thetennesseestar--2020-12-26--Commentary: Teachable Union Moments

Commentary: Teachable Union Moments

Lesson plans are a teacher ’ s daily guide for what students need to learn and how it will be taught .
Because educators are always looking for new and interesting ways to engage kids , I have a few ideas that can be used to further student knowledge .
In November , the National Education Association released its annual Department of Labor financial disclosure statement .
As Mike Antonucci reports , the union took in $ 375 million during the 2019-20 school year , all of it tax-free .
As 501 ( c ) ( 5 ) s , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ status with the IRS that is accorded to “ Labor , Agricultural , and Horticultural Organizations.
” Additionally , NEA sold more than $ 209 million of its stocks and securities during the year , but the union is also excused from paying capital gains taxes .
At the same time as NEA benefits from this egregious tax exemption , the union came out with a “ playbook ” right after the presidential election in November .
In the “ Tax Fairness ” section of the manifesto , the union maintains that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the wealthy and corporations , and replace them with a progressive tax system .
NEA also opposes “ tax loopholes or giveaways that reduce revenues and shelter corporations and high-income individuals from paying taxes.
” Lesson for an English teacher : When defining the word “ hypocrisy ” to your class , make sure to use NEA ’ s double-dealing as a glaring example .
NEA president Lily Eskelsen García is vying for the Secretary of Education Secretary position , and some think she has a pretty good shot at getting it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hardcore unionista , she has referred to teacher performance metrics as “ the mark of the devil.
” She also claims that charter schools are “ very misguided school reforms.
” And just for good measure , she told a gathering in Michigan in 2014 that some school reformers are like zombies that are “ eating our children ’ s brains.
” As the union faithful were fawning over the above words , another comment by García has actually stunned them .
Talking to a progressive political advocacy organization in 2015 , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ special needs kids as “ chronically tarded ” and “ medically annoying.
” The hole she dug for herself was widened and deepened when she tried to explain that what she had meant to say was , er , um , “ tardy ” – and that the second gaffe was a reference to students who try to annoy their teachers when they have a bad day .
Lesson for a biology teacher : Point out that García is “ chronically ” afflicted with an “ annoying ” case of the deadly political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine .
Talk about stepping in it , the Chicago Teachers Union did just that on December 6th , when it tweeted , “ The push to reopen schools is rooted in sexism , racism and misogyny.
” Which loosely translated means , we don ’ t really want to go back to work and we will tar everyone who disagrees with us with the dreaded “ reactionary knuckle-dragging Neanderthal ” brush .
Hmm… Since Chicago schools are predominantly black and Hispanic , a strong case could be made can be made that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racist .
After getting pummeled by teachers , the media , etc.
, CTU recanted , pulled the moronic tweet , and then posted a convoluted apology .
“ Fair enough .
Complex issue .
Requires nuance .
And much more discussion .
More important , the people the decision affects deserve more .
So we ’ ll continue give them that.
” Lesson for a debate teacher : As a member in good standing of the “ kick ‘ em in the groin ” school of persuasion , CTU would most definitely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And it ’ s not just CTU that is bonkers on Covid issues .
Tennessee ’ s Metro Nashville Education Association held a “ die-in ” in July at a local farmers ’ market .
Their suitably apocalyptic message was that “ Dead students can ’ t learn .
Dead teachers can ’ t teach.
” At the same time , NEA president Becky Pringle insists that , “ some of our members are being bullied into returning back to classrooms .
That ’ s not safe , we don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all laughable ; the unions are educations ’ # 1 bullies .
They continuously point to “ science ” to support their lockdown stance , yet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Robert Redfield asserts that “ school is one of the safest places ” for children .
UNICEF maintains that “ there is strong evidence that , with basic safety measures in place , the net benefits of keeping schools open outweigh the costs of closing them.
” In October ’ s Great Barrington Declaration , world renowned scientists noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ grave injustice.
” While the guy who stocks the produce shelves at my local supermarket , my dentist and my mailman are all on the job , teachers are demanding that schools remain shuttered , though they still insist on receiving full paychecks and benefits of course , while accepting no responsibility for the devastating learning loss that will affect many children for the rest of their lives .
And Pringle is whining about being bullied ?
!
Lesson for any teacher : Teachers unions are the embodiment of hubris , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-confidence , chutzpah , pomposity , nerve , audacity or arrogance .
And , in the teachers unions ’ case – all the above .
Pop quiz on all this material soon , teachers !
Larry Sand , a former classroom teacher , is the president of the non-profit California Teachers Empowerment Network – a non-partisan , non-political group dedicated to providing teachers and the general public with reliable and balanced information about professional affiliations and positions on educational issues .
The views presented here are strictly his own .
Photo “ Teachers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-26--CDC Says More Than a Million Americans Have Been Vaccinated for COVID-19

More than a million Americans have received the first round of vaccinations for the coronavirus as of Wednesday at 9 a.m. , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) announced .
Over nine million coronavirus doses have been distributed and 1,008,025 doses have been administered , according to the CDC ’ s COVID Data Tracker .
States , territories , five federal agencies and local public health agencies started submitting the number of people getting their first doses of the vaccine on Dec. 14 , the CDC said .
The number of allocated doses and the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ current data available as of 9:00 a.m .
ET on the day of reporting , ” according to the CDC .
The numbers include vaccines from Pfizer and BioNTech as well as Moderna , the CDC said .
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) granted emergency authorization approval use for Moderna ’ s vaccine on Friday .
The FDA ’ s approval of the Moderna vaccine made the U.S. the first country to give approval to two safe and effective vaccines to fight the coronavirus .
The FDA ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favor to recommend the emergency use authorization for Moderna ’ s vaccine , which permitted it ’ s approval and nationwide distribution .
Video footage showed the first shipment of Pfizer ’ s vaccine leaving it ’ s manufacturing plant in Michigan on Dec. 13 .
The FDA granted emergency authorization for Pfizer ’ s vaccine after a key panel overwhelmingly endorsed the vaccine ’ s safety .
Experts project the U.S. will have an increase in coronavirus cases after Christmas and there have been 3,000 coronavirus deaths per day in the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s expected that the U.S. will hit the worst phase of the pandemic since it started and officials said despite the vaccines being distributed , Americans should still adhere to health measures .
The CDC didn ’ t immediately respond to a request for comment .
Mary Rose Corkery is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .

by Joe Mueller
Attorneys general from 26 states are urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a lower-court decision upholding a California law banning the raising or importing pork, veal or eggs if the animals are confined.
The Supreme Court announced on March 28 that it would hear the pork industry’s challenge to California’s Proposition 12, a law restricting confinement practices in animal agriculture. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments on Oct. 11.
Prop. 12 was approved by 63% of California voters in 2018. The law established minimum space requirements based on square feet for calves raised for veal, breeding pigs and egg-laying hens. It banned the sale of products from those animals if they were “confined in a cruel manner,” defined as in areas below minimum square-feet requirements.
The case, National Pork Producers Council v. Karen Ross, the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, focuses on the regulation of animal products outside of California by prohibiting the in-state sale of products traceable to the animal being confined in a “cruel manner.” The Pork Producers and others argue the law violates the Interstate Commerce Clause and general constitutional restrictions against “extraterritorial regulation.”
The brief filed by the attorneys general states California consumes 13% of the nation’s pork and imports 99.87% of pork consumed. The attorneys general argue the “entire impact of Proposition 12 will be visited on out-of-state producers that, though they have no vote in California, must remodel their farms (or reduce their herds) to comply with the law.”
“Under no circumstances should the state of California be allowed to dictate to Missouri farmers and ranchers how they can raise and confine breeding pigs, egg-laying hens, and veal calves,” Missouri Republican Attorney General Eric Schmitt said in a statement. “Further, California is attempting to impose their will on Missouri farmers and ranchers by threatening to deny entry into the California market if those farmers and ranchers don’t comply with their pointless regulations. Missouri’s farmers and ranchers have been tending to their land and livestock for generations, they don’t need Californian politicians telling them how to do their jobs.”
Of the 19 briefs filed with the Supreme Court on the case last week, all urged the court to reverse the lower court’s decision, with the exception of two neutral parties providing economic information.
A brief filed to persuade the Supreme Court not to hear the case was filed last year by The Humane Society of the United States, Animal Legal Defense Fund, Animal Equality, The Humane League, Farm Sanctuary, Compassion in World Farming USA, and Animal Outlook. They stated the Pork Producers’ argument uses a “dormant Commerce Clause” to stop in-state sales of certain pork products from “animals confined in cruel and unsanitary conditions that threaten the health of California consumers. … Because that prohibition applies only to sales inside California, moreover, producers outside California are free to confine animals however they choose for products sold outside the state.”
States represented by the attorneys general are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.
– – –
Joe Mueller covers Missouri for The Center Square. After seven years of reporting for daily newspapers in Illinois and Missouri, he spent the next 30 years in public relations serving non-profit organizations and as a strategic communications consultant.


thetennesseestar--2020-12-26--Hungary Amends Constitution to Recognize Parents as Male and Female

