thetennesseestar--2020-07-19--DNR Seeks Further Assurances from Enbridge Over Line 5 Risks

The head of Michigan ’ s Department of Natural Resources has asked Enbridge to sign an agreement to cover all losses that might ensue should the company ’ s dual Line 5 pipeline fail in the Straits of Mackinac .
DNR Director Dan Eichinger sent a letter Friday to Enbridge Executive Vice President and President , Liquid Pipelines Veron Yu seeking a written agreement “ to provide sufficient financial assurances to cover any loss , including a catastrophic release from the dual pipelines.
” Eichinger wrote : “ As recent events have reminded us , we must get these pipelines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Great Lakes as soon as possible , ” said Eichinger .
“ In the meantime , Enbridge must provide full financial assurance to the people of Michigan that the company will meet its obligations in the event there is a spill or some other disastrous damage to the Great Lakes.
” According to a DNR press release , an Oct. 29 , 2019 , report by the American Risk Management Resources Network determined Enbridge currently is not indemnified under the original 1953 easement for the Line 5 pipelines .
Therefore , the DNR @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Assume the indemnity obligations of Enbridge Energy Company , Inc. ; • Agree to a minimum of $ 900 million in liability insurance ; • Agree to name the state of Michigan as an additional insured party on the identified policies so that Michigan ’ s right of recovery is not derivative ; and • Agree to directly pledge its own assets for the remainder of the financial assurance requirements ( to meet or exceed $ 1.878 billion , annually adjusted for inflation ) .
In a statement , Bryan Newland , board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and chair of the Bay Mills Indian Community , stated : “ The Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority … applauds the Michigan Department of Natural Resources ’ request for a new agreement that will hold Enbridge liable for all damages and losses due to a potential oil spill .
“ This is a step toward exposing the company ’ s inability to protect Michiganders in the event of an oil spill from its Line 5 under the Straits of Mackinac , ” Newland added .
“ CORA continues to urge Enbridge to end use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to Canadian refineries through other pipelines that do not endanger the Great Lakes.
” Michael Barnes , Enbridge spokesperson , shared his company ’ s official statement with The Center Square .
“ Enbridge pledges to take full responsibility for the clean-up of any incident in Michigan or anywhere along our pipeline system , ” according to the Enbridge statement .
“ The company ’ s strong financial position and follow through on our commitment to Marshall , Michigan support this pledge , ” the statement reads , referring to a 2010 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 million gallons of oil into a tributary of the Kalamazoo River in Calhoun County .
The company spent five years and $ 1.21 billion , according to the Grand Rapids Press , to clean up the spill .
It also paid an estimated $ 180 million in fines .
“ As part of our existing agreements with the State of Michigan , Enbridge provided the State with detailed financial assurances that we have the ability to cover all costs in the unlikely event of an incident in the Straits , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ update on our financial assurances to the State in October 2019 per the second agreement.
” Bruce Walker is a regional editor at The Center Square .
He previously worked as editor at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy ’ s MichiganScience magazine and The Heartland Institute ’ s InfoTech & Telecom News .
Photo “ Enbridge Pipeline ” by Lawrence Welsh .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-19--Walz Must Answer Abuse of Emergency Powers Charge Over COVID-19 Orders in Lawsuit

Over a dozen Minnesota state legislators have joined ranks with the Free Minnesota Small Business Coalition to stop what they argue are Governor Tim Walz ’ s unconstitutional abuses of power .
A hearing in the case will take place , July 16 , 2020 , in Minnesota District Court .
Minneapolis attorney Erick Kaardal of Mohrman , Kaardal & Erickson , P.A .
is representing the group in a lawsuit against Governor Walz , whom they are charging with overstepping his bounds and interfering in the legislative process , violating civil liberties of legislators , business owners , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that in addition to robbing legislators of their authority , Walz has also reduced his 5.6 million citizens to “ wards of the state ” status .
“ In Minnesota , when a child is made a ward of the state , it is only because there are no better alternatives .
By refusing to take any of the available less-extreme options Walz has placed Minnesotans under his own thumb with his flagrant and unconstitutional curtailing of civil liberties , ” says Kaardal .
“ The Minnesota Constitution makes it clear that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that enacts the laws and the governor vetoes or signs off .
Governor Walz ’ s emergency powers are limited , and he is abusing that power over every single Minnesotan by his arbitrary and unfounded dictates , ” stated Kaardal , a graduate of Harvard and the University of Chicago Law School .
Kaardal further explained how businesses – and by extension average Minnesotans – are being devastated by the governor ’ s orders , which forces them to remain closed under tenuous legal grounds .
The group originally filed a petition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 .
This petition asked the court to ban Governor Walz from enforcing his COVID-19 executive orders and from issuing new COVID-19 executive orders .

by Bethany Blankley
Nineteen attorneys general, led by Indiana, have filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of a lawsuit filed by Texas and Missouri against the Biden administration.
They’re asking the Supreme Court to uphold a lower court’s order instructing the Biden administration to follow the law to fully reinstate the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), otherwise known as the “Remain in Mexico” policy.
“No one is above the law in America, and we are simply insisting that the Biden administration follow the law,” Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita said (pictured above).
“The rule of law is the framework that enables American liberty to survive and thrive,” he added. “The situation at our southern border provides the perfect example of how going soft on the rule of law gives rise to anarchy, chaos, and ultimately the erosion of our freedom and safety.”
In January 2021, President Joe Biden announced via executive order that he was terminating MPP. Months later, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas began dismantling it and other immigration policies. Southern border encounters then surged to historic levels. In Biden’s first year in office, Customs and Border Protection and Border Patrol agents encountered or apprehended roughly 2 million people entering the southern border illegally. This number excludes the several hundred thousand who are estimated to have evaded law enforcement.
At the same time, Mayorkas implemented a wide range of policy changes to effectively halt most deportations. CBP and Border Patrol agents were directed to release illegal immigrants into the U.S. en masse instead of sending them back to Mexico to go through the immigration process.
Texas and Missouri sued, District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk of the Northern District of Texas granted their request for a permanent injunction and ordered the administration to reinstate the MPP. He ruled the administration violated the Administrative Procedure Act when it halted the MPP.
The administration appealed to the Fifth Circuit and U.S. Supreme Court and lost. Both courts denied its request to stay Kacsmaryk’s ruling.
After its Supreme Court loss, the administration said it was appealing Kacsmaryk’s ruling, vowing to “vigorously challenge it.” In a statement, it said, “As the appeal process continues, however, DHS will comply with the order in good faith. Alongside interagency partners, DHS has begun to engage with the Government of Mexico in diplomatic discussions surrounding the Migrant Protection Protocols.”
But compliance hasn’t happened, as evidenced by the flood of illegal immigrants the administration is releasing into the U.S. and by the tactics it’s used in court to circumvent the law, the AGs argue.
“From the beginning of this Administration, the United States has been forthright about its intention to terminate MPP simply because it did not like the program, and its conduct demonstrates its readiness to do anything – including ignore the APA’s requirements – to accomplish that objective,” they argue in the brief.
“The Administration’s ‘act now, justify later’ approach began on Inauguration Day, when it summarily paused MPP,” they add.
Throughout the appeals process, “the Fifth Circuit correctly concluded that the United States’ efforts to avoid judicial review violated basic principles of procedure,” they argue.
An unprecedented number of people are expected to come through the southern border after the administration ends the Title 42 public health authority May 23, the attorneys general have argued, necessitating the urgency for the Supreme Court to weigh in.
Implemented under President Donald Trump in January 2019, the MPP led to a reduction in the number of people entering the U.S. illegally. The Trump administration also invoked Title 42 to enable CBP and Border Patrol agents to quickly expel illegal immigrants and prevent entry to a greater number of people during a public health emergency.
Current law requires those not authorized to enter the U.S. to be detained, to stay in Mexico, or be “paroled” into the U.S. based on narrowly defined case-by-case circumstances including “urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.”
The Biden administration has been issuing paroles en masse to release illegal immigrants into the U.S., the attorneys general argue, violating the law.
The administration maintains it’s inherited a flawed system, and its policies are more humane than the previous administration’s. White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters last December after the administration lost another court battle in the case, “it is not our preference to be reimplementing and reinstituting the Migrant Protection program. … we still feel that the program is inefficient, inhumane, and we are not – we weren’t, we were – did not eagerly reimplement it.”
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Bethany Blankley is a regular contributor to The Center Square.
Photo “AG Todd Rokita” by AG Todd Rokita.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-19--Rand Paul Stumps for U.S. Senate Candidate Manny Sethi at Sellout Event

LASCASSAS , Tennessee — U.S. Sen. Rand Paul told more than 800 people Saturday that he supports U.S. Senate candidate Manny Sethi not because Sethi is a Republican — but because Sethi is conservative .
Paul appeared alongside Sethi at former State Rep. Joe Carr ’ s T-Bones & Politics dinner .
Carr said it was “ a sellout event.
” U.S. President Donald Trump has endorsed Sethi ’ s opponent , Bill Hagerty .
The Tennessee Star asked Paul what he would say to the average Tennessee Republican who still hasn ’ t decided which of the two candidates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most people who live in this neck of the woods that Joe Carr knows a conservative when he sees it , and Joe Carr ’ s endorsement is probably worth more than mine , to tell you the truth , ” Paul said .
“ But I also know a conservative and someone who is sincere when I see it .
I think Dr. Sethi is the real deal .
I think the other side got to the president very early .
I don ’ t think he had a chance to meet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what happens in big organizations is they get the wrong pick .
They sort of kick themselves saying ‘ We should have waited because Dr. Sethi will actually be a better supporter.
’ ” As reported Saturday , former U.S. Sen Jim DeMint ( R-SC ) also endorsed Sethi .
DeMint , known for his work in the Tea Party , is a University of Tennessee graduate and founder of the Senate Conservatives Fund .
Also as reported , Memphis-based Varsity Spirit founder Jeff Webb and former Congressmen John J. Duncan Jr. have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Politics more than 10 years ago for Constitutional Conservatives .
Past speakers include TV commentator Dick Morris , former Wisconsin Gov .
Scott Walker , FOX News commentator Judge Jeanine Pirro , and The Politichicks , according to T-Bones & Politics ’ website .
Paul said he and Trump speak at least once a week .
“ The night that Manny wins I will call the president , ” Paul said .
“ I promise you the president will call Manny and congratulate him and support him.
” Chris Butler is an investigative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-07-20--White House Coronavirus Task Force Report Classifies Tennessee a ‘Red Zone’

