thetennesseestar--2020-05-08--KT McFarland: ‘If the FBI, Mueller Investigation, and Intelligence Communities Can Do That to People

KT McFarland: ‘If the FBI, Mueller Investigation, and Intelligence Communities Can Do That to People Like Us, They Can Do it to Anybody’

Live from Music Row Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed former Deputy National Security Advisor and author of “ Revolution : Trump , Washington and We the People ” KT McFarland to the newsmakers line .
During the third hour , McFarland talked about her new book and her contentment with positive reviews from both President Trump and his administration .
She also weighed in on the new findings of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testimony to the abuse of power she witnessed herself by the FBI and Department of Justice .
Leahy : We are joined once again by our good friend former Deputy National Security Advisor to President Donald Trump , KT McFarland .
Author of Revolution : Trump , Washington , and We the People .
Good morning KT .
McFarland : It ’ s great to be back with you Michael .
How have you been in lockdown ?
( Chuckles ) Leahy : Well in Williamson County where I live the lockdown is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still going on in Davidson County where we have our studios here in Nashville .
How about you ?
Have you been locked down ?
McFarland : Well , I live in New York and so New York is completely locked down and will be for a long time .
I flew to Sarasota , Florida to be with my daughter , son in law , and grandson , so we just decided to stay in Florida for the lockdown .
I ’ m a good grannie .
Leahy : Congratulations on that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is you maybe locked down but you ’ re not locked up .
Right ?
McFarland : I must say .
Oh God , Michael .
You know something its really sick humor but its true because of the Mueller Investigation as I write about in my new book which is now coming out in great detail .
The Mueller Investigation , the FBI , and the Department of Justice targeted Flynn .
Targeted me .
McFarland : I was Mike Flynn ’ s Deputy at the White House and the FBI targeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a couple of reasons .
One , they didn ’ t really care about Flynn and me that much .
They just wanted to get to Trump .
The tricks they used were perjury traps where they seized all of our files and they interviewed me and Flynn .
And they would say what about this phone call Tuesday night .
And you get it wrong and you think well it was Wednesday morning .
They could jump in and say you are lying .
You should have remembered that .
So that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re going to charge you with perjury .
They had the answer key .
They were basically quizzing me and Flynn on everything we had done .
Every phone call .
Every text message .
Every email .
And without access to my own files because they didn ’ t give me access .
They wouldn ’ t turn anything over to me .
They had over cherry-picking what they wanted .
It was very difficult to not fall into their trap .
Andrew McCabe talked about it sure .
Leahy : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw his piece and he was on Tucker Carlson and said look here ’ s the reason they went after Flynn and KT McFarland .
He focused on Flynn primarily .
Flynn actually knew what he was doing in the intelligence community and they knew that he would figure out very soon that the intelligence folks had tried to set Donald Trump up with this phony Russia investigation and they wanted to proactively stop that .
That was the motivation .
Did that argument make sense to you from Andrew McCarthy ?
McFarland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about it even with the president about informing the intelligence community .
There were stories about it in the media during that Flynn what he had done when he was head of the Defense Intelligence Agency which was to streamline it .
Change how they collect information and analyzed it .
The rest of the intelligence community the 16 scrawling agencies knew Flynn was going to look at them .
So in that looking at them , not only cozy lifelong and power be threatened but it would have threatened to reveal and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on during the campaign against Trump .
Leahy : Everything that I ’ ve seen indicates that the FBI , James Comey , Andrew McCabe , Peter Strzok they basically tried to trap Mike Flynn and it looks like to me they violated the law .
This is all coming out .
I think he ’ s going to end up being exonerated .
What ’ s your take on this ?
McFarland : Not only exonerated .
Because not only were they trying to a perjury trap him , but they also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and said we are going to charge your son with crimes .
We ’ ll figure out those crimes later .
We ’ re going to charge your son with crimes unless you plead guilty to these crimes .
I think he pleads guilty to crimes he didn ’ t commit to save his son and sacrifice himself .
I refused to plead guilty to crimes I didn ’ t commit .
I was in a different situation .
But not only should Flynn be exonerated that ’ s a give in .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ you know the Comeys the McCabes .
The guys who were perpetuating this cabal that wanted to reverse the results of the 2016 election by taking the Trump administration to its knees and preventing it from governing .
Preventing them from doing all the reforms Trump had talked about .
That was to me a cabal that was trying to undo the election results and try to put themselves above the American people who have the right to chose the president .
I hope those guys are charged .
It ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good guy , sorry about this .
It ’ s getting the guys that did it .
If its just a few low-level flunkies as scapegoats and the senior leaders are never brought to justice then it ’ s going to happen again and again .
Leahy : How much have you spent defending yourself against these entrapment charges ?
McFarland : And Flynn I ’ m sure lost his house .
His retirement .
His pension .
I mean he ’ s probably spent five or six million .
And none of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FBI , and the committees on Capitol Hill know that even trap even if they can ’ t somehow get you to turn on your boss that they can bankrupt you just out of the sheer pleasure of seeing Donald Trump supporters getting screwed .
Leahy : Not only is it illegal it ’ s just pure evil .
McFarland : I would agree !
That ’ s why it ’ s important to make sure these people are brought to justice .
I don ’ t know the crimes or aware @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it sure stinks .
You have to remember that General Flynn was the national security advisor to the president .
I was the most woman in the West Wing .
I was one of the most powerful people in the national security community of the Trump administration .
And if the FBI and the Mueller investigation , and the intelligence communities can do that to people like us , they can do it to anybody .
McFarland : We put this power into their hands after September 11 and it was a good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power to go after terrorists and mass murderers , I ’ m all for it .
But when people in government use their power to go after their adversaries , we ’ re in a very dangerous place .
Leahy : And your book , “ Revolution : Trump , Washington , and We the People.
” Published by the way right here in Brentwood , Tennessee by Post Hill Press .
A great new publisher .
It seems to be doing very well from what I can tell .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now .
You ’ re getting a good reception for your book ?
McFarland : Well you ’ re sweet to ask .
Yes .
Well , it ’ s number one in a number of categories at Amazon .
When it first came out it was in the top 20 .
Wall Street Journal , USA today have all ranked it very high .
One thing that makes me even more thrilled about it is that it ’ s gotten very good reviews and particularly from the White House .
I received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the White House and the administration to tell me how much they really enjoyed it and appreciated it .
They are using the policy part of it certainly to help formulate on all Trump ’ s foreign policies .
Leahy : Here ’ s what President Trump said about your book .
Great new book out from KT McFarland .
Revolution : Trump , Washington , and We the People .
That ’ s a pretty good endorsement .
McFarland : I think I ’ ll take it .
He ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we ’ ve met and discussed it so I ’ m very happy with the reception .
It ’ s not only the number of people who are reading it but the quality of the people who are reading it .
And it ’ s working for me .
McFarland : I ’ m going to continue to talk about the issues that I care about .
Obviously the Mueller Investigation and the abuses of power committed by our own intelligence communities .
Michael , I ’ m really peeved by what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in China .
I think China has planned all along , and I write about it at great lengths in my book .
They ’ ve planned along as the dominant power in the mid-century .
And they ’ ve got an economic plan .
A technology plan .
A trade plan .
And a political and military plan to do so .
But what ’ s happened with the coronavirus is they ’ ve used it as a bio-weapon .
And whether they intended it to get out of the lab or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lab they ’ ve used it as a bio-weapon to the world and it ’ s accelerated their plan .
They want to come out of the era , this five year period of this virus .
They want to come out of it as the world ’ s leader and the United States be ancient history .
And they are doing unbelievably ruthless things .
Like they delayed the notification of the virus .
They suppressed information while they cornered the market on medical supplies .
Leahy : And quite a number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can you come back to The Tennessee Star Report because this is an ongoing theme ?
McFarland : You bet it is and I ’ d love to come back .
Leahy : KT McFarland .
Thanks for joining us .
Listen to the third hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 am to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ KT McFarland ” by Gage Skidmore .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .
Background @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Webster .
CC BY 2.0 .