In an effort to protect traditional Christian values amid the world ’ s rapidly evolving mores , lawmakers in Hungary amended the definition of family in its constitution last week to stipulate that a mother is a woman , and a father is a man , effectively banning adoption by same sex couples .
The ninth amendment to Hungary ’ s constitution now also “ protects a child ’ s right to identify with their gender at birth , ” and right to “ an upbringing based on Hungary ’ s constitutional identity and Christian culture.
” The government-sponsored amendment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 45 against , and with five abstentions .
Article L.1 previously read : “ Hungary shall protect the institution of marriage as the union of a man and a woman established by voluntary decision , and the family as the basis of the survival of the nation .
Family ties shall be based on marriage and/or the relationship between parents and children.
” This was replaced by the following : “ Hungary protects the institution of marriage as the community of life or family formed on the basis of voluntary decision as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The basis of the family relationship is marriage and/or the parent-child relationship .
The mother is a woman , the father is a man.
” Article XVI.1 , previously stated that “ Every child shall have the right to the protection and care necessary for his or her proper physical , mental and moral development.
” The new text reads : “ Every child shall have the right to the protection and care necessary for his or her proper physical , mental and moral development .
Hungary protects children ’ s right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with and ensures their upbringing based on our national self-identification and Christian culture.
” As the “ General Justification ” for the changes , the amendment states : “ A ‘ modern ’ set of ideas which relativizes all traditional values , including the created ones ( teremtettség ) of two sexes ( one woman and one man ) , is cause for concern.
” Timeless “ concepts arising from the order of Creation are under constant threat , ” and therefore it is questionable “ whether the interests of future generations can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Basic Law ” as it previously stood .
Left-wing groups have “ denounced the changes and called on European leaders to raise their voices , ” U.S. News reported .
“ This is a dark day for Hungary ’ s LGBTQ community and a dark day for human rights , ” said David Vig , Director of Amnesty Hungary .
“ We are deeply concerned for the health and safety of trans children and adults in Hungary in such a hostile climate , ” Davis said .
Katrin Hugendubel , advocacy director at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the changes would adversely affect what she called “ LGBTI children.
” “ LGBTI children will be forced to grow up in an environment which restricts them from being able to express their identities , ” Hugendubel said .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-26--Border Patrol Agents Seize Over $37 Million Worth of Meth, 800 Pounds of Weed, and 14 Pounds of Fent

Border Patrol Agents Seize Over $37 Million Worth of Meth, 800 Pounds of Weed, and 14 Pounds of Fentanyl

Officials announced the seizure of liquid methamphetamine hidden in a gas tank , more than 800 pounds of marijuana , nearly 15 pounds of fentanyl and over $ 37 million worth of methamphetamine at the southern border over the weekend , Customs and Border Protection announced Monday .
Officials found liquid methamphetamine in the gas tank of a semi-truck driven by a 25-year-old lawful permanent resident at a Border Patrol checkpoint in Niland , California , on Saturday , Customs and Border Protection ( CBP ) announced .
A K-9 unit sniffed out the narcotics during a secondary inspection where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noticed a dense cloudy liquid a few inches lower than a clear liquid inside the gas tanks , according to CBP .
A field narcotics test revealed the more dense liquid to have characteristics of methamphetamine , according to CBP .
Officials were unable to determine the weight of the narcotics that were seized because of the dangerous state it was transported in .
Near Tucson , Arizona , agents intercepted an illegal immigrant carrying two backpacks full of narcotics that tested positive for methamphetamine and fentanyl on Saturday evening , CBP announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fentanyl and 55 pounds of methamphetamine worth $ 3 million from the individual , according to CBP .
The 40-year-old Mexican national who was illegal in the U.S. faces federal charges for drug smuggling .
In Texas , officials seized over 800 pounds of marijuana in three separate instances over the weekend , CBP announced .
During one incident , CBP officials attempted to pull over a vehicle suspected of trafficking narcotics on Saturday , but the suspect driver drove into the Rio Grande River and then swam into Mexico with one passenger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around 348 pounds of marijuana from the vehicle .
Officials seized 1,853 pounds of methamphetamine worth $ 37 million hidden in a cargo shipment of fresh tomatoes in Pharr , Texas , on Saturday , CBP announced .
Over 65o packages of methamphetamine were hidden within the floor of the tractor-trailer .
Kaylee Greenlee is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-26--Walmart Fueled Opioid Epidemic by Filling Illegitimate Prescriptions Regularly, DOJ Lawsuit Alleges

The Department of Justice sued Walmart Tuesday alleging that the big-box retailer fueled the U.S. opioid epidemic by knowingly filling illegitimate prescriptions and with price-cutting techniques .
Walmart transformed its 5,000 in-store pharmacies into a leading network of opioid suppliers , the Department of Justice ( DOJ ) lawsuit alleged , according to a press release .
In addition , Walmart allegedly didn ’ t heed warnings from its pharmacists that there was an insufficient screening process for questionable prescriptions .
“ As one of the largest pharmacy chains and wholesale drug distributors in the country , Walmart had the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the diversion of prescription opioids , ” said Jeffrey Bossert Clark , acting assistant attorney general of the DOJ ’ s Civil Division .
“ Instead , for years , it did the opposite.
” The DOJ alleged that Walmart violated the Controlled Substances Act ( CSA ) hundreds of thousands of times .
The company ’ s pharmacies systematically filled thousands of painkiller prescriptions “ that were not issued for legitimate medical purposes , ” the DOJ press release said .
Walmart managers allegedly made it difficult for pharmacists to fulfill legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuit said .
Managers told pharmacists “ shorter wait times keep patients in store ” when asked why they were rushing the process , The DOJ alleged .
“ Pharmacists , in turn , complained to Walmart ’ s compliance unit that the high volume of prescriptions , combined with Walmart ’ s low staffing , ‘ doesn ’ t allow time for individual evaluation of prescriptions , ’ ” the lawsuit said .
The company ’ s goal was to maximize profits via painkiller prescriptions even as a deadly epidemic ravaged the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ When processes to safeguard against drug diversion are violated or ignored , or when pharmacies routinely fill illegitimate prescriptions , we will hold accountable anyone responsible , including Walmart , ” said Drug Enforcement Administration ( DEA ) Acting Administrator Timothy Shea .
In October , Walmart preemptively sued the DOJ and DEA asking a federal court “ to clarify the roles and responsibilities of pharmacists and pharmacies under the Controlled Substances Act , ” according to a press release .
“ Unfortunately , certain DOJ officials have long seemed more focused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the company said in a statement Oct. 22 .
“ They are now threatening a completely unjustified lawsuit against Walmart , claiming in hindsight pharmacists should have refused to fill otherwise valid opioid prescriptions.
” In November , OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma pleaded guilty to criminal charges , including conspiracy to defraud the U.S .
The company admitted it did not adequately prevent its opioid drugs from being sold on the black market , CNN reported .
The opioid epidemic has ravaged the U.S. for years with about 900 Americans dying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Council on Foreign Relations .
Thomas Catenacci is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Walmart ’ by Mike Mozart .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-26--Majority of Voters Believe U.S. Debt Will Pave the Way for China to Become Global Financial Leader

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thetennesseestar--2020-12-26--ICE Arrested More Than 150 Aliens in 10 Days

Over 150 aliens , including 117 who said they would voluntarily leave the U.S. were arrested during a 10-day enforcement period , Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced Monday .
The national enforcement operation , “ Operation Broken Promise ” found that 71 % of the aliens arrested from Dec. 7 through Dec. 17 had criminal convictions or pending charges , according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) .
“ Our officers are committed to preserving the integrity of our nation ’ s immigration laws and are strengthening the overall safety , security and well-being of our communities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement .
“ Operation Broken Promise ” targets aliens who said they would voluntarily leave the U.S. for arrest and removal , according to ICE .
Aliens generally request voluntary departure , where an immigration judge gives them between 60 and 120 days to organize their departure that won ’ t impact their chances of readmission as formal deportation does .
If the alien does not depart the country within the set terms , they will be subject to a final removal order and formal deportation , according to ICE .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ caught attempting to illegally reenter the U.S. , they face felony charges and up to 20 years in prison .
Over 150 aliens who were granted voluntary departure were arrested from Nov. 2 to Nov. 17 , according to ICE .
Kaylee Greenlee is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-26--ATF Withdraws Proposed Gun Regulation Manufacturers Say Would Cost Industry $2 Billion After Pressur

ATF Withdraws Proposed Gun Regulation Manufacturers Say Would Cost Industry $2 Billion After Pressure from Lawmakers

The Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives , under pressure from dozens of congressmen , withdrew guidance on a proposed regulation that gun industry leaders warned would cost them billions .
The ATF ’ s decision to pull its regulation regarding pistol braces follows a cooperative effort from 90 House of Representatives members who demanded the regulatory agency cease its “ alarming ” determination that “ could turn law-abiding gun owners into criminals overnight.
” And roughly 80 firearms manufacturers told Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in a Saturday phone call that the ATF ’ s proposal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion if it became law , the Washington Free Beacon reported , citing several members of the conversation .
It ’ s unclear how they calculated that figure .
Pistol braces , which are designed to stabilize a shooter ’ s arm for one-handed firing , allows a buyer to obtain a rifle-style weapon with a short barrel length without the $ 200 tax fee and waiting period that a traditional short-barreled rifle would incur , according to Gun News Daily .
The ATF ’ s regulation would have reclassified weapons with pistol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firearm , the caliber , the presence of a secondary grip and other factors that the agency believed would make the weapon more akin to short-barreled rifle .
Reclassification of the devices may make those in possession of weapons with pistol braces owners of short-barreled rifles , which are illegal to own without the proper registration and paperwork under the National Firearms Act ( NFA ) .
The move could have criminalized between three and four million gun owners in addition to the $ 2 billion price tag projected by manufacturers , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Department of Justice and the Office of the Deputy Attorney General , ATF is withdrawing , pending further Department of Justice review , the notice and request for comments entitled ‘ Objective Factors for Classifying Weapons with ‘ Stabilizing Braces ’ ’ , that was published on December 18 , 2020 , ” the ATF wrote in a document obtained by the Beacon .
The bureau received more than 67,000 comments from the public regarding the regulation .
The Daily Caller News Foundation reviewed more than 100 of the comments , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amendment groups count the ATF ’ s withdrawal as a victory , but the organizations , like the Firearms Policy Coalition ( FPC ) , remain wary that the law enforcement agency could promote another regulation scheme in the future .
“ The ATF ’ s withdrawal of their proposed guidance should be the end of the road for this assault on lawful accessories and law-abiding gun owners , but we know better , ” FPC director of legal strategy Adam Kraut said in a press release .
“ FPC will continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement practices for violations of the law and our Constitution , and as we have before , rapidly respond with forceful and appropriate action.
” Jake Dima is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-26--University of Kansas Study Admits Microaggression Training Doesn’t Work