Six metro areas and 19 counties in Tennessee are designated as coronavirus red zones in a private report prepared for the White House Coronavirus Task Force .
The 359-page report , dated July 14 , identifies local COVID-19 hotspots across the U.S. and recommends increased restrictions for those areas .
It was obtained and published by The Center for Public Integrity , a nonprofit newsroom based in Washington .
The authors of the report are not specified .
Officials in Tennessee ’ s 25 red zone areas are recommended to close bars and gyms and create outdoor dining opportunities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fewer and ensure businesses and services require masks and safe social distancing practices .
Increased contact tracer recruitment and messaging on risks for those with pre-existing medical conditions also are encouraged .
“ Many of the suggestions listed are already in place in certain counties in Tennessee , and we are working with local governments on the best way to address the pandemic in their unique communities , ” Gillum Ferguson , a spokesman for Gov .
Bill Lee , told The Center Square .
Counties in the red zone include Davidson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Hamblen , Macon , Robertson , Bedford , Dyer , Lauderdale and Smith .
The report defines local red zone areas as those that reported both 100 or more new cases per 100,000 population and a test positivity rate of above 10 percent .
Thirteen metro areas and 44 counties in Tennessee are designated as yellow zones , meaning they reported between 10 and 100 new cases per 100,000 in population and a test positivity rate between 5 percent and 10 percent .
The top yellow zone cities are Memphis , Knoxville @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clarksville and Jackson .
Statewide , the report recommends decreasing indoor dining to 25 percent capacity and limiting gatherings to 10 or fewer people .
It also recommends increased testing , contact tracing recruitment , expansion of testing capacity and and testing households in one tube for faster turnaround times .
“ The Unified Command Group is in close contact with White House officials to provide regular updates on COVID-19 ’ s presence in Tennessee and to share best practices and challenges the state is facing in responding to the pandemic , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did not respond to requests for comment .
Read the full report here .
Tennessee ’ s section begins on page 295 .
Vivian Jones reports on Tennessee and South Carolina for The Center Square .

Arizona State Rep. Jake Hoffman (R-Queen Creek) and 19 other legislators issued a statement following a video that went viral of three black students kicking two white students out of Arizona State University’s multicultural center. They demanded accountability and threatened to withhold funding from the university.
They announced, “It has come to light following the racially-motivated harassment of two students and their subsequent removal from one of the campus’ study facilities that ASU has allowed a culture of institutionalized racism and neo-segregation to take hold on its campus. The racially-charged removal of these students from the multicultural center begs the question of why Arizonans are being forced to spend tens, potentially hundreds, of millions of their hard-earned tax dollars on a building at a public university that some of our citizens are not allowed to use?”
Hoffman is a member of the House Appropriations Committee, and concluded that he would “get to the bottom of this and take the appropriate action in the upcoming budget. Not one penny of taxpayer money should be appropriated to a public institution that in any way enables racism or neo-segregation. Period.”
ASU said it is investigating the incident. The angry students may have been “triggered” by a sticker on the laptop belonging to one of the white males, which said “Police Lives Matter,” and the slogan on the other white male’s shirt, which said “Did not vote for Biden.” They told the two young men, “You’re making this space uncomfortable” and “white is not a culture.” They said the Police Lives Matter sticker was racist.
One of the three told the students to leave, and another remarked, “This white man thinks he can take up our space, and this is why we need a multicultural space, because they think they can get away with this sh*t.” One of the two males packs up and leaves, and the other one stands up and looks like he might have been about to leave too.
A fundraiser was started for the harassed students on GoFundMe — one of the students mentioned in the video that he works 60 hours a week to support himself and his tuition, explaining that he’s not entitled — but GoFundMe removed it, refunding the money back to the donors. The company said it violated their “prohibited conduct policy,” which bans content that GoFundMe finds to be “in support of hate, violence, harassment, bullying, discrimination, terrorism, or intolerance of any kind.”
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Rachel Alexander is a reporter at The Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network. Follow Rachel on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected]


thetennesseestar--2020-07-20--Commentary: President Trump’s Overhaul of Stifling Environmental Regulations Clears the Way for Infr

Commentary: President Trump’s Overhaul of Stifling Environmental Regulations Clears the Way for Infrastructure Projects Nationwide

President Trump recently finalized an overhaul of one of the most important environmental laws in America .
Credited by some as the “ Magna Carta ” of environmental legislation , the National Environmental Policy Act ( NEPA ) is one of America ’ s main legislative weapons in fighting climate change .
It mandates an extensive review process , including the drafting of a lengthy Environmental Impact Statement ( EIS ) and subsequent legal challenges , before the commencement of infrastructure projects .
But Trump ’ s revision of the law through regulatory reinterpretation dramatically weakens the bill ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting federal approval on many infrastructure projects .
NEPA was signed into law by Richard Nixon in 1970 to fight climate change by mandating EISs and allowing local communities to weigh in on proposed infrastructure projects .
The idea was to inform and give a voice to those most affected by the construction of pipelines , highways , and other major projects in or near their communities .
Despite this admirable goal , the actual consequences of the law have not always been so positive .
The act makes tedious EISs and opportunities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infrastructure endeavors , including power plants , mines , and highways .
In practice , this creates wasteful delays on crucial projects such as the expansion of Interstate 75 in Atlanta .
NEPA creates these delays by giving outside environmental groups a disproportionately loud voice and obstructing the whole process with bureaucratic red tape .
Environmentalists and government agencies are empowered to challenge almost any infrastructure project in court , slowing down the process with years of legal delays .
U.S. Chamber of Commerce CEO Tom Donahue noted earlier this year , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used as a tool to obstruct important projects , such as highways , bridges , public transit and even renewable energy projects.
” The president ’ s overhaul of NEPA will cut “ down to two years or less ” the time required to get infrastructure projects approved .
The president will accomplish this by making provisions to exclude many smaller projects from having to complete time-consuming EISs , which are often around 600 pages long .
Communities will still get to weigh in on the biggest infrastructure endeavors , in accordance with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will streamline the smaller , less impactful projects .
This enables NEPA to fulfill its purpose where communities are most affected , while increasing our infrastructure ’ s efficiency in other cases by cutting away the legal red tape .
In doing this , Trump is fulfilling his promise in January to remedy the “ outrageously slow and burdensome federal approval process ” that often clogs up infrastructure development .
By clearing away environmental bureaucracy , the president is helping construction projects to pass quickly through the planning stage and move more rapidly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that his revisions “ will reduce approval time for highways alone by 70 % .
” This will provide occasion for many new jobs in the construction industry and allow our infrastructure to achieve greater efficiency rather than being constantly delayed by the domineering interjections of outside environmental groups and government agencies .
Trump ’ s overhaul of NEPA is one of the largest acts of deregulation of his presidency , but it is by no means the first .
Trump has been making good on his campaign promise since he was inaugurated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulations that have caused inefficiencies in energy and infrastructure .
Among these are his lowering of fuel economy and greenhouse gas standards for cars and light trucks and replacing the Clean Power Plan , eliminating its restrictions on carbon emissions from coal and gas power plants .
Compare Trump ’ s decisive actions with Biden ’ s proposed $ 2 trillion plan to eliminate carbon-based power generation within 15 years .
Referring to his “ Build Back Better ” plan to subsidize alternative energy like wind and solar , Biden commented , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pandemic and an economic crisis , we should be making these investments anyway.
” But clean energy is no investment , at least in the normal sense of the word ; if it were , government would not have needed to subsidize it for the last four decades .
The United States already wastes billions on renewable energy a year with little to show for it .
“ Investing ” more money in alternative energy is the last thing our soaring national debt and struggling economy need .
Trump has done what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priorities .
We are in the midst of a pandemic that has wrecked the economy and cost millions of jobs .
This is not a time to take on another $ 2 trillion in debt .
This is not a time to whine about pollution , the noise of highway traffic , and environmental apocalypses that might affect us a few centuries from now .
This is a time to rejuvenate our economy , and stripping away stifling environmental regulations is a low-cost , high-gain way of doing so .
As the nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the other complications of the modern world , it must continue to focus on what is most important , instead of sacrificing real jobs and infrastructure on the altar of imaginary environmental catastrophes .
William Burns is a participant in the Young Writers Program .
He attends Baylor University , where he is studying math , economics , and statistics .
He enjoys reading old books and writing about classically liberal ideas .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-20--Congressional Leaders Receive at Least $1 Million in Pension Payouts Paid for by Taxpayers

