thetennesseestar--2020-11-10--Ten Reasons Pennsylvania’s Election Results May Be ‘Irredeemably Compromised’

On Monday , the campaign to reelect President Donald Trump filed a mammoth lawsuit accusing Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Kathy Boockvar and county elections boards throughout the state of violating the U.S. Constitution by unilaterally revising the law in a manner that deprives some voters of their rights to a free and fair election .
“ In a rush to count mail ballots and ensure Democrat Joe Biden is elected , Pennsylvania has created an illegal two-tiered voting system for the 2020 General Election , devaluing in-person votes , ” the lawsuit alleges .
“ For voters that appeared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required to sign voter registrations , have those signatures checked against voter rolls , vote in a polling place monitored by statutorily-authorized poll observers , and have their votes counted in a transparent and verifiable open and observed manner .
By contrast , due to the arbitrary , unauthorized , and standardless actions of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania , Kathy Boockvar , nearly 2.65 million votes were cast through a ‘ mail-in ’ process that lacked all of the hallmarks of transparency and verifiability that were present for in-person voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump campaign and two Pennsylvania voters allege that Boockvar “ refused to require adequate verification of the voter ’ s identity .
Rather than require votes to be received on the day of election , the Secretary permitted ballots received up to three days after the election to be counted without any evidence of timely mailing , such as a postmark .
Finally , contrary to the in-person voting that is open and transparent to the parties and the candidates , Defendants permitted the review and counting of mail-in ballots largely in secret @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election system not only violates Plaintiffs ’ rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution but also violates the structure of the Constitution that elections in the States must be carried out as directed by their respective legislatures , ” the lawsuit claims .
The lawsuit seeks an emergency order preventing Pennsylvania from certifying the election results or one prohibiting the election officials from certifying any results “ that include the tabulation of absentee and mail-in ballots which do not comply with the Election Code , ” such as ballots counted while the Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ observing or ballots that lack requirements of state law such as a secrecy envelope or a voter ’ s signed declaration .
The lawsuit also seeks an injunction ordering election officials not to count ballots in cases where election officials contacted voters to give them an opportunity to “ cure ” improperly cast ballots .
This extraordinary legal action only makes sense given the numerous significant concerns the Trump campaign raises throughout the lawsuit .
Boockvar and county election officials allegedly engaged in egregious discrimination and gave wanton preference to voters in Democratic-leaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump campaign lawyer Jenna Ellis claimed that Pennsylvania ’ s election results are “ irredeemably compromised.
” Trump Campaign Highlights ‘ Deeply Alarming ’ Election Red Flags Across the Country Here are ten of the serious concerns the lawsuit highlights .
Boockvar and the county officials repeatedly ignored essential safeguards for absentee and mail-in voting which require “ procedural safeguards to deter fraud and ensure transparency ” due to “ inherent risk.
” In December 2019 , Pennsylvania ’ s auditor general , Eugene DePasquale , determined that there are more than 50,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state ’ s system .
On October 31 , 2019 , Pennsylvania ’ s legislature passed Act 77 , which allowed all Pennsylvania voters the option of voting by mail without providing a reason or excuse .
Yet mail-in voting still requires a ballot application and the election code still bars ballot harvesting except in the case of disabled voters .
Pennsylvania law still requires ballots that have been filled out incompletely or incorrectly to be declared void and it does not permit election boards to give voters who cast improper ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” those ballots .
Importantly , Act 77 prohibits a voter from casting both a mail-in ballot and an in-person ballot , unless the voter returns an unvoted mail-in ballot and declares that he or she has not voted by mail .
“ Defendants failed to take adequate measures to ensure that the provisions of the Election Code enacted to protect the validity of absentee or mail-in ballots , including without limitation Act 77 , were followed , ” the lawsuit alleges .
On August 19 , 2020 , Secretary Boockvar sent all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ document claiming that the “ naked ballots should be counted pursuant to the Pennsylvania Election Code.
” ( A ballot is considered “ naked ” if it is not returned in the secrecy envelope , as required by state law . )
On September 17 , the Pennsylvania Supreme Court rejected that position , but Boockvar did not send a follow-up guidance telling the election boards that they must not count naked mail-in ballots .
On September 11 , Boockvar ’ s office sent the county officials another guidance regarding applications for mail-in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the key fact that state law requires a voter to sign a mail-in ballot application , and the law requires officials to verify that signature before sending out a ballot .
The lawsuit claims the September 11 guidance forbade signature verification in vetting mail-in ballots and ballot applications .
It also cites a September 28 guidance memo , in which Boockvar claimed that the “ Election Code does not permit county election officials to reject applications or voted ballots based solely on signature analysis.
” “ Despite the fact that well over a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mail , Secretary Boockvar and the Pennsylvania Department of State did not undertake any meaningful effort to prevent the casting of illegal or unreliable absentee or mail-in ballots and/or to ensure the application of uniform standards across the County Election Boards to prevent the casting of such illegal or unreliable ballots .
Rather , Secretary Boockvar has exercised every opportunity to do quite the opposite , ” the lawsuit claims .
Officials in Luzerne County found that a temporary seasonal election worker trashed nine military ballots received in unmarked envelopes , seven of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
ON FIRE : McConnell Will Brook ‘ No Lectures ’ From Dems Who ‘ Spent Four Years ’ Rejecting the 2016 Election During the election , voters reported receiving mail-in ballots even though they did not apply for them .
Many reported having received multiple mail-in ballots , some as many as four or five .
“ Moreover , at the polling locations on Election Day , voters were informed that they must vote provisionally because they had applied for mail-in votes , even though those voters report that they neither applied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lawsuit notes .
Some voters reported having received unsolicited mail-in ballots , but when they went to their in-person polling places , the poll books reflected that no mail-in ballot had been sent .
On the other hand , even though poll workers told voters that they were recorded as having already voted by mail , the workers let the voters cast ballots in person to be recorded on ballot machines .
Poll watchers reportedly observed poll workers mishandling spoiled mail-in or absentee ballots that should have been voided after the voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead .
In Allegheny County , voters reported that poll workers watched voters cast provisional ballots in such a way that the poll worker could determine which candidate the voter had selected .
In Centre County , a poll worker reported that people who identified themselves as New Jersey voters — rather than Pennsylvania voters — were allowed to cast provisional ballots in person .
In Chester County , an observer claimed to have witnessed an election worker alter the results of unclear ballots .
The worker dealt with over-voted and under-voted ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or multiple candidates for one or more offices .
“ The observer reports that in numerous instances the election worker altered the over-voted ballot by changing votes that had been marked for Donald J. Trump to another candidate.
” The lawsuit claims that “ dozens of mail-in ballots were addressed to single addresses , each ballot being in a different name .
Based on the carrier ’ s experience delivering mail to those addresses , the carrier is aware that the people whose names were on the ballots are not names of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addition , ballots were mailed to vacant homes , vacation homes , empty lots , and to addresses that do not exist.
” Although local officials and celebrities engaged in media campaigns to encourage voters to send in their ballots in the secrecy envelope , some Pennsylvania counties reached out to voters after they had cast naked ballots .
Philadelphia County reportedly sent a “ notification ” to voters who had cast inadequate ballots , urging them to “ cure ” the ballots .
“ To figure out which voters should be notified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mail-in ballots before election day—in plain violation of state law , ” the lawsuit alleges .
Other counties — such as Lancaster , York , Westmoreland , and Berks Counties — “ did not contact voters who submitted defective ballots or give them an opportunity to cure .
They simply followed the law and treated these ballots as invalid and refused to count them.
” “ Because the counties that followed state law and did not provide a cure process are heavily Republican ( and counties that violated state law and did provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Defendants ’ conduct harmed the Trump Campaign .
It deprived the President of lawful votes and awarded his opponent with unlawful votes.
” 10 .
Depriving poll-watchers of their right to observe the count The lawsuit cites many examples in which election officials prevented poll-watchers from observing the counting of votes , as required by state law .
The lawsuit claims that Trump campaign observers were denied access altogether in some instances in Philadelphia County .
The county ’ s elections board did not permit the Trump campaign ’ s observers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aspects ” of the pre-canvassing process in violation of Commonwealth Court Judge Christine Fizzano Cannon ’ s November 5 , 2020 , order requiring that poll-watchers “ be permitted to observe all aspects of the canvassing process within 6 feet.
” “ It is estimated that 680,770 ballots were processed by the Allegheny and Philadelphia County Boards of Elections when no observation was allowed , ” the lawsuit alleges .
The lawsuit brings no fewer than seven counts against Boockvar and the county election officials , claiming that they violated the Fourteenth Amendment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elections Clauses of Article I in the Constitution .
In broad strokes , the lawsuit accuses the defendants of unilaterally making law on elections , depriving the legislature of its rights , and of denying voters and the Trump campaign equal protection under the law .
According to Decision Desk HQ , Democratic nominee Joe Biden leads Trump by just over 45,000 votes in Pennsylvania .
Most news outlets hailed Biden as the president-elect after calling Pennsylvania for the Democrat .
Given the ten serious concerns the Trump campaign raises in this lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race for Biden in Pennsylvania .
The Trump campaign has also filed lawsuits in Michigan , Georgia , and Nevada .
The campaign has also formally requested a recount in Wisconsin .
While it makes sense that Americans want a definitive answer on the 2020 election as soon as possible , the Trump campaign has indeed highlighted serious concerns about the integrity of the election in Pennsylvania and in many other states .
These concerns need to be addressed and litigated .
Even if Biden still wins at the end of that process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the integrity of the election .
Editor ’ s Note : Want to support PJ Media so we can continue telling the truth about the 2020 election ?
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Tyler O ’ Neil is the author of Making Hate Pay : The Corruption of the Southern Poverty Law Center .
Follow him on Twitter at @ Tyler2ONeil .
Ronna McDaniel Presents 131 Affidavits , 2,800 Incident Reports of Alleged Voter Fraud in MI : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Where the Trump Campaign Has Filed Post-Election Lawsuits Biden Campaign Threatens to Force Trump ‘ Out of the White House ’ if He Doesn ’ t Concede