A University of Kansas study found that microaggression training does not significantly affect behavior , but instead introduces a “ catch-all label for anything that causes offense.
” University of Kansas professors Zak Foste and Jennifer Ng interviewed resident assistants at two universities to determine the efficacy of microaggression training , according to the school .
The researchers explained that instead of addressing the need for “ better understanding the racial , cultural and gender contexts of higher education and society overall , ” microaggression training caused RAs to view microaggressions “ as simple errors in communication , committed unconsciously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by people not repeating the same sentiments in the future , ” according to the university ’ s summary of the study and the professors ’ comments .
Ng explained that RAs understood the concept to only be about “ external presentation.
” Rather than consider alleged racism or bigotry indicated by microaggressions , RAs simply take precautions to mind their behavior around people who are different from themselves .
“ Microaggressions seem to have become a catch-all label for anything that causes offense , and without more thoughtful engagement and ongoing education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause confusion as well as prevent deeper understanding , ” said Ng .
Foste expressed disappointment that microaggression training produced “ little in the way of understanding how our language and interpretive frames are steeped in histories of racism and white supremacy.
” Campus Reform has reported extensively on instances of microaggression training at leading American universities .
A recent University of Kentucky resident assistant training about “ microaggressions and microinvalidations ” ended in disaster after the university split students into two groups : one for “ RAs who identify as Black , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and one for “ RAs who identify as White.
” The White students were sent to a “ White Accountability Space , ” where they were told that their racism manifests itself in a belief that they had “ earned ” what they have and a tendency to “ internalize the negative stereotypes about people of color and believe that Whites are smarter and superior to people of color.
” Another one of the “ racist behaviors ” of White people , students were told , was the tendency to “ ‘ walk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and formal with people of color ” — which , according to Ng and Foste , is , in reality , the net effect of microaggression training .
In the wake of the death of George Floyd , several schools have introduced microaggression training to fight alleged systemic racism .
Trinity College in Connecticut , for example , bolstered its “ anti-racist ” class offerings and created a course about microaggressions that would be “ required for all students , faculty , and staff.
” Campus Reform reached out to Ng , Foste @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment .
This article will be updated accordingly .
Benjamin Zeisloft is a Pennsylvania Senior Campus Correspondent , reporting on liberal bias and abuse for Campus Reform .
He is studying Finance and Marketing at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania .
Benjamin also writes for The UPenn Statesman and the Wharton International Business Review .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-26--Ivy League Uses Obama-Era Immigration Tweak to Broaden Work Visa Eligibility

The University of Pennsylvania reclassified its economics department as a STEM field making it the last Ivy League school to do so in the interest of helping international students receive longer work visas after graduation .
In 2012 , the U.S. Department of Homeland Security expanded the list of science , technology , engineering , and mathematics ( STEM ) courses that would let graduates gain an optional practical training ( OPT ) extension .
Attaining an OPT extension allows students to work in the United States for two years following graduation as an extension of their student visas .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ STEM fields usually receive a one year period .
According to a DHS press release , the expanded list reflected the “ Obama administration ’ s ongoing commitment to promote policies that embrace talented students from other countries , who come to study in our finest colleges and universities and enrich the nation by allowing highly skilled foreign graduates to extend their post-graduate training in the United States and work in their field of study upon graduation.
” Among the majors classified as STEM was “ Econometrics and Quantitative Economics.
” Accordingly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Arts and Sciences economics major as a STEM program , alongside the mathematical economics major and the Wharton School ’ s business economics and public policy ( BEPP ) concentration .
Roughly 14 percent of current Penn freshmen are international students .
According to the University of Pennsylvania ’ s admissions statistics website , 41 percent of international Penn students hailed from Asia .
Every other Ivy League university has made similar moves since 2012 .
Yale University , for instance , reclassified its basic economics major in 2018 from “ Economics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Quantitative Economics . '
” Columbia University followed suit roughly one month later .
The Daily Pennsylvanian noted that it is the last Ivy League school to reclassify economics as a STEM major , meaning that Harvard , Princeton , Cornell , Brown , and Dartmouth have also done so .
Campus Reform reached out to Penn and the seven other Ivy League universities ; this article will be updated accordingly .
Benjamin Zeisloft is a Pennsylvania Senior Campus Correspondent , reporting on liberal bias and abuse for Campus Reform .
He is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ School of the University of Pennsylvania .
Benjamin also writes for The UPenn Statesman and the Wharton International Business Review .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-26--Commentary: Why Do So Few Clergy Serve in Congress?

While campaigning for Republican U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler , U.S. Rep. Doug Collins – a former pastor – attacked her opponent , Democrat Reverend Raphael Warnock , the senior pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta , for his views on abortion rights .
“ There is no such thing as a pro-choice pastor , ” Collins said of Warnock .
“ What you have is a lie from the bed of hell.
” Their differing views on abortion reflect a range of views on controversial political issues among American clergy .
Yet what made the sparring so notable is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are even in a position to confront one another .
If Warnock were to win , he would join Republican Sen. James Lankford as one of two ordained ministers in the Senate chamber .
Only about 2 % of members of the U.S. House of Representatives are ordained ministers .
Their numbers are scarce despite the fact that members of the clergy often possess speaking skills , have an impulse to serve and boast strong ties to their communities – all qualities that are useful in politics .
Furthermore , Americans are among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world .
So why do so few clergy serve in Congress ?
And what kind of effect might this have on the priorities and policies that emerge from Washington , D.C. ?
In the “ Congress and the Presidency ” course that I teach , I discuss the prior professional careers of members of Congress and the way those backgrounds can influence lawmaking .
Almost half of U.S. senators worked as attorneys prior to their political careers , and 160 current members of the U.S. House of Representatives have law degrees .
Other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ common former profession of Democrats in Congress , while business is the most common former profession of Republicans .
Lawyers in Congress can write legislation using language that can guide administrative agencies and judges , with an eye toward shielding laws from potential legal challenges .
The downside of this practice is that legislative text can be weighed down in legal jargon that only other lawyers can understand .
Meanwhile , the growing ranks of Republican members of Congress with business backgrounds reflect the party ’ s ideological opposition to government regulation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s recent presidents reflect their orientation : The last three Republican presidents – Donald Trump , George W. Bush and George H.W .
Bush – all worked in business prior to entering politics .
Once Joe Biden becomes president in January , he ’ ll join Democratic predecessors Barack Obama and Bill Clinton as having graduated from law school .
From the outside looking in Members of the clergy , however , are far down the list of congressional occupations – behind agriculture , engineering , journalism , labor , medicine , real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former U.S. president , James Garfield , has ties to a previous life at the pulpit – and even those are tenuous .
While he ’ s sometimes described as an ordained minister with the Disciples of Christ – and he did preach to congregations as a young man – there don ’ t appear to be any clear ordination records .
His primary professions before entering politics were as a Civil War general , teacher and attorney .
It ’ s possible that the lack of clergy members in Congress may bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Morality may be deemed less important , while crafting public policies that help the less fortunate get short shrift .
At the same time , the clergy has long played an active role in American politics outside of elective office , usually working to influence policy and politicians .
Prominent evangelical preachers Jerry Falwell Jr. , Franklin Graham , James Dobson and Kenneth Copeland all spoke out in favor of Donald Trump ’ s reelection this year .
Reverend Jesse Jackson and Rev .
Al Sharpton have each run for the Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ William Barber has garnered attention in recent years for leading “ Moral Mondays ” protests to advocate for civil rights and progressive causes in Raleigh , North Carolina .
In the past , there have been legal and doctrinal restrictions on clergy members serving in government .
Up until the 1970s , several states had constitutional restrictions against clergy members serving in the state legislatures , which often serve as a stepping stone for candidates to run for national office .
But in an 8-0 decision , the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free exercise clause of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution .
The decision allowed Rev .
Paul McDaniel , a Baptist minister , to run to be a delegate to a Tennessee state constitutional convention .
Church policy can also discourage clergy running for office .
Two Catholic priests who had served in the House of Representatives ended their candidacies in 1980 when Pope John Paul II declared that he would begin strictly enforcing a canon law that priests should not serve in public office .
One of them was Father Robert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a U.S. representative from Massachusetts .
Drinan was known nationally as a prominent opponent of the Vietnam War , and he had introduced the first impeachment resolution against President Richard Nixon .
Drinan ’ s support of abortion rights was especially controversial among Catholic church leaders .
Separation of church and state a core value Another reason for low numbers of clergy in national elected office may be tied to the country ’ s longstanding tradition of separating religion from government .
In 1802 , President Thomas Jefferson famously wrote that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Constitution indicated “ a wall of separation between Church & State.
” Religion and government are more closely intertwined in many other Western countries .
For example , in the United Kingdom , 26 bishops who are leaders in the Church of England are members of the House of Lords .
While most Americans remain religious , the fundamental belief that religion and politics should operate in separate spheres remains strong in the United States .
A 2019 Pew Research Forum survey found that 63 % of Americans thought that houses of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while 76 % of Americans agreed that houses of worship should not openly support political candidates .
Finally , clergy may be at a financial disadvantage when seeking a national political office .
The majority of current members of Congress are millionaires .
With the possible exception of some megachurch leaders , most members of the clergy do not enter their profession for financial reasons , and you won ’ t see many with the means to self-finance their campaigns .
Yet if Rev .
Warnock were to win his election in January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The U.S. House of Representatives currently has more ordained ministers than at any other time since occupational statistics began to be compiled in Congress in the 1950s .
And if Rev .
Warnock becomes a senator , it would be the first time in at least 55 years that the U.S. Senate has had two ordained ministers serving at the same time .
In the midst of a recession , a global pandemic , political polarization and climate change , perhaps more voters are looking for spiritual and moral leadership in Washington @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-12-26--AG Nessel Hopeful a Buttigieg Cabinet Position Will Seal Line 5’s Fate