As the nation struggles with record high unemployment , extended job losses , continued statewide shutdowns , and crippling national debt , a new report reveals that congressional leaders will receive an estimated $ 1 million each in retirement payouts on top of their lifetime pensions , fully funded by taxpayers .
First published by Forbes , OpenTheBooks.com ’ s report , “ Why Are Taxpayers Providing Public Pensions To Millionaire Members Of Congress ?
” compares the financial benefits that both top leaders in Congress receive .
“ We ’ ve said it before and we ’ ll say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ club where members vote for their own benefits , ” Adam Andrzejewski , CEO and founder of the nonprofit watchdog organization , says .
By law , all 535 members of Congress receive a public pension plan and a taxpayer-funded , five-percent of salary 401 ( k ) -style savings plan , in addition to salaries of $ 174,000 and higher .
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi ’ s net worth is reportedly between $ 50 million and $ 72 million ; Senator Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ’ s net worth is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current salaries are $ 223,500 and $ 193,400 , respectively .
Pelosi has received $ 5.7 million in total salary for the 34 years she has been in office .
McConnell has received $ 5.5 million for the 36 years he ’ s been in office .
Both the Speaker and the Majority Leader voted for several spending packages this year , including the CARES Act and the Families First relief bill , which will increase the national debt by $ 1.76 trillion , and $ 192 billion , respectively , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The small business relief act added $ 480 billion to the total .
Spending increases and tax cuts in coronavirus legislation may increase debt initially by roughly $ 2.4 trillion .
Chris Edwards , an economist at the Cato Institute , estimates that the effect of the recession will reduce federal revenues a further $ 2.2 trillion over the next few years .
With higher spending and lower revenues , federal borrowing costs are expected to be approximately $ 1.2 trillion higher over the next decade .
The basic CBO estimates exclude @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told , these decisions will add an estimated $ 5.8 trillion to the national debt .
And both leaders are expected to vote on another stimulus bill , which will add to this total .
Part of the spending problem contributing to this debt , OpenTheBooks.com notes , is the taxpayer-funded lifetime pension and taxpayer-matched savings plans members of Congress receive .
“ Critics question the necessity of such a system , ” Andrzejewski writes .
“ Why are U.S. taxpayers providing public pensions to millionaire members of Congress on top of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( The median net worth for a member recently exceeded $ 1.1 million . )
” Auditors at OpenTheBooks.com evaluated the financial benefits Pelosi and McConnell receive from taxpayers .
When Pelosi retires , she will receive $ 153,967 a year in public pension and Social Security benefits , in addition to an estimated $ 1 million lump sum through her federal saving account , OpenTheBooks auditors found .
They explain this “ is just the portion of the account that was taxpayer-funded.
” Taxpayers also paid $ 282,965 into Pelosi ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ estimates grew to $ 1.03 million if invested in an S & P 500 index fund , as of Dec. 31 , 2019 .
Similar to Pelosi , taxpayers invested $ 273,700 into McConnell ’ s federal Thrift Savings Plans , which OpenTheBooks auditors estimates grew to $ 1.1 million if invested in an S & P 500 index fund as of Dec. 31 , 2019 .
They add , this “ is just the portion of the account that was taxpayer-funded.
” Researchers at the National Taxpayers Union estimate that McConnell ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 142,902 annually if he retires after the 2020 November election .
U.S. Sen. Mike Braun , R-Indiana , has proposed a bill to change the law , arguing that members of Congress have the “ option to forego the generous retirement plans offered to representatives and senators and opt instead for a more conservative , savings-based plan like those of the Americans they represent.
” The bill , S.439 , passed the U.S. Senate on Dec. 19 , 2019 , and sits in the House .
Braun notes that the median minimum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress was $ 511,000 , while the median net worth of a U.S. household in 2016 was $ 97,300 .
The collective wealth of members of the 115th Congress was at least $ 2.43 billion , with 43 members who were millionaires , he said .
Even factoring in federal employees , only 23 percent of all U.S. workers contribute to a traditional pension , Braun adds , down from 38 percent in 1980 , as traditional pensions continue to be phased out by private sector companies in favor of 401ks and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regular contributor to The Center Square .
Photo “ Rep .
Nancy Pelosi ” by Gage Skidmore CC2.0 .
Photo “ Senator Mitch McConnell ” by Sen. Mitch McConnell .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-20--Student Says Fordham University Imposed ‘Soviet-Style’ Punishment Over His Instagram Posts

A rising senior at Fordham University has provided Campus Reform with letters he allegedly received from the school ’ s dean of students notifying him that two of his posts shared on his personal social media violated the university ’ s student conduct code and that he has been placed on probation as a result .
Austin Tong provided Campus Reform with two letters he said he received from Fordham University Dean of Students Keith Eldredge .
The first letter , dated June 8 , allegedly informed Tong that the university had launched an investigation to determine whether two of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The first post , shared on Tong ’ s personal Instagram account on June 3 , shows a picture of David Dorn , the retired African-American police captain who was fatally shot while defending a friend ’ s pawn shop amid violent protests in St. Louis , and includes the caption , “ Y ’ all a bunch of hypocrites.
” When asked about his motivations behind the post , Tong told Campus Reform , “ I expressed my disappointment in people that did not care about the death of a Black policeman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened.
” In a letter to Fordham , Tong said he further explained his position stating , “ I believe that Black Lives Matter means that all Black Lives matter , including the lost life of a patriotic police officer that dedicated his life to his family and country This post was not only expressive of my remorse that a police officer ’ s life was lost , but also to reaffirm my belief that the lives of everyone matter.
” Tong ’ s post came just days after George Floyd , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police custody in Minneapolis , sparking nationwide protests and riots .
Tong ’ s second post shows him holding a firearm , which he says he purchased legally , pointed toward the ground .
The post contains the caption , “ Don ’ t tread on me .
# 198964.
” The hashtag references the Tiananmen Square Incident , which occurred on June 4 , 1989 .
Tong told Campus Reform with regard to this post , “ I want to honor the memory of an important Chinese Democracy Movement and the appreciation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America.
” He said , “ As an immigrant , a big beauty of America to me is the right it gives its citizens to bear arms , not only to protect themselves but also to keep the government in check.
” Tong said he received a letter from Eldredge informing him that an investigation into his actions had been opened .
The letter , dated June 8 , cited possible violations of “ regulations relating to bias and/or hate crimes , ” “ threats/intimidation , ” and “ disorderly conduct.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reform , invited Tong to participate in a “ disciplinary ” hearing to further discuss the matter .
In a second letter dated July 14 , a copy of which was also provided to Campus Reform , Eldredge allegedly informed Tong that he had been found in violation of “ regulations relating to bias and/or hate crimes ” and for “ threats/intimidation.
” As part of Tong ’ s disciplinary probation , which will remain in effect until he graduates , Tong is forbidden from representing the university in any official capacity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for or holding leadership roles in student organizations and participation in varsity or club sports .
Tong ’ s access to the university campus without permission from the dean has also been restricted and he is required to complete the rest of his courses online .
Tong must also undergo implicit bias training with the Office of Multicultural Affairs and write an apology letter .
Tong posted a note to his Instagram profile explaining the situation and announcing that he “ will be taking legal action ” unless he is “ given a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he was “ in no way expressing threatening or hateful thoughts.
” Rather , he said he intended to express his “ appreciation of the 2nd Amendment ” and mark the “ anniversary of a Chinese Democratic movement.
” Tong went on to say that he was subjected to “ Soviet-style interrogation and punishment ” by a university that claims to protect free speech .
“ America is under attack .
Americans are being silenced .
I hope to use my punishment as a milestone and reflection of the constitutional crisis we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coming to this country as an immigrant , one would think that America is a nation of law and free speech .
Yet that is no longer the case…Not simply did Fordham University break its promise and punish me , but it signaled to students nationwide that free speech is a political trap that will destroy you.
” Tong also strongly emphasized his “ desire to make this about free speech , and not race ” when speaking with Campus Reform .
Fordham University did not respond to multiple requests for comment from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education announced Friday that it sent a letter to Fordham saying that the sanctions against Tong should be rescinded .
The student rights advocacy group stated , “ As a private institution , Fordham is not bound by the First Amendment .
But it is bound by the explicit , repeated , and unequivocal promises of freedom of expression it makes to its students , including in its own mission statement : “ Fordham strives for excellence in research and teaching and guarantees the freedom of inquiry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for truth.
” In its letter , FIRE reminds Fordham that “ there is no ‘ hate speech ’ exception ” in the First Amendment .
Margaret Beste is a Michigan Campus Correspondent with Campus Reform .
She is a Junior at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor where she is pursuing a major in Sociology with a concentration in Law , Justice , and Social Change , as well as minors in Political Science and Russian .
She is an active member of the university ’ s College Republicans chapter and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Students for Life chapter .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-20--Twitter ‘Embarrassed’ as Hack Hits 130 Accounts

OAKLAND , California ( AP ) — Twitter says the hack that compromised the accounts of some of its most high-profile users targeted 130 people .
The hackers were able to reset the passwords of 45 of those accounts .
The San Francisco-based company said in a blog post Saturday that for up to eight of these accounts the attackers also downloaded the account ’ s information through the “ Your Twitter Data ” tool .
None of the eight were verified accounts , Twitter said , adding that it is contacting the owners of the affected accounts .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re disappointed , and more than anything , we ’ re sorry .
We know that we must work to regain your trust , and we will support all efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice , ” Twitter said in the blog post .
The July 17 attack broke into the Twitter accounts of world leaders , celebrities and tech moguls in one of the most high-profile security breaches in recent years .
The attackers sent out tweets from the accounts of the public figures , offering to send $ 2,000 for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bitcoin address .
It highlighted a major flaw with the service millions of people have come to rely on as an essential communications tool .
Allison Nixon , chief research officer at cybersecurity firm 221B said in an email Sunday that the people behind the attack appear to have come from the “ OG ” community , a group interested in original , short Twitter handles such as @ a , @ b or @ c , for instance .
“ Based upon what we have seen , the motivation for the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incidents we have observed in the OG community — a combination of financial incentive , technical bragging rights , challenge , and disruption , ” Nixon wrote .
“ The OG community is not known to be tied to any nation state .
Rather they are a disorganized crime community with a basic skillset and are a loosely organized group of serial fraudsters.
” While this attack did not appear go further than the Bitcoin ruse — at least for now — it raises questions about Twitter ’ s ability to secure its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the U.S. presidential election .
“ Entire markets and potentially elections may be manipulated or altered in this way , ” Nixon said .
“ Victims of account takeovers generally do not know that the fraud has occurred , and generally can not take security precautions to prevent it.
” Barbara Ortutay is a reporter at The Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo : In this Wednesday Nov. 6 , 2013 , file photo , the Twitter logo appears on an updated phone post on the floor of the New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter accounts of world leaders , celebrities and tech moguls in one of the most high-profile security breaches in recent years on Wednesday , July 15 , 2020 , highlighting a major flaw with the service millions of people have come to rely on as an essential communications tool .
( AP Photo/Richard Drew , File )


thetennesseestar--2020-07-20--Reports of a Surge in Coronavirus Cases in Texas Infants is False, Official Says

