thetennesseestar--2020-07-10--Missing Seoul Mayor’s Body Found After Massive Search

SEOUL , South Korea ( AP ) — The missing mayor of South Korea ’ s capital , reportedly embroiled in sexual harassment allegations , was found dead early Friday , more than half a day after giving his daughter a will-like message and then leaving home , police said .
Police said they located Park Won-soon ’ s body near a traditional restaurant in wooded hills in northern Seoul , more than seven hours after they launched a massive search for him .
Choi Ik-su , an officer from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency , told reporters there were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suicide note had been found at the site or in Park ’ s residence .
He refused to elaborate on the cause of Park ’ s death .
Choi said rescue dogs found Park ’ s body , and police had recovered his bag , cellphone and business cards .
His daughter called police on Thursday afternoon and said her father had given her “ a will-like ” verbal message in the morning before leaving home .
She didn ’ t explain the contents of the message , said an officer at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the search operation .
Police said they mobilized about 600 police and fire officers , drones and tracking dogs to search for Park in the hills , where his cellphone signal was last detected .
They said the phone was turned off when they tried to call him .
His daughter called police after he couldn ’ t reach her father on the phone , the Seoul police officer said , requesting anonymity because she was not authorized to speak to the media about the matter .
Kim Ji-hyeong , a Seoul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not come to work on Thursday for unspecified reasons and had canceled all of his schedule , including a meeting with a presidential official at his Seoul City Hall office .
The reason for Park ’ s disappearance wasn ’ t clear .
The Seoul-based SBS television network reported that one of Park ’ s secretaries had lodged a complaint with police on Wednesday night over alleged sexual harassment such as unwanted physical contact that began in 2017 .
The SBS report , which didn ’ t cite any source , said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of other female employees at Seoul City Hall had suffered similar sexual harassment by Park .
Choi , the police officer , confirmed that a complaint was filed with police against Park on Wednesday .
He refused to provide further details , citing privacy issues .
Police officer Lee Byeong-seok told reporters that Park was last identified by a security camera at 10:53 a.m. at the entrance to the hills , more than six hours before his daughter called police to report him missing .
Fire officer Jeong Jin-hyang told reporters on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ search dangerous areas on the hills .
Park , 64 , a longtime civic activist and human rights lawyer , was elected Seoul mayor in 2011 .
He became the city ’ s first mayor to be voted to a third term in June 2018 .
A member of President Moon Jae-in ’ s liberal Democratic Party , he had been considered a potential presidential candidate in 2022 elections .
Park had mostly maintained his activist colors as mayor , criticizing what he described as the country ’ s growing social and economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and politicians .
As a lawyer , he was credited with winning the country ’ s first sexual harassment conviction .
He has also been an outspoken critic of Japan ’ s colonial-era policies toward Korea , including the mobilization of Korean and other women as sex slaves for Japanese soldiers .
Park also established himself as a fierce opponent of former conservative President Park Geun-hye and openly supported the millions of people who flooded the city ’ s streets in late 2016 and 2017 calling for her ouster over a corruption scandal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late authoritarian leader Park Chung-hee , was formally removed from office in March 2017 and is currently serving a decades-long prison term on bribery and other charges .
Seoul , a city of 10 million people , has become a new center of the coronavirus outbreak in South Korea since the country eased its rigid social distancing rules in early May .
Authorities are struggling to trace contacts amid surges in cases linked to nightclubs , church services , a huge e-commerce warehouse and door-to-door sellers in Seoul .
Park Won-soon led an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of nightspots and banning rallies in major downtown streets .
Hyung-Jin Kim and Kim Tong-Hyung are reporters for The Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo : Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon speaks during a press conference at Seoul City Hall in Seoul , South Korea Wednesday , July 8 , 2020 .
Police on Thursday , July 9 , said the mayor of South Korean capital Seoul has been reported missing and search operations are underway .
( Cheon Jin-hwan/Newsis via AP )


thetennesseestar--2020-07-10--FrankTown Open Hearts Executive Director Chris Barnhill Discusses His Organization’s Work To Help Un

FrankTown Open Hearts Executive Director Chris Barnhill Discusses His Organization’s Work To Help Underprivileged Children Become Productive Citizens

Live from Music Row Monday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed FrankTown Open Hearts Executive Director Chris Barnhill to the studio .
During the third hour , Barnhill described FrankTown Open Hearts as a ministry dedicated to offering less fortunate kids in Franklin , Tennessee exposure to jobs and experiences that they normally wouldn ’ t get .
Leahy : Carol Swain in the studio with us and we are joined now in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ve known for over 30 years , Chris Barnhill .
He is the executive director of FrankTown .
Welcome , Chris .
Barnhill : A pleasure to be here .
Thanks for having me .
Leahy : Carol was saying , somebody , has known you for 30 years and is willing to sit and talk to you ?
Barnhill : But we were in preschool back then .
Leahy : We attended church together at Woodland Church of Christ and then also attended church together at Fourth Avenue Church of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guess Chris that ’ s how you got involved with FrankTown .
Tell us , what is FrankTown ?
Barnhill : FrankTown is an organization of faith-based ministry that works with at-risk and impoverished children living in Franklin .
Every day after school and all day long during the summer months we work with these wonderful kids basically trying to give them the educational and vocational training needed for lack of a better phrase , get them caught up to what some of their peers in more affluent communities get .
We try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exposures , experiences and training .
We try to level the playing field a little bit .
Swain : I think that ’ s wonderful and I ’ m going to say to you what I would say to anyone involved in a church ministry these days .
One of the things that our children are not getting sometimes is the tools to be able to evaluate what ’ s happening in the culture .
And if I were doing a program for children I would make sure that they understood the Constitution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about government and what it means to be a citizen .
I think that because the schools are not doing it that if you want people that can be change agents for our society they need to know about Christ .
They need to know about what the political left is doing .
But they also need to know about our government and about America and its history .
Barnhill : Valid .
Very valid points .
We do some civic training but admittingly our focus is more on the basic educational reading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in exposures to vocations and jobs and job skills training .
Leahy : Really ?
Very interesting .
What kind of job skills do the kids get there ?
Barnhill : Oh goodness .
We have over 30 programs never going on at the same time of course .
But just a few examples , we have a young man that when I first started working there about four and half years ago I was driving around in my car and there were a bunch of help wanted signs in a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he wanted a job .
And I said what do you want to do ?
And his options were maybe I could get a job at Kroger or maybe at Zaxby ’ s .
Nothing wrong with that .
But now what kind of skills or vocation , what do you love doing ?
How did God create you ?
What do you like to do ?
I don ’ t know .
I haven ’ t done anything .
Almost like all of our families they live in rental homes whether it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Homeownership is almost non-existent .
Leahy : Among the kids that go there their families are virtually no homeowners ?
Is that what you are saying ?
Barnhill : We probably out of all of our families one or two homeowners .
Everybody rents .
Leahy : How many families would you say that you serve in Franklin ?
Barnhill : We work with about 170 kids .
Again , never at the same time .
I got to preface that .
Never at the same time .
School-aged , first grade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school .
But how is this young man going to know whether he loves working with his hands or tools if he doesn ’ t have any ?
There was a help wanted sign at an automotive place .
His family does not own a car .
He ’ s never looked under the hood of a car .
Why would he aspire to be a mechanic ?
Or a woodworking place like Franklin Kitchen Cabinet Center .
How would he know whether he loved working with lumber , making cabinets , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Or doing landscaping .
Or working on computers .
Or doing 3-D printing or robotics .
How would he know about computers if he doesn ’ t own one ?
So not only do we teach the skill we give them exposures to lack of a better phrase of a buffet of all these different experiences and job opportunities .
All these different trades etc .
so he or she can determine , what do I like doing ?
What am I good at ?
Swain : How do you do that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our program is like a lot of after school programs .
There is nothing wrong with that .
Reading and tutoring and recreation and gymnastics and computer classes etc .
Where we really differentiate ourselves from others are in middle school when we start putting them through the buffet .
They will learn the basics of automotive just so they ’ ll know how to change a flat , check the oil pressure , and general maintenance of a car .
Swain : Where do they do that ?
And then my other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teach drivers ed ?
And the reason I ask that is that I come from a family of poverty .
And I have nieces and nephews and I find that many of them they have if they graduated from high school they still don ’ t know how to drive .
And so they are still catching the bus .
So I think that drivers ed is very important as well as being exposed to other things .
Barnhill : Excellent question and I couldn ’ t agree more .
Yes , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also an agency that is very collaborative .
We work with other agencies whether it be the 4H or the library or a driving academy so that when our kids turn 16 or 15 even we put them through a driver ’ s ed class .
Barnhill : We don ’ t necessarily teach it ourselves but we pay for it and make sure it is taught .
Not only that , but we also put them through our class teaching them about the basic maintenance and how to care for a car @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because one day they will .
Then we are also in partnership with an organization in its infancy called The Public that is teaching these young men , if you do get pulled over by a police officer how do you respond ?
Barnhill : What do you say ?
Where are your hands ?
How do you comport yourself in this stressful situation ?
Swain : So you are teaching them respect for authority ?
Barnhill : Respect for authority and awareness .
Because you could be the most wonderfully Godly young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ youth group and taught a devotional the night before but when you get pulled over you need to be aware of your situation and the culture around you and comport yourself in a way that avoids trouble before it gets started .
Swain : How do you handle Black Lives Matter and the messages that are coming from the Left because there has been a lot of pressure on everyone , white , Black , and everyone to participate in protests ?
So your children would be exposed to all of that .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ they get is based on lies .
There is a lie based narrative .
There is also a narrative of systemic racism that the society is so stacked against you that it doesn ’ t matter what you do .
The color of your skin determines outcomes .
We know that ’ s a lie .
And so how do you address the reality of what they are going to be taught and encounter ?
Barnhill : We do not teach Black Lives Matter but from their infancy when they first come to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teach them that All Lives Matter .
We are all precious .
We are all loved .
We are all cared for by our maker .
And that again to comport yourself rather than by your skin color but rather let no man look down on you because of your youth .
That you are to act and behave and set an example whether you are six or 16 so that all people that will look at you and say now that ’ s a fine young woman and that ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I know you don ’ t teach Black Lives Matter but what I ’ m thinking is that our culture and the news and everything that ’ s pushing it .
Your program sounds wonderful and I ’ m excited about it .
But our kids really need critical thinking skills .
Critical thinking .
Not critical race but critical thinking .
And they need to know about our nation and civic responsibilities .
And I think that if they get that they are really going to be able to be those productive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truly agree .
And I appreciate this opportunity to tell you about this ministry .
It ’ s great to be here .
Leahy : Visit FrankTown Open Hearts on the web at Franktownopenhearts.com .
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 “ FrankTown Open Hearts Program ” by FrankTown Open Hearts .