On Monday, the campaign to reelect President Donald Trump filed a mammoth lawsuit accusing Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Kathy Boockvar and county elections boards throughout the state of violating the U.S. Constitution by unilaterally revising the law in a manner that deprives some voters of their rights to a free and fair election.
“In a rush to count mail ballots and ensure Democrat Joe Biden is elected, Pennsylvania has created an illegal two-tiered voting system for the 2020 General Election, devaluing in-person votes,” the lawsuit alleges.
“For voters that appeared at the polls, those citizens were required to sign voter registrations, have those signatures checked against voter rolls, vote in a polling place monitored by statutorily-authorized poll observers, and have their votes counted in a transparent and verifiable open and observed manner. By contrast, due to the arbitrary, unauthorized, and standardless actions of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Kathy Boockvar, nearly 2.65 million votes were cast through a ‘mail-in’ process that lacked all of the hallmarks of transparency and verifiability that were present for in-person voters,” the suit claims.
The Trump campaign and two Pennsylvania voters allege that Boockvar “refused to require adequate verification of the voter’s identity. Rather than require votes to be received on the day of election, the Secretary permitted ballots received up to three days after the election to be counted without any evidence of timely mailing, such as a postmark. Finally, contrary to the in-person voting that is open and transparent to the parties and the candidates, Defendants permitted the review and counting of mail-in ballots largely in secret with no monitoring.”
“This two-track election system not only violates Plaintiffs’ rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution but also violates the structure of the Constitution that elections in the States must be carried out as directed by their respective legislatures,” the lawsuit claims.
The lawsuit seeks an emergency order preventing Pennsylvania from certifying the election results or one prohibiting the election officials from certifying any results “that include the tabulation of absentee and mail-in ballots which do not comply with the Election Code,” such as ballots counted while the Trump campaign’s watchers were prevented from observing or ballots that lack requirements of state law such as a secrecy envelope or a voter’s signed declaration. The lawsuit also seeks an injunction ordering election officials not to count ballots in cases where election officials contacted voters to give them an opportunity to “cure” improperly cast ballots.
This extraordinary legal action only makes sense given the numerous significant concerns the Trump campaign raises throughout the lawsuit. Boockvar and county election officials allegedly engaged in egregious discrimination and gave wanton preference to voters in Democratic-leaning counties over those in Republican-leaning counties.
Trump campaign lawyer Jenna Ellis claimed that Pennsylvania’s election results are “irredeemably compromised.”
Conclusion: Pennsylvania is irredeemably compromised. Team Trump asking for an order prohibiting certification of results. — Jenna Ellis (@JennaEllisEsq) November 9, 2020
Here are ten of the serious concerns the lawsuit highlights.
1. Ignoring mail-in ballot safeguards
Boockvar and the county officials repeatedly ignored essential safeguards for absentee and mail-in voting which require “procedural safeguards to deter fraud and ensure transparency” due to “inherent risk.” In December 2019, Pennsylvania’s auditor general, Eugene DePasquale, determined that there are more than 50,000 cases of potentially inaccurate voter records in the state’s system.
On October 31, 2019, Pennsylvania’s legislature passed Act 77, which allowed all Pennsylvania voters the option of voting by mail without providing a reason or excuse. Yet mail-in voting still requires a ballot application and the election code still bars ballot harvesting except in the case of disabled voters. Pennsylvania law still requires ballots that have been filled out incompletely or incorrectly to be declared void and it does not permit election boards to give voters who cast improper ballots a “notice and opportunity to cure” those ballots.
Importantly, Act 77 prohibits a voter from casting both a mail-in ballot and an in-person ballot, unless the voter returns an unvoted mail-in ballot and declares that he or she has not voted by mail.
“Defendants failed to take adequate measures to ensure that the provisions of the Election Code enacted to protect the validity of absentee or mail-in ballots, including without limitation Act 77, were followed,” the lawsuit alleges.
2. Confusing guidance
On August 19, 2020, Secretary Boockvar sent all the 67 county election boards a guidance document claiming that the “naked ballots should be counted pursuant to the Pennsylvania Election Code.” (A ballot is considered “naked” if it is not returned in the secrecy envelope, as required by state law.)
On September 17, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court rejected that position, but Boockvar did not send a follow-up guidance telling the election boards that they must not count naked mail-in ballots.
On September 11, Boockvar’s office sent the county officials another guidance regarding applications for mail-in ballots. That guidance did not mention the key fact that state law requires a voter to sign a mail-in ballot application, and the law requires officials to verify that signature before sending out a ballot.
The lawsuit claims the September 11 guidance forbade signature verification in vetting mail-in ballots and ballot applications. It also cites a September 28 guidance memo, in which Boockvar claimed that the “Election Code does not permit county election officials to reject applications or voted ballots based solely on signature analysis.”
“Despite the fact that well over a third of the votes were cast by mail, Secretary Boockvar and the Pennsylvania Department of State did not undertake any meaningful effort to prevent the casting of illegal or unreliable absentee or mail-in ballots and/or to ensure the application of uniform standards across the County Election Boards to prevent the casting of such illegal or unreliable ballots. Rather, Secretary Boockvar has exercised every opportunity to do quite the opposite,” the lawsuit claims.
3. Trashed Trump military ballots
Officials in Luzerne County found that a temporary seasonal election worker trashed nine military ballots received in unmarked envelopes, seven of which had been cast for President Trump.
4. Extra ballots
During the election, voters reported receiving mail-in ballots even though they did not apply for them. Many reported having received multiple mail-in ballots, some as many as four or five.
“Moreover, at the polling locations on Election Day, voters were informed that they must vote provisionally because they had applied for mail-in votes, even though those voters report that they neither applied for nor received mail-in ballots,” the lawsuit notes.
Some voters reported having received unsolicited mail-in ballots, but when they went to their in-person polling places, the poll books reflected that no mail-in ballot had been sent.
On the other hand, even though poll workers told voters that they were recorded as having already voted by mail, the workers let the voters cast ballots in person to be recorded on ballot machines.
Poll watchers reportedly observed poll workers mishandling spoiled mail-in or absentee ballots that should have been voided after the voters returned them in order to vote in-person instead.
5. Unsecured voting
In Allegheny County, voters reported that poll workers watched voters cast provisional ballots in such a way that the poll worker could determine which candidate the voter had selected.
6. New Jersey voters
In Centre County, a poll worker reported that people who identified themselves as New Jersey voters — rather than Pennsylvania voters — were allowed to cast provisional ballots in person.
7. Changing votes for Trump
In Chester County, an observer claimed to have witnessed an election worker alter the results of unclear ballots. The worker dealt with over-voted and under-voted ballots — ballots that marked either zero candidates or multiple candidates for one or more offices. “The observer reports that in numerous instances the election worker altered the over-voted ballot by changing votes that had been marked for Donald J. Trump to another candidate.”
8. Mis-addressed ballots
The lawsuit claims that “dozens of mail-in ballots were addressed to single addresses, each ballot being in a different name. Based on the carrier’s experience delivering mail to those addresses, the carrier is aware that the people whose names were on the ballots are not names of people who live at those addresses. In addition, ballots were mailed to vacant homes, vacation homes, empty lots, and to addresses that do not exist.”
9. Naked ballots in Philadelphia
Although local officials and celebrities engaged in media campaigns to encourage voters to send in their ballots in the secrecy envelope, some Pennsylvania counties reached out to voters after they had cast naked ballots.
Philadelphia County reportedly sent a “notification” to voters who had cast inadequate ballots, urging them to “cure” the ballots. “To figure out which voters should be notified, Philadelphia County had to inspect the mail-in ballots before election day—in plain violation of state law,” the lawsuit alleges.
Other counties — such as Lancaster, York, Westmoreland, and Berks Counties — “did not contact voters who submitted defective ballots or give them an opportunity to cure. They simply followed the law and treated these ballots as invalid and refused to count them.”
“Because the counties that followed state law and did not provide a cure process are heavily Republican (and counties that violated state law and did provide a cure process are heavily Democratic), Defendants’ conduct harmed the Trump Campaign. It deprived the President of lawful votes and awarded his opponent with unlawful votes.”
10. Depriving poll-watchers of their right to observe the count
The lawsuit cites many examples in which election officials prevented poll-watchers from observing the counting of votes, as required by state law.
The lawsuit claims that Trump campaign observers were denied access altogether in some instances in Philadelphia County. The county’s elections board did not permit the Trump campaign’s observers to be within 6 feet of “all aspects” of the pre-canvassing process in violation of Commonwealth Court Judge Christine Fizzano Cannon’s November 5, 2020, order requiring that poll-watchers “be permitted to observe all aspects of the canvassing process within 6 feet.”
“It is estimated that 680,770 ballots were processed by the Allegheny and Philadelphia County Boards of Elections when no observation was allowed,” the lawsuit alleges.
The lawsuit brings no fewer than seven counts against Boockvar and the county election officials, claiming that they violated the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution and the Electors and Elections Clauses of Article I in the Constitution. In broad strokes, the lawsuit accuses the defendants of unilaterally making law on elections, depriving the legislature of its rights, and of denying voters and the Trump campaign equal protection under the law.
According to Decision Desk HQ, Democratic nominee Joe Biden leads Trump by just over 45,000 votes in Pennsylvania. Most news outlets hailed Biden as the president-elect after calling Pennsylvania for the Democrat.
Given the ten serious concerns the Trump campaign raises in this lawsuit, media outlets should reconsider calling the race for Biden in Pennsylvania.
The Trump campaign has also filed lawsuits in Michigan, Georgia, and Nevada. The campaign has also formally requested a recount in Wisconsin.
While it makes sense that Americans want a definitive answer on the 2020 election as soon as possible, the Trump campaign has indeed highlighted serious concerns about the integrity of the election in Pennsylvania and in many other states. These concerns need to be addressed and litigated. Even if Biden still wins at the end of that process, the process is necessary to safeguard the integrity of the election.
Editor’s Note: Want to support PJ Media so we can continue telling the truth about the 2020 election? Join PJ Media VIP TODAY and use the promo code LAWANDORDER to get 25% off your VIP membership.
Tyler O’Neil is the author of Making Hate Pay: The Corruption of the Southern Poverty Law Center. Follow him on Twitter at @Tyler2ONeil.