A viral report of a sudden surge of coronavirus cases in infants in a single county in Texas is inaccurate , a local official said on Saturday .
On Friday , the top health official for the Corpus Christi area said at a press conference that the county currently has 85 cases of newborns with coronavirus .
“ We currently have 85 babies under the age of one year in Nueces County that have all tested positive for COVID-19 , ” Annette Rodriguez , director of public health for Corpus Christi Nueces County , said at the press conference .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ their first birthday yet .
Please help us stop the spread of this disease.
” Rodriguez ’ s comments stoked widespread fear of a surge in cases in the county , while raising questions about how dozens of infants could have suddenly contracted the virus .
News outlets across the country picked up the story , including CNN , CBS News , Huffington Post , The Hill , and the Associated Press .
But Rodriguez was mistaken , according to Nueces County Judge Barbara Canales .
According to KRIS 6 News in Corpus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have tested positive for COVID-19 since the outbreak of the pandemic several months ago .
“ On Friday , July 17 , during a press conference , a spokesperson mentioned that 85 infants under the age of one had tested positive for coronavirus , ” Canales said in a statement , KRIS 6 reported .
“ This number reflects the cumulative total of positive tests for infants under the age of 1 since the beginning of testing in mid-March , which has resulted in 8,171 positive test results.
” “ Stating this number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe that we had a sudden surge in infants under the age of one testing positive .
We have NOT had a sudden surge of 85 infants testing positive , ” she said .
Little is known about whether infants fare better or worse than other age groups with coronavirus .
Elderly populations are at higher risk of complications from the virus , while children and young adults typically experience mild symptoms .
Health officials have said that infants could be at higher risk than other children because of their undeveloped immune systems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American this week said that newborns have shown more resiliency to the virus than expected .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-20--For Every One New Regulation Created in Washington, D.C., Seven Have Been Rolled Back

President Donald Trump announced the preliminary results of his administration ’ s efforts to deregulate the federal government .
Before taking office , Trump pledged to roll back two regulations for every new regulation added in Washington , D.C .
However , that ratio has since increased to seven regulations rolled back for every new one created , Trump said .
So far , $ 50 billion in regulatory costs have been saved , the White House said in a statement .
The White House Council of Economic Advisers ( CEA ) estimates that 20 of the administration ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses over $ 220 billion per year , and are projected to boost household incomes by $ 3,100 annually in the coming years .
By current projections , the CEA estimates that cutting red tape will result in real incomes for Americans to rise by $ 53 billion per year between 2021 and 2029 .
“ Overregulation falls disproportionately on the shoulders of lower-income families , who spend a larger share of their incomes on heavily regulated goods and services , ” the White House states .
“ Those purchases include transportation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ burdens also cost American jobs by causing workers to be replaced with lower-cost machines.
” Some of these regulations are in the health care industry , which the Foundation for Government Accountability ( FGA ) says will “ unleash unprecedented innovation in the way patients receive and pay for treatment.
” Josh Archambault , senior fellow at the Foundation for Government Accountability , told the Center Square , “ By removing the crushing regulations that block American consumers from accessing the best value care possible – and the ability to choose the insurance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the administration is proving once again that they are fierce advocates for American patients .
As just a few examples , they have provided real choices for Americans with more flexible association health plans , short-term plans , and real price transparency.
” Trump also announced a new federal rule Thursday that will cut bureaucratic red tape further to lessen the time it takes for the environmental review processes for proposed highways , gas pipelines and other major infrastructure projects .
Lara Levison , senior federal policy director at the environmental group Oceana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump is taking a jackhammer to the foundation of environmental protections in our country .
Anyone that values our environment should be outraged by these expected changes.
” In his remarks , Trump criticized the Biden-Sanders unity plan , arguing it would “ use the weapon of federal regulation to tie the hands of our police departments by abolishing cash bail .
Think of that : Bail ?
No problem .
They killed somebody – let them out.
” “ They are proposing to re-enter the job killing unfair Paris Climate Accord , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollars , ” he added , saying their plan , “ mandate [ s ] net zero emissions from all new homes and buildings , skyrocketing the cost of construction and putting the goal of homeownership out of reach for millions [ and ] destroying the look of the home.
” The Biden-Sanders plan increases federal funding for housing , infrastructure , Social Security , a large-scale government-run jobs program , increases taxes on higher income earners , implements 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave , a $ 15 minimum wage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders argues the proposal “ will move this country in a much-needed progressive direction.
” This Repub is by The Center Square .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-20--New Polling Finds Nearly Half of Americans Believe Mail-In Voting Is Vulnerable to Significant Level

New Polling Finds Nearly Half of Americans Believe Mail-In Voting Is Vulnerable to Significant Levels of Fraud

Nearly 50 % of American voters believe mail-in voting is likely to result in significant fraud as officials search for ways to secure the electoral system amid a ] the coronavirus pandemic , a Washington Post/ABC poll published Sunday found .
Only 43 % of people surveyed in the poll think there are adequate protections against potential instances of fraud .
The WaPo/ABC poll also showed that 38 % of Americans say they prefer to vote through mail , while another 59 % want to vote in person .
By contrast , 24 % of Americans voted by mail in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission .
The poll , conducted between July 12-15 , randomly sampled 1,006 adults and carries a partisan divide of 30-24-39 % for Democrats , Republicans , and Independents , respectively .
It has a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points .
Voters ’ concerns appear to mirror those expressed by President Donald Trump in recent months .
Twitter flagged one of the president ’ s tweets for suggesting in May that California ’ s mail-in ballots will be “ substantially fraudulent.
” The WaPo/ABC poll also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gains as the pandemic surges .
Polls from three months ago showed Trump and Biden in a virtual tie on ways to approach the pandemic , ABC reported Sunday .
A recent increase in coronavirus cases in the South resulted in a change in fortunes , with Biden now leading the president on the issue , 54-34 % , according to the poll .
There have been reported problems related to mail-in ballots in New York and New Jersey .
New York officials have not yet counted mail-in absentee ballots tallied during three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York Times reported Friday .
The count has been slow and hard to track , with no account of the vote totals , according to the TheNYT .
Such reports come amid news of mail-in ballot fraud stymying election results in New Jersey .
Only 13,557 of the 16,747 vote-by-mail ballots in Paterson , New Jersey , were counted , a local NBC affiliate in New York reported in May .
More than 800 ballots in the city were invalidated for appearing in mailboxes tethered together .
One mailbox reportedly had hundreds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ General Gurbir Grewal consequently filed voter fraud charges in June against two Paterson city officials who allegedly engaged in a mail-in ballot scheme during a special election in May .
“ Today ’ s charges send a clear message : if you try to tamper with an election in New Jersey , we will find you and we will hold you accountable , ” Grewal , a Democrat , said in a statement to InsiderNJ .
“ We will not allow a small number of criminals to undermine the public ’ s confidence @ @ @ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-07-20--Firsthand: I Watched Seattle’s Descent Into Hell