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


thetennesseestar--2020-07-10--USDA: Error Rate in National Food Stamp Program Increases in 2019

The U.S. Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) is reporting an error rate of 7.36 percent for its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ( SNAP ) for fiscal year 2019 .
Despite the error rate , and after state government shutdowns over the coronavirus , the federal government significantly extended emergency SNAP funding for states to distribute .
The error-rate analysis covers Oct. 1 , 2018 through Sept. 30 , 2019 , before COVID 19 relief money was implemented .
The percentage is based on a sampling , and does not represent the entire scope of the problem , the USDA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its fiscal 2018 error rate of 6.8 percent .
The error rate is not a fraud rate , USDA explains .
It is a measure of how accurately states determine eligibility and benefit amounts .
Error rates include incorrect amounts paid to an eligible client , payments made to a client incorrectly determined as eligible , and payment for which insufficient or no documentation was found .
According to the report , in 2019 , 52 percent of incorrect payments were caused by state agency error ; 48 percent were caused by recipient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ USDA is issuing $ 43.5 million in sanctions to 12 high-error states , seven of which were previously sanctioned last year .
The sanctioned states must either pay the full sanction amount immediately to the U.S. Treasury Department , the USDA says , “ or promptly reinvest half of these funds in FNS-approved actions to reduce errors and pay the remainder if accuracy does not improve.
” States with the highest error rates are Rhode Island ( 22.66 percent ) , Maine ( 19.12 percent ) , the District of Columbia ( 15.74 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , and Iowa and Michigan at roughly 12.44 percent each .
“ The payment accuracy data released today are a clear message that states must redouble efforts to ensure taxpayer-funded benefits for households in need are determined accurately , every time , ” USDA ’ s Food , Nutrition and Consumer Services Deputy Under Secretary Brandon Lipps said in a statement .
FNS says it is providing state and local partners with detailed information and specific recommendations designed to improve their payment error rates .
The error rate amounts to “ $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being diverted away from the truly needy and wasted on people who are not eligible , ” Sam Adolphsen , policy director at the Foundation for Government Accountability ( FGA ) , said in a statement .
Instead of taking action to correct the problem , Democratic legislators have proposed bills “ to keep the Trump administration from implementing rules that will clean this mess up and protect SNAP resources for the truly needy , ” Adolphsen says .
In Texas , Gov .
Greg Abbott announced more than $ 1 billion in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” was being administered .
In Louisiana , families whose children were receiving school lunches have been receiving an additional $ 285 per child in SNAP benefits .
Texas ’ SNAP error rate is 6.6 percent ; Louisiana ’ s is 3.79 percent .
“ With states handcuffed and lacking the tools they need to ensure the integrity of their welfare programs – and new programs paying people more money to stay at home than they can make working – the economic recovery American families and small businesses deserve is being cut off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nick Stehle , vice president of communications at FGA , told the Center Square .
By July 11 , the Texas Health and Human Services Commission ( HHSC ) will provide approximately $ 182 million in emergency SNAP food benefits to more than 950,000 households who will receive additional money on their Lone Star Card .
The emergency July allotments are in addition to the $ 628 million in benefits previously provided to Texans in April , May and June , the governor ’ s office said .
In Louisiana , roughly 611,430 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since March 16 have been receiving additional SNAP benefits through the USDA ’ s Pandemic EBT ( P-EBT ) program .
These students have received an additional $ 285 per child .
Louisiana officials estimate the state has distributed nearly $ 174.3 million via P-EBT .
USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue sent letters to governors of 14 states with the most significant error rates , and notified Congress that the USDA will withhold the usual 50 percent reimbursement of state SNAP agency administrative funds for states that fail to comply with the agency ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called on Congress to fund a fiscal 2021 budget proposal for electronic income verification .
Errors from the lack of timely and accurate wage reporting represent 40 percent of all errors in the program , Perdue said .
The USDA ’ s budget proposal addresses the largest single source of errors and reduces the burden on recipients to report , he adds .
Bethany Blankley is a contributor to The Center Square .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-10--People in Nashville with COVID-19 Who Attended Black Lives Matter Rallies Could Potentially Lie Abou

People in Nashville with COVID-19 Who Attended Black Lives Matter Rallies Could Potentially Lie About It to Contact Tracers

There ’ s no way to know for certain if people in Nashville who caught COVID-19 are telling the truth when they said they didn ’ t march in any recent political rallies honoring George Floyd or Black Lives Matter .
A spokesman for the Nashville Metro Health Department said as much this week .
The Tennessee Star asked Metro Health spokesman Brian Todd if county officials have any measures in place to make sure people who catch COVID-19 answer truthfully about their prior activities .
“ The vast majority of these interviews with confirmed cases are conducted by phone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response .
“ We hope that people will be honest when asked and understand the seriousness of the spread of this potentially deadly disease.
” As reported , Meharry Medical College President James Hildreth warned at a press conference last month that people in Nashville who either attended or marched at any of the recent rallies are at risk of catching COVID-19 .
Nashville Mayor Cooper attended a George Floyd rally at Legislative Plaza and , in so doing , seemed to violate his own restrictions on how many people may gather in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one George Floyd rally at Legislative Plaza .
Cooper thanked many of them for wearing masks to protect themselves against the virus .
But many of those people , especially those near the speaker ’ s platform , stood close to one another , by only a matter of inches — and not feet .
Hildreth called such rallies “ the perfect storm for getting the virus transmitted.
” “ My opinion has not changed and is shared by many other health care experts , ” Hildreth said at the time .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close proximity to each other with a virus that has a prevalence somewhere between 1 percent and 5 percent , many people not wearing masks , yelling at the top of their lungs , creating aerosols , there is a great possibility that someone who came to the rally without the virus is going to leave the rally with the virus.
” Hildreth said at the time that he feared “ a spike in cases , ” not only in Nashville but in other cities that hosted George Floyd rallies .
As The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that “ historically , demonstrations , in terms of contact tracing , have not led to an outbreak.
” Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-07-10--Bill Hagerty Comments on U.S. Supreme Court Decision on President Donald Trump’s Taxes

U.S. Senate candidate Bill Hagerty on Thursday released a statement concerning the U.S. Supreme Court ’ s ruling as it pertains to President Donald Trump ’ s taxes .
Hagerty said this in a press release he posted to his campaign ’ s website .
“ This sets a dangerous precedent , ” Hagerty said in the press release .
“ The government shouldn ’ t be able to investigate you because they disagree with your politics .
The American people are not worried about the President ’ s tax returns .
They are worried about getting our kids in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and making sure we don ’ t defund the police .
As your next Senator , I ’ ll stand with President Trump in support of justices who respect the Constitution and the rule of law.
” As The Tennessee Star reported Thursday , Hagerty also commented on the U.S. Supreme Court ’ s rulings for religious freedom .
“ As a pro-life Christian conservative , I proudly stand with religious groups like the Little Sisters of the Poor and President Trump , who worked to repeal this burdensome government mandate .
No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their values to follow an unconstitutional directive , ” Hagerty said .
“ If Joe Biden and the Democrats were to regain control , they would confirm justices who will get it wrong every time .
We must re-elect President Trump this fall .
In the Senate , I ’ ll work with him to protect our religious freedoms and confirm constitutionalist judges who won ’ t legislate from the bench.
” As reported last month , Hagerty released a statement after Chief Justice John Roberts joined the liberal justices in overturning Louisiana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perform abortions to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals : ” “ John Roberts got it wrong again .
Instead of protecting the unborn and ensuring the safety of women , yet again it appears that Chief Justice Roberts made a politically-calculated decision and sided with the liberals , ” Hagerty said .
Also , as The Star reported , Hagerty weighed in after the United States Supreme Court ruled to uphold former president Barack Obama ’ s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-07-10--Memphis-Based Varsity Spirit Founder Endorses Manny Sethi for U.S. Senate