Live from Music Row Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville’s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed former Deputy National Security Advisor and author of “Revolution: Trump, Washington and We the People” KT McFarland to the newsmakers line.
During the third hour, McFarland talked about her new book and her contentment with positive reviews from both President Trump and his administration. She also weighed in on the new findings of the exoneration of Michael Flynn and gave testimony to the abuse of power she witnessed herself by the FBI and Department of Justice.
Leahy: We are joined once again by our good friend former Deputy National Security Advisor to President Donald Trump, KT McFarland. Author of Revolution: Trump, Washington, and We the People. Good morning KT.
McFarland: It’s great to be back with you Michael. How have you been in lockdown? (Chuckles)
Leahy: Well in Williamson County where I live the lockdown is beginning to end but it’s still going on in Davidson County where we have our studios here in Nashville. How about you? Have you been locked down?
McFarland: Well, I live in New York and so New York is completely locked down and will be for a long time. I flew to Sarasota, Florida to be with my daughter, son in law, and grandson, so we just decided to stay in Florida for the lockdown. I’m a good grannie.
Leahy: Congratulations on that. The good news for you KT is you maybe locked down but you’re not locked up. Right?
(Laughter)
McFarland: I must say. Oh God, Michael. You know something its really sick humor but its true because of the Mueller Investigation as I write about in my new book which is now coming out in great detail. The Mueller Investigation, the FBI, and the Department of Justice targeted Flynn. Targeted me.
Leahy: Your former boss.
McFarland: I was Mike Flynn’s Deputy at the White House and the FBI targeted him. Now they targeted him for a couple of reasons. One, they didn’t really care about Flynn and me that much. They just wanted to get to Trump. The tricks they used were perjury traps where they seized all of our files and they interviewed me and Flynn.
And they would say what about this phone call Tuesday night. And you get it wrong and you think well it was Wednesday morning. They could jump in and say you are lying. You should have remembered that. So that’s the perjury trap and we’re going to charge you with perjury. They had the answer key. They were basically quizzing me and Flynn on everything we had done. Every phone call. Every text message. Every email.
And without access to my own files because they didn’t give me access. They wouldn’t turn anything over to me. They had over cherry-picking what they wanted. It was very difficult to not fall into their trap. Andrew McCabe talked about it sure.
Leahy: Another Andrew. Andrew McCarthy, I saw his piece and he was on Tucker Carlson and said look here’s the reason they went after Flynn and KT McFarland. He focused on Flynn primarily. Flynn actually knew what he was doing in the intelligence community and they knew that he would figure out very soon that the intelligence folks had tried to set Donald Trump up with this phony Russia investigation and they wanted to proactively stop that. That was the motivation. Did that argument make sense to you from Andrew McCarthy?
McFarland: Absolutely. Flynn and I talked about it even with the president about informing the intelligence community. There were stories about it in the media during that Flynn what he had done when he was head of the Defense Intelligence Agency which was to streamline it.
Change how they collect information and analyzed it. The rest of the intelligence community the 16 scrawling agencies knew Flynn was going to look at them. So in that looking at them, not only cozy lifelong and power be threatened but it would have threatened to reveal and uncover the abuses of power that went on during the campaign against Trump.
Leahy: Everything that I’ve seen indicates that the FBI, James Comey, Andrew McCabe, Peter Strzok they basically tried to trap Mike Flynn and it looks like to me they violated the law. This is all coming out. I think he’s going to end up being exonerated. What’s your take on this?
McFarland: Not only exonerated. Because not only were they trying to a perjury trap him, but they also blackmailed him. They went to him and said we are going to charge your son with crimes. We’ll figure out those crimes later. We’re going to charge your son with crimes unless you plead guilty to these crimes.
I think he pleads guilty to crimes he didn’t commit to save his son and sacrifice himself. I refused to plead guilty to crimes I didn’t commit. I was in a different situation. But not only should Flynn be exonerated that’s a give in. But the guys who did this, you know the Comeys the McCabes.
The guys who were perpetuating this cabal that wanted to reverse the results of the 2016 election by taking the Trump administration to its knees and preventing it from governing. Preventing them from doing all the reforms Trump had talked about.
That was to me a cabal that was trying to undo the election results and try to put themselves above the American people who have the right to chose the president. I hope those guys are charged. It’s not just exonerated Flynn saying you were a good guy, sorry about this. It’s getting the guys that did it. If its just a few low-level flunkies as scapegoats and the senior leaders are never brought to justice then it’s going to happen again and again.
Leahy: How much have you spent defending yourself against these entrapment charges?
McFarland: Ah, six figures.
Leahy: Wow.
McFarland: And Flynn I’m sure lost his house. His retirement. His pension. I mean he’s probably spent five or six million. And none of its reimbursed. The Justice Department, the FBI, and the committees on Capitol Hill know that even trap even if they can’t somehow get you to turn on your boss that they can bankrupt you just out of the sheer pleasure of seeing Donald Trump supporters getting screwed.
Leahy: Not only is it illegal it’s just pure evil.
McFarland: I would agree! That’s why it’s important to make sure these people are brought to justice. I don’t know the crimes or aware of the crimes they did. But it sure stinks. You have to remember that General Flynn was the national security advisor to the president.
I was the most woman in the West Wing. I was one of the most powerful people in the national security community of the Trump administration. And if the FBI and the Mueller investigation, and the intelligence communities can do that to people like us, they can do it to anybody.
Leahy: Good point.
McFarland: We put this power into their hands after September 11 and it was a good thing. But if you use that power to go after terrorists and mass murderers, I’m all for it. But when people in government use their power to go after their adversaries, we’re in a very dangerous place.
Leahy: And your book, “Revolution: Trump, Washington, and We the People.” Published by the way right here in Brentwood, Tennessee by Post Hill Press. A great new publisher. It seems to be doing very well from what I can tell. It’s in the top 800 of Amazon right now. You’re getting a good reception for your book?
McFarland: Well you’re sweet to ask. Yes. Well, it’s number one in a number of categories at Amazon. When it first came out it was in the top 20. Wall Street Journal, USA today have all ranked it very high. One thing that makes me even more thrilled about it is that it’s gotten very good reviews and particularly from the White House.
I received phone calls from household names that work in the White House and the administration to tell me how much they really enjoyed it and appreciated it. They are using the policy part of it certainly to help formulate on all Trump’s foreign policies.
Leahy: Here’s what President Trump said about your book. Great new book out from KT McFarland. Revolution: Trump, Washington, and We the People. That’s a pretty good endorsement.
McFarland: I think I’ll take it. He’s also called me on it several times and we’ve met and discussed it so I’m very happy with the reception. It’s not only the number of people who are reading it but the quality of the people who are reading it. And it’s working for me.
Leahy: What’s next for KT McFarland?
McFarland: I’m going to continue to talk about the issues that I care about. Obviously the Mueller Investigation and the abuses of power committed by our own intelligence communities. Michael, I’m really peeved by what’s going on with foreign affairs in China.
I think China has planned all along, and I write about it at great lengths in my book. They’ve planned along as the dominant power in the mid-century. And they’ve got an economic plan. A technology plan. A trade plan. And a political and military plan to do so. But what’s happened with the coronavirus is they’ve used it as a bio-weapon.
And whether they intended it to get out of the lab or not once it was out of the lab they’ve used it as a bio-weapon to the world and it’s accelerated their plan. They want to come out of the era, this five year period of this virus.
They want to come out of it as the world’s leader and the United States be ancient history. And they are doing unbelievably ruthless things. Like they delayed the notification of the virus. They suppressed information while they cornered the market on medical supplies.
Leahy: And quite a number of other things. KT McFarland, can you come back to The Tennessee Star Report because this is an ongoing theme?
McFarland: You bet it is and I’d love to come back.
Leahy: KT McFarland. Thanks for joining us.
Listen to the third hour here:

– – –
Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 am to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510. Listen online at iHeart Radio.
Photo “KT McFarland” by Gage Skidmore. CC BY-SA 2.0. Background Photo “DOJ Building” by Tony Webster. CC BY 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-08--New York Gov. Cuomo Tells Hero Healthcare Workers Who Traveled There to Save Coronavirus Patients No

New York Gov. Cuomo Tells Hero Healthcare Workers Who Traveled There to Save Coronavirus Patients Now Must Pay State Income Taxes

New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , who once pled for an influx of healthcare workers to treat COVID-19 , now says they have to pay up for the privilege of having worked there to treat the coronavirus .
Cuomo said out-of-state medical professionals who volunteered to help his state owe income taxes , Fox News said .
That applies even if they stayed on the payroll in their home states .
However , only workers who stayed in New York for more than 14 days are on the hook .
Cuomo said New York needs more federal money too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a position to provide any more subsidies right now because we have a $ 13 billion deficit , ” Cuomo said during a Tuesday press conference .
“ So there ’ s a lot of good things I ’ d like to do , and if we get federal funding , we can do , but it would be irresponsible for me to sit here looking at a $ 13 billion deficit and say , ‘ I ’ m gon na spend more money , ’ when I can ’ t even pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cuomo begged for healthcare workers to travel to New York to help the state ’ s overwhelmed system treat COVID-19 patients , Reuters said .
He even made nice with President Donald Trump to get help .
He promised New York healthcare workers would return the favor to other states .
Even Christian charitable organization Samaritan ’ s Purse is being told to open its purse to New York ’ s tax collectors , Faithwire reported .
Earlier this week , the Rev .
Franklin Graham , president of the nonprofit organization , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ones who called us originally , ” referring to officials with the Mount Sinai Health System in New York City .
“ We didn ’ t call them ; they called us , ” he continued .
“ And we agreed to go and we have not charged them one penny .
All of our services have been paid by God ’ s people.
” Ken Isaacs , a vice president at Samaritan ’ s Purse , said he was surprised to learn about the tax liability and that the charity would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to file for an entire year , WPIX-TV reported .
Cuomo ’ s decision angered U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais ( R-TN-04 ) , a doctor , who expressed his thoughts on his Facebook page .
Just when you think you ’ ve seen it all .
I never thought I ’ d recommend that volunteers from the Volunteer State should not heed the call , but this is a massive slap in the face .
Governor Cuomo , you ’ re not subsidizing anything .
You can simply choose not to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your state – WHEN YOU ASKED – to help your citizens .
Of course , this is posturing for a request from more money from Washington – which means Gov .
Cuomo believes that not only should he tax you from the state when you come to help , he ’ ll tax you from the federal level by demanding that they pay the state share of your income taxes .
If anybody can read this and find a way to defend it , I ’ d love to hear it .
Jason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes .

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who once pled for an influx of healthcare workers to treat COVID-19, now says they have to pay up for the privilege of having worked there to treat the coronavirus.
Cuomo said out-of-state medical professionals who volunteered to help his state owe income taxes, Fox News said. That applies even if they stayed on the payroll in their home states. However, only workers who stayed in New York for more than 14 days are on the hook.
Cuomo said New York needs more federal money too.
“We’re not in a position to provide any more subsidies right now because we have a $13 billion deficit,” Cuomo said during a Tuesday press conference. “So there’s a lot of good things I’d like to do, and if we get federal funding, we can do, but it would be irresponsible for me to sit here looking at a $13 billion deficit and say, ‘I’m gonna spend more money,’ when I can’t even pay the essential services.”
In March, Cuomo begged for healthcare workers to travel to New York to help the state’s overwhelmed system treat COVID-19 patients, Reuters said. He even made nice with President Donald Trump to get help.
He promised New York healthcare workers would return the favor to other states.
“Please come help us in New York now,” Cuomo told a briefing at the temporary hospital erected at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan. “We need relief.”
Even Christian charitable organization Samaritan’s Purse is being told to open its purse to New York’s tax collectors, Faithwire reported.
Earlier this week, the Rev. Franklin Graham, president of the nonprofit organization, told Faithwire, “They’re the ones who called us originally,” referring to officials with the Mount Sinai Health System in New York City. “We didn’t call them; they called us,” he continued. “And we agreed to go and we have not charged them one penny. All of our services have been paid by God’s people.”
Ken Isaacs, a vice president at Samaritan’s Purse, said he was surprised to learn about the tax liability and that the charity would have to battle red tape and could have to file for an entire year, WPIX-TV reported.
Cuomo’s decision angered U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-TN-04), a doctor, who expressed his thoughts on his Facebook page.
Just when you think you’ve seen it all. I never thought I’d recommend that volunteers from the Volunteer State should not heed the call, but this is a massive slap in the face. Governor Cuomo, you’re not subsidizing anything. You can simply choose not to take more money from people who came to your state – WHEN YOU ASKED – to help your citizens. Of course, this is posturing for a request from more money from Washington – which means Gov. Cuomo believes that not only should he tax you from the state when you come to help, he’ll tax you from the federal level by demanding that they pay the state share of your income taxes. If anybody can read this and find a way to defend it, I’d love to hear it.
– – –
Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-08--Carol Swain: ‘We Are Getting a Taste of What It’s Like to Live Under Democratic Party Rules’

Live from Music Row Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – Leahy was joined on the newsmakers line by all-star panelist Dr. Carol Swain .
During the second hour , Swain weighed in on Mayor Cooper ’ s handling of the shutdown and how he is not making good on his promises that he ran on .
She believes that it is a poor time to increase property taxes and that this is a perfect example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live under a Democratic Party rule .
Leahy : Well , we are in phase one of Studio Freedom Week which means Crom Carmichael has been authorized to come in the studio .
We are about to go into phase two and get the sign off which means Carol Swain can come in .
So I think if all goes well and if you are ok The Tennessee Star Report coronavirus safety protocols which involve keeping us six feet apart .
I ’ ve got a hazmat suit for you .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might like it .
So we ’ ll talk over the weekend .
Depending on your travel schedule it may be possible that finally , you are back in the studio next week if all goes well .
Swain : Do we get to take off our masks ?
Leahy : Oh yes .
Masks can be taken off .
With regard to the mask , I don ’ t have the kind of masks that Mayor John Cooper has .
I don ’ t have a mask that contains the flag of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wore at his press conference the other day .
Did you see that ?
Swain : He ’ s becoming more and more like Briley .
Leahy : I agree .
I ’ m glad to hear you say that .
( Swain chuckles ) That ’ s exactly my take on it .
This guy is turning into a power-hungry left-wing progressive who just wants to bend everybody to his will .
Do you see who he ’ s working with ?
The Tennessee Immigration Refugee Rights Coalition because they ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not !
Swain : I know that it might be true but it doesn ’ t surprise me that he would be working with them and their communities are among the hardest hit .
And that ’ s something that when he looks at all of Nashville he should focus on the communities that are hardest hit .
But that does not mean that the activists in those communities should be directing policies .
Leahy : Apparently they are .
I think what this pandemic is doing here is really unveiling who Mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aligns with .
Clearly he aligns with Kurdistan ok ?
It was just shocking to me that he goes up there .
If you are going to do a fashion statement with a mask and if you ’ re the mayor of Nashville , Tennessee , maybe put a flag of the United States of America on or the flag of Tennessee .
One hundred percent of your constituents are residents of Tennessee .
But apparently he thinks Kurdistan is where his loyalties lie .
I don ’ t know .
Am I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know because I took grief for going to the Islamic Center with two other Christians on a Sunday and putting on a scarf .
And like the scarf is very different from the mask .
But at the same time , I took a lot of grief for that .
Leahy : Did you have a flag of Kurdistan on that scarf ?
Swain : No , and I didn ’ t change my message nor did I with my policies .
Leahy : I hear you .
What is your take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great commentary that he ’ s shutting down businesses and increases property taxes by 32 % as his proposal .
How fair is that ?
Swain : It would not be fair under normal circumstances .
But given the fact , so many Nashvillians are either laid off or their businesses are closed , so you have a shrinking tax base .
And it just seems cruel to impose that type of increase on people who are struggling already .
That there are people who are falling into unemployment and have total uncertainty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would be especially cruel to impose a tax increase at this time .
And Mayor Cooper he ’ s known ever since he got elected and before the financial condition of the city he could have done more to cut costs and raise revenue .
And I ’ m very much aware because I have insiders who give me information about what has been done and what hasn ’ t been done .
There are lots of places where he could have cut that he hasn ’ t .
And given the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last few months under his leadership .
Some people will say and I ’ ve said too well , God spared me from having to deal with all of that but you know I ’ m not sure if I were Mayor that we would be dealing with all of that .
I don ’ t know .
But I do know that I would have gone to each community and laid out the conditions of the city and I would let the voters know what I was dealing with and if taxes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the people giving input .
And I don ’ t believe I would raise taxes this year under any circumstances because of what ’ s happened .
But next year after he has done his due diligence which hasn ’ t been done so far , then he could walk the voters through of what ’ s needed to keep Nashville afloat .
Leahy : Let me ask you this question for you to contemplate a little bit .
As far as I can tell , are you seeing any significant cuts in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There are duplicative services and I ’ ve asked the people who have given me the information to me to identify those areas .
And I know that Steve Glover has been working on some things .
And he and many insiders , they know exactly what needs to be cut .
And I do believe it would be appropriate for the mayor to cut his salary and the salaries of people earning over $ 100,000 a year .
Leahy : He is not doing that .
He is not doing that .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that .
He has not done that and he has not furloughed Metro workers and we know that there ’ s a lot of people who are on a paid vacation .
Where the rest of us are suffering and waiting for unemployment or we ’ re under conditions that are less desirable .
The Metro employees have a bloated pension program and plan that ’ s overly generous .
And they ’ re getting paid their full salaries .
Leahy : And Crom Carmichael points out that there is a huge unfunded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nashville .
Unfunded liability .
It seems to me he ’ s not taking the kind of actions that would be in my view financially prudent in terms of dramatically cutting spending .
He could do that .
A friend of ours sent me details of the spending .
Spending over the last four years has gone up in Metro Nashville by about two to three times the consumer price index .
And it keeps going up .
And it just doesn ’ t make any sense to me .
Swain : Well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stereotype or the model of tax and spend Democrats .
And I said all along and said it when I was running for office that no Democrat would be able to do what needs to be done because they have too many relationships .
Leahy : John Cooper is a huge disappointment for me .
Huge disappointment .
I thought that he would be more forthcoming , more honest , putting all the data out .
They ’ ve really manipulated the data the way they ’ ve presented it .
There is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to close down .
But they seem to delight in telling business owners they can ’ t be open .
Leahy : It ’ s a power thing .
It ’ s politics and power and it ’ s not about being honest about the data .
Or being honest about the dire financial circumstances the city is in .
I think it ’ s reckless .
This failure of John Cooper to cut any expenses that I can see from the city ’ s budget .
I think it ’ s very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with all of these liabilities and the bad deals that they ’ ve cut with big corporations to bring them in here I think it ’ s time to consider this .
I think it may be time for the city of Nashville to consider bankruptcy .
What do you think of that ?
Swain : I don ’ t know enough of the details to say that .
I think we will get more information in the next couple of weeks .
But I do believe that Mayor Cooper is governing like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now that if they keep their cities and states shut down that it will hurt Donald Trump and they will be able to gain control of the government in Washington .
And we are getting a taste of what it ’ s like to live under Democratic Party rules and worse ever because the party has gone totally socialist .
Listen to the full second hour : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Nashville City Hall ” by Nicolas Henderson .
CC BY 2.0 .