It ’ s Saturday , May 30 , 2020 , and thousands of protesters glut the Seattle streets .
By mid-afternoon the mob grows to more than 10,000 Black Lives Matter activists , Antifa thugs , and anarchist shock troops .
What starts as largely peaceful demonstrations descends rapidly into largely violent and destructive riots .
“ No justice , no peace , ” they holler , as they hurl Molotov cocktails at police cars , bash in store front windows , and loot jewelry , fashion clothing , and cheesecake — yes , cheesecake .
The popular Cheesecake Factory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t breathe , ” they chant , as they hustle off with heaps of stolen goods .
“ Cops Killed George Floyd , ” they shout , as they smash storefronts and storm police precincts .
“ Kill all cops , ” they scream .
“ All cops must die.
” Shrieking crowds assault the police , targeting their eyes with green lasers , splashing them with paint , caustic chemicals , and flammable liquids .
“ Whose streets ?
” they yell .
“ Our streets !
, ” while brandishing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ By midday Sunday , hundreds of buildings and businesses had been damaged , looted , and fire-bombed .
Seattle ’ s historic China Town was all but destroyed .
The unrest continued sporadically for over a week , until the criminal core of rioters settled on Capitol Hill .
To avoid further bloodshed , Mayor Jenny Durkan directed her police chief , Carmen Best , to evacuate the Capitol Hill police precinct .
“ Protesters have requested it , and they want the streets open for peaceful protests , and we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Best said .
“ This is an exercise in trust and de-escalation.
” Mayor Durkan assisted the rioters in cordoning off six city blocks and all of Cal Anderson Park with concrete barriers placed by Public Works .
She promised to provide portable toilets for comfort and tents for shelter .
The anarchists gleefully accepted , declared their new real estate “ Cop Free , ” and created barricaded checkpoints to prevent entry or egress from their newly declared “ Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone.
” Residents returning home were stopped by armed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prove that they lived within the zone .
Some of the goofier occupiers considered issuing CHAZ passports and visas , and even issuing CHAZ script as currency .
When asked what she would do to protect the businesses and residents trapped within CHAZ , Mayor Durkan said the “ protesters ” were simply exercising their First Amendment Rights and were indeed demonstrating “ true patriotism.
” She suggested that no such protection was necessary .
“ Who knows , ” she said .
“ This might be a new summer of love.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ store owners complained that they were being shaken down for “ protection money.
” In the span of the next three weeks , two dozen muggings and over a dozen rapes were reported within CHAZ – or as it was rebranded , CHOP ( Capitol Hill Occupied Protest ) .
Multiple robberies , break-ins , and arsons were reported , but could not be responded to .
Over a dozen shooting incidents were reported in and around CHOP .
Reports are sketchy , but police blotters report two dead and six hospitalized for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ condition .
The revolving leadership of the Animal Farm-esque “ coalition ” of protesters-cum-rioters-cum-revolutionaries-cum-community organizers ebbed and flowed , succumbing to various carrots and sticks proffered by the city in belated attempts to regain control .
With each successive change in warlords , their numbers dwindle .
But Capitol Hill may never be the same .
A coalition of property owners , residents , and businesses are suing the city for conspiring with the occupiers : On my last visit to the CHOP , I witnessed a war zone — city streets littered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every storefront covered with sheet after sheet of graffiti-sprayed plywood and particle board .
Profane and hateful messaging defaced every surface , from sidewalks and streets to walls and barricades : “ Kill KKKops , ” “ No Justice No Peace , ” “ All Cops Must Die , ” “ Black Lives Matter , ” “ F**k Cops , ” “ Reparations Now , ” “ Kill White Privilege , ” “ Dead Cops Now , ” “ Murder the Murderers , ” “ All Whites are Racist , ” “ All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trace of the popular media ’ s claims of “ block party atmosphere ” or the mayor ’ s “ summer of love.
” There was no visible leadership or organizational structure — none that I could see .
No one seemed to be in charge .
A few dozen Millennial or Gen-Z kids shambled around in drug-fueled stupors , and as many lay collapsed and comatose in front of doorways .
It was difficult to distinguish between the homeless and the occupiers .
Most were young .
Most were white .
All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or particularly dangerous .
On the other hand , they were still there , and sometimes even bad leadership is better than no leadership .
The lawful residents remain at risk .
Mayor Durkan made a sort of a deal with the handful of remaining “ shot callers ” to reopen CHOP on Friday , June 26 — but the Public Works heavy equipment dispatched to start opening up the streets and hauling away the mess was blocked by a handful of “ protesters ” who apparently didn ’ t get the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , June 28 — and again , despite “ shot caller ” assurances , failed to make any progress clearing the barriers .
That afternoon , City Council member Kshama Sawant led scores of angry Black Lives Matter and Seattle Democratic Socialists of America “ activists ” to the mayor ’ s home , brandishing “ Defund Cops Now !
” and “ All Cops Are Bastards ” signage , demanding that the mayor step down .
On Monday , June 29 , CHOP “ security ” fired on two black teenagers driving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , killing one and critically wounding the other .
The assault on her home , and subsequent shooting of the two teenagers , forced the mayor to act .
At 5:28 a.m. on July 1 , Seattle mayor Jenny Durkan issued an executive order declaring the occupied neighborhood “ an unlawful assembly.
” One hundred police officers arrested 70 die-hard lawbreakers , cleared out the barricades , and retook the East Police Precinct .
Over the next few days , small groups of violent thugs made half-hearted attempts to “ Retake CHAZ , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take over the West Precinct , but the worst was over .
Two weeks later , shell-shocked residents still wake up to boarded shop windows , graffiti-smeared walls , and vandalized public areas .
Mike Howard has traveled extensively in Africa , Asia , Europe , the Caribbean and the South Seas — winning hearts and minds in and out of uniform .
Now working exclusively freelance , he is fluent in German and English , with survival skills in French , Haitian Creole , Russian , Standard Arabic , Swahili and @ @ @ @ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-07-20--Commentary: The Worship of Power Over Truth

A couple of weeks ago , I wrote a column about “ purity spirals.
” That ’ s what the journalist Gavin Haynes calls the familiar “ moral feeding frenzy ” that occurs whenever ideology triumphs over truth .
The French Revolution provides vivid historical examples , as did Mao ’ s cultural revolution in the 1960s .
Those caught in a purity spiral , I observed , invariably find themselves embarked on an endless search for enemies , “ a concerted effort to divide the world between the tiny coterie of the blessed and the madding crowd of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ‘ is always one of purer-than-thou.
’ ” It is also , not incidentally , a contest to subordinate truth to the accumulation of power .
In the course of that piece , I quoted the columnist Andrew Sullivan , who expatiated on the role that language – and the effort to police language – plays in the economy of coercion .
“ Revolutionaries , ” he wrote , “ also create new forms of language to dismantle the existing order.
” And how .
Sullivan was writing in New York magazine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left-wing , redoubt that had been his home for the past several years .
I employ the pluperfect in the preceding , because Sullivan has just been defenestrated from that increasingly woke organ .
“ A critical mass of the staff and management at New York Magazine and Vox Media no longer want to associate with me , ” he wrote in a decorous but devastating farewell column .
I submit that when New York magazine loses Andrew Sullivan , it finds itself sucked deep into the rancid purity spiral disrupting our culture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some outlets that describe him as “ conservative , ” it is a decidedly odd variety of conservatism – or , not to put too fine a point on it , it is rather the opposite of what most people mean by “ conservative.
” “ [ I ] n my case , ” Sullivan notes drily , it “ means that I have passionately opposed Donald J. Trump and pioneered marriage equality , that I support legalized drugs , criminal-justice reform , more redistribution of wealth , aggressive action against climate change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy , and laws to protect transgender people from discrimination .
I was one of the first journalists in established media to come out .
I was a major and early supporter of Barack Obama .
I intend to vote for Biden in November.
” That is quite a list .
And it might – absent , perhaps , the bit about endorsing a “ realist foreign policy ” – incline you to think that Sullivan would be welcome with open arms at a magazine like New York .
But no .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the smorgasbord of linguistic perversion sweeping through the ranks of our public discourse .
In that earlier column , he noted , with simmering incredulity , some highlights of the process : The use of the term “ white supremacy ” to mean not the KKK or the antebellum South but American society as a whole in the 21st century has become routine on the left , as if it were now beyond dispute .
The word “ women , ” J.K. Rowling had the temerity to point out , is now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The word “ oppression ” now includes not only being herded into Uighur reeducation camps but also feeling awkward as a sophomore in an Ivy League school .
The word “ racist , ” which was widely understood quite recently to be prejudicial treatment of an individual based on the color of their skin , now requires no intent to be racist in the former sense , just acquiescence in something called “ structural racism ” which can mean any difference in outcomes among racial groupings .
Being color-blind is therefore now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is part of Sullivan ’ s point .
Calling things by their real names is a prerequisite of freedom , which is precisely why political correctness is addicted to euphemism , on the one hand , and linguistic hypertrophy , on the other .
By subordinating truth to the requirements of an ideological agenda ( what lit-crit types call “ discourse ” or “ narrative ” ) , political correctness – of which the embrace of “ wokeness ” is an aggravated allotrope – is at the same time an assault @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , an assault on political freedom .
Hence the vertiginous irony that behind leftist calls to “ speak truth to power ” is the corrosive assumption that truth is always and everywhere relative to power ( except , of course , in the categorical assertion that “ truth is relative to power ” ) .
It ’ s nice work if you can get it .
In essence , the subordination of truth to “ narrative ” rests upon a contradiction as old as Protagoras and Thrasymachus .
Nor is it any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forbidding argot of Foucault and his heirs in the critical race theory brotherhood .
Early on in Orwell ’ s Nineteen Eighty-Four , the book ’ s unhappy hero Winston Smith writes that “ Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four .
If that is granted all else follows.
” But it is exactly that freedom – the freedom of the independent operation of reason – that Big Brother interdicts .
Like Lenin years earlier , Big Brother is everywhere .
There is no detail of life too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
All of one ’ s behavior , even one ’ s thoughts , belong to him .
Thus it is that at the end of the novel , his spirit broken , Winston sits in a café tracing the equation “ two plus two equals five.
” That is the ultimate woke calculation : 2 + 2 = 5 .
As Orwell noted , the chief instrument for the enforcement of conformity – at the end of the day , it is even more potent than the constant threat of terror – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of “ Newspeak , ” that insidious pseudo-language that aims to curtail rather than liberate thought and feeling .
“ The purpose of Newspeak , ” Orwell writes , “ was not only to provide a medium of expression for the world-view and mental habits proper to the devotees of Ingsoc [ English Socialism , i.e.
, the existing regime ] , but to make all other modes of thought impossible.
” Such is the ambition of the woke commissars who increasingly direct the expression of opinion in the media , the academy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intended , ” Orwell wrote , “ that when Newspeak had been adopted once and for all .
.
.
a heretical thought .
.
.
should be literally unthinkable , at least so far as thought is dependent on words.
” Orwell intended Nineteen Eighty-Four as a warning , an admonition .
Our woke social justice warriors , supposing they are even aware of Orwell ’ s work , would seem to regard it as a plan of action , a how-to manual .
I ’ d like to put in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advertised lately : “ Make Orwell fiction again.
” Good advice .
Roger Kimball is editor and publisher of The New Criterion and the president and publisher of Encounter Books .
He is the author and editor of many books , including The Fortunes of Permanence : Culture and Anarchy in an Age of Amnesia ( St. Augustine ’ s Press ) , The Rape of the Masters ( Encounter ) , Lives of the Mind : The Use and Abuse of Intelligence from Hegel to Wodehouse ( Ivan R. Dee ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Challenge of Tradition in an Age of Celebrity ( Ivan R. Dee ) .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-20--Minneapolis City Council Declares Racism Causes Cancer