Memphis-based Varsity Spirit founder Jeff Webb this week endorsed Manny Sethi ’ s candidacy for the U.S. Senate .
According to a press release Sethi emailed Thursday , Webb built Varsity Spirit from startup to annual revenues approaching $ 2 billion with 8,000 employees in all 50 states .
He also founded and chairs American Populists , a political organization dedicated to restoring America ’ s middle class .
“ Jeff Webb is dedicated to building the small business environment that enabled him to grow , Varsity , into a major force in the cheerleading community , ” Sethi said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s dedication to helping others follow in his success is what is so inspiring to me and why his endorsement of my campaign for the U.S. Senate is so valuable.
” Webb , meanwhile , said Sethi “ has demonstrated his commitment to restoring the middle class in Tennessee and throughout America.
” “ His experience and dedication to legal immigration , fair trade agreements that benefit the U.S. and our workers , and his solemn pledge to put the interests of America First made this an easy decision for me , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I believe that Dr. Manny Sethi will make a United State Senator we can be proud of and one who will not buckle to the demands of special interests looking to pad their pockets at the expense of the working people of Tennessee.
” The primary election for the Republican nominee to replace the retiring U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander ( R-TN ) is scheduled for August 6 .
Early voting is scheduled to begin on July 17 and will continue through August 1 .
“ I want to strongly urge all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cast your vote for Manny Sethi for the U.S. Senate , ” Webb said on Sethi ’ s Facebook page .
“ Manny is the type of man we want and need to recover our local economies and is a shining example of the American Dream .
He is clearly the best to take us forward at this critical time .
Please vote for Manny Sethi for Senate on August 6.
” Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” by Manny Sethi .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-10--Carol Swain Reflects on Her Meeting with Vice President Pence and Expresses Her Concerns on Race Rel

Carol Swain Reflects on Her Meeting with Vice President Pence and Expresses Her Concerns on Race Relations

Live from Music Row Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed Dr. Carol Swain to the studio .
During the second hour , Swain described her recent visit to the White House where she advised Vice President Mike Pence on race relations in America and in particular her concern of the Black Lives Matter protests .
She disclosed to the listeners that Nashville , Atlanta and Dallas were on the radar for groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joined now by our official all-star panelist who our listeners have missed tremendously because you ’ ve been out of town for the past couple of shows .
But back on Thursday here .
Carol Swain , good morning .
Swain : Good morning .
And I ’ ve missed you and the listeners .
Leahy : Yes .
Yes .
The listeners ask , when is Carol coming back ?
We want to hear her .
( Swain chuckles ) I last saw you a couple of weeks ago .
You were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Washington D.C .
There was a dinner party for a group that we are friends and good guys called the Conservative Clergy of Color .
Swain : In other words , he means Black folk .
( Swain laughs ) Swain : Yeah , there were two white guys .
Swain : I was there to meet with the vice president .
Leahy : Yes , you were .
Leahy : I think you went back the subsequent week .
So tell us about your meeting with the vice president .
Swain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a small group with the vice president .
It got changed a couple of times .
But I was thinking small group , 20 , 25 , 30 people .
And when I walked in I was shocked that I was one of eight .
Leahy : Just set the stage .
Where did it happen ?
Swain : In the vice president ’ s office .
I ’ m not at liberty to go into more detail .
Leahy : But it was in the White House complex , right ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who else is there ?
Swain : I ’ m not going to give you a list of everyone that was there .
Swain : Other people were there .
Leahy : But not a lot of other people ?
Swain : No no .
I was one of eight people .
Swain : And not the usual characters .
( Giggles ) Leahy : Is there like a conference table .
Is it a big room ?
Swain : There was a conference table in the vice president ’ s office .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ been there .
Swain : Well , it ’ s my first time .
Leahy : I doubt that any of the listeners have been there .
Swain : Well , wait a minute .
I ’ m 66 years old and I ’ ve spent my life with my nose pressed against the glass looking in trying to be heard .
And so it means a lot to me that this year , in particular , it seems like I ’ ve had opportunities to go into the settings where there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the highest levels .
Leahy : How long did this meeting last ?
Swain : Probably an hour , or an hour and a half .
Leahy : So tell us about the vice president .
Swain : Well I mean he ’ s a very good listener .
And he took some notes .
And he had to leave the meeting but the meeting continued with his staff .
Leahy : He seems like a very nice guy .
Swain : I ’ ve met him before .
In fact , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was trying to take a selfie with him and I was so nervous I couldn ’ t operate my phone and he took the selfie for both of us .
( Chuckles ) Leahy : Are you kidding me ?
He seems like a regular guy .
Swain : Well , he is .
Leahy : What important information did you have to share with the vice president ?
Swain : Well , I ’ ve very concerned about the protests and Black Lives Matter and just how the administration is responding to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunity for some of us who have a different perspective to talk about America and what we believe needs to be done .
Leahy : And what did you share with the vice president that you can share with us ?
Swain : Well everything that I ’ ve put on Twitter and Facebook , maybe not all of it .
( Leahy chuckles ) One of the things that I think is very important is that when we look at race in America we have to look at every one .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people because I think racism cuts in many different ways .
And I believe that everyone is suffering in America at this point in time and it ’ s very important for the president and for the vice president and for our country to approach it so that we respect everyone ’ s constitutional rights .
Everyone ’ s civil rights .
Leahy : Was the vice president taking notes when you were telling him this ?
Swain : Here ’ s what I believe that we need to avoid because every time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conversation over the last 25 years it goes the same way .
Swain : About more spending in the inner cities and different kinds of political appointments .
Those things have not worked in the past .
Leahy : Yes .
It ’ s interesting because if you listen to former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s speech on the Fourth of July , Newt Gingrich called it the most un-American political speech he ’ s heard in his lifetime .
Swain : Here ’ s the thing , I think the current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political left will destroy inner cities .
Whether we are talking about the schools and re-opening the schools or keeping them closed .
Defunding the police .
We know already with the abortion that ’ s being pushed by the political left it decimates the minority populations .
And I believe that my position on race and what needs to be done to prosper Americans that it is something that ’ s accepted by whites and Blacks because it comes from common sense .
Which is in short supply in the world .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Common sense .
I don ’ t know if I see it anywhere in the mainstream media .
Swain : And the thing that really frustrates me is that I see again and again opportunities for our elected leaders to lead .
Our elected leaders .
Mostly they just talk nonsense .
They are not leading and I don ’ t care who they are .
Very few of the people that we ’ ve sent to Washington are leading .
And I ’ m deeply disappointed in this state with Bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a Democrat in disguise .
He ran as a Republican but I don ’ t see very much coming from him that strikes me as a Republican that ’ s conservative and understands America .
I think all those rich guys , that they think alike .
And maybe they have guilt but they make bad decisions because of that .
Leahy : Why do you think all those rich guys think alike ?
Swain : Again , I think its because they have such a cushy life that they lose a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what ’ s important .
And so they are more likely to be swept away in progressivism and that is disastrous .
It sounds great and wonderful but at the end of the day , it ’ s not what will save a nation or move it forward .
Leahy : I think there is a lot of evidence over the past couple of weeks to prove your point .
Let me give you an example .
Swain : Didn ’ t someone say that I was always right ?
( Giggles ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I say that about you ?
Or did you say that about you ?
Swain : I don ’ t know who said it .
Leahy : Of course , you are always right Carol .
Our listeners say you are always right .
Listen to the full second hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-10--Carol Swain: Governor Lee and Mayor Cooper’s Mask Mandates Appear to Target Conservatives