thetennesseestar--2020-11-10--Rep. Doug Collins Demands Georgia Secretary of State Announce a ‘Full Hand-Count of Every Ballot Cas

Rep. Doug Collins Demands Georgia Secretary of State Announce a ‘Full Hand-Count of Every Ballot Cast’

Rep. Doug Collins ( R-GA ) , who is leading the Trump campaign ’ s recount team in Georgia , is demanding the state ’ s secretary of state to announce a “ full hand-count of every ballot cast in each and every county ” due to allegations of “ voter irregularities , issues with voting machines , and poll watcher access.
” In a Tuesday statement released by the Trump campaign , Collins formally requested “ three things ” from Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger ( R ) as officials move into the recount process in the Peach State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a full comparison of absentee ballots cast and in-person and provisional ballots cast throughout the state .
Second , there must be a check for felons and other ineligible persons who may have cast a ballot , ” Collins said .
“ Third , and most importantly , the Secretary of State should announce a full hand-count of every ballot cast in each and every county due to widespread allegations of voter irregularities , issues with voting machines , and poll watcher access , ” he continued .
“ We can — and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court after statewide certification is completed if the Secretary of State fails to act , but we are hopeful he will preemptively take this action today to ensure every Georgian has confidence in our electoral process , ” he added : Over the weekend , the Trump campaign announced Collins , an ally of the president , as the leader of the Trump campaign ’ s recount team in Georgia .
“ Republicans stand by the ideal that every eligible voter should be able to vote legally and have it be counted , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding that they are “ confident we will find evidence of improperly harvested ballots and other irregularities that will prove that President Trump won Georgia fairly again on his way to re-election as President ” as a result of the recount .
“ Georgians deserve a free and open process , and they will get one , ” he vowed .
Collins ’ latest call follows Sens .
David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler ( R-GA ) calling on Raffensperger to resign over his management of the state ’ s presidential election , calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ The Secretary of State has failed to deliver honest and transparent elections .
He has failed the people of Georgia , and he should step down immediately , ” they wrote in a letter .
The secretary of state responded in a lengthy statement , explaining that a resignation is “ not going to happen ” : On Monday , Georgia election official Gabriel Sterling dismissed reports of widespread voter fraud in the state , though he told reporters that they “ are going to find that people did illegally vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : He said in part : Now .
Let me be perfectly clear on another point .
We are going to find that people did illegally vote .
That ’ s going to happen .
There are going to be double voters .
There are going to be people who shouldn ’ t — did not have the qualifications of a registered voter to vote in this state .
That will be found .
“ Is it 10,353 ?
Unlikely .
But every election , as I ’ ve said I think every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The issue now is … when the margins are this tight , every little thing matters , ” he stated .
“ So this office will thoroughly investigate.
” Biden ’ s lead in Georgia stood at fewer than 12,300 votes as of Tuesday morning .

Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA), who is leading the Trump campaign’s recount team in Georgia, is demanding the state’s secretary of state to announce a “full hand-count of every ballot cast in each and every county” due to allegations of “voter irregularities, issues with voting machines, and poll watcher access.”
In a Tuesday statement released by the Trump campaign, Collins formally requested “three things” from Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) as officials move into the recount process in the Peach State.
“First, there must be a full comparison of absentee ballots cast and in-person and provisional ballots cast throughout the state. Second, there must be a check for felons and other ineligible persons who may have cast a ballot,” Collins said.
“Third, and most importantly, the Secretary of State should announce a full hand-count of every ballot cast in each and every county due to widespread allegations of voter irregularities, issues with voting machines, and poll watcher access,” he continued.
“We can — and we will — petition for this in court after statewide certification is completed if the Secretary of State fails to act, but we are hopeful he will preemptively take this action today to ensure every Georgian has confidence in our electoral process,” he added:
.@RepDougCollins on GA Sec. of State: "We can & will petition for this in court after statewide certification is completed if the SoS fails to act, but we are hopeful he will preemptively take this action today to ensure every Georgian has confidence in our electoral process." pic.twitter.com/Zc2GYvOiM0 — Tim Murtaugh (@TimMurtaugh) November 10, 2020
Over the weekend, the Trump campaign announced Collins, an ally of the president, as the leader of the Trump campaign’s recount team in Georgia.
“Republicans stand by the ideal that every eligible voter should be able to vote legally and have it be counted,” Collins said in a statement, adding that they are “confident we will find evidence of improperly harvested ballots and other irregularities that will prove that President Trump won Georgia fairly again on his way to re-election as President” as a result of the recount.
“Georgians deserve a free and open process, and they will get one,” he vowed.
Collins’ latest call follows Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) calling on Raffensperger to resign over his management of the state’s presidential election, calling it an “embarrassment for our state.”
“The Secretary of State has failed to deliver honest and transparent elections. He has failed the people of Georgia, and he should step down immediately,” they wrote in a letter.
The secretary of state responded in a lengthy statement, explaining that a resignation is “not going to happen”:
Statement from Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger pic.twitter.com/Sf1JIWH5qg — GA Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (@GaSecofState) November 9, 2020
On Monday, Georgia election official Gabriel Sterling dismissed reports of widespread voter fraud in the state, though he told reporters that they “are going to find that people did illegally vote” as they move forward and investigate:
He said in part:
Now. Let me be perfectly clear on another point. We are going to find that people did illegally vote. That’s going to happen. There are going to be double voters. There are going to be people who shouldn’t — did not have the qualifications of a registered voter to vote in this state. That will be found.
“Is it 10,353? Unlikely. But every election, as I’ve said I think every day at this podium, is imperfect. The issue now is … when the margins are this tight, every little thing matters,” he stated. “So this office will thoroughly investigate.”
Biden’s lead in Georgia stood at fewer than 12,300 votes as of Tuesday morning.


thetennesseestar--2020-11-11--High-Ranking MS-13 Gang Member Faces Federal Firearms Charges in Nashville

Officials with the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee this week unsealed a criminal complaint charging the leader of an MS-13 Gang with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm .
This , according to a press release that members of the U.S. Department of Justice published on their website .
“ Sergio Alvarado , aka Sergio Ochoa , 27 , of Nashville , was initially arrested on October 31 by Metropolitan Nashville Police Department ( MNPD ) officers after fleeing from officers following a shootout at Club Miami .
This incident began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard gunfire coming from the vicinity of the nightclub .
The officer proceeded toward the nightclub and upon arrival , heard a volley of gunshots and saw two cars speeding out of the parking lot .
The officer then found one individual in the parking lot suffering from a gunshot wound , ” the press release said .
“ Additional officers arrived on the scene and approached a car believed to be involved in the shooting .
As officers approached the car , they saw Alvarado running toward the back of the parking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued to pursue Alvarado and eventually found him in a wooded area and arrested him .
After tracing the flight path taken by Alvarado , officers recovered a 9mm pistol and a .380 caliber pistol near the dumpsters .
Alvarado was later released on bond .
On Thursday , Alvarado was arrested on the federal firearms charge.
” A detention motion that government officials filed Friday said Alvarado leads the local MS-13 clique – Thompson Place Locos Salvatrucha , and he has returned to distributing controlled substances .
“ This gang is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Middle Tennessee and elsewhere , ” the press release said .
“ The motion also asserts that Alvarado has a substantial criminal history , including several drug trafficking and firearm offenses and is currently on supervised release from a 2017 case in which he received a 30-month sentence for drug trafficking and firearm offenses ; and that he has further violated the terms of his release by associating with a known felon , Michael Mosely , at the Dogwood Bar in Nashville , moments before Mosely stabbed two individuals to death on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]

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


thetennesseestar--2020-11-11--Commentary: Building a New, Less Cowardly Republican Party