Live from Music Row Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville’s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – Leahy was joined on the newsmakers line by all-star panelist Dr. Carol Swain.
During the second hour, Swain weighed in on Mayor Cooper’s handling of the shutdown and how he is not making good on his promises that he ran on. She believes that it is a poor time to increase property taxes and that this is a perfect example of what it would be like to live under a Democratic Party rule.
Leahy: Friend. All-star panelist former Vanderbilt professor, author, and speaker Carol Swain. Good morning Carol.
Swain: Good morning Michael.
Leahy: Well, we are in phase one of Studio Freedom Week which means Crom Carmichael has been authorized to come in the studio. We are about to go into phase two and get the sign off which means Carol Swain can come in.
So I think if all goes well and if you are ok The Tennessee Star Report coronavirus safety protocols which involve keeping us six feet apart. I’ve got a hazmat suit for you. It’s very fashionable and stylish. You might like it. So we’ll talk over the weekend. Depending on your travel schedule it may be possible that finally, you are back in the studio next week if all goes well.
Swain: Do we get to take off our masks?
Leahy: Oh yes. Masks can be taken off. With regard to the mask, I don’t have the kind of masks that Mayor John Cooper has. I don’t have a mask that contains the flag of Kurdistan. You know the one he wore at his press conference the other day. Did you see that?
Swain: He’s becoming more and more like Briley.
Leahy: I agree. I’m glad to hear you say that. (Swain chuckles) That’s exactly my take on it. This guy is turning into a power-hungry left-wing progressive who just wants to bend everybody to his will. Do you see who he’s working with? The Tennessee Immigration Refugee Rights Coalition because they’ve got so many fantastic scientists there, not!
Swain: I know that it might be true but it doesn’t surprise me that he would be working with them and their communities are among the hardest hit. And that’s something that when he looks at all of Nashville he should focus on the communities that are hardest hit. But that does not mean that the activists in those communities should be directing policies.
Leahy: Apparently they are. I think what this pandemic is doing here is really unveiling who Mayor John Cooper really is and who he aligns with. Clearly he aligns with Kurdistan ok? It was just shocking to me that he goes up there.
If you are going to do a fashion statement with a mask and if you’re the mayor of Nashville, Tennessee, maybe put a flag of the United States of America on or the flag of Tennessee. One hundred percent of your constituents are residents of Tennessee. But apparently he thinks Kurdistan is where his loyalties lie. I don’t know. Am I overacting?
Swain: I don’t know because I took grief for going to the Islamic Center with two other Christians on a Sunday and putting on a scarf. And like the scarf is very different from the mask. But at the same time, I took a lot of grief for that.
Leahy: Did you have a flag of Kurdistan on that scarf?
Swain: No, and I didn’t change my message nor did I with my policies.
Leahy: I hear you. What is your take on Mayor Cooper? You had a great commentary that he’s shutting down businesses and increases property taxes by 32% as his proposal. How fair is that?
Swain: It would not be fair under normal circumstances. But given the fact, so many Nashvillians are either laid off or their businesses are closed, so you have a shrinking tax base. And it just seems cruel to impose that type of increase on people who are struggling already.
That there are people who are falling into unemployment and have total uncertainty about the future. It seems that it would be especially cruel to impose a tax increase at this time. And Mayor Cooper he’s known ever since he got elected and before the financial condition of the city he could have done more to cut costs and raise revenue.
And I’m very much aware because I have insiders who give me information about what has been done and what hasn’t been done. There are lots of places where he could have cut that he hasn’t. And given the devastation that Nashville has suffered over the last few months under his leadership.
Some people will say and I’ve said too well, God spared me from having to deal with all of that but you know I’m not sure if I were Mayor that we would be dealing with all of that. I don’t know. But I do know that I would have gone to each community and laid out the conditions of the city and I would let the voters know what I was dealing with and if taxes had to be raised I would have the people giving input.
And I don’t believe I would raise taxes this year under any circumstances because of what’s happened. But next year after he has done his due diligence which hasn’t been done so far, then he could walk the voters through of what’s needed to keep Nashville afloat.
Leahy: Let me ask you this question for you to contemplate a little bit. As far as I can tell, are you seeing any significant cuts in their spending?
Swain: No. There are duplicative services and I’ve asked the people who have given me the information to me to identify those areas. And I know that Steve Glover has been working on some things. And he and many insiders, they know exactly what needs to be cut. And I do believe it would be appropriate for the mayor to cut his salary and the salaries of people earning over $100,000 a year.
Leahy: He is not doing that. He is not doing that.
Swain: He hasn’t done that. He has not done that and he has not furloughed Metro workers and we know that there’s a lot of people who are on a paid vacation. Where the rest of us are suffering and waiting for unemployment or we’re under conditions that are less desirable. The Metro employees have a bloated pension program and plan that’s overly generous. And they’re getting paid their full salaries.
Leahy: And Crom Carmichael points out that there is a huge unfunded liability with the healthcare retirees in Metro Nashville. Unfunded liability. It seems to me he’s not taking the kind of actions that would be in my view financially prudent in terms of dramatically cutting spending.
He could do that. A friend of ours sent me details of the spending. Spending over the last four years has gone up in Metro Nashville by about two to three times the consumer price index. And it keeps going up. And it just doesn’t make any sense to me.
Swain: Well they’re living up to the stereotype or the model of tax and spend Democrats. And I said all along and said it when I was running for office that no Democrat would be able to do what needs to be done because they have too many relationships.
Leahy: Yeah exactly.
Swain: It’s too incestuous.
Leahy: John Cooper is a huge disappointment for me. Huge disappointment. I thought that he would be more forthcoming, more honest, putting all the data out. They’ve really manipulated the data the way they’ve presented it. There is not a scientific case now for continuing to close down. But they seem to delight in telling business owners they can’t be open.
Swain: It’s a power thing.
Leahy: It’s a power thing. It’s politics and power and it’s not about being honest about the data. Or being honest about the dire financial circumstances the city is in. I think it’s reckless. This failure of John Cooper to cut any expenses that I can see from the city’s budget. I think it’s very financially reckless.
Carol, I think with all of these liabilities and the bad deals that they’ve cut with big corporations to bring them in here I think it’s time to consider this. I think it may be time for the city of Nashville to consider bankruptcy. What do you think of that?
Swain: I don’t know enough of the details to say that. I think we will get more information in the next couple of weeks. But I do believe that Mayor Cooper is governing like Democrats all across the country and right now that if they keep their cities and states shut down that it will hurt Donald Trump and they will be able to gain control of the government in Washington. And we are getting a taste of what it’s like to live under Democratic Party rules and worse ever because the party has gone totally socialist.
Leahy: Absolutely. And authoritarian. A combination. A wonderful combination.
Swain: Yes.
Listen to the full second hour:

– – –
Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510. Listen online at iHeart Radio.
Background Photo “Nashville City Hall” by Nicolas Henderson. CC BY 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-08--The European Union Let China Censor Ambassador’s Op-Ed by Removing Reference to Coronavirus Originat

The European Union Let China Censor Ambassador’s Op-Ed by Removing Reference to Coronavirus Originating in China

The European Union allowed the Chinese government to censor part of an op-ed by the EU ambassador to China that was published in a state newspaper , China Daily .
China ’ s Ministry of Foreign Affairs ( MFA ) insisted on censoring an op-ed by the EU ambassador to China to remove a reference to COVID-19 originating in China , an EU spokesman said Wednesday , adding that the EU acquiesced to the censorship rather than withdrawing the op-ed .
The EU ’ s ambassador to China and the ambassadors of the 27 EU member states co-authored a China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relationship to China .
The original version of the op-ed , which was published on the EU ’ s website , shows that the offending passage read “ the outbreak of the coronavirus in China , and its subsequent spread to the rest of the world , ” before it was removed .
“ The EU Delegation to China was informed that the publication could only take place with the agreement of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs , ” an EU spokesman told BuzzFeed .
The EU delegation “ made known its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ op-ed because they “ considered it important to communicate very important messages on EU policy priorities , notably on climate change and sustainability , human rights , multilateralism and the global response to Coronavirus , ” the spokesman added .
The censorship of the China Daily op-ed isn ’ t the first time that the EU has apparently let China control the coronavirus narrative .
The EU reportedly watered down a report on coronavirus disinformation following pressure from China last month .
The EU reportedly nixed a reference to China ’ s “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following the pressure from Chinese authorities .
China has waged an aggressive propaganda campaign meant to absolve itself from blame for the coronavirus pandemic .
A majority of the 17 agencies that make up the U.S. intelligence community believe that the novel coronavirus accidentally leaked from laboratory in Wuhan , China , a senior intelligence official previously told the Daily Caller News Foundation .
China meanwhile has shut out other countries and the China-aligned World Health Organization from its investigation into coronavirus ’ s origins .
China ’ s stonewalling on the investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s ambassador to the United Nations said the communist nation won ’ t allow international experts to investigate the virus ’ s origins until after China has secured the “ final victory ” over COVID-19 , the South China Morning Post reported Wednesday .
Peter Hasson is a reporter at Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ EU Meeting ” by GUE/NGL .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .

by Peter Hasson
The European Union allowed the Chinese government to censor part of an op-ed by the EU ambassador to China that was published in a state newspaper, China Daily.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) insisted on censoring an op-ed by the EU ambassador to China to remove a reference to COVID-19 originating in China, an EU spokesman said Wednesday, adding that the EU acquiesced to the censorship rather than withdrawing the op-ed.
The EU’s ambassador to China and the ambassadors of the 27 EU member states co-authored a China Daily op-ed touting the EU’s relationship to China.
The original version of the op-ed, which was published on the EU’s website, shows that the offending passage read “the outbreak of the coronavirus in China, and its subsequent spread to the rest of the world,” before it was removed.
“The EU Delegation to China was informed that the publication could only take place with the agreement of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” an EU spokesman told BuzzFeed.
The EU delegation “made known its concerns” but still proceeded with the op-ed because they “considered it important to communicate very important messages on EU policy priorities, notably on climate change and sustainability, human rights, multilateralism and the global response to Coronavirus,” the spokesman added.
Confirmed — EU/EU27 op-ed in China Daily had references to the origins of the coronavirus removed by China's MFA. EU/27 knew ahead of publication. Unedited copy has been published on EU and some member states' websites — EU Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy: pic.twitter.com/VMVUn7qgAY — Alberto Nardelli (@AlbertoNardelli) May 6, 2020
What's amazing about this statement is the EU is confirming they were told to censor their op-ed by the Chinese government, they objected, but then folded and let the censorship go ahead anyway. Horrendous. https://t.co/dZxL6LPBEc — Josh Rogin (@joshrogin) May 6, 2020
The censorship of the China Daily op-ed isn’t the first time that the EU has apparently let China control the coronavirus narrative.
The EU reportedly watered down a report on coronavirus disinformation following pressure from China last month. The EU reportedly nixed a reference to China’s “global disinformation campaign” from the report following the pressure from Chinese authorities.
China has waged an aggressive propaganda campaign meant to absolve itself from blame for the coronavirus pandemic.
A majority of the 17 agencies that make up the U.S. intelligence community believe that the novel coronavirus accidentally leaked from laboratory in Wuhan, China, a senior intelligence official previously told the Daily Caller News Foundation.
China meanwhile has shut out other countries and the China-aligned World Health Organization from its investigation into coronavirus’s origins. China’s stonewalling on the investigation appears likely to continue.
China’s ambassador to the United Nations said the communist nation won’t allow international experts to investigate the virus’s origins until after China has secured the “final victory” over COVID-19, the South China Morning Post reported Wednesday.
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Peter Hasson is a reporter at Daily Caller News Foundation.
Photo “EU Meeting” by GUE/NGL. CC BY-SA 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-08--Trump Vetoes Resolution Curbing His Ability to Attack Iran Without Congressional Approval