Live from Music Row Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed Dr. Carol Swain to the studio .
At the end of the second hour , Swain questioned the science behind Governor Lee and Mayor Cooper ’ s mask mandates suggesting that it appears that conservatives are the target of citations .
Leahy : That ’ s Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos following President Trump ’ s lead saying its time to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students and secondary school students .
The teacher ’ s unions though don ’ t want to do that Carol .
Swain : Of course they don ’ t want to do anything .
They see an opportunity to extort the government for more money .
Leahy : Yes .
I ’ m a big proponent as you know of elementary school students and secondary school students going back to school .
We talk with our good friend Thales Academy-Franklin ’ s principal Rachael Bradley about what ’ s happened with kids .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of school since March .
They have not developed .
This is across the board .
They ’ ve not developed at the level that they should have .
They are three-fourths of a year and it shows .
Swain : I just think its important for the public to realize that the political left and I would include the CDC in this they have an agenda .
And they believe that if they can keep the country shut down and locked down in chaos that they have a better chance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we need to get back to normal .
I don ’ t believe Bill Lee ’ s mask edict was necessary .
Swain : Even in Gatlinburg and Sevierville they are requiring masks to be worn .
I just don ’ t think that science backs this up nor does science suggest that we should keep our children out of school .
Leahy : Absolutely on the science .
All of the science shows that children don ’ t get it and don ’ t transmit it .
It ’ s out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Swain : And the teachers would love to have a situation , and I don ’ t mean this as the teachers .
Maybe I want to say the NEA .
The National Education Association .
Swain : The teacher unions .
They would love to have online teaching and be paid the same amount or more .
Leahy : Yes .
And online teaching is disastrous for the development of elementary school kids .
Swain : And you may remember a few weeks ago that Metro Nashville purchased thousands of tablets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were planning this .
Leahy : They used federal money from the COVID for this .
Swain : Because they were planning in advance to have everything shut down .
And I don ’ t know what Nashvillians can do .
I do know what they can do .
One of the things that you can do is go to notax4nash.com and download a petition if you are a registered Nashville voter .
Sign it .
And get other people to sign it .
If you can get nine other people to sign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if it ’ s just your signature and your family .
If you are registered voter , mail it back in .
We have to get a lot of signatures and we can recall the mayor and also the four at large council members who supported the tax increase .
But this is about more than the tax increase .
This is about the future of Nashville and whether or not we are going to be governed by law and order .
We see how the mayor and the police department , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the protesters yet they give citations to people who are law-abiding that they find without masks .
Leahy : Yes .
It ’ s selective enforcement of the law .
If you are a conservative you are going to get a fine if you are out there without a mask .
But if you are a progressive Black Lives Matter supporter you can apparently do anything short of breaking into a business and trying to set it on fire .
Swain : Well we find selective enforcement of the law when it comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who did not support John Cooper .
And the same type of retaliation that the Democrats in Nashville and other cities have been doing for decades by retaliating against the people perceived to be their political enemies .
That ’ s unacceptable in our nation .
Leahy : So Mayor John Cooper is targeting bars owned by people who are his political opponents for enforcement .
Swain : I would say that it appears that way .
He may not be doing it directly but he ’ s doing it through his health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his guidance such as the police .
And I think it was totally unacceptable to give a $ 50 citation to a person that was outside .
When we had those tables set up for NoTax4Nash , the workers had masks that they put on if there was an elderly person that comes and has a mask on .
There is no reason why you sitting outside in 100 degrees temperature or 90-degree temperature that people should have masks on .
The virus doesn ’ t survive out there in hot weather above @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s interesting this mandate of masks that Mayor Cooper has put out .
There is no medical evidence to support the claim that you are going to lessen the spread of COVID-19 if you are wearing a cloth mask or a surgical mask .
There is nothing out there to support that .
Swain : And Bill Lee knows that .
And he has put our whole state under this type of edict and it ’ s totally unacceptable .
We are focusing on John Cooper .
We need to focus on John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to start calling the governor ’ s office .
If you are a business , because I ’ ve been going to Williamson County , that was the one place where you could go and feel like life is normal .
They have destroyed that .
You go into the restaurants now and there are not many people in there because who wants to wear a mask ?
You get greeted by a sign on the door of the restaurant to put on a mask in most cases .
Leahy : And I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you have to wear the mask according to all of these orders to force people to wear masks with only the superstition as opposed to the science supporting the efficacy of masks .
I think all of these executive orders issued by county mayors some with the blessing of the legal allowance shall we say that Governor Lee gave them .
I think they are all illegal and unconstitutional .
And if challenged in court ultimately they will be found to be unconstitutional .
Swain : They need to be challenged because they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life and they are inconvenient and it ’ s about the control of people .
What will be next ?
Will it be the mass vaccinations ?
Leahy : I think you are exactly right .
The reason that Governor Lee and Mayor Cooper and other mayors are requiring masks to be worn without any scientific evidence to support their efficacy is that they want to be able to exercise their power over citizens to see if they will submit to these illegal orders .
Listen to the second 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 .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-10--Small Business Administration Gave Loans to Multi-Million Dollar Companies

The U.S. Small Business Administration ( SBA ) and the U.S. Treasury Department this week released the names of 4.9 million Paycheck Protection Program ( PPP ) loan recipient businesses and nonprofits that received $ 150,000 or more .
The mostly forgivable PPP loans were funded through the federal Coronavirus Aid , Relief and Economic Security ( CARES ) Act .
Disclosures include business names , addresses , ZIP codes , business type , demographic data , nonprofit information , name of lender , jobs supported and loan amounts from $ 150,000 to $ 10 million .
Disclosures do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : $ 150,000 to $ 350,000 ; $ 350,000 to $ 1 million ; $ 1 million to $ 2 million ; $ 2 million to $ 5 million ; and $ 5 million to $ 10 million .
Auditors at OpenTheBooks.com mapped the largest loans – nearly 83,000 loans in amounts of $ 1 million to $ 10 million – located in 13,700 zip codes across the country .
Advocating for government transparency , the nonprofit watchdog that receives no federal money says taxpayers can use the map tool to find out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 1 million .
The search tool allows users to input a zip code , click a pin and scroll down to see the results , which appear in a chart below the map .
Rapper Kanye West , who said on Twitter this week he is running for president and claims a net worth of $ 1.3 billion , received between $ 2 million and $ 5 million for his clothing and sneaker company , Yeezy LLC .
Multi-millionaire actor Robert Redford ’ s Sundance Institute received between $ 2 million and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IRS 990 lists $ 55.4 million in assets ( fiscal 2018 ) .
Two affiliated companies of Francis Ford Coppola , the award winning producer , director and filmmaker who also owns a winery , received millions in taxpayer funded PPP loans .
Francis Ford Coppola Presents LLC received between $ 5 million and $ 10 million and Niebaum Coppola Estate Winery , LP received $ 1 million to $ 2 million .
Approximately 12,694 new car dealerships received between $ 7 billion and $ 16.7 billion , including Land Rover and Ferrari @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receiving between $ 350,000 and $ 1 million .
“ As you search the federal PPP loan portfolio , keep in mind that taxpayers will pay for most of these ‘ loans ’ , ” Adam Andrzejewski , CEO of OpenTheBooks.com , said in Forbes , which first published the organization ’ s mapping tool .
“ The loans are forgivable – treated as a grant – as long as the businesses retain their employees and don ’ t cut their paychecks , ” he adds .
The SBA came under fire in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to small businesses in the greatest need , according to business advocates , entrepreneurs , and lawmakers .
The initial loan rollout program “ was marred by glitchy Web portals , a chaotic regulatory process , a frustrating lack of cooperation from big banks and a struggling bureaucracy .
Some large hotel and restaurant chains received loans that were meant for Main Street businesses , prompting calls for changes , ” the Washington Post reported .
A secondary piece of legislation aimed to correct problems with the first one included $ 310 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion for Economic Injury Disaster Loans , a parallel program operated by the SBA .
SBA on Monday began accepting PPP loan applications again , and will continue to receive them through Aug. 8 , per the PPP Extension Act .
Roughly $ 131 billion remains available .
The Center Square wrote this repub .
Photo “ Small Business Administration Building ” by ray_explores.CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-10--Buckeye Institute Sues Over Law Allowing Columbus to Collect Income Taxes From Commuters Despite Eme

Buckeye Institute Sues Over Law Allowing Columbus to Collect Income Taxes From Commuters Despite Emergency Order Preventing Them from Working in the City

The Buckeye Institute said that it and three employees filed a lawsuit over the taxing of workers ’ income in Columbus since they do not live in the city and were not allowed to work there during Ohio ’ s Stay-at-Home order .
The lawsuit , which is available here , was filed in the Court of Common Pleas in Franklin County .
The Beacon Institute says the taxation is “ unlawful ” and is a violation of due process rights under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution and it violates Article I , Section 1 of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ We filed a lawsuit against Columbus & the state of # OH on the unconstitutional taking of income tax from workers who do not live in , and were prohibited from working within , the city ’ s jurisdiction during Ohio ’ s Stay-at-Home order.
” “ The law in this case is straight out of a dystopic novel : the state first prohibited workers from going into their offices during the Stay-At-Home order , then passed an emergency law absurdly ‘ deeming ’ all work that was actually performed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher-taxed office location instead .
It is a legal fiction , and it is unconstitutional , ” said Robert Alt , president and chief executive officer of The Buckeye Institute .
Alt said , “ Not only have our employees — along with thousands of others like them across Ohio — had municipal income taxes unlawfully taken from them during the Stay-at-Home order , but The Buckeye Institute also has been forced to participate in perpetrating this constitutional violation , betraying the very principle of limited government that is an essential component of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees involved in the lawsuit are Rea S. Hederman Jr. of Powell , Greg R. Lawson of Westerville and Joe Nichols of Newark Township .
The lawsuit states that as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and to comply with Ohio ’ s emergency orders requiring nonessential businesses to close , The Buckeye Institute required its employees to work from home .
However , House Bill 197 “ deemed ” all work performed at private homes during the health emergency to have been performed at the employees ’ principal place of work for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City of Columbus then continued to take taxes from the three employees despite the fact that they were no longer working within and did not live in the city ’ s jurisdiction .
Before House Bill 197 was passed , the city or village a person paid municipal income taxes to depended on where he or she worked the most , the Canton Rep said .
Those who work and live in a township pay no local income tax .
House Bill 197 ’ s provisions will stay in effect until 30 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic emergency is over .
Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-10--Michigan’s Unemployment Once Again Begins to Drop