If you are a conservative who has been waking up angry , upset , and frustrated with your representation in Congress in the week since the presidential election , you are not alone .
Many of us are wondering why the Republican Party seems to have been reactive and defensive rather than aggressive in support of President Trump and the America First agenda .
Many of us want to know which of our elected Republican representatives are supporting and defending us and which ones are eying the exits .
We are looking to these officials to stand up and protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the integrity and transparency of our electoral system are upheld .
Some of our Republican “ leaders ” seem to be playing defense instead of going on the offense .
Playing not to lose while the Democrats play to win is not what we expect from a party that is there to represent our ideas , and to uphold the Constitution that defends our inalienable rights as Americans .
The Republican Party is a vessel for preserving and deploying our agenda .
Many of us are conservatives first and Republicans second .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tirelessly fought to make and keep America great .
During the recent House and Senate races , we had many Republican candidates who benefitted from the president ’ s base and the MAGA followers he inspired .
But many of these candidates have been strangely silent after the November 3 elections .
There are American patriots out there who are fighting for the president and for our Constitution , but they seem to be few and far between .
There are not many Jim Jordans or Matt Gaetzes .
Instead , we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cold and timid souls , ” unwilling to be bloodied and marred in the arena .
Theodore Roosevelt ’ s “ Man in the Arena ” replays itself louder and louder in my mind : TR ’ s words resonate this week with me and with many other conservatives who are concerned about the outcome of the presidential election and the future of America .
The Republican Party was aware of the extreme risks and susceptibility of widespread fraud in our elections .
Even Democratic Party operatives knew of this , and voiced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jerry Nadler ( D-N.Y. ) explained , “ paper ballots are too susceptible to fraud.
” If so many were sounding the alarm , why didn ’ t the GOP and the president get the necessary measures in place to protect the integrity of our elections ?
Why are so many of our Republican elected officials remaining silent and relishing the success of holding or winning their own individual seats ?
In 1864 , during President Lincoln ’ s reelection campaign , there was an elaborate plot to use mail-in ballots to steal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently in the Washington Post .
The Party of Lincoln would not be fooled , however , and ensured success by taking the appropriate actions to thwart that attack on the integrity of the election and maintain a system that let Americans at the time vote without compromise 156 years ago .
We Republicans proudly proclaim ourselves to be the “ Grand Old Party , ” but we need to refresh our understanding of history , and we need to be more proactive in protecting the ideals that we hold so dear .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ canvassing trenches and sitting vigilantly in election observation booths , our Republican leaders need to refuse to “ Rage , rage against the dying of the light , ” as the poet Dylan Thomas put it so eloquently .
“ Do not go gentle into that good night.
” In this poem , Thomas describes the fight for life over death : “ Old age should burn and rave at close of day ; Rage , rage , against the dying of the light.
” This verse aptly describes how some in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gentle into that good night.
” Not this patriot !
In the next congressional races , patriots will rise .
We will be like the young prophet in Isaiah 6:8 , each hearing “ the voice of the Lord saying , ‘ Whom shall I send ?
’ ” All of us should be ready to say , “ Here I am , send me !
” During these trying times , we patriots need to protect the system of checks and balances that our framers put in place to protect our liberties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Constitution and Bill of Rights .
We will ignite the fire in the belly of the Republican Party , and by doing so will ensure that our elected Republican politicians will make Abraham Lincoln ’ s Grand Old Party proud .
Cory Mills is a highly decorated combat veteran with experience in multiple theaters of operation .
He is Founder and CEO of PACEM Solutions International and PACEM Defense LLC , which acquired AMTEC Less Lethal Systems , Inc. , in 2018 .
For most of his adult life , Cory Mills has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and USAID missions .
After Mr. Mills was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army , he served as a subcontractor for the U.S. State Department from 2005-2010 .
During this time , he worked with thousands of diplomatic missions in the U.S. Embassy in Kabul , the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad , and the U.S. Consul in Erbil .
In 2016 , the Republic of Iraq credited PACEM with assisting operations which led to the raising of Iraq ’ s flag at the Fallujah Governor ’ s Office for the first time in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ISIS was flying the flag of the Caliph in Fallujah .
Photo “ Donald Trump ” by Photo “ Donald Trump ” by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff .
CC BY 2.0 .
Background Photo “ Donald Trump Rally ” by Gage Skidmore .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-11--Wisconsin GOP Officials Allege Thousands May Have Skirted Voter ID Requirement

Wisconsin Republicans alleged that thousands may have skirted a voter identification requirement when casting their ballots in the battleground state , according to a Tuesday Washington Examiner report .
The state allows residents to classify themselves “ indefinitely confined , ” meaning the person is largely limited to his or her home due to age , disability or other factors , a GOP official told the Examiner .
The classification requires a witness signature , but under it , voters can cast an absentee ballot without showing valid ID , the Examiner reported .
A total of 243,000 people classified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 compared to 72,000 in 2019 in the state , according to the Examiner .
A local county clerk previously said those who were subject to Wisconsin ’ s coronavirus lockdown orders would meet the threshold to be considered home-bound , but the state supreme court in March sided against the clerk and clarified that his legal advice was misguided , Courthouse News Service reported .
The court did not indicate that it would take action to investigate or invalidate anyone who registered under the clerk ’ s guidelines , according to Courthouse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does it become fraud ?
I think it became fraud in April , when people were listing themselves as indefinitely confined when they were not , ” a GOP official told the Examiner .
“ And that was just allowed to continue and get worse and worse.
” “ We know there are people who are indefinitely confined , ” he continued .
“ That ’ s what the law was put in place for , but they left a loophole which you could drive a truck through.
” GOP officials have offered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Waukesha County Republican Party board member Kenneth Dragotta said the confinement mishap may have compromised a “ robust , safe election process.
” “ So you can register as indefinitely confined , and a ballot is going to be sent to you every election .
You don ’ t even have to request it , ” he told the Examiner .
“ But here ’ s the problem .
Indefinitely confined people are not required to provide proof of identification or an ID card .
There ’ s no requirement that that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commission or the municipal clerk prior to issuing a ballot.
” “ You don ’ t even have a voter ID requirement on those people that registered , ” he continued .
“ All you have is proof of residency that is required .
But does that sound like a really robust , safe election process ?
I think not.
” The Democratic Party of Wisconsin , the Wisconsin Secretary of State office , Republican National Committee and the Wisconsin Elections Commission did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of publishing .
Democratic nominee Joe Biden leads President Donald Trump 49.45 % to 48.83 % in Wisconsin with a roughly 20,000 vote margin , according to the New York Times Election map , which claims the state has calculated over 98 % of its total ballots cast .
Trump ’ s administration reportedly asked for a recount in the battleground state Wednesday due to unspecified “ irregularities ” in “ several ” areas , the Associated Press reported .
Jake Dima is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-11--Changes to Pennsylvania Election Laws Followed by Last-Minute Maneuvers May Lead to Historic Mishaps

The Pennsylvania Legislature passed Act 77 in October 2019 to make voting “ more convenient and more secure ” according to Governor Tom Wolf ( D ) .
• extending voter registration from 30 days before an election to 15 days ; • allowing mail-in voting without an excuse to vote mail-in versus in-person ; • extending mail-in request ( online and by mail ) and submission up to 50 days before an election ; • extending the mail-in and absentee submission deadline from 5:00 p.m. the Friday before the election to 8:00 p.m. the day of the election .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 90 million in bonds to assist counties with the purchase of updated voting equipment with a paper trail component for audit purposes .
The act came by bipartisan approval and was a modernization of Pennsylvania election code from 1939 .
But the mail-in and absentee deadline extensions were not enough for Democrats .
The Pennsylvania Democratic Party sued their own – bringing a lawsuit against the Democratic Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Kathy Boockvar .
State Democrats sought a three-day extension for mail-in ballots , making valid all ballots postmarked by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 5:00 p.m .
The case was submitted to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on September 8 .
According to Ballotpedia.org , “ five judges on the court were elected in partisan elections as Democrats , one judge was elected as a Republican , and one judge was appointed by a Democratic governor.
” On September 18 a decision was handed down by the state high court .
The 4-3 decision overruled the requirement for mail-in ballots to be received by Election Day – allowing them to be received up to three full days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation the Pennsylvania General Assembly enacted just one year earlier according to their constitutional prerogative to enact statutes .
In addition to allowing for the mail ballot extension , the Keystone State ’ s high court nearly bastardized the need for a postmark , ruling that ballots “ received within this period that lack a postmark or other proof of mailing , or for which the postmark or other proof of mailing is illegible , will be presumed to have been mailed by Election Day unless a preponderance of the evidence demonstrates that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pennsylvania Republicans countered by filing a writ of certiorari ( request for the court to review ) with the Supreme Court of the United States ( SCOTUS ) , seeking to restrain the Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision .
On October 28 , SCOTUS rejected the injunction – the court was gridlocked 4-4 , which meant that the state supreme court ruling stood .
However , in a dissenting opinion accompanying the high court ’ s ruling , it was noted that SCOTUS may take up the case again and that the Pennsylvania Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important constitutional issue raised by this matter has needlessly created conditions that could lead to serious post-election problems.
” Prior to the November 3 Presidential Election , Commonwealth Secretary Boockvar issued guidance on mail-in ballots received after 8:00 p.m. on Election Day– the ballots were to be separated , secured and if counted , counted separately .
Counties throughout Pennsylvania were not complying with the Secretary ’ s guidance and the SCOTUS had to intervene on Friday , November 6 .
On that day , the Court issued an Order mandating that all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all ballots received after 8:00 p.m. on November 3 “ in a secure , safe , sealed container separated from other voted ballots ” and that “ if counted , be counted separately.
” As of Wednesday , November 10 Pennsylvania ’ s 20 Electoral College votes are still in question .
This despite the state ’ s updated election statutes , investment in voting equipment and last-minute jockeying by Democrats to make elections more convenient and more secure .
Jack Windsor is Managing Editor at both The Ohio Star and The Michigan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reporter at WMFD-TV and The Virginia Star .
Follow Jack on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-11--Truckers Plan ‘Stop the Wheels’ Shutdown in Protest of Joe Biden’s Plans for Fracking Ban, Green New