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel on Tuesday expressed her approval of former South Bend , Ind.
, Mayor Pete Buttigieg as a nominee to head up the U.S. Department of Transportation .
In anticipation of a successful transition , Joe Biden named Buttigieg for the cabinet post last week .
Buttigieg has stated his opposition to the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline , which has been in operation through the Straits of Mackinac since 1953 .
In a lawsuit filed in Ingham County Circuit Court , Nessel , Michigan Department of Natural Resources Director Dan Eichinger and Michigan Gov .
Gretchen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Enbridge ’ s easement privileges with the state by May 2021 .
In a countersuit filed in federal court in November , Enbridge argues the state lacks legal standing to wield such authority .
The company says such authority resides solely with the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration , which is an agency overseen by the USDOT .
If Buttigieg is confirmed as Secretary of the USDOT , Nessel said , “ I feel very confident in what the federal government ’ s position is going to be as it pertains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buttigieg ’ s nomination makes her “ very confident ” and “ optimistic ” the Whitmer administration will prevail in its legal fight against Enbridge .
“ Attorney General Dana Nessel has made shutting down affordable , reliable , and secure energy supplies for the state of Michigan a key focus of her work over the past few years , so I ’ m not at all surprised that the nomination of Mayor Pete makes her ‘ very confident ’ and ‘ optimistic , ’ ” Mackinac Center for Public Policy Environmental Director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Of course , the A.G. and Mayor Pete can relax through the holiday season – comfortable in the knowledge that their position and political power will protect them from layoffs , rising energy costs , and tight budgets , ” Hayes said .
He added : “ In contrast , Michigan ’ s rural populations will face a very different holiday season and new year .
Forced to rely on government programs and stimulus payments to cover their rapidly growing costs for increasingly unreliable energy , these people face the very real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buttigieg are pushing will make 2021 even harder than 2020.
” Hayes warned that the desired timeline for decommissioning Line 5 poses many issues , including a current lack of viable alternatives to deliver natural gas and propane fuels to both peninsulas of the state .
Hayes said the Upper Peninsula Energy Task Force , established through an executive order by Whitmer in 2019 , hasn ’ t yet progressed beyond a whiteboard phase for a replacement strategy if Line 5 is scuttled .
He added the task force ’ s most recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 , and the group hasn ’ t devised a workable substitute for Line 5 .
Hayes also disagreed with Nessel ’ s assertions made on Tuesday that Enbridge ’ s warnings ceasing Line 5 operations would result in higher heating costs for Upper Peninsula residents are overblown .
Citing a study he co-authored with Isaac Orr , a policy fellow at Center for the American Experiment , Hayes said even a temporary closure of Line 5 would create price spikes and supply shortages in home-heating costs .
Furthermore , Hayes added , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ propane to natural gas or electricity could cost at least $ 3,500 per household , another $ 25,000 for new appliances , and increase energy costs by as much as $ 3,900 annually per household .
Adding new infrastructure in the U.P .
could cost hundreds of millions of dollars , he said .
Bruce Walker is a regional editor at The Center Square .
Photo “ Pete Buttigieg ” by Pete Buttigieg .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-26--Obhof Backs Down from Early Threat to Override Veto on SB311 but Bill May Not Be Dead

It was Tuesday , December 22 , the day many in favor of a veto override on Senate Bill 311 ( SB311 ) believed to be the last day for the Ohio Senate to consider and vote on the bill that would restore power to the legislature and check the authority of the Ohio Department of Health ( ODH ) and its director to quarantine and isolate healthy people .
A group assembled atop the steps leading into the Senate Chamber .
Senate President Larry Obhof ( R-22 ) stepped into the space between doors just outside the entrance to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shouts .
“ Get 311 on the floor !
” “ Hold the override vote Obhof !
” The Senate President looked at the citizens and repeated the talking point Ohioans had heard from the Senate for over a week – “ the House doesn ’ t have the votes.
” That comment was met with objections “ the House HAS the votes !
” Obhof waved his hand to dismiss the comments and walked into the chamber .
The Senate did not bring SB311 to the floor , consequently it did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizens inside the Statehouse was Aaron Crater .
Crater told The Ohio Star he talked with Obhof ’ s office on Tuesday and was told that Obhof is in frequent communication with Speaker Cupp and that the House , indeed , lacked the votes to override the veto .
However , the same day Obhof ’ s office was touting open communication with the Speaker as a reason to justify the claim the House lacked votes , the Ohio House of Representatives filed a petition with 60 signatures from representatives pledging to vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the signature section is Speaker Bob Cupp ( R-Lima ) .
Whether the House had the votes or not mattered little to Representative Jay Edwards ( R-Nelsonville ) who posted a copy of the petition to his Facebook page .
In the post he wrote : “ The Senate President is not a member of the House of Representatives .
He has no idea how many votes we have nor should the House be any of his concern .
Even if the House did not have the votes , it is of no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truly believed SB 311 should be overrode , he should have done it .
Do what you can control and quit blaming others.
” Perhaps the most vocal representative on the matter has been Jena Powell ( R-Arcanum ) .
She has consistently urged the Senate – Specifically Obhof -to vote on SB311 and to mind the business in their chamber .
Representative Paul Zeltwanger , in an interview with The Star , said “ this is about restoring representative government as defined by the Ohio Constitution .
SB311 is a good step @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Zeltwanger also said “ We as elected representatives work for the people and it is long past time to give all people and all business owners a voice again !
Constitutional and due process rights have been trampled .
It ’ s time to restore liberty and freedom in Ohio .
The House has the votes to do that today !
” One renowned Ohio statesman told The Star “ Larry believed that he was going to cut a better deal with the Governor , one that dealt with decriminalizing behavior that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to trust the Governor to do what ’ s best , I wish him luck .
Unfortunately , for Larry , his legacy will be ‘ the guy who stopped the override on the veto.
’ State Representative Kris Jordan echoed the lack of trust in Governor DeWine to stick to his word , calling him “ Mr .
2 weeks to flatten the curve.
” Members of the House have told The Star they plan to return on December 28 – leaving time before the end of the year for the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move to vote .
“ My Dad didn ’ t die of COVID , my Dad died from failure to thrive , ” said Brian Latham , concerned citizen at the Statehouse on Tuesday .
Latham ’ s Dad was in senior congregate care and spent his last days alone .
“ There is no reason my Dad should have died alone – when you look at all the inconsistent rules and mandates and see how many people go in and out of nursing homes daily who are in the same places in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not allowed in , it makes no sense and people are suffering because of it.
” SB311 would allow the General Assembly ( the House and Senate ) to pass a joint resolution rescinding an order or rule – orders that have totally dictated rules for visitation in Ohio ’ s nursing homes .
The senate bill would also give the legislature power to reverse the state ’ s quarantine guidelines , which are forcing healthy people to stay home .
During several pressers , leaders of Ohio ’ s Health Zones have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healthy doctors and nurses are being forced to quarantine , putting pressure on health systems .
In an interview with The Star , Ohio Education Association President Scott DiMauro talked about the volume of COVID cases and how they are creating a staffing issue in schools .
An issue created , perhaps in larger part , by quarantining healthy education workers .
“ We know several families – three – who have lost daughters to suicide .
This would have never happened had they not been on lockdown and it is 100 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is lost is important .
COVID deaths don ’ t trump suicide deaths and deaths from other causes , ” said Tracy , a concerned Mom who was inside the Statehouse on Tuesday urging the Senate to take up SB311 .
“ As a Mom , that ’ s why I ’ m here.
” Governor DeWine called the bill a “ disaster ” and said it would put the lives of Ohioans “ in jeopardy ” during a November 19 press conference – also claiming it would take tools from future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
DeWine gave the example of a biological agent attack at Write-Patterson Air Force base by a country hostile to the United States .
He said the state would need to act fast and to quarantine the area to stop the spread .
“ Yet this bill would not allow us to do that , ” claimed the Governor .
However , the bill does not strip ODH or its Director of the power to quarantine and isolate – that authority remains .
SB311 provides rules for quarantine and isolation that prohibit ODH @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , mandatory statewide or regional quarantine or isolation order that applies to and is enforced against individuals who have not been either directly exposed to or medically diagnosed with the disease that is subject to the order.
” The example of a biological attack in our state does not square up with the 10-month protracted emergency that has afforded ODH and Governor unlimited power – despite rulings against mandates from judges around the state and significant pushback from members of the legislature , including filing impeachment articles .
Senator Rob McColley ( R-1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – along with Senator Kristina Roegner ( R-27 ) – wrote on Twitter that DeWine ’ s claims are “ not true.
” The November 19 tweet is below .
SB311 was introduced on May 15 but was not passed by the Senate until September 23 .
The House introduced it on September 23 , but Bob Cupp ( R-Lima ) sat on it until he referred it to a committee on November 17 .
Finally , on November 19 the bill passed with 58 votes – two short of a 60 vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s veto .
Veto is what the Governor did , true to his promise , on December 4 .
In a press release explaining the veto the Governor ’ s office pointed to “ objections from health care professionals and business leaders as being detrimental to pandemic response and public health.
” However , in the press release the Governor did not mention what businesses he consulted but did provide a link titled “ Ohio Business Roundtable ” that points to a letter The Star reported on previously that was endorsed by The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cap and influential companies ) as well as Ohio State Medical Association , the Ohio Hospital Association , the Ohio Children ’ s Hospital Association , the American Academy of Pediatrics—Ohio Chapter .
The letter was sent to members of the House State and Local Government Committee , urging members to “ rethink passing ” the bill .
During Ohio ’ s initial response to COVID , essential and non-essential business designations were chosen by nonelected bureaucrats inside the Executive Branch , along with the Governor .
Several small businesses closed while large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diverted untold dollars from small , family-owned enterprises to larger businesses .
Governor DeWine acknowledged the inequity while answering a question from The Star during the COVID briefing on December 23 .
We certainly had discussions .
It ’ s always my goal , and I know it ’ s theirs , to try to work things out .
My experience in legislative bodies , usually in a legislative body not as Governor certainly , has been that you try to work things out and try to get things dealt with , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we talked about , for example , is one of the inequities – looking back on it , it certainly struck us that there was inequity .
For example , a big company , a WalMart for example ( not to pick on WalMart ) – a big company that sells a lot of different things .
They might be selling a product , let ’ s say jewelry , and the local jewelry was closed but WalMart was open because they were selling groceries .
There was an inequity there .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consumers complained about that as well so we were trying to look at that inequity going forward as something that we , I , recognized and that we wouldn ’ t want that inequity to exist again .
So we talked about putting some language , to not tie down a future Governor or a future health department , would keep people safe but would deal with that inequity .
That was certainly one of the things we talked about .
Beyond that I can ’ t comment on what was going on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days of a legislative body , there ’ s a lot of moving parts and a lot of things going on so I ’ m not the one to ask about that , but I can tell you in regard to your question – yes , we ’ re having some conversations , there were some things that we thought we could come together on .
One member of the House talked to The Star on the condition of anonymity .
That representative said “ it ’ s unfortunate because people , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He ( Obhof ) may not be eligible to be a judge now due to an Ohio law that doesn ’ t allow him to be appointed right away , and there may not be a vacancy now anyway .
But what he can do is take a position at PUCO , the Lottery Commission , Industrial Commission , or maybe Ohio State .
But follow him and see where he ends up .
This is about a deal but not one made for Ohioans .
But it will get him a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year high average , ” ( which will bolster payout from the state retirement fund ) .
What ’ s best for Ohioans is hard to determine by simply watching the Governor ’ s press conferences and the messaging from his office and the ODH according to Jeanine Mardis , who talked with The Star .
“ The things that DeWine has done have addressed only one group of people – the people he likes to feature on his pressers who he says are dying of COVID or had a hard time with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out there , but there are a lot of other people out there who also are suffering and they ’ ve had services taken away and are finding this completely unbearable.
” Mardis said she was there representing Carri Benton , a wife and mother who lost home health care for her husband who suffers from ALS and dementia .
“ I had no idea about this , he doesn ’ t feature these people on his pressers .
I was mortified that I did not know .
She needed someone to speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anyway so I thought I would tell her story .
She ’ s exhausted , the people in her situation are exhausted .
There are five different jobs that would normally be done by five different people but she now has to do all those jobs.
” Mardis continued “ I ’ m not hopeless , that ’ s why I ’ m here but it doesn ’ t look like Obhof cares about all the people of Ohio who are suffering.
” State Representative Candice Keller agreed with that sentiment in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t mince words about Obhof ’ s deflection and “ duplicitous behavior.
” One Senator , Andrew Brenner ( R-19 ) , flirted with the idea of moving to bring SB311 to the floor late on Tuesday night , but didn ’ t .
Members of the Senate who talked on the condition of anonymity said that members had not agreed to bring the bill to the floor before Tuesday ’ s session .
Supposedly , the meeting beforehand among Republicans was contentious – Obhof yelling , claiming it was a bad idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House having enough representatives at the Statehouse on the same day to garner the needed 60 votes .
Apparently , the Senate President was also particularly perturbed about protestors showing up outside his residence .
The fear among Republicans was that the Senate would be left hanging and suffer political retribution if the House failed to deliver on their promise to override .
The fear among Senators who opposed Obhof ’ s refusal to bring the legislation to the floor was , purportedly , that he would adjourn sine die – immediately and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , there is no set date now to reconvene and that explanation doesn ’ t account for the opportunity Senators had Tuesday to raise the matter late in the session , since it was believed to be the last .
Whether the blown up deflection to blame the House will result in Obhof calling a session in late December remains a question with no firm answer .
A member of the house did speak about the potential combined culpability of Speaker Cupp and President Obhof in failing to move 311 forward .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the representative said “ yes , Bob Cupp ’ s signature is on the petition but it may just be because he was in talks with the Governor too and knew that Larry would sit on the bill – and , hey , he won ’ t have to deal with him next term .
But , I do have to say , many thought that Larry Householder ( former Speaker ) was politicking and holding things up in the House , but now I think I see clearly that Larry Obhof is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Republican party are infected with fear that there is some type of pending doom if they go against the Governor and President Obhof .
Or perhaps there is fear that stepping out and passing a controversial bill will spell doom for their political futures .
Jack Windsor is Managing Editor and an Investigative Reporter at The Ohio Star .
Windsor is also an Investigative Reporter at WMFD-TV .
Follow Jack on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-26--Virginia Opts Not to Join Climate Initiative, for Now