New unemployment claims dropped slightly in Michigan last week , a trend also reflected in national numbers reported by the U.S. Department of Labor ( DOL ) .
The week-over-week numbers reported for Michigan the week ending July 4 show 34,470 DOL new initial claims , a decrease of 3,839 initial unemployment claims from the previous week ’ s 38,309 new claims .
Total unemployment claims in Michigan for the week ending July 4 were 525,843 claims , down 108,110 from the previous week ’ s 633,593 claims .
The DOL also reported an estimated 1.3 million new unemployment claims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July 4 , down 99,000 new claims from the previous week .
Continued claims , which count workers who have filed claims for at least two weeks in a row , were at 18.1 million nationally for the week ending June 27 , a decrease of 698,000 from the previous week ’ s revised level .
Continued claims lag a week behind new claims data .
Bruce Walker is a regional editor at The Center Square .
He previously worked as editor at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy ’ s MichiganScience magazine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & Telecom News .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-10--Minnesota’s Unemployment Numbers Exhibit Slight Increase

New unemployment claims increased slightly in Minnesota last week , as well as overall total unemployment , running opposite from the falling national trend reported by the U.S. Department of Labor .
The week-over-week numbers reported for Minnesota the week ending July 4 show 19,886 new initial claims , an increase of 513 initial unemployment claims from the previous week ’ s 19,373 new claims .
Total unemployment claims in Minnesota for the week ending July 4 were 344,786 claims , up 7,404 from the previous week ’ s 337,382 claims .
The DOL also reported an estimated 1.3 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the week ending July 4 , down 99,000 new claims from the previous week ending June 27 .
According to nationwide DOL numbers , U.S. unemployment claims fell by 698,000 from the previous week .
Continued claims still hover around the 18.1 million unemployment mark , or approximately 12.4 percent national unemployment .
Bruce Walker is a regional editor at The Center Square .
He previously worked as editor at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy ’ s MichiganScience magazine and The Heartland Institute ’ s InfoTech & Telecom News .
Photo “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-10--DOJ Announces Twin Cities Violent Crimes Task Force In Response to ‘Extraordinary Spike’ in Violence

The Department of Justice announced the formation of a new Twin Cities Violent Crimes Task Force Wednesday in response to an “ extraordinary spike in gun violence and violent crimes.
” Erica MacDonald , U.S. attorney for the District of Minnesota , said the task force will bring together federal and state resources to assist local law enforcement in investigating , arresting , and prosecuting individuals responsible for gun violence .
Minneapolis recorded its 31st homicide of 2020 this week after five shootings in a six-hour span left two dead and four injured .
Lt. Bob Kroll , president of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a recent interview that law enforcement officers “ have been completely overwhelmed.
” “ We ’ ve had retirements en masse occurring .
They were short to begin with .
Let ’ s not forget , the chief had asked the mayor for 400 more officers over a period of five years .
We ’ ve got none of those .
We have declined , ” Kroll said in a June 29 interview .
“ If you want absolute lawlessness , let ’ s talk about what occurred here .
We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in damages .
We ’ ve got 1,500 businesses that are destroyed , many that will not return .
We ’ ve had 120 people shot in the last five weeks , ” he added .
According to The Star Tribune , a total of 230 people have been shot in Minneapolis this year , a 60 percent increase from the same time frame last year .
MacDonald said the new task force will serve as a coordination hub for intelligence and law enforcement operations in the Twin Cities .
“ This increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is unacceptable and it must end – that is why I am launching a new Twin Cities Violent Crime Task Force to help turn the tide , ” she said in a statement .
The task force will be comprised of agents and officers from the FBI , Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives , U.S. Secret Service , U.S .
Marshals Service , Drug Enforcement Administration , the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension , the Minneapolis and St. Paul Police Departments , and the Hennepin , Ramsey and Dakota @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The goal of this Task Force is not to flood our communities with law enforcement , but rather to leverage law enforcement ’ s collective resources to allow for focused and effective enforcement actions , ” MacDonald added .
“ Bringing safety and security back to our cities requires collaboration , and we need law enforcement , city leaders and community members all working together toward the common goal of bringing an end to this violence.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ email protected ] .
Photo “ MNPD Cars ” by Tony Webster .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-10--Michigan State University Administrator Resigns Over Police Research After Petition Pressure

Michigan State University administrator Stephen Hsu has resigned as vice president of research and innovation after a petition called for his removal over Hsu touting Michigan State research that found police are not more likely to shoot African-Americans .
Hsu had given a small amount of funding to the author of a 2019 study title “ Officer characteristics and racial disparities in fatal officer-involved shootings.
” The study had gained national recognition after it was cited by Heather MacDonald in the Wall Street Journal as evidence that systemic racism in policing is nonexistent , according to The Blaze .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oust Hsu from his position , calling him a “ vocal scientific racist and eugenicist ” in a petition that garnered more than 800 signatures .
Hsu pushed back on those ideas , saying on his website that “ basic human rights and human dignity derive from our shared humanity , not from uniformity in ability or genetic makeup.
” “ The GEU alleged that I am a racist because I interviewed MSU Psychology professor Joe Cesario , who studies police shootings , ” he wrote in an email to The College Fix @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( along with similar work by others , such as Roland Fryer at Harvard ) is essential to understanding deadly force and how to improve policing.
” There was also a counter-petition that called the charges against Hsu “ unequivocally false.
” “ We highlight that there is zero concrete evidence that Hsu has performed his duties as VP in an unfair or biased manner , ” the petition read .
“ Therefore , removing Hsu from his post as VP would be to capitulate to rumor and character assassination.
” Hsu resigned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but maintains his role as a physics professor , according to The College Fix .
His resignation was supported by Michigan State President Samuel Stanley Jr. “ I believe this is what is best for our university to continue our progress forward .
The exchange of ideas is essential to higher education , and I fully support our faculty and their academic freedom to address the most difficult and controversial issues , ” Stanley said in a statement published on June 19 .
“ But when senior administrators at MSU choose to speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viewed as speaking for the university as a whole .
Their statements should not leave any room for doubt about their , or our , commitment to the success of faculty , staff and students.
” Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Michigan Star .
Follow her on Twitter at @ JordynPair .
Email her at [ email protected ] Photo “ Stephen Hsu ” by Michigan State University .
CC BY-SA 4.0 .
Background Photo “ Michigan State University Campus ” by Jeffness .
CC BY-SA 2.5 .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-10--Jason Lewis Says Parents Should Be Refunded for Property Taxes If Schools Don’t Reopen

Republican Senate candidate Jason Lewis said parents should be refunded for property tax payments and tuition if schools aren ’ t allowed to reopen in the fall .
“ The more we learn about COVID , the more it becomes apparent that we have done a huge disservice to our children in the way we have handled this virus .
Research has proven that COVID presents minimal risks to young people .
But what isn ’ t minimal is the toll this prolonged lockdown and social isolation has on our kids ’ social , mental , and physical well-being , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .
Three scenarios are possible for the 2020-21 school year , including continued distance learning , the resumption of in-person instruction , or a mix of the two .
The state Department of Health , Department of Education , and Gov .
Tim Walz won ’ t be deciding which option is the safest until the week of July 27 .
In the meantime , school districts have been directed to develop contingency plans for all three scenarios .
Adam Seidel , a member of the Eden Prairie School Board , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is outrageous and unacceptable ” in a statement released last month .
“ Quality of education has declined , crisis hotlines are seeing their phones explode , high school seniors have missed graduations , and kids have had to forgo their favorite sports .
The impact of long-term at-home learning is far more detrimental than some of our public health experts would have us believe , ” Lewis said Wednesday .
The governor expressed doubt this week about the possibility of schools returning to full capacity in the fall .
“ It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and find a model where we get as many students back in the building as possible , ” Walz told reporters .
“ I think if you ’ d have asked us three weeks ago I was much more certain that we ’ d be able to move a large number back in than I am today.
” In late June , Walz announced a “ public-private partnership ” to provide internet access to students across Minnesota , which suggests the state is preparing for continued distance learning .
Lewis concluded his statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward with reopening plans for the upcoming school year .
“ There is no rational reason to keep kids out of schools this fall , and those who continue to hinder this do not have our kids ’ best interest in mind .
It is unconscionable what we have deliberately done to young people , ” he said .
“ Virtual learning won ’ t cut it .
If schools are not allowed to reopen , parents and students should be refunded their tuition or property taxes .
Failure to do so is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s time to stop shortchanging our students and ripping off taxpayers and parents .
The well-being of our kids depends on it.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Jason Lewis ” by Jason Lewis .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-10--Ohio’s New Unemployment Numbers Continue Slight Decline

New unemployment claims dropped slightly in Ohio last week , a trend also reflected in national numbers reported by the @ @ @ @ @ The week-over-week numbers reported for Ohio the week ending July 4 show 33,176 new initial @ @ @ @ @ 2,732 initial unemployment claims from the previous week ’ s 35,908 new claims .
Total @ @ @ @ @ the week ending July 4 were 410,783 , down 37,329 from the previous week ’ @ @ @ @ @ DOL also reported an estimated 1.3 million new unemployment claims were filed nationally in the @ @ @ @ @ down 99,000 new claims from the previous week ending June 27 .
According to nationwide @ @ @ @ @ claims fell by 698,000 from the previous week .
Continued claims still hover around the @ @ @ @ @ or approximately 12.4 percent national unemployment .
Bruce Walker is a regional editor at The @ @ @ @ @ worked as editor at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy ’ s MichiganScience magazine and @ @ @ @ @ InfoTech & Telecom News .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-10--George Floyd Protests Cause Nearly $158,000 in Ohio Statehouse Damages