Truckers Plan ‘Stop the Wheels’ Shutdown in Protest of Joe Biden’s Plans for Fracking Ban, Green New Deal

If you notice store shelves that are empty of toilet paper and canned food again , it may be because of a truckers ’ shutdown and not the Chinese coronavirus .
Truckers have been taking to social media to try to organize a “ Stop The Wheels 2020 ” shutdown in protest of Joe Biden ’ s plans for the Green New Deal and a fracking ban in the event he assumes the presidency .
Today was to have been the first strike day , with more coming Nov. 26-29 .
Organizers said , “ Please let it be known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 11/28 & 11/29 .
NOT 11/29 alone .
Please share and get this information out because there are some who are quoting just the 29th .
This is not when it starts .
Their Facebook group , StopTheTires2020 , had more than 45,000 members as of Wednesday .
Jeremy Rewoldt , the organizer of the event , was unable to be contacted at press time .
Page administrator Cara Carroll posted that Rewoldt was “ in Facebook jail.
” In response to questions by The Tennessee Star , Carroll referenced a general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in part : We want it to be known that the views of the movement may differ from some of our members .
While we are entrusting our movement and our page with Mods , this is overly sensitive , and we want to make sure that this does not take on a life of its own with negative feedback .
We want it to continue to hold the meaning we intended .
Shockingly , along with our members , we have been completely overwhelmed by the support & dedication that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to call it anything other than what it is .
This is a movement to protect 19 million jobs .
This is a movement to protect our country .
Let us make this extremely clear , while we are a huge group of republicans and conservatives , our focus in this movement is our blue-collar workers of America .
We are extremely grateful for what Donald Trump has done for the American people .
With this being said , of course we are wanting him to remain in office , but we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are embracing the change but have a voice that needs to be heard by the people and for the people .
No matter who is in office .
It is about what our President stands for .
For ALL of us !
To repeat what was stated in Jeremy ’ s original post about our message , we do not support the Green New Deal and banning of fracking that is associated with the Biden/Harris administration .
If you are not aware of what fracking is , and why it is important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I advise you to do a little research in your spare time .
Also , investigate their plans of the Green New Deal .
These plans for America will cripple us as a whole and cause severe repercussions in our way of living .
In the way of living for our children and their children .
19 million jobs are at stake .
Let us take a stand .
The group has drawn national attention , with stories appearing on trucking industry website The Trucker and on Fox Business .
Jason M. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-11--GOP Unveils $1.4T Spending Bill Amid Post-Election Turmoil

WASHINGTON , D.C. ( AP ) — Republicans controlling the Senate unveiled a government-wide , $ 1.4 trillion spending bill on Tuesday , a largely bipartisan measure that faces uncertain odds during this period of post-election tumult in Washington .
The GOP-drafted measure contains funding for President Donald Trump ’ s border wall and other provisions opposed by Democrats , but top leaders in both parties want to try to mount a drive to enact the unfinished spending bills — which , along with a separate COVID-19 relief effort and annual defense policy bill , represent the bulk of Capitol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
Success depends on getting the signature of Trump , however , whose unpredictability and toxic relationships with Democrats threaten to doom the effort .
The recent history of lame-duck sessions conducted as the White House is turning over has been that unfinished spending bills get kicked into the next year , with existing funding simply left on auto-pilot .
“ I ’ ve had this argument before and so far I ’ ve lost .
I argued 12 years ago , the Obama transition , that the best thing you could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get this year ’ s work done , and we didn ’ t get it done , ” said Sen. Roy Blunt , R-Mo .
“ Four years ago I argued that … and we didn ’ t get it done.
” At issue is the roughly one-third of the federal budget that is written annually by Congress under a time-tested bipartisan process .
The overall spending amount has been set in law by last year ’ s bipartisan budget mini-deal , so any delay into next year won ’ t likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration .
Current funding expires Dec. 12 .
The 12 spending measures , released by Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby , R-Ala. , have been stalled for months , trapped by fights over COVID relief and potential battles over police reform issues .
But he has the backing of top panel Democrat Patrick Leahy of Vermont , Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , and top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer of New York to at least pursue the effort .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , herself a long-ago veteran of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to wrap up the unfinished business .
“ By and large , these bills are the product of bipartisan cooperation among members of the committee , ” Shelby said in a statement .
“ Time after time , we have demonstrated our willingness to work together and get the job done .
We have before us the opportunity to deliver for the American people once again.
” But Leahy carefully avoided endorsing the measure outright and instead criticized the legislation for ignoring COVID-19 relief , shortchanging safety net programs and the environment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for immigrants entering the country illegally .
Large swaths of the measure are indeed bipartisan , including a $ 696 billion defense budget that adds 96 F-35 fighters to the Pentagon ’ s ranks , funds nine Navy ships , and provides $ 69 billion for overseas military operations .
It adopts $ 2 billion for 82 miles of border wall , certain to be fought by Democrats , along with $ 8.8 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement that Democrats charge isn ’ t needed because there are fewer apprehensions of illegal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and veterans ’ programs all would be rewarded with healthy increases , while foreign aid and education programs would get smaller increases .
If the catch-all bill is to advance it would have to contain COVID relief such as funding to help schools reopen , vaccinate the country , help the jobless , and boost the economy .
“ This country is headed for a deadly winter and it is long past time for us to provide the resources the country needs to get this virus under control and our economy back open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ These bills do not provide any such relief .
It is imperative that we do what is necessary to stop this pandemic from spreading.
” Andrew Taylor is a reporter for The Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo : In this June 9 , 2020 , file photo Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky. , left , speaks to reporters following the weekly Republican policy luncheon on Capitol Hill in Washington .
Sen. Roy Blunt , R-Mo.
, center , and Sen. Cory Gardner , R-Colo. , right , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ save their majority against an onslaught of challengers in states once off limits to Democrats that are now hotbeds of the backlash to President Donald Trump and his allies on Capitol Hill .
( AP Photo/Susan Walsh , File )


thetennesseestar--2020-11-11--Fox News Still Hasn’t Rescinded Its Inaccurate Election Night Prediction Dems Would Gain Five House

Fox News Still Hasn’t Rescinded Its Inaccurate Election Night Prediction Dems Would Gain Five House Seats

American Greatness author Christopher Gage on Saturday asked why Fox News has not retracted it ’ s wrong call on the house .
It ’ s a good question so American Greatness emailed Fox News Corporation Monday morning to ask it .
We didn ’ t receive a reply .
The Fox News Decision Desk made its wildly inaccurate projection early on Election Night , saying that Democrats would win at least five seats in the House .
The bad call was devastating to Republican morale and set the false narrative that President Trump had no coattails .
As Gage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were still voting.
” Fox News correspondent Chad Pergram tweeted out the short-lived good news for Democrats at 9:16 p.m .
ET on Nov. 3rd .
“ The Fox News Decision Desk can now project that Dems will retain control of the House & expand their majority by at least 5 seats , ” Pergram wrote .
“ This is a major boost for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , who has pledged to roll back much of Trump ’ s first-term agenda if he loses reelection.
” Fox News anchor Martha McCallum reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ projections , Democrats could pick up as many as 15 seats .
We now know the GOP are projected to gain up to 13 seats , and are 21,000 votes shy of retaking the House , according to House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy ( R-Calif. ) .
McCarthy giddoly shared this news on Fox News ’ “ Sunday Morning Futures ” with Maria Bartiromo .
“ We didn ’ t lose one incumbent , ” the California Republican said .
“ We won every seat except one open .
We won 28 out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Nate Silver laid out there .
We are gaining and less that 21,000 votes away [ from winning the House ] .
” American Greatness emailed Fox News ’ corporate communications vice president Irena Briganti Monday Morning to ask if the Fox News Decision Desk had rescinded its inaccurate projection , but did not receive a reply .
The Fox News Decision Desk ’ s controversial Election night call projecting that Democrat nominee Joe Biden won Arizona also spurred outrage among its conservative viewers , not to mention what some are calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finally called Florida for Trump at around 11:00 p.m .
ET .
Tuesday night , long after the president ’ s win appeared to be a statistical certainty .
Trump won the state 51.2 percent to 47.9 percent .
Twenty minutes later , Fox provided a morale boost for Democrats who were disappointed in their candidate ’ s poor showing in Florida .
At 11:20 p.m .
ET Tuesday night , with just 73 percent of the vote counted , the Fox News Decision Desk called the hotly contested Arizona race for Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ narrative that Trump ’ s path to victory had drastically narrowed , and robbed the GOP of any positive spin on Election Night that President Trump had an edge .
“ If the fabulists at Fox News had applied their own wisdom to states in which Trump led by healthier margins than Biden had led Arizona , then the network would have announced President Trump the clear winner on election night , ” Gage wrote .
On Wednesday , none other than MSNBC ’ s poll guru Nate Silver called on both Fox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls because it was still a tight race .
Silver wrote , “ I don ’ t know , I guess I ’ d say that Biden will win Arizona if you forced me to pick , but I sure as heck don ’ t think the state should have been called by anyone , and I think the calls that were previously made should be retracted now.
” MSNBC ’ s Steve Kornacki agreed , explaining to Rachel Maddow on Nov. 5 why NBC hadn ’ t called Arizona race yet .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maricopa County were favoring Trump by 59 % thus making the state very much in play for him .
With several hundred thousand ballots yet to be counted , he said this “ establishes the possibility ” for Trump to take the Arizona because “ it looks like these are going to be more Trump voters than Biden voters and that ’ s why NBC didn ’ t call this ” .
Arnon Mishkin , director of the Fox News Decision Desk , However , defended the call on Wednesday , saying the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We ’ re four standard deviations from being wrong , ” Mishkin said .
“ And , I ’ m sorry , we ’ re not wrong in this particular case.
” As of Monday afternoon , with about 50 , ooo to 55,000 ballots left to count , Biden ’ s lead had shrunk to 15,432 .
The remaining ballots are expected to favor Trump , but regardless of who wins , the race is so close , there will probably be a mandatory recount .
It ’ s mind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News Decision Desk felt comfortable making that call so early on Election night .
American Greatness contacted Fox News a second time for comment but did not receive a reply prior to publication .
Debra Heine reports for American Greatness .
Photo “ Fox News Newsroom ” by Inside Cable News .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-11--EU Files Antitrust Charges Against Amazon Over Use of Data