Virginia was not in the first slate of states to join the Transportation and Climate Initiative , which proponents argue will help fight climate change and opponents assert will increase costs for households .
Under the multistate agreement , a state would agree to establish a cap on diesel and gasoline sales and require wholesales to purchase carbon allowances to go over that limit , which effectively creates a carbon tax .
The initiative has received support from many Democrats and opposition from Republicans .
Massachusetts , Connecticut , Rhode Island and Washington , D.C. , were first to join @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delayed until 2023 .
Several other states that expressed interest opted not to join , at least immediately , including Virginia , Pennsylvania , Maryland , New Jersey and New York .
It ’ s unclear whether the commonwealth intends to join the initiative when the economy is more stable .
“ Virginia families and businesses can relax a bit , but only perhaps for a year , ” Stephen Haner , a senior fellow for state and local tax policy at the free-market Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy , told The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this , even on a delayed basis , the cost of motor fuels will grow dramatically , ” Haner said .
“ First it involves a major carbon tax , and second it imposes rationing on motor fuels , which will trigger a supply-and-demand-driven price spike .
This is the intent of the program – prevent the sale of gas and diesel – although they will not admit it .
Also , since most surrounding states are not slated to join this , border area residents and interstate trucking firms can just get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the decision to delay implementation made it easier for Gov .
Ralph Northam to delay the state ’ s decision , but the institute will continue to spread the message about how the compact would affect the state .
According to a study by the Beacon Hill Institute for Public Policy commissioned by the Thomas Jefferson Institute , the agreement would have cost the average Virginia household $ 737 annually and caused the state to lose more than 12,000 jobs in 2022 if it had been implemented by its original date .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the carbon allowances could be nearly 70 cents a gallon , but supporters have estimated a smaller increase .
Although recognizing there would be a modest increase in gas prices , Morgan Folger , a spokesperson for Environment Virginia , told The Center Square the benefits of joining the compact would outweigh the negatives .
She said Virginia ’ s transportation sector is the worst polluter for pollution that contributes to climate change .
Folger said it would have been good for Virginia to be in the first slate of states to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working with the state government and hopes it will join in the coming months .
She also said there are other benefits to joining the compact , including more transportation options for Virginians .
The initiative includes the promotion of certain principles : expanding transportation ; promoting economic prosperity with land-use agencies at federal , local and regional levels ; and enhancing natural resource protection .
Tyler Arnold reports on Virginia and West Virginia for The Center Square .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-26--COVID-19 Christmas in Virginia: Ice Skating, Holiday Lights, and Amusement Parks

If you thought Christmas was cancelled – think again !
Here are just some ideas waiting for you and the family to enjoy .
Reston : Reston Town Centre , 1818 Discovery Street .
Admission is $ 10 for adults and $ 9 for kids .
Skate rentals are $ 7 .
Reserve slots online in advance at : https : //www.restontowncenter.com/holidays/ Richmond : Stony Point On Ice , 9200 Stony Point Parkway .
Admission is $ 7 , and skate rentals are also $ 7 .
“ The forecast is calling for snow at Stony Point on Ice Mondays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the magical snowfall from 5:30 to 6:30 pm.
” Information at : https : //www.shopstonypoint.com/events Colonial Williamsburg : Liberty Ice Pavilion , Duke of Gloucester Street .
While you ’ re here , walk around and enjoy festive Colonial Williamsburg !
Admission is $ 14 for adults , $ 12 for 3-12-year-olds , and free for kids 0-3 .
$ 4.67 for skate rentals .
Information : https : //www.colonialwilliamsburg.org/tickets/ice-skating/ ?
nck= George Washington ’ s mansion features holiday programs and tours , and at night on December 26 and 28 , enjoy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Both of these parks feature holiday programs and decorations .
Busch Gardens Christmas Celebration : “ Celebrate the merry season with Christmas lights , trees and holiday décor trimming eight European villages .
Families can enjoy new village entertainment , fifteen coasters and rides , a Gingerbread Scavenger Hunt , festive holiday shopping , sweet culinary offerings and meeting Santa in his Workshop.
” King ’ s Dominion Taste of the Season “ Savor the flavors of the holidays at Kings Dominion ’ Taste of the Season , an ALL-NEW limited-capacity outdoor holiday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tasting Card and make magical family memories— safely.
” Cost : Save money by bundling tasting tickets with admission — bundle prices start at $ 39 .
Bull Run Festival of Lights — “ Experience the Bull Run Festival of Lights , 2.5 miles illuminated by holiday light displays .
Drive the festival route from the comfort of your car ; turn off your headlights and just follow the magical glow.
” Cost : Depending on the ticket time slot , cost starts at $ 25 per car .
Holiday Lights at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ THE BOARDWALK through Nautical , Holiday , and Adventure Lands with a soundtrack signal playing traditional Holiday music on your vehicle ’ s radio .
Festive fish , musical crabs , and hard-working elves – all in brightly colored lights against the moonlit Atlantic Ocean – are the stars of BayPort Credit Union Holiday Lights at the Beach.
” “ Festival of Trees at the Bedford Area Welcome Center is an annual event that takes place around the end of November through the first week of January .
“ Christmas Through The Decades @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The event will feature trees that are decorated by local businesses and organizations.
” While you ’ re in town , check out the train exhibit at the Bedford Museum and Genealogical Library .
Cost : $ 1 to vote for your favorite tree .
Proceeds go to charity .
$ 5 for the train exhibit .
Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Network .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Reston Town Center Ice Skating ” by Reston Town Center .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-26--Minnesota Supreme Court Easing Continuing Education Requirements for Attorneys