President Donald Trump vetoed a bipartisan congressional resolution Wednesday that would have curbed his ability to direct military action against Iran .
“ This was a very insulting resolution , introduced by Democrats as part of a strategy to win an election on November 3 by dividing the Republican Party , ” Trump said Wednesday as he signed the veto .
“ The few Republicans who voted for it played right into their hands .
Congress should not have passed this resolution.
” Republican and Democratic lawmakers sought to restrict the president ’ s war powers in February and March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in January .
Sens .
Mike Lee of Utah , Lamar Alexander of Tennessee , and Rand Paul of Kentucky were three of eight Republicans who voted in support of the resolution , which passed 55-45 in the Senate .
Similarly , Republican Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky , Francis Rooney and Matt Gaetz of Florida all voted to pass the resolution .
Neither chamber is expected to have the two-thirds majority necessary to override the veto , Axios noted in its report on Trump ’ s move .
The president vetoed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forced an end to American military involvement in Saudi Arabia ’ s civil war in Yemen .
Trump ’ s veto of that resolution effectively struck down an attempt to pull the United States away from a nearly four-year military operation that killed thousands of people .
Chris White is a reporter at Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Ali Khamenei ” by Khamenei.ir .
CC BY 4.0 .

by Chris White
President Donald Trump vetoed a bipartisan congressional resolution Wednesday that would have curbed his ability to direct military action against Iran.
“This was a very insulting resolution, introduced by Democrats as part of a strategy to win an election on November 3 by dividing the Republican Party,” Trump said Wednesday as he signed the veto. “The few Republicans who voted for it played right into their hands. Congress should not have passed this resolution.”
Republican and Democratic lawmakers sought to restrict the president’s war powers in February and March after Trump killed Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani in January. Sens. Mike Lee of Utah, Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, and Rand Paul of Kentucky were three of eight Republicans who voted in support of the resolution, which passed 55-45 in the Senate.
Similarly, Republican Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Francis Rooney and Matt Gaetz of Florida all voted to pass the resolution.
Neither chamber is expected to have the two-thirds majority necessary to override the veto, Axios noted in its report on Trump’s move.
The president vetoed a bipartisan resolution in 2019 that would have forced an end to American military involvement in Saudi Arabia’s civil war in Yemen. Trump’s veto of that resolution effectively struck down an attempt to pull the United States away from a nearly four-year military operation that killed thousands of people.
– – –
Chris White is a reporter at Daily Caller News Foundation.
Photo “Ali Khamenei” by Khamenei.ir. CC BY 4.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-08--Over Half of US Counties Have Had No COVID-19 Deaths

With many state and local governments starting to relax stay-at-home orders , it ’ s instructive to examine just how concentrated the spread of COVID-19 has been in the U.S .
Although all U.S. states have reported cases of COVID-19 , the distribution of the cases and deaths has remained heavily concentrated in a small number of states , and among a small number of counties within all states .
For instance , as of May 4 , just 10 states account for 70 % of all U.S. cases and 77 % of all deaths .
Together , New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of all cases and 48 % of total COVID-19 deaths .
As the first chart shows , the 30 counties with the most COVID-19 cases account for 50 % of all the cases in the U.S. ( and 57 % of all deaths ) .
That is , just 1 % of the counties in the U.S. are responsible for half of the country ’ s coronavirus cases and more than half of the deaths .
Of those 30 counties , 24 are in the Northeast corridor between Philadelphia and Boston , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system that runs through Manhattan .
Overall , just 11 % of the counties in the U.S. contain nearly 95 % of all the COVID-19 deaths .
Just as important , as the second chart shows , 52 % of all U.S. counties have had zero COVID-19 deaths as of May 4 .
Also as of May 4 , 13 states have deaths that remain unallocated to respective counties .
At most , those allocations could reduce the number of zero-death counties by 2 percentage points .
The chart also illustrates that 66 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than one coronavirus death , 80 % have five or fewer , 86 % have 10 or fewer , and 89 % have fewer than 15 .
Put another way , only about 10 % of the counties in the U.S. have 15 or more COVID-19 deaths , and throughout the epidemic , the spread of COVID has remained highly concentrated in a handful of geographic locations in the U.S. Norbert Michel studies and writes about housing finance , including the reform of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac , as The Heritage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulations .
Read his research .

by Norbert Michel
With many state and local governments starting to relax stay-at-home orders, it’s instructive to examine just how concentrated the spread of COVID-19 has been in the U.S.
Although all U.S. states have reported cases of COVID-19, the distribution of the cases and deaths has remained heavily concentrated in a small number of states, and among a small number of counties within all states.
For instance, as of May 4, just 10 states account for 70% of all U.S. cases and 77% of all deaths. Together, New York and New Jersey alone account for 38% of all cases and 48% of total COVID-19 deaths.
As the first chart shows, the 30 counties with the most COVID-19 cases account for 50% of all the cases in the U.S. (and 57% of all deaths). That is, just 1% of the counties in the U.S. are responsible for half of the country’s coronavirus cases and more than half of the deaths.
Of those 30 counties, 24 are in the Northeast corridor between Philadelphia and Boston, the passageway served by a commuter railway system that runs through Manhattan. Overall, just 11% of the counties in the U.S. contain nearly 95% of all the COVID-19 deaths.
Just as important, as the second chart shows, 52% of all U.S. counties have had zero COVID-19 deaths as of May 4.
Also as of May 4, 13 states have deaths that remain unallocated to respective counties. At most, those allocations could reduce the number of zero-death counties by 2 percentage points.
The chart also illustrates that 66% of all U.S. counties have no more than one coronavirus death, 80% have five or fewer, 86% have 10 or fewer, and 89% have fewer than 15.
Put another way, only about 10% of the counties in the U.S. have 15 or more COVID-19 deaths, and throughout the epidemic, the spread of COVID has remained highly concentrated in a handful of geographic locations in the U.S.
– – –
Norbert Michel studies and writes about housing finance, including the reform of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as The Heritage Foundation’s research fellow in financial regulations. Read his research.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-08--Fewer Tennesseans Filing for Unemployment After COVID-19, New Numbers Show

Fewer Tennesseans filed new unemployment claims this past week , while the number of continued claims in the state also slightly fell .
This , according to a press release The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development put out Thursday .
Exactly 37,319 Tennessee residents filed new claims for the week of May 2 compared with one week prior , April 25 , when they filed 43,792 claims , according to the TDLWD .
Meanwhile , the number of continued unemployment claims dropped from 324,543 last week to 321,571 this week , the TDLWD reported .
The TDLWD on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims , by region : As The Tennessee Star reported last month , residents in Northern Middle Tennessee and East Tennessee have likely filed high numbers of claims because of their respective hospitality industries .
If tourists may not travel to those areas then , of course , Tennessee ’ s hospitality industry can not thrive .
“ There is no way to know for certain why these areas of Tennessee have seen more unemployment than others .
But , Nashville sits in the Northern Middle Tennessee region and the Smoky Mountains are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” TDLWD spokesman Chris Cannon told The Star last month .
“ These locations are home to a majority of the state ’ s hospitality industry .
This industry has been one of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 health emergency in our state.
” Also , as reported , TDLWD officials did not see an unprecedented increase in unemployment claims until the third and fourth weeks of March .
The statewide unemployment rate for April 2020 will come out on May 21 , 2020 , at 1:30 p.m. Central Time , TDLWD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ People Filling Out Paperwork ” by Micah Sittig .
CC BY 2.0 .