LONDON , England ( AP ) — European Union regulators filed antitrust charges Tuesday against Amazon , accusing the e-commerce giant of using its access to data from companies that sell products on its platform to gain an unfair advantage over them .
The charges , filed two years after the bloc ’ s antitrust enforcer began looking into the company , are the latest effort by European regulators to curb the power of big technology companies .
Margrethe Vestager , the EU commissioner in charge of competition issues , has slapped Google with antitrust fines totaling nearly $ 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer into Apple .
The EU ’ s executive Commission also opened a second investigation Tuesday into whether Amazon favors product offers and merchants that use its own logistics and delivery system .
While the U.S. initially criticized the EU for targeting American companies , it has more recently started taking a tougher line on big tech as well , suing Google this year for abusing its dominance in online search and advertising .
The EU investigation found that Amazon is accessing and analyzing real-time data from other vendors that sell goods on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new products of its own to launch and how to price and market them .
That “ appears to distort genuine competition , ” Vestager said .
Investigators focused on that practice in France and Germany , the company ’ s two biggest markets in the EU , but Vestager didn ’ t give specific examples of merchants affected by Amazon ’ s behavior .
The stakes have risen for retailers as many European countries have shut nonessential shops temporarily to try to contain the coronavirus pandemic , pushing more shopping online , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amazon faces a possible fine of up to 10 % of its annual worldwide revenue .
That could amount to as much as $ 28 billion , based on its 2019 earnings .
The Seattle-based company rejected the accusations .
“ We disagree with the preliminary assertions of the European Commission and will continue to make every effort to ensure it has an accurate understanding of the facts , ” the company said in a statement , adding that it represents less than 1 % of the global retail market and that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it operates .
Under EU rules , it can reply to the charges in writing and present its case in an oral hearing .
It could still be a while before a final decision as there are no deadlines for bringing an EU antitrust case to an end .
Vestager said that an analysis of millions of transactions and products listed on Amazon ’ s site found that “ very granular , real-time business data ” on third-party product listings and transactions was fed into algorithms for Amazon ’ s retail business that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their price and supplier .
Ordinary retailers take risks when they invest heavily to find new products , bring them to market and decide how much to sell them for , Vestager said .
“ Our concern is that Amazon can avoid some of those risks by using the data it has access to , ” she told reporters at a briefing in Brussels .
The preliminary conclusion , she said , is that by using the data Amazon can focus on the best-selling products , “ and this marginalizes third-party sellers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EU ’ s second investigation will look at the criteria Amazon uses to decide which seller ’ s product gets chosen for the “ buy box ” and for its Prime membership service , and whether that means they get preferential treatment by the company ’ s logistics and delivery services .
The “ buy box ” lets shoppers add items directly to their shopping baskets .
It features a single seller ’ s product even though multiple merchants might offer the item .
The second investigation excludes Italy because the country ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar probe last year .
Kelvin Chan is a reporter for The Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo : European Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager speaks during a press conference regarding an antitrust case with Amazon at EU headquarters in Brussels , Tuesday , Nov. 10 , 2020 .
European Union regulators have filed antitrust charges against Amazon , accusing the e-commerce giant of using data to gain an unfair advantage over merchants using its platform .
( Olivier Hoslet , Pool via AP )


thetennesseestar--2020-11-11--Commentary: A Biden–Harris Administration Would Unravel Middle East Peace

Stormy weather might be on the Middle East ’ s horizon .
Following the U.S. presidential election , Iran offered a mafia-style protection deal to countries that have normalized relations with Israel : they must abandon Israel and align with Iran , or face the consequences .
A Biden–Harris administration would likely undermine much of the progress towards Middle East peace that the Trump administration has made .
Former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Kamala Harris ( D-Calif. ) have several policy positions that would jeopardize the progress towards Middle East peace brokered by the Trump administration .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden–Harris administration could unravel it .
Some believe that as part of efforts to renegotiate the Iran deal , the Biden–Harris administration could throw the UAE under the bus by cancelling the U.S. sale of F-35s to the UAE .
This follows recent statements by Sen. Bob Menendez ( D-N.J. ) , the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee , and Rep. Eliot Engel ( D-N.Y.-16 ) , chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee , indicating their preference to slow-walk the F-35 sale .
Harris voted for a resolution ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by President Trump , which would have prevented arms sales to the UAE .
Israel–Saudi Normalization Deal Less Likely , Unless Under Trump A Biden–Harris presidency would greatly lessen the chances that Saudi Arabia will follow the UAE , Bahrain , and Sudan in normalizing relations with Israel .
But anti-Saudi hostility from both Biden and Harris might persuade Saudi Arabia to cut a deal now during the Trump administration .
Joe Biden has called Saudi Arabia a “ pariah ” and has promised , if elected president , to stop selling it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voted for a resolution ( S.J .
Res .
38 ) , vetoed by President Trump , that would have prevented arms sales to Saudi Arabia .
Reportedly , Saudi Arabia is expecting that normalization with Israel would be tied to a U.S.–Saudi arms deal of some kind , with some Israeli defense officials expressing concerns that this will include F-35s .
Therefore , Biden and Harris ’ s opposition to selling Saudi Arabia arms , and F-35s specifically , could kill prospects for Israel–Saudi normalization .
Additionally , Harris has stated that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relationship with Saudi Arabia , using our leverage to stand up for American values and interests.
” In March 2019 , Harris voted for a resolution ( S.J .
Res .
7 ) , vetoed by President Trump , that called on President Trump to remove U.S. troops from Yemen that were supporting Saudi Arabia in its proxy war against Iran .
In November 2018 , she voted for a similar resolution ( S.J .
Res .
54 ) that also failed to pass .
While opposing Saudi Arabia ’ s role in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is unclear what Harris feels about the Jew-hating , Nazi-saluting Houthis , Iran ’ s proxies in that war .
If Saudi Arabia Passes on a Normalization Deal , So Will Oman If Saudi Arabia gets cold feet on a normalization deal , then an Oman normalization deal would be far less likely .
While unnamed “ Israeli officials ” had predicted an Oman deal after U.S. presidential elections , Oman could have a change of heart if Saudi Arabia grows wary .
But chances are much better if Saudi Arabia signs on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Deal Less Likely , Unless Under Trump A Biden–Harris presidency will greatly lessen the chances that Morocco will normalize relations with Israel .
But this might persuade Morocco to cut a deal now during the Trump administration .
As I have mentioned previously in The American Spectator , in the recent past , Democrats like President Obama , Susan Rice , and other progressives have shown sympathies with the Polisario Front , a “ a Marxist and autocratic proxy which Algerian and Cuban intelligence created in order to pursue Sahrawi [ Western Saharan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ becomes president , he too might be more willing to side with the Polisario Front against Morocco .
Long-Shot Israel–Lebanon Peace Even Less Likely The Trump administration has brokered first-round talks between Israel and Lebanon to delineate their maritime border , with a second round scheduled for October 28 .
Before the U.S. presidential election , Lebanese President Michel Aoun , as well as his daughter , indicated that they would be amenable to peace with Israel under certain circumstances .
If President Trump doesn ’ t finish the maritime deal during his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be done under a Biden–Harris administration given the Biden–Harris team ’ s promised revival of the Iran deal .
While there is at present a very slim chance of a more comprehensive Israel–Lebanon peace , that chance is eliminated if an appeasement-like Iran deal similar to the Obama administration ’ s is negotiated .
A Biden–Harris administration might be more likely to broker a normalization deal between Israel and Qatar .
Some believe that Biden would be more likely than President Trump to pressure Saudi Arabia and the UAE to break its blockade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previously in The American Spectator , however , others think that Qatar , like Saudi Arabia and the UAE , would normalize relations with Israel in exchange for it being allowed to purchase F-35s from the United States .
It would be difficult for a Biden–Harris administration to justify the sale of F-35s to Qatar while denying them to Saudi Arabia and the UAE .
Further , a deal with Qatar may result in a zero-sum game and may weaken the existing normalization agreements with UAE and Bahrain , further diminish prospects of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ erode U.S. relations with UAE , Bahrain , and Saudi Arabia generally .
A Biden–Harris Iran deal would cause further problems than the ones mentioned above .
It would likely further inflame the Syrian and Yemeni civil wars , as well as further destabilize Lebanon and Iraq , as Iran would have more money to pour into its proxies in these countries .
Adopting Palestinian Demands Will Also Lessen Chances for Peace A Biden–Harris administration would likely take several positions in favor of the Palestinian Authority that would likely be non-starters for Israel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Opposition to “ settlements.
” Contrary to popular wisdom , Israel has a right to build the so-called “ settlements , ” which are Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria , the ancestral homeland and heartland of the Jewish people .
Historically , the Carter and Obama administrations were the toughest on “ settlements , ” labeling them as “ contrary to the Geneva Convention ” and “ illegitimate , ” respectively .
The Trump administration , in the Pompeo Doctrine , stated that it does not recognize the “ settlements ” as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ openly hostile to the “ settlements.
” Biden has said that continued “ settlement ” building “ will choke off any hope for peace , ” despite the Palestinians ’ consistent rejection of any peace proposal regardless of the presence , absence , and number of “ settlements.
” Harris recently stated that a Biden administration would oppose Israeli “ settlements.
” Opposition to the “ occupation.
” Also contrary to what many think , Israel ’ s claim to Judea and Samaria is not one of “ occupation.
” While the Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden opposes the “ occupation.
” Opposition to Israel applying sovereignty over Judea and Samaria .
The Trump administration ’ s peace plan allows Israel to exert sovereignty over about 30 percent of Judea and Samaria , and , in return , Israel would cede land in the Negev Desert to a future Palestinian state .
Both Biden and Harris oppose Israel exerting sovereignty over Judea and Samaria .
Biden has said , “ I do not support annexation .
The fact is , I will reverse Trump ’ s undercutting of peace.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ annexing Judea and Samaria and recently repeated her opposition to Israel moving to apply sovereignty over Judea and Samaria .
Reopening U.S. consulate to the Palestinian Authority .
Further , Biden supports reopening the U.S. consulate to the Palestinian Authority in eastern Jerusalem , which undermines Israel ’ s sovereignty in Jerusalem .
Restoring aid , reopening PLO mission without PA cutting terror funding .
Harris recently said that a Biden administration would restore aid to the Palestinians and reopen the PLO mission in Washington , D.C .
If these measures are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial support for terrorism , then they do nothing to further peace .
All indications show that a Biden–Harris administration would undermine prospects for Middle East peace vis-à-vis virtually all actors in the region .
A Biden–Harris administration would likely only benefit Iran and possibly Qatar .
Knowing this , U.S. allies in the region should double their efforts to negotiate further peace with the Trump administration .
At the very least , Saudi Arabia , Oman , and Morocco should normalize relations with Israel before January with the assistance of the Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ green-light ” Israel ’ s inalienable right to unilaterally annex land in Judea and Samaria , and Israel should apply sovereignty and keep building “ settlements ” to the greatest extent possible and practical .
Bold moves by the Trump administration made in conjunction with U.S. allies will increase the likelihood that Middle East peace will survive the destructive policies of any Biden–Harris administration .
Steve Postal has been previously published in American Thinker , the Christian Post , the Federalist , Israel National News , the Times of Israel , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Kamala Harris ” by Joe Biden .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-11--Barr Authorizes DOJ Prosecutors to Investigate Election Irregularities