The Minnesota Supreme Court on Tuesday granted a petition that will ease regulatory burdens on lawyers by doubling the amount of on-demand continuing legal education ( CLE ) credits that are accepted .
Every three years , attorneys in Minnesota need to finish 45 credit hours of CLE courses to maintain their licenses but previously capped on-demand credit hours at 15 , although some lawyers argue they are more convenient , relevant , affordable and numerous than in-person CLEs .
Although the petition was first filed by the libertarian-leaning Institute for Justice ( IJ ) and lawyers from four other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minnesota Supreme Court noted , “ access to legal programming and legal services has changed substantially , ” with the cap temporarily suspended amid the COVID-19 pandemic starting on March 18 , 2020 .
Under Tuesday ’ s order , the CLE cap will be doubled to 30 credit hours starting with lawyers whose reporting period starts on July 1 , 2021 , and will be eliminated starting the first reporting period after July 1 , 2024 .
“ Based on our inherent authority to regulate the practice of law , we conclude @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the transition to unlimited on-demand CLE reporting will be phased in over three years and will be subject to consideration whether to retain a lower limit for on-demand CLE credits if a showing of good cause to do so is made as set forth below , ” the court wrote .
While some critics have argued on-demand CLE classes are inferior to in-person classes , the court saw “ no reason to expect a decline in the state of Minnesota CLE ’ s system simply because 100 percent of credit hours can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demand programming – rather than another format , i.e.
, live programming.
” “ The court ’ s decision eventually will allow all Minnesota attorneys , particularly those working in out-state Minnesota , more flexibility in how they earn CLE credits , ” IJ Attorney Jaimie Cavanaugh said in a statement .
“ Over the last nine months , most of the legal profession has been forced to meet the demands on their clients by working remotely .
It ’ s fitting that attorneys finally will be allowed to meet all their CLE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Loraas , attorney shareholder of Fryberger , Buchanan , Smith & Frederick , P.A.
, previously told The Center Square that expanding the on-demand CLE courses gives attorneys flexibility .
Under Tuesday ’ s order , the CLE cap will be doubled to 30 credit hours starting with lawyers whose reporting period starts on July 1 , 2021 , and will be eliminated starting the first reporting period after July 1 , 2024 .
“ Based on our inherent authority to regulate the practice of law , we conclude that the petition should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unlimited on-demand CLE reporting will be phased in over three years and will be subject to consideration whether to retain a lower limit for on-demand CLE credits if a showing of good cause to do so is made as set forth below , ” the court wrote .
While some critics have argued on-demand CLE classes are inferior to in-person classes , the court saw “ no reason to expect a decline in the state of Minnesota CLE ’ s system simply because 100 percent of credit hours can be secured in one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than another format , i.e.
, live programming.
” “ The court ’ s decision eventually will allow all Minnesota attorneys , particularly those working in out-state Minnesota , more flexibility in how they earn CLE credits , ” IJ Attorney Jaimie Cavanaugh said in a statement .
“ Over the last nine months , most of the legal profession has been forced to meet the demands on their clients by working remotely .
It ’ s fitting that attorneys finally will be allowed to meet all their CLE credits online and on-demand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Fryberger , Buchanan , Smith & Frederick , P.A.
, previously told The Center Square that expanding the on-demand CLE courses gives attorneys flexibility .
Scott McClallen is a staff writer covering Michigan and Minnesota for The Center Square .
A graduate of Hillsdale College , his work has appeared on Forbes.com and FEE.org .
Photo “ Minnesota Judicial Center ” by Jonathunder CC3.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-26--Georgia Democrats Ossoff, Warnock Each Raised Over $100 Million in Two Months, Shattering Fundraisin

Georgia Democrats Ossoff, Warnock Each Raised Over $100 Million in Two Months, Shattering Fundraising Records

Georgia Democrats Jon Ossoff and Rev .
Raphael Warnock have each raised over $ 100 million in the past two months , shattering Senate fundraising records and out-raising their respective challengers , Republican Sens .
David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler .
Their $ 210 million total was split almost evenly , with Ossoff reporting $ 106.8 million and Warnock reporting $ 103.4 million , two totals funded largely by small-dollar donors across the country , according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution .
Though outraised , Perdue and Loeffler raised over $ 130 million in total , reporting $ 68 and $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ totals broke the previous Senate fundraising record set by South Carolina challenger Jaime Harrison in the third quarter of 2020 when he reported raising $ 57 million in his bid against South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham .
Ossoff and Warnock have spent $ 67 and $ 53 million on television advertisements since the November election , compared to $ 34 million and $ 36 million for Perdue and Loeffler .
But while the two Democrats have outspent both incumbents , outside GOP groups have erased much of their financial edge , Politico reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have become almost completely nationalized given their stakes .
If Democrats flip both seats then they would have 50 seats , just enough for a majority with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris ’ s tie-breaking vote .
If Republicans , however , can defend both seats , then they would have a 52-48 Senate majority , which would prevent Democratic control of Congress and the White House and likely block much of President-elect Joe Biden ’ s agenda once he takes office in January .
The two races will likely be extremely close given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beat President Donald Trump in the state by less than 0.3 % – the closest margin in the country .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-26--Delegate Hala Ayala Hopes to Bridge the Divide Between Politicians and the People in Virginia as Lie

Delegate Hala Ayala Hopes to Bridge the Divide Between Politicians and the People in Virginia as Lieutenant Governor

Virginia Delegate Hala Ayala ( D-Prince William ) wants to be a bridge between lawmakers and Virginians throughout the Commonwealth and offer a new perspective in state politics if her bid to become the next lieutenant governor is successful .
Ayala , 47 , entered Virginia ’ s 2021 lieutenant gubernatorial election on July 14th , and was one of the first candidates to enter into the race that now features a dozen Democratic and Republican hopefuls .
“ There is a whirlwind happening around us in the Commonwealth .
It ’ s vast , it ’ s diverse and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heal the discord without bridging divides , ” Ayala said in an interview with The Virginia Star .
“ So , this means bridging divides between our communities and our leaders , between our ideals and realities , and between our past and where we ’ re going .
“ I ’ m running because I believe that with my life experience it enables me to build those bridges so we can move our Commonwealth forward into a strong , just and prosperous future.
” The Northern Virginia Democrat said she thinks some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day-to-day lives of the people they represent , and that Virginians from all regions of the state can relate to her own experiences .
“ I ’ m someone who has had hardships in my lifetime and that translated into the policies that I brought forth to the table , and I want to continue that as lieutenant governor , ” Ayala said .
“ I won ’ t stop being a champion for people or listening to them because I have their lived experiences , and I know their struggles and their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individual that helps them bring these issues to the forefront as I ’ ve done as a legislator.
” Ayala , who described her leadership style as compassionate , told The Star a large factor in running for the Lt. Gov .
position was seeing how many issues , like food security and the educational system , have been further exacerbated and amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic .
The second term Delegate said her campaign platform will involve finding solutions for those aforementioned issues as well as rebuilding local economies , creating a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communities and infrastructure and broadband access .
As the daughter of an El Salvadorian and North African immigrant father and an Irish and Lebanese mother , Ayala believes she is in touch with the current and growing diversity of the Commonwealth .
Ayala currently lives in Lake Ridge , Virginia , has two children and is a cybersecurity specialist for the Department of Homeland Security outside of her legislative duties .
She took office in 2018 and was a part of the Democratic wave that crashed into the House of Delegates two years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her seat against former legislator Rich Anderson ( R ) , now the Republican Party of Virginia chairman , for a second time and helped usher in a Democratic majority .
Other Democrats Joining vying for the party nomination are Del .
Sam Rasoul ( D-Roanoke ) , Del .
Elizabeth Guzman ( D-Prince William ) , former Democratic Party of Virginia Chairman Paul Goldman , Norfolk City Council member Andria McClellan , lobbyist Xavier Warren as well as former NAACP President Sean Perryman .
The Republican candidates are Del .
Glenn Davis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tim Hugo , veteran Lance Allen and lobbyist Puneet Ahluwalia .
Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman has been rumored to be entering the race .
“ I hate to see injustice in the world , ” Ayala said .
“ It ’ s just something that is gut wrenching for me and whatever I can do to improve the lives of every Virginian , that is what I ’ m going to do.
” Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Follow Jacob on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-12-26--Christmas Day Bombing in Nashville Prompts Curfew as Surrounding Buildings Still in Possible Danger