Racism in Minneapolis is a “ public health emergency ” that causes cancer and heart disease according to the City Council .
The council officially declared racism a health emergency in their city via a resolution passed July 17 .
The progressive council and the democrat mayor , Jacob Frey , also “ committed to a series of action steps to dedicate more resources to racial equity work , ” per an official announcement .
“ Racism in all its forms causes persistent discrimination and disparate outcomes in many areas of life , ” the resolution reads .
It goes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , coronary heart disease , diabetes , hypertension , high infant and maternal mortality rates demonstrating that racism is the root cause of social determinants of health.
” The resolution also seems to accuse America of being racist for 500 years : “ being anti-racist means moving and speaking in ways that repair ( not simply abandon ) more than 500 years of racist policies and practices.
” It concludes by listing 10 actions the city will take to remedy the health emergency that is racism , seen below : “ Racism is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racially inequitable results we are living with today , and we have to name that if we are to heal it .
This action is the first step in long overdue restorative measures for our BIPOC community , ” says City Council Member Phillipe Cunningham per the announcement .
The resolution was authored by Andrea Jenkins and Phillipe Cunningham , both of whom are one of the three council members who used taxpayer-funded private security as the council attempts to disband the police .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-20--DeWine Tells Meet the Press He May Implement Statewide Mask Mandate

As Ohio ’ s coronavirus testing and case numbers are increasing , Gov .
Mike DeWine is threatening to impose a statewide mask mandate .
While Ohio ’ s coronavirus tests and cases are increasing , the rate of deaths is decreasing , even as Gov .
Mike DeWine says he has not ruled out a statewide mask mandate .
DeWine spoke about mask mandates on Meet the Press on Sunday .
Video of the interview is available here .
He was asked why are counties allowed to have so many different mask requirements instead of a uniform , statewide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re going the wrong way ” on cases .
There will be more counties under the mask mandate this week , he said , and tied it to the color-coded system in which “ red ” designates a “ Level 3 Public Emergency.
” He said he would not rule out a statewide mask mandate .
On Thursday , DeWine added eight counties to the red level , meaning nearly 60 percent of the state ’ s population will be required to wear face coverings in public , The Ohio Star reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ohio was heading to Florida ’ s situation and he blamed bars and churches for spreading the virus .
However , The Star in June reported that 70 percent of the state ’ s deaths happened in nursing homes .
The report was based on research by FreeOpp , a public policy think tank .
Ohio ’ s rate is far above the national average of 42 percent .
The COVID Tracking Project provides a state-by-state database of new tests , new cases , current hospitalizations and deaths .
The Ohio page is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of new cases was 52,865 .
As of Sunday , that number was 74,932 .
For the same time period , the number of new tests conducted jumped dramatically from 4,076 to 24,478 .
Current hospitalizations for that period increased from 7,911 to 9,555 .
The number of negative test results went from 739,140 to 1,087,982 from July 1 to July 19 .
And , the number of deaths increased from 2,876 to 3,174 during that period .
Over the course of the pandemic , 51,086 people are listed as having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 20 years ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-20--Michigan Supreme Court Slams Door on Counties Keeping Excess Profits from Tax Home Foreclosures

The Michigan Supreme Court ruled unanimously Friday that counties can ’ t additionally profit from tax-foreclosed homes without justly compensating the property owner .
The court found that withholding any surplus from tax-foreclosure sales that exceeded the amount owed constituted an “ unconstitutional taking without just compensation.
” Since the state ’ s law on the matter is derived from English common law , the court journeyed back to the Magna Carta in its decision .
“ Just as the Magna Carta protected property owners from uncompensated takings , it also recognized that tax collectors could only seize property to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Crown , leaving the property owner with the excess , ” Justice Brian K. Zahra wrote in the opinion .
Zahra wrote that the term “ forfeiture ” in the General Property Tax Act only allows a defendant to seek foreclosure , and doesn ’ t allow the governmental unit all rights and titles to the property .
“ These fundamental principles – that the government shall not collect more taxes than are owed , nor shall it take more property than is necessary to serve the public – protect taxpayers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and have remained a staple in Michigan ’ s jurisprudence , ” Zahra wrote .
The Oakland County Circuit court had previously ruled against the plaintiffs , finding that “ property properly forfeited under the General Property Tax Act is not a barred taking.
” The Court of Appeals ruled against the plaintiffs again in 2017 , citing Bennis v. Michigan , which focused on rules for forfeited property due to criminal behavior .
“ The Court ’ s holding in Bennis focused narrowly on forfeited property that was used as an instrumentality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s interest in deterring illegal activity .
In this case , plaintiffs did not use their properties for illicit purposes , ” Zahra wrote .
That ’ s welcome news for Uri Rafaeli , whose property was seized over an initial tax debt of $ 8.41 , which augmented to $ 285.81 after interest , penalties and fees .
Oakland County sold the property for $ 24,500 – more than $ 35,000 less than Rafaeli paid for it – and then pocketed $ 24,214 .
Andre Ohanessian owed about $ 6,000 in unpaid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 2011 on his 2.7 acre property .
The county auctioned his property for $ 82,000 and kept the $ 76,000 profit .
“ We are thankful that the court today vindicated Uri Rafaeli and Andre Ohanessian ’ s property rights , ” Christina Martin , an attorney representing the plaintiffs on behalf of the Pacific Legal Foundation .
“ This decision will protect people across Michigan by prohibiting county governments from stealing from struggling property owners , ” Martin said .
“ No one in Michigan should lose the entire equity in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on their property taxes .
We will continue the fight to help other vast numbers of people whose nest eggs have been robbed by this abuse of tax foreclosure law , ” Martin continued .
“ Today ’ s decision sends a message across the country that this kind of abuse should not be tolerated in the United States any longer.
” Scott McClallen is a staff writer covering Michigan and Minnesota for The Center Square .
A graduate of Hillsdale College , his work has appeared on Forbes.com and FEE.org .
Photo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subterranean CC3.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-20--Ohio State House Dems Push to Allow Legislative Staff to Unionize

House Democrats said they plan to introduce a bill that would allow legislative staff to unionize .
The bill would eliminate a provision in the Ohio Revised Code that bans collective bargaining for exempted state employees , including legislative staff .
“ All government employees , including our own legislative staff , should be able to voluntarily organize and bargain collectively for safe working conditions and better pay , ” state Rep. Allison Russo , D-Upper Arlington , said in a statement .
“ As legislators , we have the ability to remove current legal barriers and stand up for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In light of recent events , there is no better time than the present to do so.
” The push comes after a House staffer tested positive for COVID-19 , prompting Democrats to call for “ transparency and clarity ” on how cases are handled .
“ Ohio workers , including our staff , have a right to a safe workplace , ” state Rep. Jessica E. Miranda , D-Forest Park , wrote in a letter to House Speaker Larry Householder , R-Glenford .
“ The public have a right to safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to risk their lives or the lives of their families to interact with their government.
” A spokesperson for House Republicans did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
Last week , in the wake of the positive test revelation , Householder announced he reinstated a policy allowing House staff to work from home .
“ The health and well-being of House staff is our top priority , ” Householder wrote in a memo to House members and their staff .
“ This decision is being made out of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a right-to-work group said he opposed the push to allow House legislative staff to unionize , saying the move would cost taxpayers more .
“ It is wrong for union bosses and their pet politicians to use COVID-19 as an excuse to extend their monopoly bargaining powers to Ohio legislative staff , who would be forced to accept the so-called ‘ representation ’ of union bosses just to serve the people of Ohio , ” John Kalb , vice president at the National Right to Work Committee , said in an email @ @ @ @ @ @ @ granting union bosses greater control over the government just brings inefficiency and more wasteful work rules to state governments while leaving taxpayers to pick up the tab.
” Todd Defeo is a contributor to The Center Square .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-20--Hagerty Served Two Years as Director of Company That Sells Common Core Materials

Dr. Manny Sethi continues to beat the drum for Bill Hagerty ’ s connections to Common Core State Standards , but how much , if any , was the former ambassador to Japan entangled with the controversial learning scheme ?
Sethi aired an ad attacking Hagerty for “ making millions ” off Common Core .
The ad is available here .
The Tennessee Star this past week has asked both campaigns about that claim .
When asked by email Sunday about the claim , Hagerty ’ s campaign simply referred back to a statement they had made to The Star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hagerty campaign spokeswoman Abigail Sigler addressed the ad in an email Thursday .
The Tennessee Star specifically asked Sigler about Sethi ’ s claim that Hagerty made millions of dollars off Common Core and whether it was true .
“ Of course , Bill worked to defeat Barack Obama in 2012 , unlike Massachusetts Manny Sethi who applied to be in the Obama Biden White House .
Manny Sethi ’ s Never Trumpers have been attacking Bill since the day President Trump endorsed and announced his run for Senate , ” Sigler said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the candidates in this race , and he endorsed Bill because he trusts Bill to stand with him to protect conservative values , get our economy going again , hold China accountable , and stand up for life.
” Hagerty once had ties to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt , a textbook company that sells books using the Common Core curriculum .
On May 11 , 2010 , the company announced Hagerty signed on as a director on the board .
Hagerty was on the HMH board from May 2010 to June 2012 , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release from RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. That company was announcing that Hagerty was joining its board of directors .
The Star asked Sethi campaign spokesman Forrest Barnwell-Hagemeyer for any evidence that Hagerty “ made millions ” off Common Core .
He referred to a brief March 11 , 2015 story on CNBC about Common Core , available here .
The Star then asked Barnwell-Hagemeyer “ Do you have anything tying him specifically to HMH ’ s push for Common Core ?
” Barnwell-Hagemeyer responded , “ Yes , he was a director , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the board , HMH began selling a Common Core English Language Arts literature anthology .
A March 7 , 2011 announcement of that initiative is available here .
A search of the Securities and Exchange Commission for HMH filings and the keyword “ Hagerty ” shows this S-1/A registration statement listing his FY2012 salary as $ 79,500 .
Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-20--Former Ohio Governor John Kasich Expected to Speak at the Democratic National Convention