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thetennesseestar--2020-11-11--Glitchy Dominion Voting Machines in Georgia Were Used in Response to Previous Voting Concerns

Dominion voting machines , which have drawn scrutiny over security concerns during the November 3 elections , ironically made their entrance into use in Georgia this year after concerns were raised about the sanctity of past elections .
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said in an undated press release that he had selected Dominion Voting Systems ’ new verified paper ballot system to be in operation for the March 24 , 2020 presidential primary .
“ Elections security is my top priority , ” Raffensperger said at the time .
The glitch-prone software was used in all 159 of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday .
Dominion classified their presence in Georgia as a “ statewide voting system rollout.
” Dominion allegedly has caused delayed voting and reporting results in Gwinnett County , Morgan County , and Spalding County .
Raffensperger selected Dominion after U.S. District Court Judge Amy Totenberg in 2019 ordered the state to stop using direct-recording electronic voting machines , NPR reported in August 2019 .
The judge also told Georgia to create a plan to “ address errors and discrepancies in the voter registration database ” and provide paper copies of poll books @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sued in 2017 over allegations that the direct-recording electronic voting machines were not secure and were vulnerable to hacking , NPR said .
Dominion won the bid to provide a $ 90 million system , GPB reported in July 2019 .
That system included : an electronic poll book for voters to check in ; an ImageCast X Ballot-Marking Device for voters to touch their selections , which then get printed on a paper ballot ; and an ImageCast Precinct Polling Place Scanner to scan and store the paper ballot for counting .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ barcode that is scanned , an image of the ballot and a summary for voters , GPB reported .
Any recounts or audits would be conducted with the actual text of a voter ’ s selection , not the barcode .
On Dec. 19 , 2019 , Raffensperger said he was extending the registration of about 22,000 people whose registration had been cancelled as part of a regular , legally mandated maintenance effort .
The people had not contacted the voter registration system from January-May 2012 .
A 1993 federal law requires states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is one of nine states that cancel the registration of people who have not had contact with the registration system for a period of time and have not responded to mail sent to their last known address asking for confirmation , a process spelled out in decades-old state law and upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court .
“ We are proactively taking additional steps to prevent any confusion come the day of the election , ” Raffensperger said in December .
Confusion apparently came on Election Day , however .
A GOP poll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use ballot machines that were missing security seals in Gwinnett County , Georgia , The Star reported Tuesday .
Georgia Republican Sens .
David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler called for Raffensperger to resign , accusing him of failing “ to deliver honest and transparent elections , ” The Hill reported .
Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes .
Photo “ File : SecretaryRaffenspergerOfficialPhoto ( cropped ) .jpg ” by Caitelizabeth5CC4.0 .
Background Photo “ Governor Votes Early ” by MDGovpics CC @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-11-11--Director of Amistad Project Phill Kline on Elections: ‘There Is a Billionaire in the Counting Room a

Director of Amistad Project Phill Kline on Elections: ‘There Is a Billionaire in the Counting Room and They Need to Open the Door’

Live from Music Row Tuesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed Professor of Law at Liberty University and current Director of the Amistad Project Phill Kline to the show .
During the second hour , Kline explained the purpose of the Amistad Project and its goal to make sure America ’ s elections are fair and transparent .
He was adamant that those who continue to close the doors and board up windows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ door for transparency of the American electoral process .
Leahy : We are joined by our very good friend Phil Kline .
Former attorney general in Kansas .
A law professor at Liberty University in Virginia .
And director of the Amistad Project of the Thomas Moore Society .
Briefly Phill , tell our listeners about the Amistad Project and the Thomas Moore Society .
Kline : Well , we have been engaged in an effort to make sure that our elections are fair and transparent now for well over two years .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ result of it because of the lawlessness of this approach to the election process is to initiate litigation in several states .
It ’ s basically Michael to open the door and to force those who are closing the door and boarding up windows , preventing people from watching the count to open the door .
And that is the primary concern we have .
Leahy : You have a very very busy schedule and we appreciate you making your time available for this Phill .
My question to you is can you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current litigation that the Amistad Project is involved in these battleground states where you know , there there ’ s a suspicion that a lot of fraud is taking place on the Democratic side ?
Kline : Absolutely .
We ’ ve got three cases in Pennsylvania .
One of which just last week we won a major victory in forcing the segregation of ballots where Democratic counties skewered the votes of certain people .
What that means is they sit in there with absentee ballots and there were all kinds of flaws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t count it .
Well , they gave those ballots to Democrat officials to go figure out how to retest the ballot so it ’ s not flawed .
The Republican counties within that state so that your legal they learned of this late so they didn ’ t do it .
And so you treat Republican counties and their voters differently than you have in Democrat strongholds .
And we see this across the nation in those core areas where Mr. Zuckerberg gave his money .
Because what they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re actually paying these officials who make these decisions .
And these decisions are consistent .
And then in the Democrats strongholds , it ’ s almost impossible not to vote because they accepted everything that came through the door .
And in Republican areas , they followed the law .
That ’ s in the big picture .
The biggest part of the problem Michael is that we have two different systems of elections now .
Now if they had followed the law and allowed observers in where they could see we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So we have admitted illegalities at the start .
They ’ re not allowing people in the room .
But the law says must be in the room for the count .
Now nobody ’ s allowed by the way inside your voting booth , your privacy is protected .
But the count is something that America is enabled to watch by law .
And as I ’ ve investigated and prosecuted people and for four years , I oversaw the Kansas Bureau of Investigations and I ’ ve never met a guilty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that wanted me to see it .
( Leahy chuckles ) Kline : And I ’ ve never met an innocent one who had evidence that they controlled that proved their innocence that didn ’ t want me to see it .
So we have to back up .
And there are two things that America must recognize with what ’ s going on today .
Number one , the media , and Big Tech don ’ t get to pick our president .
It ’ s the Constitution and the law .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the law right now say that the balloting and the selection of the next president is not done .
It ’ s not done until mid-December .
And we ’ ve put that process in place in the Constitution and the law because we realize it takes time to have a fair and transparent count of the votes in America when you have over 100 million voters .
So it ’ s there for a reason and we shouldn ’ t let the media determine the presidency or Big Tech because quite honestly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t know their full interest .
We ought to let the Constitution and the law work .
That ’ s number one .
Number two .
We have seen an unprecedented , something that we haven ’ t seen throughout the world with private corporate monies paying election officials who are controlling the count .
Who is controlling the count ?
There ’ s a billionaire in the counting room and they ’ re not opening the door .
Leahy : That ’ s another good line Phill .
You ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because those are very memorable points .
There ’ s a billionaire in the counting room .
Kline : That ’ s right , and they need to open the door .
They need to open the door .
And it ’ s the same billionaire that is censoring conservative speech on their platform .
Now all of America ought to be alarmed and the left ought to be alarmed .
Mr. Biden said he ’ s going to work as hard for those who opposed him as he did for those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the transparency of the American electoral process and the clear access to the counting room is at stake for this nation .
And Mr. Biden is silent .
Mr. Zuckerberg is silent .
Those two gentlemen need to say open the doors .
Let ’ s watch the count .
That ’ s fair .
The ballots are still there .
But America needs to see the count and they ’ re not allowing it .
Leahy : Phill , where do you think this all plays out ?
Did you say mid-December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date in a federal statute .
I think it ’ s December 12 , when all the electors gather in the 50 state capitals to cast their ballots .
What where do you think this plays out between now and then ?
Kline : Well , first of all , I don ’ t want to speculate .
I just know the law allows various options as this moves through .
The first step to all of this is to open the door .
If you open the door , we can sort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it out in time .
But they ’ re trying to run out the clock .
It ’ s much like , you know , I ’ m a Kansas City Chiefs fan and it ’ s a good time to be a Chiefs fan .
Kline : It ’ s like you ’ ve got a team that had a questionable play .
The receiver might not have caught the ball .
So let ’ s run-up to the line of scrimmage and let ’ s call the next play before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we don ’ t want the replay officials to have a look at what happened .
Now , here ’ s the problem .
In the football game , you ’ ve got 80,000 people and you got officials on the field and they get to see the play .
You know what ?
The law requires the same thing in the counting room .
But guess what ?
Only one team was on the field .
One team was on the field and we ’ re getting enough concern about how this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve talked about some of them and the ballots coming in the day after the election early in the morning .
Because you know , you can ’ t bring the ballots there without driving down the street and people noticing what ’ s happening even though they ’ re locking up this area in Georgia down there .
The officials said we ’ re done for the night go home .
But there ’ s now a whistleblower that says they continued to count once everybody left .
Leahy : It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I think it was .
Kline : Yes , and that ’ s where Zuckerberg ’ s money was .
Kline : Absolutely .
You ’ ve got one team in there who ’ s now rushing up to the line of scrimmage to prevent anybody from seeing what happened in the counting room and trying to run out the clock letting Americans anoint a president whose only been anointed by the media and Big Tech .
Leahy : Exactly .
So let ’ s talk about Zuckerberg who made his personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of $ 350 million between September 1 and I think October 1 of this year to this group .
The Chicago-based group called the Center for Tech and Civic Life .
And they claim it ’ s non-partisan .
I think all the evidence clearly in Georgia is entirely a partisan Democrat area and a get out the vote effort .
Is that legal what Zuckerberg ’ s done ?
Kline : I ’ ll tell you what , if it is our next election cycle when you vote on the machine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election brought to you by Geico .
I mean really ?
The privatization of the operation of our elections when it ’ s a core function of government and the Constitution delegates that respond specifically to the state legislature .
We ’ re going to allow billionaires to say hey , Mr. City Election Director , I want to buy your office and give you more money than you ’ ve ever received before .
This is how you ’ re going to spend it .
I ’ ll pay for your employees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Background Photo “ Voting Booths ” by Tim Evanson .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-11--Commentary: Was Pfizer’s Vaccine News Slow-Walked Until After the Election?

As the coronavirus pandemic swept across the globe in the spring , President Trump announced his plan to fast-track an effective vaccine that would be available by the new year .
The goal of Operation Warp Speed , launched by the White House in May , was “ to produce and deliver 300 million doses of safe and effective vaccines with the initial doses available by January 2021 , as part of a broader strategy to accelerate the development , manufacturing , and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines , therapeutics , and diagnostics.
” Congress appropriated $ 10 billion to fund @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his team spent months touting the success of the public-private partnership .
Pfizer , one of five companies selected in June as a candidate with the best chance of meeting the president ’ s deadline , entered into a $ 1.95 billion contract with the federal government in July to purchase 100 million doses .
The agreement was part of Operation Warp Speed , according to a company press release .
Operation Warp Speed not only involved the use of federal tax dollars but the elimination of government roadblocks that would ordinarily delay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hundreds of federal rules and regulations were relaxed to help fight COVID-19 and hasten the private sector ’ s progress on treatments for the virus .
The government ’ s lengthy , burdensome immunization approval process—which lasts an average of 73 months—was slashed to 14 months .
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar promised his agency would “ squeeze every last inefficiency ” to achieve the president ’ s goal .
But just like every other aspect of coronavirus , the vaccine has been a political cudgel .
Democrats , including Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mate , Kamala Harris , have fueled public distrust about the vaccine .
“ If Donald Trump tells us we should take it , I ’ m not taking it , ” Harris said during the October 8 vice presidential debate .
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo , responsible for the most COVID-19 fatalities in the country , also sowed fear about a vaccine .
The scare tactics worked ; public trust in a coronavirus vaccine has dropped since the summer .
The president repeatedly expressed confidence that a vaccine might be ready @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief executive officer Albert Bourla said in a September 8 interview that his company ’ s phase three trials were “ progressing very well ” and that he expected a preliminary finding by the end of October .
But on October 27 , as Americans already were voting for president amid panicked warnings of a second surge of coronavirus , Pfizer said data from its late-stage trial would not be available before November 3 .
“ For us , the election is an artificial milestone , ” Bourla told reporters .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine or a Democrat vaccine .
It will be a vaccine for the citizens of the world.
” Oddly , however , Joe Biden was the first to learn that the nonpartisan totally unbiased vaccine now is getting close to the greenlight stage .
“ Last night , my public health advisors were informed of this excellent news , ” Biden said in a statement issued early Monday .
News organizations cheered Pfizer ’ s announcement that its vaccine is 90 percent effective at preventing COVID-19 ; the stock market soared .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times that the company was “ never part of Operation Warp Speed.
” This prompted a victory lap from the Trump-hating media .
MSNBCs Joy Reid tweeted that she “ felt better ” Pfizer wasn ’ t involved in Operation Warp Speed and she wouldn ’ t “ go near anything that Trump or his politicized FDA had anything to do with.
” Vanity Fair concluded that Vice President Mike Pence could “ f**k off ” after he commended Operation Warp Speed for facilitating Pfizer ’ s quick work .
“ The Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Pfizer vaccine , which of course it had nothing to do with , ” the magazine snarked .
Credit Where It Is Due The orchestrated narrative , of course , is an attempt to deny the president any credit for fulfilling a major promise to the American people , one that undoubtedly will benefit Biden if indeed he is the winner of the election .
Instead , the spin somehow attempted to credit Joe Biden for the good news .
Even after journalists , including yours truly , provided evidence of Pfizer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a company spokeswoman corrected the Times ’ reporting to verify that yes , Pfizer was part of the president ’ s program , reporters and pundits refused to admit they were wrong .
Further , the claim by Pfizer ’ s CEO that the vaccine is apolitical doesn ’ t ring true .
According to an article in STAT News , a scientific and public health journal , the company planned to issue preliminary results based on what ’ s described as a “ 32-case analysis , ” which would reveal the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-positive volunteers in a sample of more than 40,000 subjects had received the vaccine .
If six people or fewer had taken the vaccine , the drug would be considered effective .
The trial would continue but the outcome would signal an early success .
But that plan was benched sometime last month .
“ After discussion with the FDA , the companies recently elected to drop the 32-case interim analysis and conduct the first interim analysis at a minimum of 62 cases , ” Pfizer ’ s press release disclosed November 9 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past Election Day .
“ At that time , the companies decided to stop having their lab confirm cases of Covid-19 in the study , instead leaving samples in storage , ” STAT News reported after Pfizer ’ s announcement .
“ The FDA was aware of this decision .
Discussions between the agency and the companies concluded , and testing began this past Wednesday.
” A secret board of experts tasked with overseeing COVID-19 vaccine development met Sunday to review Pfizer ’ s data ; the Biden campaign was informed about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That ’ s not all : Team Biden met with industry officials at least twice before Election Day .
“ Biden advisers met with companies that have Covid-19 vaccines or therapies in late-stage clinical trials in September and October , ” campaign advisors told Bloomberg news .
“ The purpose was to gather information about the development , manufacturing and distribution of shots to ward off the novel coronavirus and therapies to treat the sick.
” It ’ s unclear whether anyone from Pfizer participated but considering its one of a handful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it ’ s hard to believe the company wasn ’ t in talks with the Biden campaign .
And it ’ s worth noting that Big Pharma donors favored Biden over Trump during the 2020 election cycle .
Joe Biden and the media have exploited coronavirus relentlessly for political purposes .
Collaborating with Big Pharma to slow-walk good news about a vaccine until after Election Day is another example of their shamelessness .
Half of America doesn ’ t trust this potential president , his people , or the news media—and this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a political commentator and senior contributor to American Greatness .
She is the author of Disloyal Opposition : How the NeverTrump Right Tried―And Failed―To Take Down the President .