Metro Nashville authorities have imposed a curfew on parts of downtown Nashville after a massive Christmas Day explosion damaged at least 41 businesses on Second Avenue and collapsed one building .
Nashville Mayor John Cooper , Nashville Fire Chief William Swann , and Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake updated the public at a Friday evening press conference .
Cooper said he had spoken with Tennessee Gov .
Lee .
The governor , Cooper said , was working to declare a civil emergency .
That declaration would allow members of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency to work with the Federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Second Avenue , Cooper said .
“ There are at least 41 separate businesses materially damaged by this blast , ” Cooper said .
“ There will be others as we see the full extent of this.
” Cooper also announced that Nashville officials established a curfew from 4:30 p.m. Friday until 4:30 p.m. Sunday .
The curfew extends from Fourth Avenue to the Cumberland River and from the James Robertson Parkway down to Broadway .
“ Our partners at the FBI have a large crime scene to investigate , ” Cooper said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nashville Police officers who he said saved several lives early Friday morning after they determined that a parked RV in that area was about to detonate .
Drake , meanwhile , said “ those officers ’ acts of heroism was tremendous.
” “ They got a call for shots fired , ” Drake said .
“ Once they arrived they heard an RV giving out a message saying it would detonate with a certain time frame .
They began knocking on doors .
These officers didn ’ t care about themselves .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be noted.
” Drake said authorities found possible human tissue at the site .
He said authorities would have to examine the tissue to determine whether it was human and whether the bomb blast had , in fact , killed someone .
The explosion , Swann said , collapsed one residential building , but he did not say which one .
He also said that the structural integrity of surrounding buildings “ are in question.
” As The Tennessee Star reported Friday , the massive Christmas morning explosion in downtown Nashville caused extensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communications throughout Middle Tennessee .
The blast injured at least three people .
Members of the Metro Nashville Police Department , the FBI , and the ATF were investigating the intentional Christmas Day bombing of an RV at 166 Second Avenue North .
The bomb went off around 6:30 a.m .
In the hours after the explosion , a video was posted on Twitter from an apparent recording of the bombing from a nearby security camera .
Audio of a loudspeaker warning people to leave the area and “ evacuate now ” was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the blast .
The recording is disrupted , but the camera eventually resets showing the aftermath of the explosion .
Nashville authorities ask anyone with information about this case to contact Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463 .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-12-26--Six Officers Hailed as Heroes for Running Into Nashville Blast Site Prior to Explosion

Six Nashville police officers were hailed as heroes on Christmas Day after they rushed to evacuate a downtown area of the city prior to an explosion , a law enforcement official said .
“ These officers didn ’ t care about themselves , ” Metro Police Chief John Drake said , according to Fox 17 .
“ They didn ’ t think about that .
They cared about the citizens of Nashville .
They went in and we ’ d be talking not about the debris that we have here but potential people.
” “ These officers ’ acts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The six officers were responding to a shots fired call nearby when they spotted a suspicious RV blaring an announcement that a bomb would detonate , the local outlet reported .
The cops knocked on residential doors and rushed people out of their homes prior to the massive explosion , according to Fox 17 .
Officers Brenna Hosey , James Luellen , Michael Sipos , Amanda Topping , James Wells and Sergeant Timothy Miller were recognized by the department for their bravery , the local outlet wrote .
The blast , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christmas morning , was said to be “ an intentional act ” by Nashville authorities .
Investigators also released an image of the RV driving through city streets prior to the bombing .
Nashville is under a citywide curfew following the attack , and the FBI has been called in to spearhead the investigation , according to Fox 17 .
There have been no deaths associated with the explosion that damaged dozens of businesses , but what appears to be human remains were discovered near the blast site , according to the New @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-12-27--Data Recovery Center in Vicinity of Nashville Bombing No Longer Owned by Silver Lakes – the Parent C

Data Recovery Center in Vicinity of Nashville Bombing No Longer Owned by Silver Lakes – the Parent Company of Compromised SolarWinds

Following the Nashville bombing , a viral post alleged a connection between SunGard , a nearby data facility , and SolarWinds ’ parent company , Silver Lake .
However , Silver Lake only owned SunGard from 2005 until 2015 .
After that , Fidelity National Information Services ( FIS ) assumed control once SunGard filed for bankruptcy .
Since 2017 , Silver Lake hasn ’ t held any shares in FIS .
“ Please help dig on Solar [ W ] inds , SunGard data center , and 211 Commerce Street in Nashville , ” wrote Ron Watkins , former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ correlations between these subjects.
” Watkins also posted excerpts of news coverage on the original acquisition of SunGard by Silver Lake in 2005 .
In the past ten years , SunGard has changed hands several times to settle with debtors and reorganize its company .
Some of those proceedings occurred up until last year .
SolarWinds gained national attention after it was discovered that hackers had breached the leading IT management software provider .
Investigators determined that the hackers originated from Russia .
Additional malware was discovered earlier this week , although it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hackers .
Nashville ’ s SunGard is a data center involved in colocation , hosting , enterprise cloud services , remote IT services , messaging and collaboration , and network and managed security services .
Colocation means that the center allows other businesses to rent space for their own servers or other computing hardware .
Enterprise cloud services allow other businesses to pay to use virtual IT resources .
The intrigue over SunGard ’ s past ownership arose after it was discovered that its operations were located on 3rd Avenue and Commerce Street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the site of the explosion .
Speculations arose that the data center might have connections with SolarWinds , which was an rumored provider of at least one service for Dominion Voting Systems ( Dominion ) .
Dominion has since denied the claim that they used the compromised Orion software from SolarWinds .
However , Dominion hasn ’ t addressed their usage of SolarWinds ’ Serv-U software , which hasn ’ t been reported as compromised .
As The Tennessee Star reported , a large explosion occurred in downtown Nashville in the early morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local authorities continue to investigate the incident .
Following the explosion , the Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA ) classified Nashville ’ s skies as temporary “ National Defense Airspace.
” The penalties for breaching the airspace range from civil charges to deadly force .
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and the Star News Network .
Follow her latest on Twitter , or email tips to [ email protected ] .

by Thomas Catenacci
A group of 27 Republican congressmen urged President Donald Trump to order a Justice Department-appointed special counsel investigation of “legitimate questions” about election irregularities.
The Republican congressmen asked Trump to direct Attorney General William Barr to appoint the special counsel, according to a letter obtained by Politico that was sent to the White House on Wednesday. Reps. Lance Gooden, Paul Gosar, Louie Gohmert, Scott Perry and Jody Hice were among the 27 congressmen who signed onto the letter.
“The American people deserve a definitive resolution to the uncertainty hovering over the outcome of our election, but legitimate questions of voter fraud remain unanswered,” the congressmen wrote.
Barr said on Dec. 1 that the Department of Justice has yet to find any evidence of election fraud that could sway the result, sparking criticism from conservatives. Trump hesitated when asked if he still had confidence in Barr.
“The Department of Justice has been asked on multiple occasions to launch an investigation into this matter, but inaction from the Department along with public comments made by the Attorney General indicate a lack of willingness to investigate the irregularities your campaign and other elected officials across the nation have alleged,” the Republican congressmen continued.
“The appointment of a Special Counsel would establish a team of investigators whose sole responsibility is to uncover the truth and provide the certainty America needs,” they added.
Several news organizations including The Associated Press and Fox News declared former Vice President Joe Biden the winner of the election on Nov. 7. Trump’s campaign has filed numerous lawsuits alleging widespread fraud, but courts across the country have handed the campaign many defeats.
Texas filed a new lawsuit against Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin Tuesday arguing the states altered their election procedures illegally. Alabama and Louisiana have expressed interest in joining the suit, according to Newsweek.
“Our Country stands at an important crossroads,” the lawsuit said. “Either the Constitution matters and must be followed, even when some officials consider it inconvenient or out of date, or it is simply a piece of parchment on display at the National Archives.”
“We ask the Court to choose the former,” it continued.
– – –
Thomas Catenacci is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation.


thetennesseestar--2020-12-27--Commentary: Debt Is the Most Predictable Crisis in U.S. History

Former Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson issued a stern warning in last week ’ s Wall Street Journal : “ A world-class financial system can ’ t exist in a country that fails to maintain the quality of its credit.
” America ’ s debt problem was already wildly out of control for the past 20 years , but we now face truly unprecedented additional levels of debt issued by Congress in response to the pandemic .
From 2000 to 2019 , the federal debt rose from $ 5.6 trillion to $ 22.7 trillion , and it is expected to top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end , a whopping 19 percent increase this year .
Another trillion in virus relief spending now seems to be at the low end of spending estimates going into 2021 .
The average American has an intuitive feeling that this is not sustainable .
It ’ s the kind of “ kitchen table economics ” that Margaret Thatcher used to talk about .
Tax payers have to balance their checkbooks , and so does the federal government — at least eventually .
As Herbert Stein used to say , “ If something can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop.
” With interest rates at historic lows , the U.S. faces a crisis at some point in the future .
If ( when ) interest rates return to more normal levels , the country will be bankrupt — unable to pay even the interest on its mountain of debt .
This looming debt crisis is three-dimensional : moral , economic , and political .
Few modern politicians have thought of the country ’ s debt in moral terms .
President Calvin Coolidge made the case almost 100 years ago : I favor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I wish to save money , but because I wish to save people .
The men and women of this country who toil are the ones who bear the cost of the Government .
Every dollar that we carelessly waste means that their life will be so much the more meager .
Every dollar that we prudently save means that their life will be so much the more abundant .
In the century since Coolidge spoke these words , the U.S. debt has exploded , with a commensurate rise in dependency upon government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As former U.S. Budget Director and Indiana Gov .
Mitch Daniels has written , “ As a people , we have discovered the ability to vote ourselves largesse from the federal treasury in such vast quantities that we are destroying our own chances at prosperity.
” The driving entrepreneurial , problem-solving spirit of America ’ s past has been seriously eroded .
Do we still have the grit and determination to subdue a continent , to defeat a global fascist threat , or to send a man to the moon ?
To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The economic danger is more obvious .
Paulson warned , “ [ A ] s the debt level grows , the attractiveness of U. S. debt will gradually decline… .
[ T ] he dollar will be debased .
Washington won ’ t be able to pay its bills.
” Our ability to roll over our existing debt is already heavily dependent on China ’ s purchases of our paper .
Paulson commented plaintively , “ Let ’ s hope that China doesn ’ t rethink the wisdom of its Treasury holdings.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ geopolitical danger .
It becomes daily more evident that the greatest challenge to U.S. world leadership — economically and militarily — is from China .
No one doubts there will be U.S.–China clashes of some kind in the next decade .
It ’ s easy to imagine a hypothetical situation such as this : China makes a long-anticipated military move against Taiwan .
The U.S. responds with threat of force .
China responds by threatening to terminate purchases of U.S. debt .
What would be our response ?
The financial history of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sad saga of overspending .
Republicans and Democrats alike have abandoned any semblance of fiscal responsibility .
Indeed , Secretary Paulson , who issued last week ’ s warning , shares in the complicity .
Presidents Bush , Obama , and Trump are all guilty .
There appears to be virtually no commitment within the Democratic party to reign in our debt , and very , very little within the GOP .
Sadly , Erskine Bowles , a Democrat , correctly challenged us back in 2012 with these words : “ We face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Sadly , his warning has been almost universally ignored .
It would take an enormously disciplined administration to make the spending reductions necessary to put our fiscal house in order .
Is there anywhere the will to do it ?
What happens if we don ’ t ?
Garland S. Tucker III is retired Founder/CEO of the Triangle Capital Corporation and author of The High Tide of American Conservatism : Davis , Coolidge , and the 1924 Election and Conservative Heroes : Fourteen Leaders Who Shaped America , from Jefferson to Reagan @


thetennesseestar--2020-12-27--Eleven Cases of Defensive Gun Use That Show How Biden’s Key Picks Miss the Mark