Former Ohio Gov .
John Kasich , a Republican and frequent Trump critic , has been approached and is expected to speak at the Democratic National Convention on Biden ’ s behalf next month , according to a person with direct knowledge of the plans who insisted on anonymity to discuss strategy .
Kasich is among a handful of high-profile Republicans likely to become more active in supporting Biden in the fall .
Since Joe Biden effectively won the Democratic presidential nomination , the Biden campaign has focused on consolidating the party ’ s divergent and often warring factions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ nears , that effort will expand to include Republicans disaffected with President Donald Trump .
In crucial battleground states such as Florida , some Democrats are concerned that Biden ’ s current standing could be a high-water mark .
Some polls suggest Biden ’ s strength comes more from voters ’ displeasure with Trump than excitement over Biden , whose regular gaffes , long Washington record and recent attempts to appease progressives leave him in a tougher spot than some Democrats would like to believe .
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , praised Biden ’ s message and said he could appeal to rural and middle-class voters .
But she says “ it ’ s way too early ” to predict a victory .
“ As we get closer , polls are going to get tighter , ” Fried said .
That happened in 2016 when Trump narrowly won the election after trailing Hillary Clinton in the polls for months .
The Democrats ’ reluctance to enjoy the current moment reflects the sting of that loss , Biden ’ s nagging vulnerabilities and Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s campaign has reserved $ 146 million in television advertising this fall led by a $ 36.3 million investment in Florida alone , according to data compiled by Advertising Analytics .
That ’ s more than double the next closest state , Ohio , where Trump has reserved $ 18.4 million .
Biden , so far , hasn ’ t reserved any fall advertising , although he ’ s amassed a fortune in recent months that will allow him to compete , even if he can ’ t match Trump dollar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big this fall trying to flip at least three states Democrats carried in 2016 , according to the advertising reserves , which show he ’ s investing $ 14 million in Minnesota , $ 6.7 million in New Hampshire and $ 6.1 million in Nevada .
While the specific ads have yet to be finalized , Trump ’ s team signaled it was preparing to ramp up attacks on Biden ’ s record and mental competence designed to “ redefine ” the lifelong politician and scare away tentative supporters .
Underlying the strategy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and related economic devastation will improve before voting begins .
“ A lot of people know Joe Biden .
They don ’ t know about Joe Biden ’ s record .
Right now , he is this blank canvas , ” said Nick Trainer , the Trump campaign ’ s director of delegates and party organization .
“ As they get more and more information about what Joe Biden ’ s done and what he ’ ll do , I ’ m more and more confident.
” With early voting set to begin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however , there are no signs yet that the strategy is helping Trump expand his support .
Republicans working on congressional races across several battleground states believe the nation ’ s suburbs , where higher-educated white voters have traditionally favored the GOP , are almost completely lost for Trump .
These voters , they warn , are more intensely opposed to Trump ’ s reelection than they were during the 2018 midterm elections , when a suburban backlash allowed Democrats to seize the House majority .
The suburban shift is emblematic of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic coalition to include more women , seniors and moderate Republicans , who may have reluctantly voted for Trump or a third-party candidate in 2016 but may vote for a Democrat in 2020 after watching Trump struggle to govern .
Biden ’ s team would not confirm specific discussions with Kasich , but deputy campaign manager Kate Bedingfield acknowledged the campaign has begun working with Republicans , just as it has worked with progressives in recent months .
At the least , she said GOP backers could help mute Trump ’ s efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the left .
“ In terms of Republican supporters , I think it speaks to a career of being able to work across the aisle , of being able to actually get things done , ” Bedingfield said .
“ We welcome the support of anybody who ’ d rather see Joe Biden be president than Donald Trump.
” “ It ’ s really a perfect storm coming .
It ’ s like Trump ’ s on a sinking ship , ” said former Virginia Gov .
Terry McAuliffe , a prominent Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dealing with coronavirus in their personal lives , ” he said in an interview .
“ Yeah , they ’ re going to blame Trump .
They should .
And there ’ s nothing he can do about it.
” Still , McAuliffe warned : “ If any party can screw this up , it ’ s the Democratic Party.
” Steve Peoples is a reporter at The Associated Press .
AP writer Bill Barrow in Atlanta contributed to this report .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-20--Man Found Dead May Be Linked to New Jersey Shooting that Killed Federal Judge’s Son, Injured Husband

Investigators are examining a possible connection between the shooting at U.S. District Judge Esther Salas that killer her son and injured her husband and the body of a man found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in Sullivan County , New York , a law enforcement official said .
The man , an attorney from New York City , is being investigated in connection with the shooting , a law enforcement official and a judiciary official told The Associated Press .
The man had appeared before the judge in the past , the officials said .
The officials could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity .
A gunman posing as a delivery person shot and killed the 20-year-old son of a Judge Salas and wounded her husband at their New Jersey home before fleeing , according to judiciary officials .
The shooting occurred Sunday evening at the Salas ’ North Brunswick home .
Her son , Daniel , was killed in the attack , Chief District Judge Freda Wolfson told The Associated Press .
Her husband , defense lawyer Mark Anderl , was injured , Wolfson said .
Salas was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t injured , according to a judiciary official who wasn ’ t authorized to comment and spoke anonymously to the AP .
The perpetrator , believed to be a lone gunman posing as a FedEx delivery person , was not in custody , the official said .
The U.S .
Marshals and the FBI said in a series of tweets that they are looking for one suspect in the shootings .
Daniel Anderl , who was named to the Dean ’ s List this spring at The Catholic University of America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judge ’ s only child , the official said .
He was shot once in the chest with a semi-automatic weapon as he answered the door , while his father , just behind him , was struck several times , the official said .
“ I was shocked last night to hear news of Daniel Anderl ’ s tragic death Sunday evening in New Jersey .
Daniel was a rising junior , enrolled for classes beginning in the next few weeks , ” university President John Garvey wrote on Twitter .
“ He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fled the scene in a car , the official said .
Mark Anderl had surgery for his wounds Sunday night , the judiciary official said .
Messages were left with the hospital Monday seeking comment on his condition .
Salas , seated in Newark , was nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed in 2011 .
Prior to that , she served as a U.S. Magistrate Judge in New Jersey , after working as an assistant public defender for several years .
Asked if officials thought the shooting was linked to the judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of political unrest , Wolfson said , “ We really have no idea.
” Salas , born in California to a Cuban immigrant mother and Mexican father , spent most of her childhood in Union City , New Jersey .
After helping her family escape a devastating house fire , she acted as her mother ’ s translator and advocate , foreshadowing her career in law as she argued her family ’ s case to welfare officials , according to a 2018 magazine profile .
In the profile , Salas spoke of her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal profession .
“ He ’ s been arguing with us since he could talk — practicing his advocacy skills , ” Salas told New Jersey Monthly .
“ I don ’ t want to dissuade him , but I was pulling for a doctor.
” Just last week , Salas was appointed to hear an ongoing lawsuit brought by Deutsche Bank investors who claim the company made false and misleading statements about its anti-money laundering policies and failed to monitor “ high-risk ” customers including convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein .
Her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial fraud case involving husband-and-wife “ Real Housewives of New Jersey ” reality TV stars Teresa and Joe Giudice , whom Salas sentenced to prison for crimes including bankruptcy fraud and tax evasion .
Salas staggered their sentences so that one of them could be available to take care of their four children .
In 2017 , she barred federal prosecutors from seeking the death penalty against an alleged gang leader charged in several Newark slayings , ruling the man ’ s intellectual disability made him ineligible for capital punishment .
Salas later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison .
Democratic New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez , who backed Salas ’ s nomination to the federal bench , said in a statement Sunday night , “ My prayers are with Judge Salas and her family , and that those responsible for this horrendous act are swiftly apprehended and brought to justice.
” In an emailed statement , Democratic New Jersey Gov .
Phil Murphy called the shooting “ a senseless act ” and said “ this tragedy is our latest reminder that gun violence remains a crisis in our country and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safer isn ’ t done.
” Maryclaire Dale and Mike Balsamo are reporters at The Associated Press .
AP reporters Michael R. Sisak and David Porter contributed to this report .
Balsamo reported from Washington , D.C. About the Headline Photo : Crime scene tape surrounds the home of U.S. District Judge Esther Salas , Monday , July 20 , 2020 , in North Brunswick , N.J. A gunman posing as a delivery person shot and killed Salas ’ 20-year-old son and wounded her husband Sunday evening at their New Jersey home before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( AP Photo/Mark Lennihan )


thetennesseestar--2020-07-21--Precinct Ballots Omit State Rep. Robin Smith’s Name