Fewer Tennesseans filed new unemployment claims this past week, while the number of continued claims in the state also slightly fell.
This, according to a press release The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development put out Thursday.
Exactly 37,319 Tennessee residents filed new claims for the week of May 2 compared with one week prior, April 25, when they filed 43,792 claims, according to the TDLWD.
Meanwhile, the number of continued unemployment claims dropped from 324,543 last week to 321,571 this week, the TDLWD reported.
The TDLWD on Thursday reported the following number of unemployment claims, by region:
• Greater Memphis: 8,218
• Northwest Tennessee: 918
• Southwest Tennessee: 1,244
• Northern Middle Tennessee: 13,274
• Southern Middle Tennessee: 2,255
• Upper Cumberland: 1,009
• Southeast Tennessee: 3,787
• East Tennessee: 6,303
• Northeast Tennessee: 1,781
• West Tennessee Mobile American Job Center: 18
• Middle Tennessee Mobile American Job Center: 108
• East Tennessee Mobile America Job Center: 10
As The Tennessee Star reported last month, residents in Northern Middle Tennessee and East Tennessee have likely filed high numbers of claims because of their respective hospitality industries.
If tourists may not travel to those areas then, of course, Tennessee’s hospitality industry cannot thrive.
“There is no way to know for certain why these areas of Tennessee have seen more unemployment than others. But, Nashville sits in the Northern Middle Tennessee region and the Smoky Mountains are part of the East Tennessee region,” TDLWD spokesman Chris Cannon told The Star last month.
“These locations are home to a majority of the state’s hospitality industry. This industry has been one of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 health emergency in our state.”
Also, as reported, TDLWD officials did not see an unprecedented increase in unemployment claims until the third and fourth weeks of March. The statewide unemployment rate for April 2020 will come out on May 21, 2020, at 1:30 p.m. Central Time, TDLWD officials said.
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Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “People Filling Out Paperwork” by Micah Sittig. CC BY 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-08--Thales Academy-Franklin’s High Quality Education Using Direct Instruction Methodology Will Hold an O

Thales Academy-Franklin’s High Quality Education Using Direct Instruction Methodology Will Hold an Open House on May 12

Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcasting live from Music Row on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – Leahy was joined on the newsmakers line by all-star panelist and Thales Academy in Franklin ’ s Principal Rachael Bradley .
Leahy : We are talking with our newest all-star panelist and good friend , and the Principal of Thales Academy-Franklin .
Thales is a new school with a high-quality affordable education for your kids in Franklin .
Rachael Bradley .
Good morning Rachael .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are you ?
Leahy : I ’ m great .
I ’ m great .
Not specific to Thales Academy but I saw this in the news and I just had to share it with you .
Bill Gates is a big Common Core guy which is a disaster .
Leahy : These are my words , not yours .
( Chuckles ) But I don ’ t think you ’ ll disagree with me on that .
He ’ s a big Common Core guy and he ’ s worth 30 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reimagine schools with Governor Cuomo .
I guess the idea is that they did such an awful job with the Common Core .
I guess they think if they do more of it it will turn out better .
More of the same thing will turn out better in New York .
I ’ m skeptical of that .
Bradley : Oh wow .
You know when we have tours I often get that question from prospective parents , do we use Common Core ?
And when I say absolutely not , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Leahy : Absolutely .
I guess Common Core is more a set of standards than teaching methodology but every time I look at the Common Core and somebody tries to explain how they use it in math , I think it ’ s designed to confuse kids on math .
At least from what I can tell .
But in contrast , direct instruction is a proven way to learn reading , writing , and arithmetic in over 50 years of it .
You are an expert on it .
You do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July .
Just give us a brief summary of what direct instruction is .
A lot of our listening audience is not familiar with direct instruction .
Bradley : OK. As you said , is a teaching methodology based on over 50 years of research .
It ’ s data-driven .
And mastery-based .
It wasn ’ t designed based on the latest fad or buzz word .
This has been around and has passed the test of time that it works .
It works amazingly well and I ’ ve seen it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They did a seven-year study of this when it was first invented by Zig Engelmann .
When it was first invented by him in the 1960s at the University of Illinois they did a seven-year study and the federal government compared the methodology and got the final results in 1977 .
Among the eight methodologies studied , only one of them worked .
And it worked spectacularly .
It was direct instruction .
It hasn ’ t been used widely however because of political reasons .
I know that will shock you .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t you ?
You ’ ve worked in public schools with direct instruction and you were able to get it in there and succeed early in your career .
But as soon as you left that methodology collapsed and now you ’ ve been doing it for years in North Carolina .
You moved here April 1 .
It ’ s going to be available here in Franklin starting July 20 .
Tell us a little bit about the parental information meeting coming up at the school next Tuesday ?
Tell us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : We do .
I ’ m really excited to see some people face to face , from a safe distance .
But we are hosting an information session for families .
Children are welcome .
That will be next Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. at 3835 Carothers Parkway in Franklin .
Currently known as The Gate Community Church .
But it will be Thales Academy in Franklin .
I really want to encourage people to come out and learn all about our school .
Leahy : I will be there .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s protocol of the coronavirus .
Leahy : And we ’ re going to follow it to a T. You have plenty of room in the facility so people will be distanced from six feet and all the protocols will be followed .
I ’ ll be outside and greeting people and directing them in .
I may not come inside because it might end up being if we get enough people there .
I want to make sure there is enough social distancing going on .
Bradley : Absolutely .
So what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ volunteering to be my bouncer .
Leahy : I will be your bouncer !
You got it !
( Bradley chuckles ) This is why its so much fun talking to Rachael .
I will be the bouncer Tuesday night at the Thales Academy-Franklin open house for parents at 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.. at 3835 Carothers Parkway .
As you are heading north on I-65 just before you get to the intersection of Highway 96 you look to your right and you ’ ll see it says The Gate Community Church .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t think the Thales Academy sign is up quite yet .
But it will be up pretty soon , right ?
Bradley : Yes .
Absolutely .
From what I understand we are just waiting on a permit issue .
I ’ m checking it out every day myself .
Leahy : Checking it out !
Also , if you are a parent in Williamson County and you are trying to wonder how your kids are going to learn , you have an online learning option that people can go to tennesseestar.com @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it will take you to the Facebook page where you can sign up .
I guess you have a dozen kids in Williamson County already signed up .
What are they experiencing ?
Bradley : They are getting an excellent preview of what our instruction looks like .
So these are the best and brightest teachers .
I chose very carefully from my previous staff of the last five years at our Apex , North Carolina campus .
And I am letting our Williamson County families that are interested sign up for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a perfect mixture of prerecorded lessons by those teachers who are veterans with direct instruction as well as some face to face opportunities to make connections .
We are covering reading , language arts , math vocabulary , science , and history .
Everything .
Leahy : It sounds really good .
The parents that are looking for your kids to do go online to tennesseestar.com and click on the blue Thales Academy banner there and make the connection .
Or you could email Rachael directly at [ email protected ] .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Academy ?
Bradley : Not expensive at all .
That ’ s the beauty of it .
We founded this phenomenal program using direct instruction offering a classical education with a strong emphasis on character formation with an annual tuition of only $ 5,300 .
Leahy : That ’ s less than half of most private schools in Williamson County .
For those of you are looking at the budget and thinking if you ’ re not comfortable with the general instruction in public schools and maybe not quite there with homeschooling looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t see how you could beat Thales Academy in Franklin for only $ 5,300 for a full year .
That ’ s quite spectacular .
And you ’ ll explain how you do that at the parent ’ s information meeting Tuesday , May the 12 at 3835 Carothers Parkway .
And the side benefit , I ’ m the bouncer at the event .
Leahy : Well I ’ ll be a nice bouncer I promise .
In fact , I ’ ll be an inviting bouncer and I won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : There we go .
We may have some desperate parents .
It ’ s been a rough month .
Leahy : It ’ s been a rough month , that ’ s for sure .
Rachael Bradley , principal of Thales Academy-Franklin thanks so much for joining us .
I will see you in person next Tuesday at 6:30 a.m. Bradley : I ’ m looking forward to it .
Listen to the full third hour : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .

Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcasting live from Music Row on Nashville’s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – Leahy was joined on the newsmakers line by all-star panelist and Thales Academy in Franklin’s Principal Rachael Bradley.
Leahy: We are talking with our newest all-star panelist and good friend, and the Principal of Thales Academy-Franklin. Thales is a new school with a high-quality affordable education for your kids in Franklin. Rachael Bradley. Good morning Rachael.
Bradley: Good morning Mike, how are you?
Leahy: I’m great. I’m great. Not specific to Thales Academy but I saw this in the news and I just had to share it with you. Bill Gates is a big Common Core guy which is a disaster.
Bradley: Right.
Leahy: These are my words, not yours. (Chuckles) But I don’t think you’ll disagree with me on that. He’s a big Common Core guy and he’s worth 30 billion dollars. Yesterday they announced a plan to reimagine schools with Governor Cuomo. I guess the idea is that they did such an awful job with the Common Core. I guess they think if they do more of it it will turn out better. More of the same thing will turn out better in New York. I’m skeptical of that.
(Laughter)
Bradley: Oh wow. You know when we have tours I often get that question from prospective parents, do we use Common Core? And when I say absolutely not, I get a huge sigh of relief.
Leahy: Absolutely. I guess Common Core is more a set of standards than teaching methodology but every time I look at the Common Core and somebody tries to explain how they use it in math, I think it’s designed to confuse kids on math. At least from what I can tell.
But in contrast, direct instruction is a proven way to learn reading, writing, and arithmetic in over 50 years of it. You are an expert on it. You do it at Thales Academy-Franklin opening up in July. Just give us a brief summary of what direct instruction is. A lot of our listening audience is not familiar with direct instruction.
Bradley: OK. As you said, is a teaching methodology based on over 50 years of research. It’s data-driven. And mastery-based. It wasn’t designed based on the latest fad or buzz word. This has been around and has passed the test of time that it works. It works amazingly well and I’ve seen it first hand for years.
Leahy: They did a seven-year study of this when it was first invented by Zig Engelmann. When it was first invented by him in the 1960s at the University of Illinois they did a seven-year study and the federal government compared the methodology and got the final results in 1977. Among the eight methodologies studied, only one of them worked. And it worked spectacularly. It was direct instruction. It hasn’t been used widely however because of political reasons. I know that will shock you.
(Laughter)
Bradley: Yes. I’m really shocked.
Leahy: Well you lived it haven’t you? You’ve worked in public schools with direct instruction and you were able to get it in there and succeed early in your career. But as soon as you left that methodology collapsed and now you’ve been doing it for years in North Carolina. You moved here April 1. It’s going to be available here in Franklin starting July 20. Tell us a little bit about the parental information meeting coming up at the school next Tuesday? Tell us a little bit about that.
Bradley: We do. I’m really excited to see some people face to face, from a safe distance. But we are hosting an information session for families. Children are welcome. That will be next Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. at 3835 Carothers Parkway in Franklin. Currently known as The Gate Community Church. But it will be Thales Academy in Franklin. I really want to encourage people to come out and learn all about our school.
Leahy: I will be there. You are going to follow the governor’s protocol of the coronavirus.
Bradley: Absolutely.
Leahy: And we’re going to follow it to a T. You have plenty of room in the facility so people will be distanced from six feet and all the protocols will be followed. I’ll be outside and greeting people and directing them in. I may not come inside because it might end up being if we get enough people there. I want to make sure there is enough social distancing going on.
Bradley: Absolutely. So what you are telling me is you are volunteering to be my bouncer.
Leahy: I will be your bouncer! You got it! (Bradley chuckles) This is why its so much fun talking to Rachael. I will be the bouncer Tuesday night at the Thales Academy-Franklin open house for parents at 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.. at 3835 Carothers Parkway.
As you are heading north on I-65 just before you get to the intersection of Highway 96 you look to your right and you’ll see it says The Gate Community Church. I look every day but I don’t think the Thales Academy sign is up quite yet. But it will be up pretty soon, right?
Bradley: Yes. Absolutely. From what I understand we are just waiting on a permit issue. I’m checking it out every day myself.
Leahy: Checking it out! Also, if you are a parent in Williamson County and you are trying to wonder how your kids are going to learn, you have an online learning option that people can go to tennesseestar.com and hit the blue Thales Academy banner and it will take you to the Facebook page where you can sign up. I guess you have a dozen kids in Williamson County already signed up. What are they experiencing?
Bradley: They are getting an excellent preview of what our instruction looks like. So these are the best and brightest teachers. I chose very carefully from my previous staff of the last five years at our Apex, North Carolina campus. And I am letting our Williamson County families that are interested sign up for those same courses.
It’s a perfect mixture of prerecorded lessons by those teachers who are veterans with direct instruction as well as some face to face opportunities to make connections. We are covering reading, language arts, math vocabulary, science, and history. Everything.
Leahy: It sounds really good. The parents that are looking for your kids to do go online to tennesseestar.com and click on the blue Thales Academy banner there and make the connection. Or you could email Rachael directly at [email protected]. One last thing. How expensive is Thales Academy?
Bradley: Not expensive at all. That’s the beauty of it. We founded this phenomenal program using direct instruction offering a classical education with a strong emphasis on character formation with an annual tuition of only $5,300.
Leahy: That’s less than half of most private schools in Williamson County. For those of you are looking at the budget and thinking if you’re not comfortable with the general instruction in public schools and maybe not quite there with homeschooling looking for a private school option, I don’t see how you could beat Thales Academy in Franklin for only $5,300 for a full year. That’s quite spectacular. And you’ll explain how you do that at the parent’s information meeting Tuesday, May the 12 at 3835 Carothers Parkway. And the side benefit, I’m the bouncer at the event.
(Laughter)
Bradley: I can’t wait. (Leahy chuckles)
Leahy: Well I’ll be a nice bouncer I promise. In fact, I’ll be an inviting bouncer and I won’t bounce anybody out.
Bradley: There we go. We may have some desperate parents. It’s been a rough month.
Leahy: It’s been a rough month, that’s for sure. Rachael Bradley, principal of Thales Academy-Franklin thanks so much for joining us. I will see you in person next Tuesday at 6:30 a.m.
Bradley: I’m looking forward to it.
Listen to the full third hour:

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


thetennesseestar--2020-05-08--23,000 Tennesseans Have Received Free COVID-19 Tests, State Has Completed Twice as Many Tests as Ken

23,000 Tennesseans Have Received Free COVID-19 Tests, State Has Completed Twice as Many Tests as Kentucky

Gov .
Bill Lee said more than 23,000 Tennesseans have received a free COVID-19 test at one of 67 drive-through testing sites over the past three weekends .
“ Testing remains one of the most important tools for gaining more information in our fight against COVID-19 , and the 23,000 tests we ’ ve completed over the last three weekends have provided incredibly valuable data , ” Lee said in a statement .
“ We ’ re grateful to the thousands who came out to receive a test this weekend and we continue to remind Tennesseans : when in doubt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alone , 5,153 Tennesseans received a free COVID-19 test .
Lee said the free testing is part of the Unified Command Group ’ s efforts to widen access to testing regardless of symptoms .
“ Our weekend sites have been equipped to meet the demand for free testing across the state , ” said Dr. Lisa Piercey , Tennessee Department of Health commissioner .
“ With ample capacity at our county health departments during the week , we continue to encourage Tennesseans to take advantage of free testing at these locations.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of testing sites published on its website .
As of Thursday , Tennessee had completed 236,328 COVID-19 tests .
That ’ s more than double the number of tests performed in states like Minnesota , which claims it has the ability to test up to 20,000 individuals in a day , but has yet to surpass 6,000 daily tests .
Between Wednesday and Thursday , Tennessee tested an additional 9,227 residents , according to the Department of Health .
Tennessee has also performed more than twice as many tests as Kentucky , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Most of Tennessee ’ s COVID-19 tests have been performed by non-state health labs , which account for 225,427 of the state ’ s 236,328 total tests .
Tennessee now has 14,096 confirmed COVID-19 cases , 237 deaths , and 6,783 recovered patients .
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ North Carolina National Guard Members ” by the National Guard .
CC BY 2.0 .

Gov. Bill Lee said more than 23,000 Tennesseans have received a free COVID-19 test at one of 67 drive-through testing sites over the past three weekends.
“Testing remains one of the most important tools for gaining more information in our fight against COVID-19, and the 23,000 tests we’ve completed over the last three weekends have provided incredibly valuable data,” Lee said in a statement. “We’re grateful to the thousands who came out to receive a test this weekend and we continue to remind Tennesseans: when in doubt, get a test.”
Last weekend alone, 5,153 Tennesseans received a free COVID-19 test. Lee said the free testing is part of the Unified Command Group’s efforts to widen access to testing regardless of symptoms.
“Our weekend sites have been equipped to meet the demand for free testing across the state,” said Dr. Lisa Piercey, Tennessee Department of Health commissioner. “With ample capacity at our county health departments during the week, we continue to encourage Tennesseans to take advantage of free testing at these locations.”
The Tennessee Department of Health has a map of testing sites published on its website. As of Thursday, Tennessee had completed 236,328 COVID-19 tests. That’s more than double the number of tests performed in states like Minnesota, which claims it has the ability to test up to 20,000 individuals in a day, but has yet to surpass 6,000 daily tests.
Between Wednesday and Thursday, Tennessee tested an additional 9,227 residents, according to the Department of Health.
Tennessee has also performed more than twice as many tests as Kentucky, which had tested 81,391 residents as of Thursday.
Most of Tennessee’s COVID-19 tests have been performed by non-state health labs, which account for 225,427 of the state’s 236,328 total tests.
Tennessee now has 14,096 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 237 deaths, and 6,783 recovered patients.
– – –
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “North Carolina National Guard Members” by the National Guard. CC BY 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-08--First Person in ICE Detention Dies of Coronavirus Complications

A 57-year-old man from El Salvador became the first individual in Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) custody to die from COVID-19 complications .
Carlos Ernesto Escobar Mejia passed away early Wednesday morning after being hospitalized and on a ventilator for roughly a week , The San Diego Union-Tribune first reported .
Escobar Mejia , a detainee at the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego , was one of hundreds of individuals in ICE custody who have contracted the novel coronavirus .
As is typical for those who die from the virus , Escobar Mejia had pre-existing health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and underwent several operations that resulted in the loss of his right foot .
News of his passing drew swift condemnation from immigrant-rights groups that have been pressing for the release of ICE detainees amid the viral outbreak .
“ This is a terrible tragedy , and it was entirely predictable and preventable , ” said Andrea Flores , the deputy director of immigration policy for the American Civil Liberties Union ( ACLU ) .
She added : “ Unless ICE acts quickly to release far more people from detention , they will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ die.
” News of the death came over a month after ICE confirmed its first detainee to contract the virus — a 31-year-old Mexican national at the Bergen County Jail in Hackensack , New Jersey .
Since that time , numerous court orders have forced the agency to release many detainees in custody , and hundreds of detainees and employees have contracted the virus .
A total of 705 ICE detainees have tested positive for coronavirus , according to the latest data provided by the agency .
The agency also keeps a running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Otay Mesa Detention Center standing out with the most cases — 132 detainees have tested positive for the virus thus far .
Some of the court-ordered releases of detainees include individuals who hold heinous criminal background .
A memo obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation revealed that four out of six detainees ordered released out of the Adelanto ICE Processing Center in San Bernardino County , California , in April were convicted felons .
Some of their actions included lewd acts and cruelty toward children .
ICE has 29,675 foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with coronavirus 2 % of the agency ’ s entire detained population .