Joe Biden has begun naming his picks for top political positions in a Biden administration , and it is already evident that many of them are not fans of Americans ’ Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms .
For example , California Attorney General Xavier Becerra—Biden ’ s choice to head the Department of Health and Human Services—has spent the past three years defending that state ’ s absurdly restrictive gun control laws in federal court .
Meanwhile , Dr. Vivek Murthy—chosen by Biden to return to the post of U.S. surgeon general—repeatedly has argued that gun-related violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue , with restrictive gun control measures imposed on law-abiding citizens to help combat it .
One aspect of public health and safety that these gun control advocates regularly fail to acknowledge , however , is just how often law-abiding citizens use their firearms to successfully defend themselves and others .
According to a 2013 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , almost every major study on the issue has found that Americans use their firearms in self-defense between 500,000 and 3 million times a year .
There ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these defensive gun uses aren ’ t reported to police , much less make the local or national news .
For this reason , The Daily Signal each month publishes an article highlighting some of the previous month ’ s many news stories on defensive gun use that you may have missed—or that might not have made it to the national spotlight in the first place .
( Read accounts from 2019 and so far in 2020 here . )
The examples below represent only a small portion of the news stories on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November .
You may explore more by using The Heritage Foundation ’ s interactive Defensive Gun Use Database .
• Nov. 2 , Daytona Beach , Florida : A man at a gas station made inappropriate sexual gestures toward another motorist ’ s wife , causing an argument .
The man eventually left , but soon returned and attacked the other motorist with a metal pipe .
He fired his gun at the attacker in self-defense , causing him to flee .
Police later arrested the attacker , who they said was on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 , Marion , South Carolina : A man opened fire twice on a crowd of people , first while driving past and then after parking and walking toward the crowd , police said .
During this second confrontation , an intended victim drew a firearm and shot and wounded the attacker .
• Nov. 7 , Tamarac , Florida : A homeowner handicapped by polio had just gotten out of the shower when he heard a man bashing in his front door with a brick .
The homeowner retrieved his handgun and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the man to go away .
He spent 15 minutes pleading with dispatchers for help as his neighbors also made panicked 911 calls , but law enforcement didn ’ t respond .
Fortunately , between the homeowner ’ s hurricane-proof glass door and his threats to shoot the intruder if he broke in , the man gave up and walked away .
He later was arrested .
• Nov. 9 , Okmulgee County , Oklahoma : Aware that local authorities were searching for someone described as armed and dangerous who had shot at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became alarmed when his son told him a strange man was at the door .
The homeowner saw the man trying to get into a car in the next driveway , grabbed his shotgun , and held the man at gunpoint until police arrived .
He was indeed the wanted suspect .
• Nov. 12 , Van Buren , Arkansas : A homeowner opened a closet door to discover a burglar staring back at him .
The burglar , later found to have taken the homeowner ’ s wallet and other items , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The homeowner fired several rounds at the burglar , wounding him .
• Nov. 16 , Charleston , West Virginia : While he was at work , a homeowner ’ s security cameras alerted him that a man was snooping around his house .
He went home , found the man attempting to break in through a locked porch door , and held him at gunpoint while calling police .
• Nov. 19 , Wilderville , Oregon : When an obviously impaired driver pulled his van over to the side of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to detain the suspected drunk driver until police could arrive .
When he tried to speed away , another driver—who was hit by the van—drew his gun and fired , hitting the suspected drunk driver and preventing him from endangering others .
Officers later said the driver had a blood alcohol level of .30 % , more than three times the legal limit .
• Nov. 20 , Columbus , Ohio : A 75-year-old Meals on Wheels driver with a concealed carry permit used his firearm to defend himself from two teenagers who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One teen pointed a gun at the driver , a retired police officer , while the other took his cellphone and wallet .
The driver then drew his own gun and shot the armed teen , wounding him .
The second teen fled .
Police charged the wounded teen with aggravated robbery .
• Nov. 22 , Dyersburg , Tennessee : During an argument , a man charged at his girlfriend and began hitting her , police said .
The woman was able to retrieve her handgun from her bedroom and fired several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Police charged him with aggravated assault and said the woman would not face charges .
• Nov. 26 , New Orleans , Louisiana : Thanksgiving Day took a devastating turn for one New Orleans family when a man suffering from a mental health crisis stabbed his stepfather to death before turning the knife on his mother and stabbing her several times .
The man ’ s brother retrieved a firearm and fatally shot him , saving their mother ’ s life .
• Nov. 28 , Albuquerque , New Mexico : A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assaulted him , police said .
The man was walking back to his car after using an ATM when the assailant threatened him with a machete .
Worried for his safety and that of family members in the car , he fired his gun at the man with the machete before his wife called 911 .
No one seriously argues that devastating public health consequences don ’ t occur when criminals or others struggling with mental health conditions have ready access to guns .
Policy steps certainly can and should be taken to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ danger to themselves or others .
Many of the policies proposed or advocated by Biden ’ s political picks , however , fail to meaningfully address the realities underlying gun-related violence .
Just as importantly , they fail to account for how firearms often are used in defense of physical safety , and how these measures hamper the ability of law-abiding citizens to protect themselves or others .
Serious constitutional concerns aside , these types of gun control laws simply aren ’ t necessary—indeed , they often aren ’ t even useful—for saving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good at undermining the Second Amendment and making it more difficult for Americans such as those featured here to ensure their own safety .
Amy Swearer is a legal fellow in the Edwin Meese Center for Legal and Judicial Studies at The Heritage Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-27--Tourists Littering National Parks With Discarded Facemasks

Some are calling single-use face masks the new plastic bottle .
Disposable masks are now becoming litter throughout the National Parks across the United States and visitors are littering the land and ancient caves .
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic,129 billion face masks have been used each month globally , according to some estimates .
Carlsbad Caverns National Park officials are finding masks all over the park .
The park reached out to the public via Facebook requesting visitors refrain from dumping the COVID-19 protective masks .
“ As you visit , we ask for your help in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this new waste product , ” the National Park Service posted on Facebook .
“ We appreciate you wearing a mask and social distancing to protect one another , but please be sure to leave with all that you bring .
Take full ownership in all that you bring to these places as much as what they bring to you .
If it helps remember this saying , ‘ take only photos , leave only well placed footprints.
’ ” The post went on to express concern for the changes in the caves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the formations by touching the cave walls and speleothems , according to The Daily Caller .
Carlsbad Caverns isn ’ t the only national park being littered with masks .
In July , Yellowstone National Park said masks were flying off tourists faces and into iconic geysers .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-27--ICE Arrested Significantly Fewer Illegal Immigrants Due to COVID-19

Officials arrested 30 % fewer individuals in 2020 than they did last year , in part because of COVID-19 , Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced Wednesday .
ICE ’ s Enforcement and Removal Operations officials made 103,603 arrests this year and deported 185,884 individuals , according to ICE .
Around 90 % of the aliens who were arrested had criminal convictions or charges , and 92 % of those deported had prior or pending criminal charges .
“ The men and women who represent ICE have risen to the challenges presented this fiscal year , including the COVID-19 pandemic and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tony Pham said in a statement .
“ A prime example of our agility as an agency as a direct operational pivot to COVID-19 was our ability to return more than 1,000 U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents who were stranded abroad as airports began to shut down because of the pandemic , ” Pham added .
ICE assembled a team of medical professionals and disease specialists to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in detention centers , according to ICE .
The team reduced the population of detainees and aimed to keep the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over $ 315 million on medical , dental and public health services for 99,670 detainees , according to ICE .
“ This is but one example of ICE ’ s nimble efforts to complete our mission , serve our country and safeguard the homeland and her citizens , ” Pham said in a statement .
“ The cumulative efforts made this year are a tribute to our exemplary workforce , who , despite professional and personal challenges presented by the pandemic , have remained committed to their sworn duty to protecting the interests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Pham added .
Even with enhanced precautions , the positive case rates among ICE detainees were around 13 times higher than the general population from April to August , USA Today reported .
The spread of COVID-19 in detention centers may be worse due to inadequate data and testing within the facilities .
“ We have an incomplete picture of what ’ s happening with testing , ” Harvard Medical Student Parsa Erfani said , USA Today reported .
“ ( But ) it ’ s hard to stand by and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the illegal aliens arrested , there were criminal charges or convictions for more than 1,800 homicide offenses , over 37,000 assault offenses , and over 10,000 sexual assault or sex offenses , according to ICE .
ICE Homeland Security Investigations ( HSI ) arrested nearly 32,000 criminal violators , including 3,671 gang-related criminal arrests , according to ICE .
HSI rescued just over 1,000 child exploitation victims and 418 human trafficking victims .
HSI seized over 1.4 million pounds of narcotics and confiscated nearly 7,000 weapons , according to ICE .
Kaylee Greenlee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News Foundation .