Repairing damage to the Ohio Statehouse and surrounding Capitol Square that occurred during protests against racial injustice will cost about $ 158,000 , according to the board that oversees the property .
That tally from protests in Columbus between May 28 and June 18 doesn ’ t include repairs for damage on other state property or expenses for the Ohio State Highway Patrol , according to the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board .
Windows broken at the Statehouse have been boarded up since protests in late May .
In June , the Statehouse was defaced with red hand prints @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t shoot ” in protest of police brutality .
Lights , trash cans and a bench also were damaged , according to a statement from the Capitol Square board .
The board said it hired a professional service to remove graffiti from the limestone building and monuments on the property .
As a result of these recent protests , Ohio Speaker of the House Larry Householder has thought about making changes to who protects the Capitol .
The Speaker announced in late June that he was investigating whether the Ohio Capitol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Columbus ’ city limits because the city did not protect the Capitol from protests .
“ We ’ re researching it currently .
If Columbus isn ’ t interested in protecting state property we need to consider removing Capitol Square from the City , ” he said in an emailed statement .
On June 25 , Householder appeared on the Ohio Christian Alliance Podcast News in Focus and said the protests were an “ attack on our government and way of life and the things we believe in.
” The Speaker also said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give the state attorney general prosecutorial power for crimes in downtown Columbus .
Two weeks after this statement , state Rep. Jeff LaRe ( R-Violet Township ) introduced a bill that would allow the state attorney general the power to “ investigate and prosecute vandalism on state property , including the Ohio Statehouse.
” “ I support the constitutional right of people to peacefully assemble and protest .
That ’ s an important cornerstone of our democracy , ” LaRe said .
“ But destruction and violence is a crime .
And when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the message that the criminal activity is not only condoned but endorsed.
” Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media .
If you have any tips , email Zachery at [ email protected ] Follow Zachery on Twitter @ zacheryschmidt2 .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .
Photo “ George Floyd Protests ” by Becker1999 .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-10--State Capitol Commission Votes to Move Nathan Bedford Forrest Bust from Capitol After In-Person Requ

State Capitol Commission Votes to Move Nathan Bedford Forrest Bust from Capitol After In-Person Request by Gov. Lee

After Governor Bill Lee weighed in on the State Capitol Commission ( SCC ) vote regarding the removal of the Nathan Bedford Forrest bust from the second floor of the State Capitol , by a 9 to 2 vote the body complied with his request .
The original motion of removing just the bust of Nathan Bedford Forrest was amended to include the monuments to two of Tennessee ’ s other military heroes , Admirals David Farragut and Albert Gleaves .
Lee issued remarks the day before the SCC meeting , The Tennessee Star reported , saying that the meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the making as appointments have been made to the SCC .
It appears that he also rushed to hold the meeting before signing a bill that would have added two private citizen members to the SCC selected by the Speaker of the Senate and the Speaker of the House .
Lee then attended the Thursday meeting , making opening remarks and staying for a good portion of the three-hour meeting that he reportedly called .
Of the 12-member SCC , there is currently one vacancy from the State ’ s Historical Commission .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the SCC ’ s membership are Lee ’ s appointees , either by virtue of their position in his cabinet , or the three citizens representing each of the state ’ s grand divisions .
The other members include the state ’ s three Constitutional officers , which are elected by the General Assembly , and two members of the General Assembly representing each of the two chambers .
Once Lee finished his opening remarks , members of the General Assembly who had asked to speak also made comments .
Legislators who spoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senator Brenda Gilmore ( D-Nashville ) , Representatives Harold Love , Jr. ( D-Nashville ) , Mike Stewart ( D-Nashville ) and G. A. Hardaway ( D-Memphis ) .
Gilmore gave an emotional plea , causing her to pause about midway through her remarks when she said that tears come to her eyes every time she gets off the elevator and looks at the Forrest bust .
She questioned why some people do not see Black people as humans and said that , while there is a tremendous amount of work to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make one small step to correct a mistake made in 1978 , which was actually the result of Democrat Senator Doug Henry ’ s 1973 resolution .
Comparing the removal of the bust to the doom and gloom predictions associated with women ’ s suffrage , Love said , “ I promise you , the world will not end , mountains will not fall into the sea , and the rivers will not dry up.
” As a veteran , Stewart said the military record of Nathan Bedford Forrest had to be looked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Fort Pillow , he said , would disqualify him from a place of honor .
Asking the Commission to do the right thing , Hardaway in his nearly 15 minutes of commentary referenced the protesters outside the meeting room , who could be heard shouting through the closed doors of the meeting room , demanded to have a seat at the table that was not set for them .
The agenda , however , failed to mention a physical location for the meeting , providing only a link to a WebEx livestream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the restrictions on attendees in the room was because of the ongoing COVID-19 situation .
Hardaway asked for consideration as to how disrespectful and insensitive it is for all of the African-American legislators to endure walking past the statue every day when they go to make law for the six million Tennesseans without regard for their gender , race , creed or color .
Senator Joey Hensley ( R-Hohenwald ) is a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and talked about the suffering and terrible times during and after the Civil War @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Confederacy .
He refuted the then-fake news about the battle known as the Fort Pillow massacre of 200 mostly Black Union soldiers that had surrendered .
“ That ’ s just not true .
It was a terrible battle , but they had not surrendered , ” he said .
Hensley expressed that Tennessee should be a leader by keeping the bust in its location and showing that historical figures should be judged in the context of the times .
Representative Mike Sparks ( R-Smyrna ) largely addressed his comments to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ General Assembly , drawing them into his weaving but interrelated thoughts .
He briefly touched on an incident where Forrest was called upon to defend the husbands , brothers and sons of crying women he encountered .
The men were being held in a courthouse , which sits near Sparks ’ district , going to be executed by Union forces .
Forrest , at the time was riding with dozens of Black troops , which Sparks called remarkable .
In attending a protest at Middle Tennessee State University , Sparks said he asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again asked the questions during the meeting , with almost no one knowing the answers he gave to his own questions .
Who was Samson Keeble ?
Besides having a bust on the second floor of the State Capitol , Sparks schooled that Keeble was a Confederate soldier who was a Republican who became the first African-American state representative .
To the question of who is John Newton , Sparks got no response and advised that he was a slave ship captain who wrote the hymn Amazing Grace as a story of redemption @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that the governor and secretary of state know that William Wilberforce freed the slaves in Great Britain , suffering persecution for it .
And , as to the question of who had the most African Americans at their funeral , Sparks said that Nathan Bedford Forrest had 3,000 to 5,000 in attendance .
Sparks talked about the 1875 Independent Order of Pole-Bearers Association event in Memphis with thousands of African Americans in attendance to which Forrest was asked to speak , “ with some jeers of white folks who think I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Forrest ’ s speech published in the July 6 , 1875 edition of The Memphis Daily Appeal , Sparks concluded , “ That ’ s history folks.
” He talked about the oppression that is going on in the state right now , turning around to ask Democrat legislators directly if they knew that payday loans unfairly target minorities especially single females at a rate five times higher than any other group .
Once the legislators concluded their comments after about an hour , comments from eight citizens primarily through via video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Eley , who is also Lee ’ s appointee as the Commissioner of Finance & Administration , made the formal motion for a petition for a waiver to the Tennessee Historic Commission ( THC ) allowing the Nathan Bedford Forrest bust to be moved from the State Capitol to the Tennessee State Museum .
Eley said that Lee ’ s remarks from the prior day would be included to substantiate the compelling interest for the moving of the bust .
Fellow State Commissioners Branscom and Salyers , after making comments on their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting in favor of the motion .
Citizen-member of the Commission from East Tennessee , Hallerin Hill said Forrest ’ s Pole-Bearers speech reflected redemption , which is turning away from something toward something else .
Hill saw that as a move to a new position , and that a bust could change positions to tell the whole story .
Hill concluded that he would support the governor to move the bust .
Senator Jack Johnson , as the Senate representative , said that he polled his fellow Senate members and received 19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to remove the bust .
He said that was a similar vote to about three years ago , when he was also a member of the SCC While not compelled to vote according to their wishes , Johnson said he felt it was important to have the conversation and would be voting accordingly .
It was at that point , which was approximately two hours into the meeting , that Eley announced a 15-minute recess .
Upon return from the recess , SCC citizen member from West Tennessee , Dr. Logan Hampton , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s action or vote will have no impact on the history of the individual they debate .
He told the story of the surrender at Appomattox and the tip of the hats between General Grant and General Lee in honor of each other , expressing hope that “ we tip our hats to one another , to live out our true southern heritage and hospitality.
” While Representative Matthew Hill ( R-Jonesborough ) , said he had no additional comments , but as Johnson indicated before the recess , he would be voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Treasury Justin Wilson proposed an amendment to the original motion that would add the statues of Admirals Farragut and Gleaves also be moved from the second floor of the State Capitol to the state museum to be part of an honoring of Tennessee ’ s military heroes and that the alcoves vacated would be used to commemorate federal or state elected officials or events that have occurred on the second floor , as determined by the Tennessee General Assembly .
Wilson went on to explain that the bust was placed on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a 1973 resolution to recognize General Forrest clearly and unambiguously for his military achievements , and passed unanimously by both houses .
“ But a portion of our population has come to view this statue as something very different , ” Wilson continued .
As a very practical matter , Wilson said , “ the original focus and intent can not be appreciated today.
” Wilson elaborated on the reasons for his amendment and his thoughts on the Capitol ’ s second floor honoring .
He then set the record straight about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying that for those that said it was designed for white supremacy are misinformed .
Discussion ensued on the amendment , including concerns expressed by citizen member from middle Tennessee , Howard Gentry that adding two busts to be moved would delay the move of the Forrest bust , making it clear he was there to vote on the removal of the Forrest bust .
Executive Director of the Tennessee State Museum Ashley Howell came forward to confirm that they are prepared to take all three busts as long as the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan for it and include the appropriate scholars as part of the process .
When Gentry expressed further concern that the THC has the ability to sever the additional two busts in order to preserve the moving of the Forrest bust , Commission Counsel Christi Allen was called upon for an opinion .
Allen advised that , though she had not been through the process with the THC before , a single petition for a waiver would be prepared and filed with supporting documents and no sooner than 60 days later the THC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
Her assumption is that the THC would then take whatever action they deem appropriate , regardless of what the SCC proposes .
Wilson ’ s amendment to the main motion passed with 8 yes votes , 1 no vote and 2 abstentions .
Before voting on the amended motion , closing remarks were made by Secretary of State Tre Hargett as well as Gentry .
The vote for the amended motion for moving the statues of General Nathan Bedford Forrest and Admirals David Farragut and Albert Gleaves passed with 9 yes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislative members Johnson and Hill .
For those concerned about the erasure of history and the proverbial slippery slope of the removal of the bust may start , Memphis Congressman Steve Cohen already urged the removal of the bust and the renaming of the Nathan Bedford Forrest Park before the meeting of the SCC .
The THC is responsible for considering and voting on petitions for waiver under the Tennessee Heritage Protection Act .
Of the 29-member THC , 24 members are appointed by the governor and five ex officio members include the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state archaeologist , the commissioner of environment and conservation , and the state librarian and archivist .
It takes a two-thirds majority vote by roll call to grant the waiver .
The Commission usually meets in February , June , and October .
After the meeting ’ s conclusion , Sparks told The Star that he thought it was a good meeting and discussion .
He voted against moving the bust in House committee meetings and recognized that people are going to be disappointed with the outcome .
Sparks was very positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell the full story of Forrest , including his advocacy for Black Americans and the attendance of Black Americans at his funeral .
“ Let ’ s tell Forrest ’ s story.
” He also wants the story of Sampson Keeble to be told , as the Confederate soldier who , as a Republican , was the first African-American state representative .
Reflecting on the outcome of the meeting , various incidents that occurred when he has tried to tell the story of Nathan Bedford Forrest , as well as the removal of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the ballot by white elitists , Sparks reassured , “ God ’ s got this.
” Laura Baigert is a senior reporter at The Tennessee Star .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-11--Trump Approves Disaster Declaration for 20 Tennessee Counties Impacted by May Storms