by Jason Hopkins
A 57-year-old man from El Salvador became the first individual in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody to die from COVID-19 complications.
Carlos Ernesto Escobar Mejia passed away early Wednesday morning after being hospitalized and on a ventilator for roughly a week, The San Diego Union-Tribune first reported. Escobar Mejia, a detainee at the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego, was one of hundreds of individuals in ICE custody who have contracted the novel coronavirus.
As is typical for those who die from the virus, Escobar Mejia had pre-existing health conditions. The Salvadoran national had diabetes and underwent several operations that resulted in the loss of his right foot.
News of his passing drew swift condemnation from immigrant-rights groups that have been pressing for the release of ICE detainees amid the viral outbreak.
“This is a terrible tragedy, and it was entirely predictable and preventable,” said Andrea Flores, the deputy director of immigration policy for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
She added: “Unless ICE acts quickly to release far more people from detention, they will keep getting sick and many more will die.”
News of the death came over a month after ICE confirmed its first detainee to contract the virus — a 31-year-old Mexican national at the Bergen County Jail in Hackensack, New Jersey. Since that time, numerous court orders have forced the agency to release many detainees in custody, and hundreds of detainees and employees have contracted the virus.
A total of 705 ICE detainees have tested positive for coronavirus, according to the latest data provided by the agency. The agency also keeps a running list of positive cases per facility, with the Otay Mesa Detention Center standing out with the most cases — 132 detainees have tested positive for the virus thus far.
Some of the court-ordered releases of detainees include individuals who hold heinous criminal background. A memo obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation revealed that four out of six detainees ordered released out of the Adelanto ICE Processing Center in San Bernardino County, California, in April were convicted felons. Some of their actions included lewd acts and cruelty toward children.
ICE has 29,675 foreign nationals under its custody, making those with coronavirus 2% of the agency’s entire detained population.
– – –
Jason Hopkins is a reporter at Daily Caller News Foundation.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-08--Stacey Abrams Claims She Hasn’t Been Pitching Herself as VP

Stacey Abrams said she hasn ’ t been pitching herself to be the vice presidential nominee , despite repeatedly touting her bona fides to media outlets and reports that she has pressured Joe Biden ’ s inner circle to choose her .
Abrams walked back the notion that she has been “ pitching ” herself to be Biden ’ s vice presidential running-mate in an interview with CNN on Wednesday .
The former Georgia state representative and failed gubernatorial candidate described the idea as a “ mischaracterization.
” “ First of all , the decision of who his vice president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vice President Biden .
He has done the job and he knows what he ’ s looking for , ” Abrams said on CNN ’ s “ Amanpour.
” She continued : “ I want to push back .
I haven ’ t been pitching myself , which has been a mischaracterization because I answer questions honestly .
I ’ ve been getting this question for 14 months .
Since March of 2019 , I ’ ve repeatedly received the question and I ’ m honored people would put me in the category @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask.
” Despite her claims on Wednesday , Abrams has led one of the most aggressive public campaigns to be the number two for Biden , who stands as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee .
Biden has pledged to choose a woman as his running-mate , prompting speculation about a number of high-profile Democratic women such as Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar , Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and others .
However , Abrams — whose highest elected office was a state representative seat in Georgia — has publicly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden ’ s ticket .
The romance novelist has said she would be an “ excellent running-mate ” for Biden , talked about her “ 25 years in independent study of foreign policy ” and even expressed concern about Biden not choosing a “ woman of color.
” Beyond public adulation about her background , she has been reportedly pressing Biden to choose her behind closed doors .
Abrams has privately called Democratic power brokers and requested that they tell Biden campaign staffers to choose her as his running-mate , according to multiple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The public campaign is an unprecedented strategy .
Typically , those wishing to be tapped as a vice presidential running-mate play coy when asked the question by reporters and lobby for the position in a more low-key fashion .
It appears Abrams ’ s strategy has annoyed some on the Democratic side of the aisle .
Democratic Missouri Rep. Lacy Clay , during a podcast interview in April , criticized her for publicly lobbying to become Biden ’ s ruling-mate , and knocked her for losing her 2018 gubernatorial bid .
“ You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can not show up at the winner ’ s window with loser ’ s tickets .
You haven ’ t won anything .
You can ’ t show up at the winner ’ s window with loser ’ s tickets and demand anything , ” Clay said .
Jason Hopkins is a reporter at Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Stacey Abrams ” by Stacey Abrams .

by Jason Hopkins
Stacey Abrams said she hasn’t been pitching herself to be the vice presidential nominee, despite repeatedly touting her bona fides to media outlets and reports that she has pressured Joe Biden’s inner circle to choose her.
Abrams walked back the notion that she has been “pitching” herself to be Biden’s vice presidential running-mate in an interview with CNN on Wednesday. The former Georgia state representative and failed gubernatorial candidate described the idea as a “mischaracterization.”
“First of all, the decision of who his vice president will be is solely the decision of Vice President Biden. He has done the job and he knows what he’s looking for,” Abrams said on CNN’s “Amanpour.”
She continued: “I want to push back. I haven’t been pitching myself, which has been a mischaracterization because I answer questions honestly. I’ve been getting this question for 14 months. Since March of 2019, I’ve repeatedly received the question and I’m honored people would put me in the category to think that was a question to ask.”
Despite her claims on Wednesday, Abrams has led one of the most aggressive public campaigns to be the number two for Biden, who stands as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.
Biden has pledged to choose a woman as his running-mate, prompting speculation about a number of high-profile Democratic women such as Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and others.
However, Abrams — whose highest elected office was a state representative seat in Georgia — has publicly touted herself as a credible candidate for Biden’s ticket. The romance novelist has said she would be an “excellent running-mate” for Biden, talked about her “25 years in independent study of foreign policy” and even expressed concern about Biden not choosing a “woman of color.”
Beyond public adulation about her background, she has been reportedly pressing Biden to choose her behind closed doors. Abrams has privately called Democratic power brokers and requested that they tell Biden campaign staffers to choose her as his running-mate, according to multiple labor leaders who spoke with Politico.
The public campaign is an unprecedented strategy. Typically, those wishing to be tapped as a vice presidential running-mate play coy when asked the question by reporters and lobby for the position in a more low-key fashion.
It appears Abrams’s strategy has annoyed some on the Democratic side of the aisle.
Democratic Missouri Rep. Lacy Clay, during a podcast interview in April, criticized her for publicly lobbying to become Biden’s ruling-mate, and knocked her for losing her 2018 gubernatorial bid.
“You know, at the race track, you cannot show up at the winner’s window with loser’s tickets. You haven’t won anything. You can’t show up at the winner’s window with loser’s tickets and demand anything,” Clay said.
– – –
Jason Hopkins is a reporter at Daily Caller News Foundation.
Photo “Stacey Abrams” by Stacey Abrams.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-08--Mark Green Named to Coronavirus Select Committee

This week U.S. House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy ( R-CA-23 ) announced that U.S. Rep. Mark Green , ( R-TN-07 ) a member of the House Oversight Committee , has been named as one of five Republicans to serve on the Coronavirus Select Committee .
Green is the only doctor appointed to serve on this Committee , according to a press release Green put out this week .
“ I ’ m honored to have been selected to represent my colleagues and the American people on this Committee .
However , Congress should be passing bills to help the American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Green said .
“ With more than 33 million Americans now unemployed , eight existing oversight mechanisms , and trillions in new debt , the last thing the American taxpayer wants—or needs—is another committee to investigate the President.
” As The Tennessee Star reported last month , said researchers continue to advance toward a vaccine for COVID-19 , but he also encouraged his constituents to keep up with their social distancing .
Green said this during a Tele-Town Hall with constituents .
He said recent medical literature suggests COVID-19 has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ folks who have a different formation of the receptor on their lung lining that either allows for protection or a lack of protection for the virus inserting itself into the cells .
More research is being done , ” Green said .
Researchers are also trying to understand why Senator Rand Paul ( R-KY ) and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson , who are roughly the same age and have similar health histories , ended up with COVID-19 but under different circumstances .
Paul was asymptomatic , while Johnson ended up in ICU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , one of Green ’ s constituents , who identified herself as a flight attendant for an international airline , said COVID-19 killed certain of her friends .
She asked Green whether authorities should require people to wear gloves and masks in public .
“ I dress for battle when I go out .
But I can not tell you how many people I see when I go to a grocery store or a warehouse store [ who are not dressed for battle ] .
I observe all the precautions , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t follow any precautions once they get in the door .
No six-foot rule .
No gloves .
No masks .
It seems like something that is so simple that we can require people to do when they choose to go not to a park but into a store.
” Green encouraged his constituents to stay physically apart from one another and to continue to sanitize their hands .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]

This week U.S. House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA-23) announced that U.S. Rep. Mark Green, (R-TN-07) a member of the House Oversight Committee, has been named as one of five Republicans to serve on the Coronavirus Select Committee.
Green is the only doctor appointed to serve on this Committee, according to a press release Green put out this week.
“I’m honored to have been selected to represent my colleagues and the American people on this Committee. However, Congress should be passing bills to help the American people, not creating more bureaucratic committees,” Green said.
“With more than 33 million Americans now unemployed, eight existing oversight mechanisms, and trillions in new debt, the last thing the American taxpayer wants—or needs—is another committee to investigate the President.”
As The Tennessee Star reported last month, said researchers continue to advance toward a vaccine for COVID-19, but he also encouraged his constituents to keep up with their social distancing. Green said this during a Tele-Town Hall with constituents. He said recent medical literature suggests COVID-19 has a genetic component.
“There are some folks who have a different formation of the receptor on their lung lining that either allows for protection or a lack of protection for the virus inserting itself into the cells. More research is being done,” Green said.
Researchers are also trying to understand why Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who are roughly the same age and have similar health histories, ended up with COVID-19 but under different circumstances. Paul was asymptomatic, while Johnson ended up in ICU, Green said.
During the call, one of Green’s constituents, who identified herself as a flight attendant for an international airline, said COVID-19 killed certain of her friends. She asked Green whether authorities should require people to wear gloves and masks in public.
“I dress for battle when I go out. But I cannot tell you how many people I see when I go to a grocery store or a warehouse store [who are not dressed for battle]. I observe all the precautions,” the woman said.
“Yet others don’t follow any precautions once they get in the door. No six-foot rule. No gloves. No masks. It seems like something that is so simple that we can require people to do when they choose to go not to a park but into a store.”
Green encouraged his constituents to stay physically apart from one another and to continue to sanitize their hands.
– – –
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected]