Court,” CNN’s Jake Tapper said following the first presidential debate on Tuesday. “Neither you nor Joe Biden are willing to give a straight answer as to whether or not you’re willing to entertain that idea.”
Harris responded: “We are 35 days away from an election that is probably the most important election of our lifetime and our children’s lifetime, and there is nothing about these next 35 days that Joe or I will take for granted, and so the focus right now is on reminding people that we have this election that it is very much in play.”
At the end of the segment, Tapper said, “I will respectfully note you also declined to answer that question with me.”
Kamala Harris for the second time tonight refuses to directly answer a question about court-packing. She did not close the door on it, noting they can deal with it "later." Tapper notes at the end that Harris dodged again. pic.twitter.com/0hCStWKZ4y — Joe Gierut (@Joe_Gierut) September 30, 2020
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden avoided the question on the issue of court packing during Tuesday’s debate. “Whatever the position I take, that will be the issue,” Biden said to a question on adding justices. “I’m not going to answer that question because,” Biden said before he was cut off by President Donald Trump.
Joe Biden is asked if he would expand the size of the Supreme Court: "Whatever the position I take, that will be the issue." pic.twitter.com/ZVKl2HYsrm — Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) September 30, 2020
In another interview following the debate, Harris told CBS News’ John Dickerson that Biden’s answer was clear.
Dickerson called Biden’s answer to the Supreme Court question a “straight-up dodge” in an interview with Harris, asking why Biden “won’t talk about what he wants to do, what he thinks should happen?”
“He is very clear, John, which is that he is very focused as we all should be on the next 35 days,” Harris said.
CBS News’ John Dickerson calls out Democrat Sen. Kamala Harris for Joe Biden’s “straight up dodge” on packing the Supreme Court pic.twitter.com/ssTIaQx6Rq — Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) September 30, 2020
Trump selected Amy Coney Barrett as his pick to replace former Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died Sept. 18, and the Senate Republicans promised to hold a vote on her nomination, according to CNN.
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Jake Dima is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-01--Tennessee to Receive Two Million COVID-19 Rapid Tests from White House

Governor Bill Lee announced during the weekly Tuesday briefing that Tennessee will receive around 2 million rapid viral tests for COVID-19 .
The tests from BinaxNOW will come in weekly shipments until the end of the year .
Approximately 133,000 tests are scheduled to arrive next week .
“ These are , as I said , rapid tests and they are point-of-care tests .
And they will be used – importantly for us – in the continued reopening for schools , ” Lee stated .
“ There will also be opportunity for these to be used in the continued strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protecting the elderly and nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
” According to Health Commissioner Dr. Lisa Piercey , the tests provide faster results at a cheaper cost of $ 5 to $ 6 apiece compared to $ 100 .
Typical wait times for COVID-19 test results in Tennessee average three or more days .
However , some end up waiting weeks due to material shortages or a surge in testing .
The BinaxNOW tests can administer results in 13-15 minutes .
“ Now , we ’ ve had some of those on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is these are done in the field .
They don ’ t require any equipment , they don ’ t require any machinery .
They can be done with trained personnel – and it ’ s not major training , it ’ s just training on how to run the test , ” Piercey explained .
The health commissioner compared these rapid test results to home pregnancy tests : chemical reactions on the test card containing the swab will show one or two lines for a positive or negative result .
Delivery of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ succession to President Donald Trump ’ s promise on Monday to deliver 150 million rapid tests across the nation .
In the same Tuesday briefing , Lee added that the state of emergency will continue through October .
Federal funding factored into his decision .
He also stated his intent to model Tennessee reopening precedent after President Trump ’ s decisions on the national state of emergency .
However , the governor is lifting all statewide restrictions on gatherings and businesses .
The executive order also allows for senior centers to reopen .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ option to cease their mandates , such as masks and social gathering limits .
The governor promised to release a comprehensive plan for distributing the tests within the next several days .
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and the Star News Network .
Follow her latest on Twitter , or email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ COVID Testing ” by Governor Tom Wolf .
CC BY 2.0 .

Governor Bill Lee announced during the weekly Tuesday briefing that Tennessee will receive around 2 million rapid viral tests for COVID-19.
The tests from BinaxNOW will come in weekly shipments until the end of the year. Approximately 133,000 tests are scheduled to arrive next week.
“These are, as I said, rapid tests and they are point-of-care tests. And they will be used – importantly for us – in the continued reopening for schools,” Lee stated. “There will also be opportunity for these to be used in the continued strong approach that we’ve had toward protecting the elderly and nursing homes and long-term care facilities.”
According to Health Commissioner Dr. Lisa Piercey, the tests provide faster results at a cheaper cost of $5 to $6 apiece compared to $100. Typical wait times for COVID-19 test results in Tennessee average three or more days. However, some end up waiting weeks due to material shortages or a surge in testing. The BinaxNOW tests can administer results in 13-15 minutes.
“Now, we’ve had some of those on the market – but the differentiator here is these are done in the field. They don’t require any equipment, they don’t require any machinery. They can be done with trained personnel – and it’s not major training, it’s just training on how to run the test,” Piercey explained.
The health commissioner compared these rapid test results to home pregnancy tests: chemical reactions on the test card containing the swab will show one or two lines for a positive or negative result.
Delivery of these White House tests are a quick succession to President Donald Trump’s promise on Monday to deliver 150 million rapid tests across the nation.
In the same Tuesday briefing, Lee added that the state of emergency will continue through October. Federal funding factored into his decision. He also stated his intent to model Tennessee reopening precedent after President Trump’s decisions on the national state of emergency.
However, the governor is lifting all statewide restrictions on gatherings and businesses. The executive order also allows for senior centers to reopen.
This means that county mayors have the option to cease their mandates, such as masks and social gathering limits.
The governor promised to release a comprehensive plan for distributing the tests within the next several days.
– – –
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and the Star News Network. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to [email protected].
Photo “COVID Testing” by Governor Tom Wolf. CC BY 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-01--Commentary: A Wealth Tax Is Practically and Morally Bankrupt

Joe Biden hopes that his proposals to raise taxes significantly will propel him to victory on Election Day .
Biden plans to increase the corporate tax rate by 33 percent , raise individual tax rates , and eliminate the cap on income subject to payroll tax .
According to an analysis by the Tax Foundation , Biden ’ s tax plan will reduce national GDP and ordinary earners ’ incomes .
While it ’ s not currently part of his platform , Biden may also support a wealth tax if he ’ s elected .
Biden has promised to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Warren wing of his party , and wealth taxes are one of their top policy priorities .
Even if Biden doesn ’ t explicitly back a wealth tax , he would surely sign wealth tax legislation passed by a Democratic Congress .
Proponents claim a wealth tax is necessary to reduce income inequality and fund various federal government social programs .
According to the Sanders campaign , a wealth tax is needed “ to reduce the outrageous level of inequality that exists in America today and to rebuild the disappearing middle class… ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that income inequality has fallen significantly under President Trump , who has cut taxes on corporations and high earners .
Median incomes , especially for minorities , have surged by record amounts , and poverty rates have fallen to historic lows .
The Census report is just the latest indication that there ’ s no clear correlation between new taxes and less income inequality .
Take California , which is one of the most unequal states in the country , yet also has the highest state income tax rate on wealthy earners .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the country ’ s highest top marginal tax rates , is the nation ’ s most unequal state .
In contrast , New Hampshire , Wyoming , and Alaska are three of the most equal states , and they have no state income tax at all .
What explains this apparent contradiction ?
When governments impose punitive tax rates , they suck productive capital out of the economy .
The wealthy don ’ t just hoard their earnings under a mattress as populists claim .
Instead , they use their money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wages , expand their businesses , make purchases , and invest in other companies and ideas .
These funds stimulate the economy and provide the rest of us with the opportunity to live the American dream .
Capital is also mobile and global .
Governments that tax it repeatedly or at high levels will chase it offshore just like the U.S. did to roughly three trillion dollars of corporate earnings before the recent tax cuts brought the corporate rate in-line with the developed world average .
Remember how major American companies like Burger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Obama administration ?
European countries such as France , Sweden , Germany , and Denmark discovered these consequences the hard way .
They scrapped their wealth taxes in recent years after failing to bring in expected revenue while pushing out taxpayers .
According to French economist Eric Pichet , France ’ s wealth tax cost the country more than $ 200 billion , roughly twice the revenue it generated , and reduced the country ’ s GDP growth .
One analysis concludes that the wealth tax chased away 10,000 millionaires from France @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Presidential Medal of Freedom award winner , former Ronald Reagan advisor , and Nashville resident , popularized this trade-off between higher tax rates and lower tax revenues with his Laffer Curve .
This economic model graphically demonstrates an indirect relationship between tax rates and tax revenues above a certain threshold .
Indeed , U.S. tax revenues ( before Covid-19 ) grew after rates were cut .
Laffer will debate Democratic strategist Leslie Marshall over the effectiveness of a wealth tax and higher tax rates at a Steamboat Institute Campus Liberty Tour event , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Research Institute , at Middle Tennessee State University on October 5th .
( Dr. Laffer and Ms. Marshall will appear in person ; the public can view the debate over livestream . )
Aside from these practical objections to a wealth tax , there are also moral implications .
A wealth tax amounts to the confiscation of personal property that has already been taxed at least once before .
The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution protects people ’ s “ private property ” from being “ taken for public use without just compensation.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tax is likely unconstitutional .
As recent history demonstrates , the best way to reduce income inequality and help the middle class is a flourishing economy , which new taxes threaten .
Whether a wealth tax and significantly higher tax rates are effective in greasing the path to political power , however , remains to be seen .
Jennifer Schubert-Akin is the Chairman and CEO of The Steamboat Institute .

by Jennifer Schubert-Akin
Joe Biden hopes that his proposals to raise taxes significantly will propel him to victory on Election Day. Biden plans to increase the corporate tax rate by 33 percent, raise individual tax rates, and eliminate the cap on income subject to payroll tax. According to an analysis by the Tax Foundation, Biden’s tax plan will reduce national GDP and ordinary earners’ incomes.
While it’s not currently part of his platform, Biden may also support a wealth tax if he’s elected. Biden has promised to make concessions to the Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren wing of his party, and wealth taxes are one of their top policy priorities. Even if Biden doesn’t explicitly back a wealth tax, he would surely sign wealth tax legislation passed by a Democratic Congress.
Proponents claim a wealth tax is necessary to reduce income inequality and fund various federal government social programs. According to the Sanders campaign, a wealth tax is needed “to reduce the outrageous level of inequality that exists in America today and to rebuild the disappearing middle class…”
Yet a new Census Bureau report shows that income inequality has fallen significantly under President Trump, who has cut taxes on corporations and high earners. Median incomes, especially for minorities, have surged by record amounts, and poverty rates have fallen to historic lows.
The Census report is just the latest indication that there’s no clear correlation between new taxes and less income inequality. Take California, which is one of the most unequal states in the country, yet also has the highest state income tax rate on wealthy earners. New York State, which also has one of the country’s highest top marginal tax rates, is the nation’s most unequal state. In contrast, New Hampshire, Wyoming, and Alaska are three of the most equal states, and they have no state income tax at all.
What explains this apparent contradiction? When governments impose punitive tax rates, they suck productive capital out of the economy. The wealthy don’t just hoard their earnings under a mattress as populists claim. Instead, they use their money to hire new workers, raise employee wages, expand their businesses, make purchases, and invest in other companies and ideas. These funds stimulate the economy and provide the rest of us with the opportunity to live the American dream.
Capital is also mobile and global. Governments that tax it repeatedly or at high levels will chase it offshore just like the U.S. did to roughly three trillion dollars of corporate earnings before the recent tax cuts brought the corporate rate in-line with the developed world average. Remember how major American companies like Burger King and Johnson Controls fled abroad under the Obama administration?
European countries such as France, Sweden, Germany, and Denmark discovered these consequences the hard way. They scrapped their wealth taxes in recent years after failing to bring in expected revenue while pushing out taxpayers. According to French economist Eric Pichet, France’s wealth tax cost the country more than $200 billion, roughly twice the revenue it generated, and reduced the country’s GDP growth. One analysis concludes that the wealth tax chased away 10,000 millionaires from France in 2015 alone.
Art Laffer, Presidential Medal of Freedom award winner, former Ronald Reagan advisor, and Nashville resident, popularized this trade-off between higher tax rates and lower tax revenues with his Laffer Curve. This economic model graphically demonstrates an indirect relationship between tax rates and tax revenues above a certain threshold. Indeed, U.S. tax revenues (before Covid-19) grew after rates were cut.
Laffer will debate Democratic strategist Leslie Marshall over the effectiveness of a wealth tax and higher tax rates at a Steamboat Institute Campus Liberty Tour event, held in conjunction with the Political Economy Research Institute, at Middle Tennessee State University on October 5th. (Dr. Laffer and Ms. Marshall will appear in person; the public can view the debate over livestream.)
Aside from these practical objections to a wealth tax, there are also moral implications. A wealth tax amounts to the confiscation of personal property that has already been taxed at least once before. The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution protects people’s “private property” from being “taken for public use without just compensation.” For this reason, the wealth tax is likely unconstitutional.
As recent history demonstrates, the best way to reduce income inequality and help the middle class is a flourishing economy, which new taxes threaten. Whether a wealth tax and significantly higher tax rates are effective in greasing the path to political power, however, remains to be seen.
– – –
Jennifer Schubert-Akin is the Chairman and CEO of The Steamboat Institute.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-01--Campus Survey: 42 Percent of Students Say Their College Doesn’t Empower Free Speech

Conservative students on college campuses across the U.S. are more likely to self-censor than their more liberal classmates out of fear of backlash or retribution , according to a first-of-its-kind student survey commissioned by RealClearEducation and the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education ( FIRE ) .
The survey is the largest of its kind – canvasing 20,000 students at 55 U.S. colleges and universities about their experiences with free speech on campuses .
Conducted by College Pulse , the survey ranks schools according to how open and tolerant students say they are , among several other criteria , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ A university should be a lively marketplace of ideas – a place where different beliefs and opinions can be discussed , analyzed , and challenged with widest possible freedom , ” Nathan Harden , editor of RealClearEducation , said in a statement .
“ If students don ’ t feel free to speak their minds , or if they aren ’ t exposed to diverse points of view , it greatly diminishes the value of their education .
Now more than ever , students and parents need help identifying colleges and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most pressing issues facing society , from the state of race relations in America to the freedom of religion and association.
” Students who identify as conservative are more likely to report a prior self-censorship incident ( 72 % ) compared to liberals ( 55 % ) .
“ While 57 percent of students say their college would defend a speaker ’ s right to express his or her views in the case of a controversy over ‘ offensive ’ expression , ” the report found , “ a disturbingly large minority , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ punish the speaker for making the statement.
” The University of Chicago received the highest score in the College Free Speech Rankings .
Both self-identifying liberal and conservative students said the administration at the school supports free inquiry and tolerates a wide range of opinions .
But even at the highest-ranking University of Chicago , most of the comments published in the survey by students relate to their fear of being bullied by other students for expressing a politically or religious conservative opinion .
“ I feel isolation that might lead to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opinions plus cyber bullying is very alive in any college campus in the United States ( including UChicago ’ s ) , ” a class of 2021 student told suveyors .
“ It sucks to not be able to say your opinion because of fear , instead of having a productive discussion .
Happens every time I am in a conversation with a student activist .
I don ’ t want to change people ’ s minds , I just want to be heard and respected , and that is never possible in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looked down upon and marginalized – and I am not even American , I just happen to come from a communist country and have suffered a lot .
But my personal experiences are written over and ignored by liberals on campus.
” Indiana-based DePauw University ranked last in the survey , with the highest percentage of students who self-censored out of fear at 71 percent .
DePauw was also the lowest-rated school by conservative students and the fourth lowest–rated school by liberal students .
“ A professor was making a comment on how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” a class of 2021 student told surveyors .
“ As a Republican , I felt that I could not speak up and defend myself because of the position of power the professor was in.
” Overall , the University of Texas at Austin ranked just slightly better than DePauw .
Both liberal and conservative students rated the school poorly for its perceived intolerance of free speech on campus .
“ When we are having open ended discussions and the entire class and professor are bashing Trump , I am terrified of speaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like I ’ m the only one with conservative opinions , ” a class of 2020 student said .
“ In addition to that , I have heard numerous stories of individuals being targeted , bullied , and even threatened for expressing conservative opinions on or around campus .
If I were liberal , this wouldn ’ t be an issue on my campus .
It ’ s simply dangerous to be openly conservative at UT .
For the sake of my safety , my job security and possibly even my family , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students said had the best free speech environment are the University of Chicago , Kansas State University , Texas A & M University , University of California-Los Angeles , Arizona State University , the University of Virginia , Duke University , Virginia Tech , Brown University and the University of Arizona .
Seven of these schools are public state universities with undergraduate enrollments of more than 15,000 students .
The schools that students rated the most intolerant for free speech on campus are DePauw University , the University of Texas-Austin , Louisiana State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Oklahoma State University , Brigham Young University , Georgetown University , Wake Forest and Harvard University .
Seven of the worst colleges for free speech are private , with undergraduate enrollments at five of them below 10,000 students .
Two of the least tolerant schools are Ivy League schools .
“ Students ’ assessment of the state of free speech on their campuses is , at least in part , driven by their political ideology and whether or not it is in line with the predominant viewpoint at their college , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students who attend colleges where their political opinions align with the majority are generally more comfortable sharing their beliefs.
” Conducted from April 1 to May 28 , 2020 , students responded to survey questions using a College Pulse mobile app and web portal and were currently enrolled in four-year degree programs .
Bethany Blankley is a contributor to The Center Square .
Photo “ Free Speech Movement Cafe ” by jimmy thomas .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .

by Bethany Blankley
Conservative students on college campuses across the U.S. are more likely to self-censor than their more liberal classmates out of fear of backlash or retribution, according to a first-of-its-kind student survey commissioned by RealClearEducation and the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE).
The survey is the largest of its kind – canvasing 20,000 students at 55 U.S. colleges and universities about their experiences with free speech on campuses. Conducted by College Pulse, the survey ranks schools according to how open and tolerant students say they are, among several other criteria, and includes numerous student comments about their experiences.
“A university should be a lively marketplace of ideas – a place where different beliefs and opinions can be discussed, analyzed, and challenged with widest possible freedom,” Nathan Harden, editor of RealClearEducation, said in a statement. “If students don’t feel free to speak their minds, or if they aren’t exposed to diverse points of view, it greatly diminishes the value of their education. Now more than ever, students and parents need help identifying colleges and universities that foster thoughtful examination of the most pressing issues facing society, from the state of race relations in America to the freedom of religion and association.”
Students who identify as conservative are more likely to report a prior self-censorship incident (72%) compared to liberals (55%).
“While 57 percent of students say their college would defend a speaker’s right to express his or her views in the case of a controversy over ‘offensive’ expression,” the report found, “a disturbingly large minority, 42 percent, believe their college would punish the speaker for making the statement.”
The University of Chicago received the highest score in the College Free Speech Rankings. Both self-identifying liberal and conservative students said the administration at the school supports free inquiry and tolerates a wide range of opinions.
But even at the highest-ranking University of Chicago, most of the comments published in the survey by students relate to their fear of being bullied by other students for expressing a politically or religious conservative opinion.
“I feel isolation that might lead to a mental illness, and isolation because of opinions plus cyber bullying is very alive in any college campus in the United States (including UChicago’s),” a class of 2021 student told suveyors. “It sucks to not be able to say your opinion because of fear, instead of having a productive discussion. Happens every time I am in a conversation with a student activist. I don’t want to change people’s minds, I just want to be heard and respected, and that is never possible in a place where a conservative opinion is looked down upon and marginalized – and I am not even American, I just happen to come from a communist country and have suffered a lot. But my personal experiences are written over and ignored by liberals on campus.”
Indiana-based DePauw University ranked last in the survey, with the highest percentage of students who self-censored out of fear at 71 percent. DePauw was also the lowest-rated school by conservative students and the fourth lowest–rated school by liberal students.
“A professor was making a comment on how all Republicans are racist and selfish,” a class of 2021 student told surveyors. “As a Republican, I felt that I could not speak up and defend myself because of the position of power the professor was in.”
Many students provided similar comments.
Overall, the University of Texas at Austin ranked just slightly better than DePauw. Both liberal and conservative students rated the school poorly for its perceived intolerance of free speech on campus.
“When we are having open ended discussions and the entire class and professor are bashing Trump, I am terrified of speaking up for my beliefs because I feel like I’m the only one with conservative opinions,” a class of 2020 student said. “In addition to that, I have heard numerous stories of individuals being targeted, bullied, and even threatened for expressing conservative opinions on or around campus. If I were liberal, this wouldn’t be an issue on my campus. It’s simply dangerous to be openly conservative at UT. For the sake of my safety, my job security and possibly even my family, I stay silent.”
The schools that students said had the best free speech environment are the University of Chicago, Kansas State University, Texas A&M University, University of California-Los Angeles, Arizona State University, the University of Virginia, Duke University, Virginia Tech, Brown University and the University of Arizona.
Seven of these schools are public state universities with undergraduate enrollments of more than 15,000 students.
The schools that students rated the most intolerant for free speech on campus are DePauw University, the University of Texas-Austin, Louisiana State University, Dartmouth College, Syracuse University, Oklahoma State University, Brigham Young University, Georgetown University, Wake Forest and Harvard University.
Seven of the worst colleges for free speech are private, with undergraduate enrollments at five of them below 10,000 students. Two of the least tolerant schools are Ivy League schools.
“Students’ assessment of the state of free speech on their campuses is, at least in part, driven by their political ideology and whether or not it is in line with the predominant viewpoint at their college,” the survey analysis states. “Those students who attend colleges where their political opinions align with the majority are generally more comfortable sharing their beliefs.”
Conducted from April 1 to May 28, 2020, students responded to survey questions using a College Pulse mobile app and web portal and were currently enrolled in four-year degree programs.
– – –
Bethany Blankley is a contributor to The Center Square.
Photo “Free Speech Movement Cafe” by jimmy thomas. CC BY-SA 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-01--Tennessee Supreme Court Justices Speaks at UT-Martin for Constitution Day

Tennessee State Supreme Court Justice Holly Kirby spoke to University of Tennessee at Martin ( UT-Martin ) students for Constitution Day on September 17 .
Kirby spoke to about 50 students via Zoom , said Student Government Association President Hunter McCloud .
McCloud told The Tennessee Star that Kirby spoke about the rule of law .
“ She ( Kirby ) talked about how the rule of law is a foundation for our country , how it ’ s important that we keep people accountable and remember that no one is above the law , no matter your position in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” McCloud said .
“ She also reiterated the importance of voting and registering , especially with this being a big election year .
A lot of times people my age feel like our vote doesn ’ t matter and our voice isn ’ t heard .
Politicians listen to those who vote .
If we choose not to do that then our voices will never be heard.
” UT-Martin SGA Vice President Sidney Church , meanwhile , said that she and other students hosted a voter-registration drive as Kirby spoke .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ about a subject .
A lot of our students have to take early political science and history classes , ” Church said .
“ I believe that they have some background of the [ United States ] Constitution , but there is always room to learn more.
” According to TNCourts.gov , former Tennessee Gov .
Bill Haslam swore Kirby in as a Tennessee Supreme Court justice in 2014 .
Kirby is the first graduate of the University of Memphis ever to sit on Tennessee ’ s highest court .
Kirby served for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Appeals , Tennessee ’ s intermediate appellate court for civil cases .
She was the first woman ever to sit on that Court , the website said .
McCloud told The Star in an email that the voter registration drive was successful .
“ We had registered over 30 students in less than an hour before the event , ” McCloud said .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ University of Tennessee at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Martin .

Tennessee State Supreme Court Justice Holly Kirby spoke to University of Tennessee at Martin (UT-Martin) students for Constitution Day on September 17.
Kirby spoke to about 50 students via Zoom, said Student Government Association President Hunter McCloud. McCloud told The Tennessee Star that Kirby spoke about the rule of law.
“She (Kirby) talked about how the rule of law is a foundation for our country, how it’s important that we keep people accountable and remember that no one is above the law, no matter your position in government or your position among your community,” McCloud said.
“She also reiterated the importance of voting and registering, especially with this being a big election year. A lot of times people my age feel like our vote doesn’t matter and our voice isn’t heard. Politicians listen to those who vote. If we choose not to do that then our voices will never be heard.”
UT-Martin SGA Vice President Sidney Church, meanwhile, said that she and other students hosted a voter-registration drive as Kirby spoke.
“We can always find out more about a subject. A lot of our students have to take early political science and history classes,” Church said.
“I believe that they have some background of the [United States] Constitution, but there is always room to learn more.”
According to TNCourts.gov, former Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam swore Kirby in as a Tennessee Supreme Court justice in 2014.
Kirby is the first graduate of the University of Memphis ever to sit on Tennessee’s highest court.
Kirby served for almost 19 years on the Tennessee Court of Appeals, Tennessee’s intermediate appellate court for civil cases. She was the first woman ever to sit on that Court, the website said.
McCloud told The Star in an email that the voter registration drive was successful.
“We had registered over 30 students in less than an hour before the event,” McCloud said.
– – –
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “University of Tennessee at Martin” by University of Tennessee at Martin.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-01--Neil W. McCabe on First Presidential Debate: ‘There Was No Strategy’

Live from Music Row Wednesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed Tennessee Star National Correspondent Neil W. McCabe to the newsmakers line .
During the first half of the third hour , McCabe gave his analysis on the presidential debate and was convinced that President Trump may have effectively played to a TV audience with his performance .
Leahy : With me in the studio is the original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is our Washington correspondent for the Tennessee Star and the Star News Network , Neil W. McCabe .
Good morning Neil .
McCabe : Michael , Crom .
Very good to be with you this morning .
Leahy : So Neil , Crom and I were talking a little bit about last night ’ s food fight between Trump on the one hand and Chris Wallace and Joe Biden on the other hand .
And the consensus is it may well have been the worst presidential debate in American history .
What ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you suffer through it yourself ?
McCabe : Well , yeah , I mean it was to me it was true rock ’ em , sock ’ em robots , Michael .
Maybe you remember those that toy is a kid .
McCabe : It ’ s like they just there was no strategy .
You just kept punching the guy until his head pops off .
( Leahy laughs ) And what ’ s always interesting to me and infuriating is that with these debates the questions and whatever the anti-conservative narrative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the question that ’ s asked .
And you know , you see it , you know four years ago with the Republican candidates .
You have 16 Republican candidates and they ’ re all being asked questions about like what do we do about school lunch when that ’ s nothing that the Republicans even talk about .
So it ’ s we saw the same thing last night where every argument against President Trump was a question asked by Chris Wallace .
And none of the arguments against Biden were even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to sort of slip them in with these little side remarks .
And then , you know interruptions and he waits for somebody to take a breath when he ’ s able to mention it .
But like he tried to talk about Hunter Biden .
He tried to talk about Hunter Biden getting $ 3.5 million from Moscow .
The former first lady of Moscow .
He tried to talk about different issues .
But Mike Wallace just wouldn ’ t have it .
I saw this .
But I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it seemed to be true is that somebody said that on Twitter last night that Trump was interrupted by Wallace 35 times .
And Biden was interrupted by Wallace like zero times .
McCabe : But it ’ s like Wallace and Biden were both kind of saying , alright Mr. Trump .
Let ’ s just calm down .
This is supposed to be a discussion about why Biden is the next president .
Carmichael : Well , I agree with what you say , but I think Trump could have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he could have easily said when because like for example that White supremacist question .
Boy , I tell you what .
As soon as Chris Wallace gave that question because it ’ s not a new question .
As soon as he gave that question Trump had such a great opportunity to do two things one is to point out the history of the KKK and its roots in the Democrat Party and that it was and still is the biggest White supremacy group and it supports Joe Biden .
And the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to find the White nationalist in this country today , Chris , you ought to turn on your television and look at the riots in Portland .
Because 75 percent of those people are White .
And I ’ m really sad Chris that you are so uninformed .
But I appreciate the question .
But the real question needs to be directed to the guy that supports White supremacy and always has .
And let ’ s go back to 1991 when Joe Biden did what he did to Clarence Thomas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only reason he did it was because Clarence Thomas was a Black man and Joe Biden thought he could get away with it .
That would have been the best answer .
McCabe : Or his best answer could have been you ’ ve misquoted me because I actually didn ’ t say that the White supremacists and the Neo-Nazis were nice guys .
I said with the exception of the White supremacists and Neo-Nazis , I think there were some sincere people who were there to simply support keeping the statue .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ maligning them as you ’ re unfairly maligning me .
You know Trump actually didn ’ t even say what everybody says he said .
And that ’ s infuriating .
And then you talk about you know Obama you talk about what did you think about that question with Wallace ?
Will you promise that you would have a repeal and replace and you never had repeal .
You never offered a repeal and replace plan .
And it ’ s like I remember a plan that was on the floor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because John McCain .
That was a repeal and replace plan .
Like , how could you how could Chris Wallace say something like that ?
Leahy : Let me follow up on Chris Wallace .
His performance was so abysmal and has been panned by everyone .
What ’ s the buzz up there in terms of does Chris Wallace keep his gig at Fox News ?
Does Chris Wallace continue in this , you know , incredibly biased approach to the presidential coverage ?
McCabe : I think people are trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the relationship between the Republican Party or at least conservatives and the media .
Because what Chris Wallace did frankly is in his own mind he said I have a chance to save the republic and get rid of Trump .
And that ’ s what I ’ m going to do is I ’ m going to use this opportunity .
There ’ s a fabulous journalist Jonathan Swan with that Axios , and he has been getting leaks from the White House leaks from the Trump campaign from the beginning .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ glove relationship between the White House and Jonathan Swan .
And he was able to parlay that to the point where he got a big contract with Axios .
And then if you remember three or four months ago , he sat down with the president to do an interview with the president and everyone at the White House thought it was going to be a nice fine discussion and instead Jonathan Swan decided that I am going to do has this opportunity to save the country from Trump .
And this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think that Trump is a dangerous person because he is tipping over the apple cart .
Leahy : Let me just argue about Fox News .
Isn ’ t Fox News a little bit bipolar these days ?
I mean on what and you have Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity and Laura Ingram who are commentators on news pokes .
But then you take the other end Chris Wallace he is a full-on left-wing Democrat supporter it seems to me .
McCabe : Well , yeah , it ’ s those three shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sean , and Laura that that ’ s sort of like I call that Fort Reagan .
( Leahy chuckles ) It ’ s like , you know , this loan outpost on the frontier .
Because you know , even when you have a Brett Baier who ’ s , you know , kind of trying to play it down the middle , you know , all of his panelists are Trump haters .
Carmichael : I just you know , I ’ m the reason I ’ m disagreeing here is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was asking a bunch of setup questions .
I agree with that .
I agree that as a moderator he was not there .
I agree that he interrupted .
But Trump could have handled that so much better .
McCabe : My understanding is that Trump spent two hours on debate prep .
Carmichael : Well then but he had he could have spent more time if he had wanted to and I think he had one strategy .
I think Trump had one strategy going in that debate was and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s skin and have him start lashing out and muttering .
And Joe Biden was prepared for that .
And Chris Wallace helped him and Trump didn ’ t adjust .
What makes me so frustrated is Trump ’ s record is absolutely outstanding and Joe Biden ’ s record is abysmal for 47 years .
McCabe : I think Trump got his licks in and I think over time we ’ ll see that Trump was very effective playing through TV audience .
Listen to the full third hour here : Tune @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ Donald Trump-Joe Biden Presidential Debate ” by ABC News .

Live from Music Row Wednesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville’s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed Tennessee Star National Correspondent Neil W. McCabe to the newsmakers line.
During the first half of the third hour, McCabe gave his analysis on the presidential debate and was convinced that President Trump may have effectively played to a TV audience with his performance.
Leahy: With me in the studio is the original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael. And on the newsmaker line right now is our Washington correspondent for the Tennessee Star and the Star News Network, Neil W. McCabe. Good morning Neil.
McCabe: Michael, Crom. Very good to be with you this morning.
Leahy: So Neil, Crom and I were talking a little bit about last night’s food fight between Trump on the one hand and Chris Wallace and Joe Biden on the other hand. And the consensus is it may well have been the worst presidential debate in American history. What’s your take on it? Did you suffer through it yourself?
McCabe: Well, yeah, I mean it was to me it was true rock’em, sock’em robots, Michael. Maybe you remember those that toy is a kid.
Leahy: I do.
McCabe: It’s like they just there was no strategy. You just kept punching the guy until his head pops off. (Leahy laughs) And what’s always interesting to me and infuriating is that with these debates the questions and whatever the anti-conservative narrative is in the media. That is the question that’s asked.
And you know, you see it, you know four years ago with the Republican candidates. You have 16 Republican candidates and they’re all being asked questions about like what do we do about school lunch when that’s nothing that the Republicans even talk about.
So it’s we saw the same thing last night where every argument against President Trump was a question asked by Chris Wallace. And none of the arguments against Biden were even mentioned. And so basically Trump has to sort of slip them in with these little side remarks.
And then, you know interruptions and he waits for somebody to take a breath when he’s able to mention it. But like he tried to talk about Hunter Biden. He tried to talk about Hunter Biden getting $3.5 million from Moscow.
The former first lady of Moscow. He tried to talk about different issues. But Mike Wallace just wouldn’t have it. I saw this. But I don’t know if it’s true but it seemed to be true is that somebody said that on Twitter last night that Trump was interrupted by Wallace 35 times. And Biden was interrupted by Wallace like zero times.
Leahy: That’s liberal fairness,
McCabe: But it’s like Wallace and Biden were both kind of saying, alright Mr. Trump. Let’s just calm down. This is supposed to be a discussion about why Biden is the next president.
Carmichael: Well, I agree with what you say, but I think Trump could have handled it much better. I think he could have easily said when because like for example that White supremacist question. Boy, I tell you what. As soon as Chris Wallace gave that question because it’s not a new question.
As soon as he gave that question Trump had such a great opportunity to do two things one is to point out the history of the KKK and its roots in the Democrat Party and that it was and still is the biggest White supremacy group and it supports Joe Biden. And the second one is to say if you want to find the White nationalist in this country today, Chris, you ought to turn on your television and look at the riots in Portland.
Because 75 percent of those people are White. And I’m really sad Chris that you are so uninformed. But I appreciate the question. But the real question needs to be directed to the guy that supports White supremacy and always has.
And let’s go back to 1991 when Joe Biden did what he did to Clarence Thomas which is an unforgivable act in the only reason he did it was because Clarence Thomas was a Black man and Joe Biden thought he could get away with it. That would have been the best answer.
McCabe: Or his best answer could have been you’ve misquoted me because I actually didn’t say that the White supremacists and the Neo-Nazis were nice guys. I said with the exception of the White supremacists and Neo-Nazis, I think there were some sincere people who were there to simply support keeping the statue.
And you know, you are unfairly maligning them as you’re unfairly maligning me. You know Trump actually didn’t even say what everybody says he said. And that’s infuriating. And then you talk about you know Obama you talk about what did you think about that question with Wallace?
Will you promise that you would have a repeal and replace and you never had repeal. You never offered a repeal and replace plan. And it’s like I remember a plan that was on the floor of the Senate that lost by one vote because John McCain. That was a repeal and replace plan. Like, how could you how could Chris Wallace say something like that?
Leahy: Let me follow up on Chris Wallace. His performance was so abysmal and has been panned by everyone. What’s the buzz up there in terms of does Chris Wallace keep his gig at Fox News? Does Chris Wallace continue in this, you know, incredibly biased approach to the presidential coverage?
McCabe: I think people are trying to figure out what happens next with the relationship between the Republican Party or at least conservatives and the media. Because what Chris Wallace did frankly is in his own mind he said I have a chance to save the republic and get rid of Trump.
And that’s what I’m going to do is I’m going to use this opportunity. There’s a fabulous journalist Jonathan Swan with that Axios, and he has been getting leaks from the White House leaks from the Trump campaign from the beginning. there’s been a hand in glove relationship between the White House and Jonathan Swan.
And he was able to parlay that to the point where he got a big contract with Axios. And then if you remember three or four months ago, he sat down with the president to do an interview with the president and everyone at the White House thought it was going to be a nice fine discussion and instead Jonathan Swan decided that I am going to do has this opportunity to save the country from Trump. And this is the mindset in Washington. They really think that Trump is a dangerous person because he is tipping over the apple cart.
Leahy: Let me just argue about Fox News. Isn’t Fox News a little bit bipolar these days? I mean on what and you have Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity and Laura Ingram who are commentators on news pokes. But then you take the other end Chris Wallace he is a full-on left-wing Democrat supporter it seems to me.
McCabe: Well, yeah, it’s those three shows you’re talking about Tucker, Sean, and Laura that that’s sort of like I call that Fort Reagan. (Leahy chuckles) It’s like, you know, this loan outpost on the frontier. Because you know, even when you have a Brett Baier who’s, you know, kind of trying to play it down the middle, you know, all of his panelists are Trump haters.
Carmichael: I just you know, I’m the reason I’m disagreeing here is I agree that Chris Wallace did a was asking a bunch of setup questions. I agree with that. I agree that as a moderator he was not there. I agree that he interrupted. But Trump could have handled that so much better.
McCabe: My understanding is that Trump spent two hours on debate prep.
Carmichael: Well then but he had he could have spent more time if he had wanted to and I think he had one strategy. I think Trump had one strategy going in that debate was and that was to get under Joe Biden’s skin and have him start lashing out and muttering.
And Joe Biden was prepared for that. And Chris Wallace helped him and Trump didn’t adjust. What makes me so frustrated is Trump’s record is absolutely outstanding and Joe Biden’s record is abysmal for 47 years.
McCabe: I think Trump got his licks in and I think over time we’ll see that Trump was very effective playing through TV audience.
Listen to the full third hour here:

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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 “Donald Trump-Joe Biden Presidential Debate” by ABC News.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-01--Virus Outbreak Pushes Steelers-Titans to Monday or Tuesday

NASHVILLE , Tennessee ( AP ) — The Pittsburgh-Tennessee game originally scheduled for Sunday will be played either Monday or Tuesday after a new positive coronavirus test result Wednesday among the Titans , the NFL announced Wednesday .
The NFL said a new date and time would be announced as soon as possible and that the postponement would allow additional time for further testing .
On Tuesday , the NFL said three Titans players and five team personnel had tested positive for COVID-19 .
The Titans have closed their facility at least through Friday and will not be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the earliest .
The Titans continue daily testing , and safety Kevin Byard said they are hoping no more positive tests turn up .
“ I understand we had another positive today , ” Byard said .
“ That ’ s definitely something that ’ s a possibility because the virus can show up three days later.
” Titans coach Mike Vrabel said soon after the NFL ’ s announcement Wednesday : “ Some of them are indeed experiencing flu-like symptoms , nothing I think out of the ordinary .
We anticipate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of overly concern .
But my concern is always with the health and safety of our players , our staff and their families.
” As for a potential Saturday return to working out , Vrabel was skeptical .
“ I wouldn ’ t just assume that Saturday , ” he said .
“ We are preparing to play the football game now as early as Monday .
Again , I think the focus and the understanding of this football team is now going to be shifted toward playing on Monday .
I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time … to get some good practice in , to get on the field and move forward with the game.
” Both the Titans and Steelers are 3-0 and among the NFL ’ s seven undefeated teams .
Tennessee beat Minnesota 31-30 on Sunday in Minneapolis , and the Vikings ’ team facility is closed at least through Wednesday .
“ The Steelers-Titans game , originally scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m .
ET , will be rescheduled to allow additional time for further daily COVID-19 testing and to ensure the health and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day personnel , ” the NFL said .
“ We ’ re going to trust the medical experts , ” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said .
“ If they deem it safe for us to proceed , we ’ re going to go down there with the intention of playing and playing to win.
” Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter , the president of the players ’ union , said the outbreak was a reminder that everyone must be more vigilant despite low testing numbers across the league .
“ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ease or relax on some of the protocols , ” he said Wednesday .
“ But the protocols are what ’ s keeping us going , making sure that we ’ re making the right decisions .
… We have been going really smoothly for a long time and now there was some expectation that this was eventually going to happen .
It ’ s tough to keep the virus completely out.
” The Titans placed a pair of key players , defensive captain and lineman DaQuan Jones and long snapper Beau Brinkley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Vrabel said they will be bringing in a new long snapper for this game .
The Vikings said they had no positive test results on Wednesday and were planning to reopen their facility on Thursday .
Players and coaches were set for virtual meetings on Wednesday , in lieu of practice for their scheduled game on Sunday at Houston .
Teresa M. Walker is a reporter for The Associated Press .
AP Pro Football Writers Dave Campbell and Barry Wilner and Sports Writer Tom Withers contributed to this report .

by Teresa M. Walker
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) — The Pittsburgh-Tennessee game originally scheduled for Sunday will be played either Monday or Tuesday after a new positive coronavirus test result Wednesday among the Titans, the NFL announced Wednesday.
The NFL said a new date and time would be announced as soon as possible and that the postponement would allow additional time for further testing.
On Tuesday, the NFL said three Titans players and five team personnel had tested positive for COVID-19. The Titans have closed their facility at least through Friday and will not be able to practice in any fashion together until Saturday at the earliest.
The Titans continue daily testing, and safety Kevin Byard said they are hoping no more positive tests turn up.
“I understand we had another positive today,” Byard said. “That’s definitely something that’s a possibility because the virus can show up three days later.”
Titans coach Mike Vrabel said soon after the NFL’s announcement Wednesday: “Some of them are indeed experiencing flu-like symptoms, nothing I think out of the ordinary. We anticipate they will feel better shortly. Nothing of overly concern. But my concern is always with the health and safety of our players, our staff and their families.”
As for a potential Saturday return to working out, Vrabel was skeptical.
“I wouldn’t just assume that Saturday,” he said. “We are preparing to play the football game now as early as Monday. Again, I think the focus and the understanding of this football team is now going to be shifted toward playing on Monday. I’m confident the league will allow us time … to get some good practice in, to get on the field and move forward with the game.”
Both the Titans and Steelers are 3-0 and among the NFL’s seven undefeated teams.
Tennessee beat Minnesota 31-30 on Sunday in Minneapolis, and the Vikings’ team facility is closed at least through Wednesday.
“The Steelers-Titans game, originally scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, will be rescheduled to allow additional time for further daily COVID-19 testing and to ensure the health and safety of players, coaches and game day personnel,” the NFL said.
“We’re going to trust the medical experts,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “If they deem it safe for us to proceed, we’re going to go down there with the intention of playing and playing to win.”
Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter, the president of the players’ union, said the outbreak was a reminder that everyone must be more vigilant despite low testing numbers across the league.
“It’s easy to fall into a sense of ease or relax on some of the protocols,” he said Wednesday. “But the protocols are what’s keeping us going, making sure that we’re making the right decisions. … We have been going really smoothly for a long time and now there was some expectation that this was eventually going to happen. It’s tough to keep the virus completely out.”
The Titans placed a pair of key players, defensive captain and lineman DaQuan Jones and long snapper Beau Brinkley, on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Tuesday. Vrabel said they will be bringing in a new long snapper for this game.
The Vikings said they had no positive test results on Wednesday and were planning to reopen their facility on Thursday. Players and coaches were set for virtual meetings on Wednesday, in lieu of practice for their scheduled game on Sunday at Houston.
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Teresa M. Walker is a reporter for The Associated Press. AP Pro Football Writers Dave Campbell and Barry Wilner and Sports Writer Tom Withers contributed to this report.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-01--Crom Carmichael Weighs in on Tennessee Court of Appeals School Voucher Ruling and Questions Judges’

Crom Carmichael Weighs in on Tennessee Court of Appeals School Voucher Ruling and Questions Judges’ Motives

Live from Music Row Wednesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed the original all-star panelist , Crom Carmichael to the studio .
At the top of the third hour , Carmichael weighed in on a Tennessee Court of Appeals ruling that deemed the school voucher and ESA programs proposed by Governor Bill Lee for Shelby and Davidson Counties to be unconstitutional .
He later questioned if it was the judges who were siding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their families who are looking for a better educational opportunity .
Leahy : Crom , if you don ’ t mind , let ’ s turn our attention to some local matters .
Right up our alley , a very important decision was made yesterday and the Tennessee Court of Appeals .
They ruled that the governor leaves the educational savings account program and the voucher program that applies to failing schools and in Shelby and Davidson County .
They ruled it unconstitutional .
Carmichael : Well , I am not a lawyer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m not that familiar with our Tennessee Constitution but this almost sounds like it ’ s one of two things .
It ’ s either an opinion that is drafted by folks that are pro-union or it ’ s drafted by folks that are in the school of thought of Neil Gorsuch .
Which is very different .
And that is that because I understand what you ’ re saying is that they ruled it was unconstitutional because it limited itself to only two counties .
Davidson County and Shelby County .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ telling me during the break that the ruling says that if they had offered vouchers to failing schools across the state that would be that would have been constitutional .
At least the way you ’ re reading it .
Leahy : I think so .
Basically what Metro Government of Nashville and Davidson County and Shelby County didn ’ t like this .
And they argued that this program is unconstitutional because the state can not target specifically what they call home rule counties , which Shelby and Davidson County are through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the the governor ’ s council thought that this would pass constitutional muster .
The Chancery Court disagreed .
The court of appeals disagreed .
The Beacon Center actually of Tennessee issued a comment after the ruling .
.
.
Carmichael : I ’ m hoping that the Constitution does allow the state to try to help people who are the most in need .
And those are the parents who because of where they live are forced to go to the worst schools in one of the worst-performing counties in the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the data .
Even though we spend about $ 12,500 in Davidson County per student 26 percent of the Davidson County students that are proficient at Math and 26 percent and English .
Carmichael : So imagine how bad they are in the worst-performing schools .
And and and that ’ s at $ 12,500 .
Now here ’ s what ’ s interesting .
And this is this does not count capital costs by the way .
These are operating costs .
How many students are in a typical class ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ t care what ain ’ t 21 I say 20 .
Okay , 20 times .
12,500 is $ 250,000 .
Hmm .
Where ’ s all that money going ?
Yeah , the teachers get about 60 .
Yeah , where ’ s all the rest ?
Where ’ s the rest of the money ?
Carmichael : And it ’ s and it ’ s so we have a lot of wasted money and then but the results are the results .
If we wasted money and had good results , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not waste .
But when you have terrible results , and the worst-performing schools are probably at half .
So you ’ re down around 10 percent of the children are performing at a standard level for math and English .
You ’ re not going to succeed in life .
Your chances of success in life at that level are just terrible .
And you have the Democrats that say all they care about is the children .
We know they don ’ t care .
They only care about the unions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is whether or not these judges are judges who are siding more with the unions trying to find a way to side with the unions .
Because I ’ ll guarantee you , Davidson County and Shelby County in suing against that law , they were suing not for the children , but for the unions Leahy : There ’ s no question about that .
Of course , the governor ’ s people made a conscious decision to focus on Davidson and Shelby Counties for political reasons as well as others .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tennessee Supreme Court ultimately backs him up on that .
I ’ m skeptical but we ’ ll see .
We ’ ll see what they say .
Listen to the full third hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .

Live from Music Row Wednesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville’s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed the original all-star panelist, Crom Carmichael to the studio.
At the top of the third hour, Carmichael weighed in on a Tennessee Court of Appeals ruling that deemed the school voucher and ESA programs proposed by Governor Bill Lee for Shelby and Davidson Counties to be unconstitutional. He later questioned if it was the judges who were siding with unions instead of the children and their families who are looking for a better educational opportunity.
Leahy: Crom, if you don’t mind, let’s turn our attention to some local matters. Right up our alley, a very important decision was made yesterday and the Tennessee Court of Appeals. They ruled that the governor leaves the educational savings account program and the voucher program that applies to failing schools and in Shelby and Davidson County. They ruled it unconstitutional.
Carmichael: Well, I am not a lawyer so I don’t and I’m not that familiar with our Tennessee Constitution but this almost sounds like it’s one of two things. It’s either an opinion that is drafted by folks that are pro-union or it’s drafted by folks that are in the school of thought of Neil Gorsuch. Which is very different.
And that is that because I understand what you’re saying is that they ruled it was unconstitutional because it limited itself to only two counties. Davidson County and Shelby County. And so I understand what you were telling me during the break that the ruling says that if they had offered vouchers to failing schools across the state that would be that would have been constitutional. At least the way you’re reading it.
Leahy: I think so. Basically what Metro Government of Nashville and Davidson County and Shelby County didn’t like this. And they argued that this program is unconstitutional because the state cannot target specifically what they call home rule counties, which Shelby and Davidson County are through legislation now, You know, the the the governor’s council thought that this would pass constitutional muster.
The Chancery Court disagreed. The court of appeals disagreed. The Beacon Center actually of Tennessee issued a comment after the ruling. . .
Carmichael: I’m hoping that the Constitution does allow the state to try to help people who are the most in need. And those are the parents who because of where they live are forced to go to the worst schools in one of the worst-performing counties in the state. Just so we’re clear on the data. Even though we spend about $12,500 in Davidson County per student 26 percent of the Davidson County students that are proficient at Math and 26 percent and English.
Leahy: That’s not very good.
Carmichael: So imagine how bad they are in the worst-performing schools. And and and that’s at $12,500. Now here’s what’s interesting. And this is this does not count capital costs by the way. These are operating costs.
How many students are in a typical class? Pick a number. I don’t care what ain’t 21 I say 20. Okay, 20 times. 12,500 is $250,000. Hmm. Where’s all that money going? Yeah, the teachers get about 60. Yeah, where’s all the rest? Where’s the rest of the money?
Leahy: Overhead and bureaucrats? Programs.
Carmichael: And it’s and it’s so we have a lot of wasted money and then but the results are the results. If we wasted money and had good results, then you can argue it’s not waste. But when you have terrible results, and the worst-performing schools are probably at half.
So you’re down around 10 percent of the children are performing at a standard level for math and English. You’re not going to succeed in life. Your chances of success in life at that level are just terrible. And you have the Democrats that say all they care about is the children. We know they don’t care. They only care about the unions.
Leahy: Yeah, exactly.
Carmichael: And so the question is whether or not these judges are judges who are siding more with the unions trying to find a way to side with the unions. Because I’ll guarantee you, Davidson County and Shelby County in suing against that law, they were suing not for the children, but for the unions
Leahy: There’s no question about that. Of course, the governor’s people made a conscious decision to focus on Davidson and Shelby Counties for political reasons as well as others. and we’ll see if the Tennessee Supreme Court ultimately backs him up on that. I’m skeptical but we’ll see. We’ll see what they say.
Listen to the full third hour here:

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