The federal government granted Gov .
Bill Lee ’ s request this week for a major disaster declaration for 20 Tennessee counties impacted by severe weather in early May .
President Donald Trump announced in a Thursday press release that he approved the declaration , which will make federal funding available for state and local recovery efforts in the affected areas .
Counties covered by the declaration include Benton , Carroll , Davidson , Decatur , Dickson , Dyer , Hardin , Henderson , Henry , Hickman , Houston , Humphreys , Lake , Lawrence , Lewis , Madison , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Weakley .
Lee ’ s office said the 20 counties reported a combined $ 14 million in damage to structures and utilities .
In the Nashville metropolitan area , winds between 60 and 80 mph caused power outages for more than 130,000 customers – the worst power outage on record for the city .
“ The devastating severe weather required a comprehensive response and stretched many local jurisdictions to their resource limits , ” Lee said in a statement .
“ We are committed to supporting these communities and providing the necessary resources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the estimated damage also includes costs incurred for emergency work performed after the storms , such as debris removal and power restoration .
The major disaster declaration will allow government entities and certain private non-profits in the counties to apply for reimbursement of specific expenses related to the disaster under the Federal Emergency Management Agency ’ s ( FEMA ) Public Assistance program .
The federal declaration also makes Tennessee eligible for the federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program , which provides assistance to communities to prevent or reduce long-term risks to life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tennessee has faced an unprecedented year of natural disasters and we are thankful for the generous support from POTUS , FEMA ’ s work on the ground , and our federal delegation ’ s continued advocacy , ” Lee wrote on Twitter .
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Storm Damage in Tennessee in May 2019 ” by the American Red Cross of Tennessee .

Richmond Police arrested 11 people during a protest outside the Richmond City Justice Center on Tuesday.
The group was gathered outside of the Justice Center to protest conditions in the Richmond jail after COVID-19 outbreak among 100 inmates and staff was reported.
Richmond police officers arrived outside of the Justice Center to help the Richmond Sheriff’s office deal with the group protesters who had moved from the public sidewalk onto Justice Center grounds during the demonstration, causing a security concern, according to the Richmond police description of the incident,
Just before 7 p.m., a man on a bicycle attempted to block a tow truck trying removing a vehicle that had been illegally parked in front of the Justice Center. When a Richmond police officer arrived at the scene, the man tried to flee on his bike and was then stopped by the officer. Other protesters witnessed this and attempted to stop the arrest, leading to those people being arrested as well, according to the police account.
A video of the incident was captured and published to the RVA Magazine Instagram account. That video is below.
A flyer on social media for the protest read: “Our comrades on the inside are facing retaliation from officers for simply requesting adequate medical attention. These conditions are inhumane. We stand in solidarity with those who have been kidnapped, convicted and caged.”
On Wednesday, Richmond police released the names and charges for the 11 protesters arrested.
Their names and charges are as follows:
Stephen Roach Obstruction of Justice Impeding the flow of traffic
Benjamine Skromine Obstruction of Justice Impeding the flow of traffic
Gabrielle Brost Hoffman Obstruction of Justice
Aditya Mohan Obstruction of Justice
Rachel Fidlow Obstruction of Justice
Andre Rosson Obstruction of Justice
Alex Oxford Obstruction of Justice with Force
Jonathan Miranda Disorderly Conduct
Susanna Keating Disorderly Conduct
Mollie Luck Disorderly Conduct
Carmen Day Disorderly Conduct
– – –
Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network. Follow Jacob on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “Richmond City Justice Center Protest” by RVA Mag.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-11--Commentary: Trump Tax Cases Highlight the Court as Servant of the Administrative State