State Rep. Robin Smith ’ s name was left off ballots in the first hour on the first day of early voting in one Chattanooga precinct .
On Friday , a voter called Smith to tell the Republican that her name was missing from the ballot for the 26th District , WRCB reported .
This happened in Chattanooga ’ s Northgate 2 precinct .
This impacted 10 early voters and 18 absentee ballots .
The voter refused to leave until the problem was fixed , Smith told the television station .
The Hamilton County Election Commission blamed the problem on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demand instead of using pre-printed copies , The Chattanoogan reported .
This is an uncontested race .
In a statement on her Facebook page , Smith addressed the problem .
It doesn ’ t matter which district , which race .
We must all work for elections that honor the right of citizens who are registered to impact the decisions of those who represent them .
We must have elections that reflect the integrity of each vote .
Know who represents you and thanks to the three folks who did – one who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the two on Friday while voting in-person – who caught the errors .
Good government , active , engaged citizens…let ’ s keep it up !
If you have issues , email our campaign at [ email protected ] In Hamilton County , a total of 4,700 people had voted on Friday and Saturday , the Tennessee Secretary of State ’ s Office said .
The tally breaks down to 2,271 Republicans and 2,189 Democrats .
Votes are by in-person early voters and absentee ballots .
Hamilton County ’ s total is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s first two day totals of 2,579 , the Chattanooga Times Free Press reported .
Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes .

by Tom Joyce
Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich is leading a group of 21 attorneys general in an amicus brief regarding federal immigration law.
The attorneys general are asking the Supreme Court of the United States to uphold a federal statute to enforce federal immigration law in United States v. Hansen.
“In the middle of this man-made disaster at our southern border, we need every tool and law available,” Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich said in a press release. “The last thing we need is anyone incentivizing migrants to come here illegally and further straining our social safety net. Border communities are being overwhelmed by the influx of people.”
A grand jury charged California resident Helaman Hansen with multiple crimes in 2017 for scamming hundreds of noncitizens out of more than $1 million by promising them a nonexistent path to citizenship.
According to the release, Hansen was charged under a federal statute for encouraging people to come to the United States illegally for “commercial advantage or private financial gain,” according to the release.
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals then struck down the statute arguing that the words “encourage” and “induce,” in the law are too broad.
General Brnovich and the attorneys general argue in their amicus brief that the Ninth Circuit decision jeopardizes the constitutionality of criminal law in all 50 states. They worry that the decision may cause other state and federal courts to invalidate existing criminal laws.
The other attorneys general who signed the brief is from the states of: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming.
– – –
Tom Joyce is a contributor to The Center Square.
Photo “Mark Brnovich” by Mark Brnovich. Background Photo “U.S. Supreme Court” by AscendedAnathema. CC BY-SA 3.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-21--Jeff Hartline Commentary: I Choose Swamp Disruptor, Dr. Manny Sethi

Tennessee voters are faced with a significant choice this election cycle for U.S. Senate .
Will they choose a Lamar Alexander 2.0 candidate or will they opt for the Trumpesque outsider , Dr. Manny Sethi ?
Yes , we all know that his opponent ceaselessly touts his Trump endorsement , which was understandably given as a result of his assistance in Tennessee during the 2016 election cycle .
I ’ m pleased to see the broken clock get one right .
After all , he ceaselessly promoted Trump ’ s major nemesis in the Republican senate Caucus , Mitt Romney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous endorsements of Jeb Bush and campaign contributions to Al Gore remind us all where he has been the majority of his “ political ” career .
Welcome aboard , finally , Mr. Hagerty .
I had the opportunity to hear both candidates at the Wilson County GOP-sponsored Trump-Reagan Day Dinner last year .
Hagerty was completely unpolished as a speaker , completely oblivious to the people in the room whom most he never attempted to connect with and lacking in energy .
He did , however , remind us ad nauseum that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sethi , on the other hand .
Worked the room tirelessly , shaking hands , meeting voters of all ages and some non-voting youngsters , smiling broadly as he politely asked for support .
His remarks were crisp and energy-laden , connecting on issue after issue and making clear his intention to add one more Senator who would support the President ’ s efforts without fail .
The response of the room to the candidates was palpably different , with polite applause for Hagerty and a thunderous ovation for Sethi .
Hagerty ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his donor list mirrors Corker ’ s , Haslam ’ s , Alexander ’ s et al , elected officials that many conservatives constantly scratched their heads over , wondering if they even understood what being a real Republican looked like .
Hagerty touts his support for the 2nd Amendment by walking around with an expensive over-and-under shotgun , proving he has little idea what the 2nd Amendment really means .
He affirms his support for the “ wall ” .
That ’ s a real 180 degree turn from his time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under Governor Haslam .
Members of the Republican House Caucus tell me that when the House was moving the bills against forced Federal Refugee Resettlement through Committee , he called numerous House Members to his office to berate them about the need for these refugees to support “ economic development ” .
I guess he thought “ economic development ” should exclude Tennessee workers needing jobs .
Sethi ’ s public campaign speaks to the basic issues of life , opportunity , family , law and order and his commitment to assisting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ southern border with his retort , “ Let ‘ em call me racist.
” Sethi ’ s physician parents immigrated from India and conducted medical practices in rural Coffee County for 25 years , leading him to choose a career as a Trauma Surgeon .
Yes , I hear he did give a Democrat medical buddy of his in Massachusetts a $ 50.00 campaign contribution .
And , as a teenage resident of Georgia away in Graduate School in 1976 , I voted for Jimmy Carter .
So sue me .
Just as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ philanthropist , outsider Bill Lee ( Hey , that sounds a lot like Donald Trump , doesn ’ t it ? )
for Governor , I am continuing my quest to support outsiders everywhere , at the local , state and federal levels .
I am committed to supporting candidates like Trump , who are disruptive to the status quo .
( Remember , status quo is Latin for “ the mess we ’ re in ” . )
Hagerty presents as just the next status quo jockey riding into Washington on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people conservatives have been trying to get rid of for decades .
He says many of the “ right things ” , but without conviction and without a track record .
After the previously mentioned GOP Dinner , I decided that Sethi would be getting my support and I am more convinced of it today than I was then .
His energy in public is riveting , unlike his stiff-suit opponent .
His family ’ s story is the American Dream .
He is the recipient of passed along values borne out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort needed to cross an ocean to find it .
His faith convictions have led him to serve his Tennessee neighbors through his Foundation , where he personally visits rural communities providing and promoting better health .
But most of all , he is not beholden to any interest group , pack of campaign contribution bundlers nor does he oversell what he can do once elected .
He is receiving the financial and voting support of people across Tennessee that I know to be conservatives , as well as Republicans .
His election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ join Senators like Rand Paul , Tim Scott , Mike Lee , Ted Cruz , Marsha Blackburn , Josh Hawley and other like-minded conservatives to move conservative judicial nominees to the bench and to hold the line against Hagerty-supported knuckleheads like Mitt Romney .
Finally , I have no reason to believe that when votes of consequence come before him , that I will need to be emailing or texting him to do what he said he would do , unlike his squishy Alexander 2.0 opponent .
I ’ ll rest easy knowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colleague in doing what he said he would do .
I have his sign in my yard and my name on his donor list and I ’ m proud to vote for him in this Primary .
Please join me in casting a vote for a much-needed Swamp Disruptor , Dr. Manny Sethi .
Jeff Hartline is the Executive Director of TN Spotlight .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-21--Marsha Blackburn Says Recent Protests Spread COVID-19

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn said this week that protestors caused an uptick in COVID-19 cases , and she even seemed to suggest that the media conceals that information .
Blackburn said this on her Facebook page .
She said this while sharing a Washington Post article about how the United States has responded to COVID-19 .
The article criticized how U.S. President Donald Trump has handled the outbreak and suggested that not enough Americans are wearing masks to guard themselves against the virus .
“ Not one mention of hundreds of thousands of protestors across the country taking to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Blackburn wrote .
“ The protests , cheered by Democrats and the media , were the super spreader .
But now that is conveniently censored.
” As reported , Meharry Medical College President James Hildreth warned at a press conference last month that people in Nashville who either attended or marched at any of the recent rallies are at risk of catching COVID-19 .
Nashville Mayor Cooper attended a George Floyd rally at Legislative Plaza and , in so doing , seemed to violate his own restrictions on how many people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousand people attended one George Floyd rally at Legislative Plaza .
Cooper thanked many of them for wearing masks to protect themselves against the virus .
But many of those people , especially those near the speaker ’ s platform , stood close to one another , by only a matter of inches — and not feet .
Hildreth called such rallies “ the perfect storm for getting the virus transmitted.
” “ My opinion has not changed and is shared by many other health care experts , ” Hildreth said at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people in close proximity to each other with a virus that has a prevalence somewhere between 1 percent and 5 percent , many people not wearing masks , yelling at the top of their lungs , creating aerosols , there is a great possibility that someone who came to the rally without the virus is going to leave the rally with the virus.
” Hildreth said at the time that he feared “ a spike in cases , ” not only in Nashville but in other cities that hosted George Floyd rallies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month , Cooper said that “ historically , demonstrations , in terms of contact tracing , have not led to an outbreak.
” The Star contacted Meharry Medical College Monday to ask Hildreth if his analysis has changed during the past month .
MMC staff said Monday that Hildreth was unavailable to comment , but they also said they would forward our question to him .
As reported this month , there ’ s no way to know for certain if people in Nashville who caught COVID-19 are telling the truth when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any recent political rallies honoring George Floyd or Black Lives Matter .
The Tennessee Star asked Metro Health spokesman Brian Todd if county officials have any measures in place to make sure people who catch COVID-19 answer truthfully about their prior activities .
“ The vast majority of these interviews with confirmed cases are conducted by phone , ” Todd said in an emailed response .
“ We hope that people will be honest when asked and understand the seriousness of the spread of this potentially deadly disease.
” Chris Butler is an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Follow Chris on Facebook .
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