The president was not whining when he tweeted about the continuing “ political prosecution ” permitted by the two tax returns cases issued Wednesday by the Supreme Court .
These two cases , although short-term wins for Trump , illustrate the role of the federal and state courts in the administrative state and reveal the burdens this conglomeration places on a reforming president .
Let ’ s take the worst of the bad news first .
Justice Samuel Alito ’ s dissent in Trump v. Vance summarizes the problem with the New York County District Attorney ’ s subpoena of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a grand jury .
Alito had previously lamented , in the DACA case , that “ the Federal Judiciary , without holding that [ the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program ] can not be rescinded , has prevented that from occurring during an entire Presidential term .
Our constitutional system is not supposed to work that way.
” Ominously , Chief Justice John Roberts ’ majority opinion presented a split on the court , with a concurrence on only the judgment by Justice Brett Kavanaugh ( joined by Justice Neil Gorsuch ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Both Kavanaugh and Roberts noted the agreement of the dissenters on many points of the majority , but they miss the thrust of their objection : the subjectivity on so many fronts that invites a thousand pricks from the federal and state judiciaries .
Thomas had questioned the legality of universal injunctions issued by federal district court judges in Trump v. Hawaii , the so-called Muslim travel ban case .
Yet Roberts reassures that presidents have borne such burdens before ( “ two centuries of experience confirm that a properly tailored criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the President ’ s constitutional duties.
” ) To the contrary , Alito responds , with a list of horrors possibly resulting from a local prosecution : Finally , Alito demolishes Roberts ’ use of Chief Justice John Marshall on the Aaron Burr trial to prove his point about state subpoenas .
Instead , Alito notes , So the Manhattan prosecutor will be permitted his subpoena to replay old episodes of “ Law and Order , ” if he can persuade the original court and any other courts of the appeal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justices line up the next time is something on which to speculate .
But such uncertainty does not respect the scope of “ the executive power ” of the office of the presidency .
Trump v. Mazars : All Things to All Lawyers The second case , Trump v. Mazars , concerns subpoenas by three committees of the House of Representatives , which argue they need President Trump ’ s tax returns going back to before his presidency for “ legislative purposes.
” This 7-2 Roberts opinion seems somewhat more sympathetic to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He presents strong arguments ( and weaknesses ) of arguments for and against the House .
“ Congress has no enumerated constitutional power to conduct investigations or issue subpoenas , but we have held that each House has power ‘ to secure needed information ’ in order to legislate.
” While dismissing the president ’ s “ demonstrated , specific need ” for subpoenaed papers requirement , the Chief Justice criticized the House for failing “ to take adequate account of the significant separation of powers issues raised by congressional subpoenas for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the President have an ongoing institutional relationship as the ‘ opposite and rival ’ political branches established by the Constitution.
” Presenting a guide for House lawyers , he chides them for leaving essentially no limits on the congressional power to subpoena the president ’ s personal records .
After all , “ The President ’ s financial records could relate to economic reform , medical records to health reform , school transcripts to education reform , and so on .
Indeed , at argument , the House was unable to identify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relation to potential legislation.
” So Roberts tutors the lower house on Article II 101 : Roberts concludes with four points for the lower courts and the parties to consider when rearguing this case : Perhaps the Chief Justice ( fresh from presiding over the impeachment trial ) is aware of the futility of teaching Congress anything about their fundamental duties , which they have been avoiding for over 50 years .
But his test—will it be Roberts ’ lemon ?
—got six votes from his colleagues .
The Thomas and Alito dissents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , anticipated in earlier court opinions .
Alito finds that “ legislative subpoenas for a President ’ s personal documents are inherently suspicious.
” Thomas contends , “ For nearly two centuries , until the 1970s , Congress never attempted to subpoena documents to investigate wrongdoing by the President outside the context of impeachment.
” He concludes that “ Congress ’ legislative powers do not authorize it to engage in a nationwide inquisition with whatever resources it chooses to appropriate for itself .
The majority ’ s solution—a nonexhaustive four-factor test of uncertain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Congress to obtain private , nonofficial documents “ it must proceed under the impeachment power , ” not its ordinary legislative powers .
The justices who think Congress is still about legislating , when it has been clear for 50 years that it serves to fund and reinforce the administrative state , do not see their own role in perpetuating it and in failing to end it .
They are now part of the administrative state .
Ken Masugi , Ph.D. , is a senior fellow of the Claremont Institute .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members , as well as for Clarence Thomas when he was chairman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission .
Masugi is co-author , editor , or co-editor of seven books on American politics .
He has taught at the U.S. Air Force Academy , where he was Olin Distinguished Visiting Professor ; James Madison College of Michigan State University ; the Ashbrook Center of Ashland University ; and Princeton University .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-11--Turkey’s President Formally Makes Hagia Sophia a Mosque

ANKARA , Turkey ( AP ) — The president of Turkey on Friday formally converted Istanbul ’ s sixth-century Hagia Sophia back into a mosque and declared it open for Muslim worship , hours after a high court annulled a 1934 decision that had made the religious landmark a museum .
The decision sparked deep dismay among Orthodox Christians .
Originally a cathedral , Hagia Sophia was turned into a mosque after Istanbul ’ s conquest by the Ottoman Empire but had been a museum for the last 86 years , drawing millions of tourists annually .
There was jubilation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ domes and four minarets .
Dozens of people awaiting the court ’ s ruling chanted “ Allah is great !
” when the news broke .
A large crowd later prayed outside it .
In the capital of Ankara , legislators stood and applauded as the decision was read in Parliament .
Turkey ’ s high administrative court threw its weight behind a petition brought by a religious group and annulled the 1934 Cabinet decision that turned the site into a museum .
Within hours , President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a decree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Religious Affairs Presidency .
In a televised address to the nation , Erdogan said the first prayers inside Hagia Sofia would be held on July 24 , and he urged respect for the decision .
“ I underline that we will open Hagia Sophia to worship as a mosque by preserving its character of humanity ’ s common cultural heritage , ” he said , adding : “ It is Turkey ’ s sovereign right to decide for which purpose Hagia Sofia will be used.
” He rejected the idea that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a structure that brings faiths together .
“ Like all of our other mosques , the doors of Hagia Sophia will be open to all , locals or foreigners , Muslims and non-Muslims , ” Erdogan said .
Erdogan had spoken in favor of turning the hugely symbolic UNESCO World Heritage site back into a mosque despite widespread international criticism , including from U.S. and Orthodox Christian leaders , who had urged Turkey to keep its status as a museum symbolizing solidarity among faiths and cultures .
The decision threatens to deepen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister , Lina Mendoni , denounced the move as “ an open challenge to the entire civilized world that recognizes the unique value and universality of the monument.
” In Greece ’ s second-largest city , Thessaloniki , protesters gathered outside a church that is modeled on Hagia Sophia and bears the same name .
They chanted , “ We ’ ll light candles in Hagia Sophia !
” and held Greek flags and Byzantine banners .
Cyprus “ strongly condemns Turkey ’ s actions on Hagia Sophia in its effort to distract @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respect its international obligations , ” tweeted Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides .
Vladimir Dzhabarov , deputy head of the foreign affairs committee in the Russian upper house of parliament , called the action “ a mistake.
” “ Turning it into a mosque will not do anything for the Muslim world .
It does not bring nations together , but on the contrary brings them into collision , ” he said .
The debate hits at the heart of Turkey ’ s religious-secular divide .
Nationalist and conservative groups in Turkey have long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which they regard as part of the Muslim Ottoman legacy .
Others believe it should remain a museum , as a symbol of Christian and Muslim solidarity .
“ It was a structure that brought together both Byzantine and Ottoman histories , ” said Zeynep Kizildag , a 27-year-old social worker , who did not support the conversion .
“ The decision to turn it into a mosque is like erasing 1,000 years of history , in my opinion.
” Garo Paylan , an ethnic Armenian member of Turkey ’ s Parliament @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day for Christians ( and ) for all who believe in a pluralist Turkey.
” “ The decision to convert Hagia Sophia into a mosque will make life more difficult for Christians here and for Muslims in Europe , ” he wrote .
“ Hagia Sophia was a symbol of our rich history .
Its dome was big enough for all.
” The group that brought the case to court had contested the legality of the 1934 decision by the modern Turkish republic ’ s secular government ministers , arguing the building was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ II , who conquered Istanbul in 1453 .
“ I was not surprised at all that the court weighed to sanction Erdogan ’ s moves because these days Erdogan gets from Turkish courts what Erdogan wants , ” said Soner Cagaptay , of the Washington Institute .
“ Erdogan wants to use Hagia Sophia ’ s conversion into a mosque to rally his right-wing base , ” said Cagaptay , the author of “ Erdogan ’ s Empire.
” “ But I don ’ t think this strategy will work .
I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will restore Erdogan ’ s popularity.
” In Paris , the United Nations cultural body , UNESCO , said it deeply regretted the decision .
“ Its status as a museum reflects the universal nature of its heritage , and makes it a powerful symbol for dialogue , ” said Director-General Audrey Azoulay .
The Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I , considered the spiritual leader of the world ’ s Orthodox Christians , warned last month that the building ’ s conversion into a mosque “ will turn millions of Christians across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church , called for “ prudence ” and the preservation of the “ current neutral status ” for the Hagia Sophia , which he said was one of Christianity ’ s “ devoutly venerated symbols.
” U.S. State Secretary Mike Pompeo said last month the landmark should remain a museum to serve as bridge between faiths and cultures .
His comments sparked a rebuke from Turkey ’ s Foreign Ministry , which said Hagia Sophia was a domestic issue of Turkish national sovereignty .
Erdogan , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hagia Sophia issue to drum up support for his Islamic-rooted party .
Some Islamic prayers have been held in the museum in recent years .
In a major symbolic move , Erdogan recited the opening verse of the Quran there in 2018 .
Built under Byzantine Emperor Justinian , Hagia Sophia was the main seat of the Eastern Orthodox church for centuries , where emperors were crowned amid ornate marble and mosaic decorations .
The minarets were added later and the building was turned into an imperial mosque following the 1453 Ottoman conquest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now called Istanbul .
The building opened its doors as a museum in 1935 , a year after the Council of Ministers ’ decision .
Mosaics depicting Jesus , Mary and Christian saints that were plastered over in line with Islamic rules were uncovered through arduous restoration work for the museum .
Hagia Sophia was the most popular museum in Turkey last year , drawing more than 3.7 million visitors .
Suzan Fraser is a reporter for The Associated Press .
AP writers Zeynep Bilginsoy and Ayse Wieting in Istanbul , Derek Gatopoulos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Cyprus , and Jim Heintz in Moscow contributed .
About the Headline Photo : People chant slogans following Turkey ’ s Council of State ’ s decision , outside the Byzantine-era Hagia Sophia , one of Istanbul ’ s main tourist attractions in the historic Sultanahmet district of Istanbul , Friday , July 10 , 2020.Turkey ’ s Council of State , threw its weight behind a petition brought by a religious group and annulled a 1934 cabinet decision that changed the 6th century building into a museum .
The ruling allows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s previous status as a mosque.The decision was in line with the Turkish President ’ s Recep Tayyip Erdogan ’ s calls to turn the hugely symbolic world heritage site into a mosque despite widespread international criticism , including from the United States and Orthodox Christian leaders .
( AP Photo/Emrah Gurel )