thetennesseestar--2020-05-09--Encouraging Illegal Aliens to Remain in the US Is a Crime, Supreme Court Rules

The Supreme Court unanimously upheld a federal statute that forbids encouraging illegal aliens to remain in the U.S. unlawfully in a decision Thursday .
The Supreme Court justices voided an earlier decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals , which had ruled that a federal anti-harboring statute was unconstitutional on the grounds that it violated the First Amendment by restricting free speech .
The ruling by the nation ’ s highest court Thursday upholds the law .
The Supreme Court not only vacated the appeals court ’ s decision , but also criticized the judges for “ drastically ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bader Ginsburg , a liberal stalwart of the bench , wrote the high court ’ s opinion .
“ [ T ] he appeals panel departed so drastically from the principle of party presentation as to constitute an abuse of discretion , ” Ginsburg wrote , and later stated that “ a court is not hidebound by the precise arguments of counsel , but the Ninth Circuit ’ s radical transformation of this case goes well beyond the pale.
” The decision brings to a close a court battle that lasted roughly 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immigration consultant Evelyn Sineneng-Smith in 2010 for multiple violations of anti-harboring laws , which make it a felony to “ encourag [ e ] or induc [ e ] an alien to come to , enter , or reside in the United States , knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that such coming to , entry , or residence is or will be in violation of law.
” Sineneng-Smith encouraged illegal alien clients to apply for a certification that would allow them to remain legally in the country , despite them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the indictment .
She would charge her clients a fee for this service , and allegedly made millions off of the scheme .
Sineneng-Smith earned more than $ 3.3 million off of her clients , legal affairs outlet Jurist reported .
In a challenge to the decision , Sineneng-Smith argued that the law violated her right to free speech .
The Ninth Circuit reversed her conviction , finding that the entire law was invalid as an over broad restriction of speech .
The Ninth Circuit ’ s reversal however , was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but by third party arguments submitted to the panel of judges .
The Supreme Court ruled that the Ninth Circuit overstepped its authority by injecting an argument not made by the defendant herself .
The decision ultimately reaffirms that parties — not the courts — shape issues in a court case .
The case is now to be sent back to the Ninth Circuit “ for reconsideration … bearing a fair resemblance to the case shaped by parties.
” The decision was hailed by immigration hawks .
“ We applaud the Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ L. Wilcox , executive director and general counsel of Immigration and Reform Law Institute , said in a statement .
“ Unfortunately , the Court did not have to reach the issue of whether this important statute is constitutional , but it did keep the law in place .
When and if the overbreadth issue is brought up properly by a defendant in the future , we will be there , ” Wilcox said .
Jason Hopkins is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Stop Deportaton Protest ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

by Jason Hopkins
The Supreme Court unanimously upheld a federal statute that forbids encouraging illegal aliens to remain in the U.S. unlawfully in a decision Thursday.
The Supreme Court justices voided an earlier decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which had ruled that a federal anti-harboring statute was unconstitutional on the grounds that it violated the First Amendment by restricting free speech. The ruling by the nation’s highest court Thursday upholds the law.
The Supreme Court not only vacated the appeals court’s decision, but also criticized the judges for “drastically” straying from judicial norms.
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a liberal stalwart of the bench, wrote the high court’s opinion.
“[T]he appeals panel departed so drastically from the principle of party presentation as to constitute an abuse of discretion,” Ginsburg wrote, and later stated that “a court is not hidebound by the precise arguments of counsel, but the Ninth Circuit’s radical transformation of this case goes well beyond the pale.”
The decision brings to a close a court battle that lasted roughly 10 years.
A grand jury indicted California immigration consultant Evelyn Sineneng-Smith in 2010 for multiple violations of anti-harboring laws, which make it a felony to “encourag[e] or induc[e] an alien to come to, enter, or reside in the United States, knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that such coming to, entry, or residence is or will be in violation of law.”
Sineneng-Smith encouraged illegal alien clients to apply for a certification that would allow them to remain legally in the country, despite them not qualifying for the certification, according to the indictment. She would charge her clients a fee for this service, and allegedly made millions off of the scheme.
Sineneng-Smith earned more than $3.3 million off of her clients, legal affairs outlet Jurist reported.
In a challenge to the decision, Sineneng-Smith argued that the law violated her right to free speech. The Ninth Circuit reversed her conviction, finding that the entire law was invalid as an over broad restriction of speech.
The Ninth Circuit’s reversal however, was not based on arguments presented by her defense, but by third party arguments submitted to the panel of judges.
The Supreme Court ruled that the Ninth Circuit overstepped its authority by injecting an argument not made by the defendant herself. The decision ultimately reaffirms that parties — not the courts — shape issues in a court case.
The case is now to be sent back to the Ninth Circuit “for reconsideration … bearing a fair resemblance to the case shaped by parties.”
The decision was hailed by immigration hawks.
“We applaud the Court’s well-reasoned decision,” Dale L. Wilcox, executive director and general counsel of Immigration and Reform Law Institute, said in a statement.
“Unfortunately, the Court did not have to reach the issue of whether this important statute is constitutional, but it did keep the law in place. When and if the overbreadth issue is brought up properly by a defendant in the future, we will be there,” Wilcox said.
– – –
Jason Hopkins is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Photo “Stop Deportaton Protest” by Fibonacci Blue. CC BY 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-09--Commentary: This Is What It Looks Like When You Shoot the Economy in the Head

25.4 million Americans have lost their jobs since February through mid-April , the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports — 17.3 million who are unemployed , and another 8.1 million who have left the labor force completely — in response to the Chinese coronavirus pandemic as Americans sit home and wait it out .
Although the Bureau tabulates a reported unemployment rate of 14.7 percent , if you count the 8.1 million who left the labor force , too , plus the 5.8 million who were already unemployed , and the number looks more like 18.9 percent .
Either way , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the Great Depression , and still moving north .
As the monthly report was taken in mid-April , it does not take into account all of the initial jobless claims that have taken place since April 11 , which total more than 11.4 million .
With so many millions of Americans losing their jobs every week , the data will continue to have a lot of noise as the two sets of numbers bleed into one another until they stop rising , and labor markets finally hit their bottom .
Then the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known .
Suffice to say , wherever the true numbers are , they are bad enough .
And they would probably be much higher if not for $ 730 billion plus that was given to small businesses via the payroll protection plan that was enacted by Congress .
But we are seeing real devastation with these state government directed closures , and it ’ s anyone ’ s guess how long it will be before we hit the bottom and then how long before we ever recover from the equivalent of an asteroid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Limited Government President Rick Manning was emphatic in his statement this morning that now it is time to reopen America : “ Almost 8.1 million people have left the workforce since February , another 17.3 million people have become unemployed in the same time period , totaling 25.4 million who had jobs but no longer do .
This is what it looks like when you shoot your economy in the head over a public health issue , and this is why reopening America is job one for our political leaders.
” Manning added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states , local governments , business and others do not replace the jobs that a free market economy creates .
Further delays in reopening state and local economies will only make the economic disaster worse .
And more intractable .
America can no longer allow this China originated virus to destroy our economic and societal future .
It ’ s time to get back to work and stop pretending that massive government bailouts can solve the problem.
” That ’ s right .
For as much money as Congress and the Federal Reserve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not solve it .
For our modern society to function , we need a modern economy and that requires people to work .
To all those who still harbor illusions what a Green New Deal or universal income schemes would do to the economy , this is what it would do .
It would destroy our economy and remove incentives to work and prosper , and in the process we will no longer be a prosperous society .
We need to reopen the economy , while there still is an economy .
Robert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Policy at Americans for Limited Government .

by Robert Romano
25.4 million Americans have lost their jobs since February through mid-April, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports — 17.3 million who are unemployed, and another 8.1 million who have left the labor force completely — in response to the Chinese coronavirus pandemic as Americans sit home and wait it out.
Although the Bureau tabulates a reported unemployment rate of 14.7 percent, if you count the 8.1 million who left the labor force, too, plus the 5.8 million who were already unemployed, and the number looks more like 18.9 percent.
Either way, that is the highest reported unemployment rate since the Great Depression, and still moving north. As the monthly report was taken in mid-April, it does not take into account all of the initial jobless claims that have taken place since April 11, which total more than 11.4 million.
With so many millions of Americans losing their jobs every week, the data will continue to have a lot of noise as the two sets of numbers bleed into one another until they stop rising, and labor markets finally hit their bottom. Then the totality of the job losses will be known.
Suffice to say, wherever the true numbers are, they are bad enough. And they would probably be much higher if not for $730 billion plus that was given to small businesses via the payroll protection plan that was enacted by Congress.
But we are seeing real devastation with these state government directed closures, and it’s anyone’s guess how long it will be before we hit the bottom and then how long before we ever recover from the equivalent of an asteroid striking the global economy.
Americans for Limited Government President Rick Manning was emphatic in his statement this morning that now it is time to reopen America: “Almost 8.1 million people have left the workforce since February, another 17.3 million people have become unemployed in the same time period, totaling 25.4 million who had jobs but no longer do. This is what it looks like when you shoot your economy in the head over a public health issue, and this is why reopening America is job one for our political leaders.”
Manning added, concluding, “Additional bailouts for states, local governments, business and others do not replace the jobs that a free market economy creates. Further delays in reopening state and local economies will only make the economic disaster worse. And more intractable. America can no longer allow this China originated virus to destroy our economic and societal future. It’s time to get back to work and stop pretending that massive government bailouts can solve the problem.”
That’s right. For as much money as Congress and the Federal Reserve throw at the problem, it will not solve it. For our modern society to function, we need a modern economy and that requires people to work. To all those who still harbor illusions what a Green New Deal or universal income schemes would do to the economy, this is what it would do. It would destroy our economy and remove incentives to work and prosper, and in the process we will no longer be a prosperous society.
We need to reopen the economy, while there still is an economy.
Robert Romano is the Vice President of Public Policy at Americans for Limited Government.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-09--Crom Carmichael Explains Why Joe Biden Is a Bimbo

Friday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast 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 in the studio by the original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael .
During the third hour , Leahy and Carmichael discussed the three definitions of the word “ bimbo ” and realized that they could apply the first and second to Joe Biden .
The duo joked that other members of Congress could have not one but all three definitions of the word @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There ’ s a soundbite that I sent you from 1987 when he ( Joe Biden ) was running for president .
It ’ s not like it was some old soundbite .
He was running for president and somebody asked him about where he was in law school and where he was in law school and his immediate reaction was to challenge that person to an IQ contest .
( Leahy laughs ) So he hasn ’ t changed a bit because the elderly heavy-set guy challenged him to a push-up contest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to contests .
I ’ ll tell you what he won ’ t do .
He won ’ t challenge somebody to remembering five numbers in a row .
Carmichael : Because he can ’ t remember three .
Leahy : So it has to do with intellectual capability .
There ’ s a word for that I guess .
Carmichael : I don ’ t know what it is .
Biden would be called a bimbo .
Carmichael : He would be a bimbo , yeah .
He fits my definition .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to start using when I apply it to Biden and other people .
Leahy : Biden ’ s a bimbo .
Let me look this up .
A bimbo .
I think that not necessarily an old tottering man .
But let me go to dictionary.com .
There are three definitions of a bimbo .
Let ’ s see if any of them apply to Joe Biden .
Number one , a foolish , stupid , or inept person .
Carmichael : That ’ s my definition .
Typically when I use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when I refer to a man as a bimbo .
Leahy : Well according to dictionary.com a man could be a bimbo .
The first definition is a foolish , stupid , or inept person .
The second definition actually does refer to gender .
It says , a man or a fellow often a disreputable or contemptible one .
Carmichael : That would be Adam Schiff .
He ’ s a bimbo .
Leahy : Joe Biden is a bimbo .
Now the third definition would be the most commonly used definition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young woman , especially one with loose morals .
Carmichael : So if I refereed to Nancy Pelosi as a bimbo it would be the first definition .
Carmichael : It would not be the last .
( Laughter ) But now Ocasio-Cortez might be the third .
She could actually be all three .
Omar would be all three .
Leahy : There you go .
Carmichael : Omar would be all three .
So there you have it .
So when I use the term which I will use because it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ ll see how that plays out .
Lori Lightfoot would be a bimbo of the first or the second order .
Leahy : Yes .
Here ’ s how we do it !
A bimbo of the first order of the second-order or the third order .
Carmichael : There you go .
Leahy : Joe Biden is a bimbo of both the first and second orders .
Carmichael : Well yes .
( Leahy chuckles ) There you have it .
Leahy : So write this down in your dictionary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in fact , a bimbo .
( Laughs ) Listen to the full third hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ Joe Biden ” by Gage Skidmore .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .

Friday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast 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 in the studio by the original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael.
During the third hour, Leahy and Carmichael discussed the three definitions of the word “bimbo” and realized that they could apply the first and second to Joe Biden. The duo joked that other members of Congress could have not one but all three definitions of the word bimbo applied to them.
Carmichael: There’s a soundbite that I sent you from 1987 when he (Joe Biden) was running for president. It’s not like it was some old soundbite. He was running for president and somebody asked him about where he was in law school and where he was in law school and his immediate reaction was to challenge that person to an IQ contest. (Leahy laughs)
So he hasn’t changed a bit because the elderly heavy-set guy challenged him to a push-up contest so he’s always challenging people to contests. I’ll tell you what he won’t do. He won’t challenge somebody to remembering five numbers in a row.
Leahy: (Laughs) Because he can’t.
Carmichael: Because he can’t remember three.
Leahy: So it has to do with intellectual capability. There’s a word for that I guess.
Carmichael: I don’t know what it is. Biden would be called a bimbo.
Leahy: Bimbo?
Carmichael: He would be a bimbo, yeah. He fits my definition. It’s a new word I want to start using when I apply it to Biden and other people.
Leahy: Biden’s a bimbo. Let me look this up. A bimbo. I think that not necessarily an old tottering man. But let me go to dictionary.com. There are three definitions of a bimbo. Let’s see if any of them apply to Joe Biden. Number one, a foolish, stupid, or inept person.
Carmichael: Bingo!
Leahy: I think so!
Carmichael: That’s my definition. Typically when I use the word bimbo and it surprises people when I refer to a man as a bimbo.
Leahy: Well according to dictionary.com a man could be a bimbo. The first definition is a foolish, stupid, or inept person. The second definition actually does refer to gender. It says, a man or a fellow often a disreputable or contemptible one.
Carmichael: OK.
Leahy: I guess that would apply.
Carmichael: That would be Adam Schiff. He’s a bimbo.
Leahy: Schiff is a bimbo.
Carmichael: He’s a bimbo.
Leahy: Joe Biden is a bimbo. Now the third definition would be the most commonly used definition for bimbo. An attractive but stupid young woman, especially one with loose morals.
Carmichael: So if I refereed to Nancy Pelosi as a bimbo it would be the first definition.
Leahy: Yes.
Carmichael: It would not be the last. (Laughter) But now Ocasio-Cortez might be the third. She could actually be all three. Omar would be all three.
Leahy: There you go.
Carmichael: Omar would be all three. So there you have it. So when I use the term which I will use because it is appropriate and very descriptive and so we’ll see how that plays out. Lori Lightfoot would be a bimbo of the first or the second order.
Leahy: Yes. Here’s how we do it! A bimbo of the first order of the second-order or the third order.
Carmichael: There you go.
Leahy: Joe Biden is a bimbo of both the first and second orders.
Carmichael: Well yes. (Leahy chuckles) There you have it.
Leahy: So write this down in your dictionary’s folks. Joe Biden is, in fact, a bimbo. (Laughs)
Listen to the full third hour here:

– – –
Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510. Listen online at iHeart Radio.
Photo “Joe Biden” by Gage Skidmore. CC BY-SA 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-09--Tara Reade Told Her Ex-Husband About Alleged Harassment in Biden’s Senate Office, 1996 Court Documen

Tara Reade Told Her Ex-Husband About Alleged Harassment in Biden’s Senate Office, 1996 Court Document Shows

A 1996 court document shows that Tara Reade told her ex-husband that she experienced sexual harassment at work in Joe Biden ’ s Senate office .
The March 1996 court declaration , written by Reade ’ s ex-husband Theodore Dronen and obtained by The Tribune in San Luis Obispo , California , shows that Reade told Dronen about “ a problem she was having at work regarding sexual harassment , in U.S .
Senator Joe Biden ’ s office.
” Reade worked as a Senate staffer for Biden in 1993 and has accused the then-senator of kissing her , touching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without her consent .
Both the presumptive Democratic nominee and his presidential campaign have repeatedly denied these allegations .
Reade has also said that she filed a complaint in 1993 that described sexual harassment without actually using the phrase .
Reade ’ s ex-husband is at least the seventh person who has confirmed details of Reade ’ s allegations .
He confirmed to the Tribune that he wrote the declaration but asked to be left out of the matter .
“ Tara and I ended our relationship over two decades ago under difficult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County resident told the Tribune in an email .
“ I am not interested in reliving that chapter of my life .
I wish Tara well , and I have nothing further to say.
” Dronen had filed for the divorce and was contesting Reade ’ s restraining order against him , the court documents show , according to the Tribune .
He testified that he and Reade met when they were working for different Congress members in Washington , D.C. in 1993 .
Reade ’ s ex-husband wrote in the filing that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harassment in Biden ’ s office early on in their relationship .
Reade told him that she “ eventually struck a deal with the chief of staff of the Senator ’ s office and left her position , ” Dronen wrote .
He stated that he was “ sympathetic to her needs ” and allowed her to stay at his apartment while she struggled financially .
He added that “ it was obvious that this event had a very traumatic effect on ( Reade ) , and that she is still sensitive and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Dronen ’ s statement was filed in response to a declaration by Reade describing incidents of abuse that had occurred to her throughout her life .
Reade ’ s declaration supported her restraining order request , the Tribune reports .
Reade previously told the Daily Caller News Foundation that she is a survivor of domestic abuse that subsequently pushed her to change her name .
The Biden accuser has also told the Tribune that she is a domestic violence survivor and a victim ’ s advocate .
Her ex-husband also wrote in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reade allegedly endured colored her “ perception and judgment ” regarding the civil case they were currently engaged in .
Reade ’ s legal representation said in an email to the Tribune that the declaration is “ further support that Ms. Reade was sexually assaulted and sexually harassed by then Senator Joe Biden.
” “ Ms .
Reade ’ s account of what happened will shortly be aired in an interview by Megyn Kelly and I am confident that the American public will see her genuine veracity , ” the New York-based attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not respond to a request for comment from the DCNF .
Mary Margaret Olohan is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Tara Reade ” by Megyn Kelly .
Photo “ Joe Biden ” by Gage Skidmore .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .

by Mary Margaret Olohan
A 1996 court document shows that Tara Reade told her ex-husband that she experienced sexual harassment at work in Joe Biden’s Senate office.
The March 1996 court declaration, written by Reade’s ex-husband Theodore Dronen and obtained by The Tribune in San Luis Obispo, California, shows that Reade told Dronen about “a problem she was having at work regarding sexual harassment, in U.S. Senator Joe Biden’s office.”
Reade worked as a Senate staffer for Biden in 1993 and has accused the then-senator of kissing her, touching her and penetrating her with his fingers without her consent. Both the presumptive Democratic nominee and his presidential campaign have repeatedly denied these allegations.
Reade has also said that she filed a complaint in 1993 that described sexual harassment without actually using the phrase.
Reade’s ex-husband is at least the seventh person who has confirmed details of Reade’s allegations. He confirmed to the Tribune that he wrote the declaration but asked to be left out of the matter.
“Tara and I ended our relationship over two decades ago under difficult circumstances,” the San Luis Obispo County resident told the Tribune in an email. “I am not interested in reliving that chapter of my life. I wish Tara well, and I have nothing further to say.”
Dronen had filed for the divorce and was contesting Reade’s restraining order against him, the court documents show, according to the Tribune. He testified that he and Reade met when they were working for different Congress members in Washington, D.C. in 1993.
Reade’s ex-husband wrote in the filing that Reade told him about the alleged sexual harassment in Biden’s office early on in their relationship.
Reade told him that she “eventually struck a deal with the chief of staff of the Senator’s office and left her position,” Dronen wrote. He stated that he was “sympathetic to her needs” and allowed her to stay at his apartment while she struggled financially.
He added that “it was obvious that this event had a very traumatic effect on (Reade), and that she is still sensitive and effected [sic] by it today.”
Dronen’s statement was filed in response to a declaration by Reade describing incidents of abuse that had occurred to her throughout her life. Reade’s declaration supported her restraining order request, the Tribune reports.
Reade previously told the Daily Caller News Foundation that she is a survivor of domestic abuse that subsequently pushed her to change her name. The Biden accuser has also told the Tribune that she is a domestic violence survivor and a victim’s advocate.
Her ex-husband also wrote in his declaration that the incidences of abuse Reade allegedly endured colored her “perception and judgment” regarding the civil case they were currently engaged in.
Reade’s legal representation said in an email to the Tribune that the declaration is “further support that Ms. Reade was sexually assaulted and sexually harassed by then Senator Joe Biden.”
“Ms. Reade’s account of what happened will shortly be aired in an interview by Megyn Kelly and I am confident that the American public will see her genuine veracity,” the New York-based attorney Douglas Wigdor told the Tribune.
Wigdor did not respond to a request for comment from the DCNF.
– – –
Mary Margaret Olohan is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Photo “Tara Reade” by Megyn Kelly. Photo “Joe Biden” by Gage Skidmore. CC BY-SA 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-09--Blackburn Sponsors Bill to Name Street Outside Chinese Embassy in Honor of Late Doctor the Communist

Blackburn Sponsors Bill to Name Street Outside Chinese Embassy in Honor of Late Doctor the Communist Government Punished For Blowing Whistle on Coronavirus

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn ( R-TN ) co-sponsored a bill Thursday to rename the street outside the Chinese embassy in Washington , D.C. “ Li Wenliang Plaza ” to honor the late Dr. Li Wenliang , the Wuhan doctor who warned the world about the coronavirus before the Chinese Communist Party silenced him .
Blackburn is joined in the effort by U.S. Sens .
Tom Cotton ( R-AR ) , Ben Sasse ( R-NE ) and Marco Rubio ( R-FL ) and U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney ( R-Y ) , according to a press release from the Tennessee senator ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ Dr .
Li took great personal risk when he sounded the alarm about COVID-19 in spite of looming threats from the # CCP .
Renaming the street outside the Chinese Embassy in his honor will force the # CCP to remember that truth will always prevail.
” A copy of the bill is available here .
Blackburn said in a statement , “ Even when he contracted the virus , Dr. Li continued his efforts to communicate his experience and what he knew about it .
Dr. Li is a hero @ @ @ @ @ @ @ honor , we will show the Chinese government and the world that truth prevails and free speech is paramount to who we are as a nation .
The American people are grateful for his sacrifice.
” Li was detained by police in December and told to “ stop making false comments , ” according to The Tennessee Star .
Li warned doctors in China in December to start wearing protective gear to avoid contracting COVID-19 and ran afoul of the government , the government , the Washington Examiner reported .
Li was infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ The Chinese Communist Party wants the world to forget the name Li Wenliang .
CCP officials forced the Wuhan-based doctor to retract his early warnings about coronavirus , and government censors scrubbed Chinese social media of his name after his death .
We ’ ll ensure the name Li Wenliang is never forgotten—by placing it permanently outside the embassy of the nation responsible for the deaths Dr. Li tried to prevent.
” Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ D.C. ” by Krokodyl .
CC BY 3.0 .

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) co-sponsored a bill Thursday to rename the street outside the Chinese embassy in Washington, D.C. “Li Wenliang Plaza” to honor the late Dr. Li Wenliang, the Wuhan doctor who warned the world about the coronavirus before the Chinese Communist Party silenced him.
Blackburn is joined in the effort by U.S. Sens. Tom Cotton (R-AR), Ben Sasse (R-NE) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) and U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Y), according to a press release from the Tennessee senator’s office.
Blackburn on Friday tweeted, “Dr. Li took great personal risk when he sounded the alarm about COVID-19 in spite of looming threats from the #CCP. Renaming the street outside the Chinese Embassy in his honor will force the #CCP to remember that truth will always prevail.”
Dr. Li took great personal risk when he sounded the alarm about COVID-19 in spite of looming threats from the #CCP. Renaming the street outside the Chinese Embassy in his honor will force the #CCP to remember that truth will always prevail. https://t.co/zoQUpqWUsP — Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) May 8, 2020
A copy of the bill is available here.
Blackburn said in a statement, “Even when he contracted the virus, Dr. Li continued his efforts to communicate his experience and what he knew about it. Dr. Li is a hero. In naming this street in his honor, we will show the Chinese government and the world that truth prevails and free speech is paramount to who we are as a nation. The American people are grateful for his sacrifice.”
Li was detained by police in December and told to “stop making false comments,” according to The Tennessee Star.
Another Chinese doctor, Ai Fen, claimed she was silenced by her bosses when she tried to warn about the virus during its early stages. Ai’s whereabouts as of Sunday are currently unknown, according to 60 Minutes Australia, sparking fears that she has been detained.
Li warned doctors in China in December to start wearing protective gear to avoid contracting COVID-19 and ran afoul of the government, the government, the Washington Examiner reported. Li was infected and died in February.
Cotton said, “The Chinese Communist Party wants the world to forget the name Li Wenliang. CCP officials forced the Wuhan-based doctor to retract his early warnings about coronavirus, and government censors scrubbed Chinese social media of his name after his death. We’ll ensure the name Li Wenliang is never forgotten—by placing it permanently outside the embassy of the nation responsible for the deaths Dr. Li tried to prevent.”
– – –
Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes.
Background Photo “Chinese Embassy in Washington D.C.” by Krokodyl. CC BY 3.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-09--The Tennessee Star Report: Crom Carmichael Gives Two Reasons Why Contact Tracing Just Won’t Work

Friday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast 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 in the studio by the original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael .
At the top of the third hour , Carmichael outlined his thoughts on contact tracing and cited reasons why it wouldn ’ t work .
He added that there were two reasons why the government would want to do it which included a stupid government that wants to look like its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which would resemble the tracking that China is doing of its own citizens .
Leahy : In the studio with us , all-star panelist Crom Carmichael .
Crom , we are about to have a lively discussion , you and I about contact tracing .
And we haven ’ t had a full discussion on it .
You ’ ve expressed your skepticism about it .
Leahy : I ’ m a kind person .
( Laughter ) But I watched something last night and I had a little different view than you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Atlas from the Hoover Institute on Tucker Carlson last night and he was quite persuasive .
Carmichael : Sorry I just had to say that .
Leahy : We ’ re just having too much fun here .
Some Democrats will tell us that we ’ re just being selfish .
And we must apologize for that or they ’ ll put us in jail .
First outline if you will your opposition to contact tracing .
And then we ’ ll talk about Dr. Atlas and what he said .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than you .
Leahy : But I found him very persuasive .
Carmichael : I ’ m opposed to contact tracing for two reasons : One it ’ s a dumb idea and it won ’ t work .
Literally it won ’ t work .
And I ’ ve said this all along .
As soon as the idea of contact tracing was raised , I said , that won ’ t work .
You can ’ t do that .
COVID-19 is such an easy infection to catch or to transmit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person can transmit it is a fairly lengthy period of time .
Once the city opens back up and it has to open back up or we are going to end up with many many many more deaths from poverty and from starvation .
If you want to take it to its logical conclusion about this lock up and all this stuff that these Democrats seem to want to do .
Who by the way , aren ’ t losing any of their own personal pay .
Leahy : Let me just insert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friend , King Andrew Cuomo… Leahy : He acknowledged yesterday that two-thirds of the new cases in New York City came from people who are , wait for it…staying at home .
Carmichael : That ’ s very surprising and then he doesn ’ t change anything .
Carmichael : So going back to contact tracing .
If you have something like HIV , contact tracing of HIV makes sense because people transmit HIV by doing one of two things .
It was either a form of sex or it was needles .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Carmichael : And you would know who you did that with .
Carmichael : OK. And so you could do that .
But with this , you are going to be passing in the last few days if you are out and about you are going to be walking past a whole bunch of people that you don ’ t even know who they are .
So this idea of contact tracing will not name the people who you were with .
It ’ s somehow having a digital file of everybody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of exactly where they were .
Well , so what !
If you are walking past a bunch of people downtown and you happen then later test positive for COVID-19 what are they going to do ?
Go back and find the 200 people you walked past ?
Leahy : Which of those 200 people who ’ s names you don ’ t know tested positive ?
( Laughs ) Carmichael : Then are you going to erase that and try to find out who they were next too ?
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they said with some expression but I ’ m going to get it wrong but get close enough to where you can nail it down .
How many times is it removed that I know you and you know people I don ’ t know ?
Carmichael : Degrees of separation .
Thank you .
Carmichael : There are not many degrees of separation before you get to an extremely large population of people .
Carmichael : This is even bigger because in the degrees of separation it has to do with people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past .
The only reason I can think of that government people want to do this is two reasons .
One is they want to act like that they ’ re being proactive and they ’ re stupid and don ’ t know what they ’ re recommending .
Or , the more sinister one is they really would like the government in the United States to be like the government in China and that is the ability to be able to track the activities of all its citizens .
Which is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a terrible idea .
The other reason I don ’ t like it is it simply won ’ t work .
Newsom uses the word , an army of 20,000 people .
Well first of all in a state of 40 million people 20,000 people won ’ t be enough .
We need to tell the governors you need an army of 5 million .
Listen to the third hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ iHeart Radio .

Friday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast 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 in the studio by the original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael.
At the top of the third hour, Carmichael outlined his thoughts on contact tracing and cited reasons why it wouldn’t work. He added that there were two reasons why the government would want to do it which included a stupid government that wants to look like its doing something and a more sinister reason which would resemble the tracking that China is doing of its own citizens.
Leahy: In the studio with us, all-star panelist Crom Carmichael. Crom, we are about to have a lively discussion, you and I about contact tracing. And we haven’t had a full discussion on it. You’ve expressed your skepticism about it.
Carmichael: That’s a kind word.
Leahy: I’m a kind person. (Laughter) But I watched something last night and I had a little different view than you did on it. But I watched Dr. Atlas from the Hoover Institute on Tucker Carlson last night and he was quite persuasive.
Carmichael: Did he shrug?
(Laughter)
Leahy: Boom!
Carmichael: Sorry I just had to say that.
Leahy: We’re just having too much fun here. Some Democrats will tell us that we’re just being selfish. And we must apologize for that or they’ll put us in jail. First outline if you will your opposition to contact tracing. And then we’ll talk about Dr. Atlas and what he said. I was sort of on a different perspective than you.
Carmichael: OK.
Leahy: But I found him very persuasive.
Carmichael: I’m opposed to contact tracing for two reasons: One it’s a dumb idea and it won’t work. Literally it won’t work. And I’ve said this all along. As soon as the idea of contact tracing was raised, I said, that won’t work. You can’t do that. COVID-19 is such an easy infection to catch or to transmit.
And the period in which a person can transmit it is a fairly lengthy period of time. Once the city opens back up and it has to open back up or we are going to end up with many many many more deaths from poverty and from starvation. If you want to take it to its logical conclusion about this lock up and all this stuff that these Democrats seem to want to do. Who by the way, aren’t losing any of their own personal pay.
Leahy: Let me just insert one little point here. Our good friend, King Andrew Cuomo…
Carmichael: Yes.
Leahy: He acknowledged yesterday that two-thirds of the new cases in New York City came from people who are, wait for it…staying at home.
Carmichael: That’s very surprising and then he doesn’t change anything.
Leahy: Exactly.
Carmichael: So going back to contact tracing. If you have something like HIV, contact tracing of HIV makes sense because people transmit HIV by doing one of two things. It was either a form of sex or it was needles.
Leahy: And you would remember that.
Carmichael: And you would know who you did that with.
Leahy: Yes.
Carmichael: OK. And so you could do that. But with this, you are going to be passing in the last few days if you are out and about you are going to be walking past a whole bunch of people that you don’t even know who they are. So this idea of contact tracing will not name the people who you were with.
It’s somehow having a digital file of everybody’s whereabouts down to the point of exactly where they were. Well, so what! If you are walking past a bunch of people downtown and you happen then later test positive for COVID-19 what are they going to do? Go back and find the 200 people you walked past?
Leahy: Which of those 200 people who’s names you don’t know tested positive? (Laughs)
Carmichael: Then are you going to erase that and try to find out who they were next too? It’s one of those things where I think they said with some expression but I’m going to get it wrong but get close enough to where you can nail it down. How many times is it removed that I know you and you know people I don’t know?
Leahy: Degrees of separation.
Carmichael: Degrees of separation. Thank you.
Leahy: You’re welcome. (Giggles)
Carmichael: There are not many degrees of separation before you get to an extremely large population of people.
Leahy: Very large.
Carmichael: This is even bigger because in the degrees of separation it has to do with people you know. Not people you walked past. The only reason I can think of that government people want to do this is two reasons. One is they want to act like that they’re being proactive and they’re stupid and don’t know what they’re recommending.
Or, the more sinister one is they really would like the government in the United States to be like the government in China and that is the ability to be able to track the activities of all its citizens. Which is the other reason I think it’s a terrible idea.
The other reason I don’t like it is it simply won’t work. Newsom uses the word, an army of 20,000 people. Well first of all in a state of 40 million people 20,000 people won’t be enough. We need to tell the governors you need an army of 5 million.
Listen to the third hour here:

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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--2020-05-09--April Jobs Report: 20.5 Million Jobs Lost, Unemployment at 14.7 Percent

The U.S. economy lost 20.5 million jobs in April , while the unemployment rate rose to 14.7 % , according to Department of Labor data released Friday .
Total non-farm payroll employment fell by 20.5 million in April , according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics report , and the number of unemployed persons rose by 15.9 million to 23.1 million .
April ’ s unemployment rate rose significantly by 10.3 percentage points to 14.7 % from March ’ s 4.4 % .
This is both the largest over-the-month increase and highest unemployment rate since at least 1948 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs increased by 544,000 to 2.0 million , and the number of unemployed persons reporting that they were temporarily laid off increased almost tenfold to 18.1 million .
“ The changes in these measures reflect the effects of the coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) pandemic and efforts to contain it , ” the report says .
“ Employment fell sharply in all major industry sectors , with particularly heavy job losses in leisure and hospitality.
” Economists predicted that April jobs numbers would show an unemployment rate of 16 % , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate since 1948 .
Economists also predicted that the economy lost almost 22 million jobs due to the coronavirus — numbers that compare to the highest monthly lost on record when 1.96 million jobs were lost at the end of World War II in 1945 .
“ It ’ s a very , very difficult situation , even for companies that were growing at a record pace before , ” ZipRecruiter labor economist Julia Pollak told the WSJ .
“ The big question is just , ‘ How long-term will this be ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , growth had held strong since February 2019 , when 33,000 jobs were added .
The unemployment rate had held steady between 3.7 % and 4 % for more than a year , before the April 2019 jobs report showed it drop to 3.6 % .
Prior to April ’ s report , the consistent unemployment rate suggested that workers were jumping back into the workforce to fill open jobs , rather than the workers who are collecting unemployment welfare .
Mary Margaret Olohan is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lorie Shaull .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .

by Mary Margaret Olohan
The U.S. economy lost 20.5 million jobs in April, while the unemployment rate rose to 14.7%, according to Department of Labor data released Friday.
Total non-farm payroll employment fell by 20.5 million in April, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics report, and the number of unemployed persons rose by 15.9 million to 23.1 million.
April’s unemployment rate rose significantly by 10.3 percentage points to 14.7% from March’s 4.4%. This is both the largest over-the-month increase and highest unemployment rate since at least 1948.
The number of people who permanently lost their jobs increased by 544,000 to 2.0 million, and the number of unemployed persons reporting that they were temporarily laid off increased almost tenfold to 18.1 million.
“The changes in these measures reflect the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and efforts to contain it,” the report says. “Employment fell sharply in all major industry sectors, with particularly heavy job losses in leisure and hospitality.”
Economists predicted that April jobs numbers would show an unemployment rate of 16%, according to the Wall Street Journal, the highest jobless rate since 1948. Economists also predicted that the economy lost almost 22 million jobs due to the coronavirus — numbers that compare to the highest monthly lost on record when 1.96 million jobs were lost at the end of World War II in 1945.
“It’s a very, very difficult situation, even for companies that were growing at a record pace before,” ZipRecruiter labor economist Julia Pollak told the WSJ. “The big question is just, ‘How long-term will this be’?”
Before the March jobs report, growth had held strong since February 2019, when 33,000 jobs were added.
The unemployment rate had held steady between 3.7% and 4% for more than a year, before the April 2019 jobs report showed it drop to 3.6%. Prior to April’s report, the consistent unemployment rate suggested that workers were jumping back into the workforce to fill open jobs, rather than the workers who are collecting unemployment welfare.
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Mary Margaret Olohan is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Photo “Uptown Closure” by Lorie Shaull. CC BY-SA 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-09--Star Tribune Accepts $150,000 Grant from Facebook

The Star Tribune accepted $ 150,000 in grant money from Facebook , the tech giant revealed Thursday .
According to a press release from Facebook , the company awarded $ 10.3 million to 144 local U.S. newsrooms as part of a “ COVID-19 Local News Relief Fund Grant Program.
” Another $ 5.4 million was awarded to 59 North American newsrooms that participated in Facebook ’ s “ Local News Accelerator ” program , including The Star Tribune .
The Star Tribune received a $ 150,000 grant from Facebook , while Sahan Journal and MinnPost both received a $ 100,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer for The Star Tribune , told The Minnesota Sun that “ the Facebook grant is entirely a business-side arrangement and would in no way influence our newsroom ’ s reporting on Facebook or any other subject.
” “ Just as our relationships with hundreds of local and national advertisers do not involve our newsroom or influence our coverage in any way , ” he said .
Facebook ’ s Local News Accelerator program was launched in 2018 to help news companies transition to reader revenue-driven business models , like subscriptions and memberships @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the program are “ receiving relief grants to help safeguard the transformation they ’ ve achieved over the last several years and to capitalize on new opportunities.
” “ We ’ re proud to support this diverse group of publishers – many of which are family or independently owned .
Not only are these journalists working tirelessly to serve people right now – they ’ re focused on transformation , building innovative local news businesses that can continue to serve communities beyond the current pandemic , ” said Campbell Brown , vice president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Facebook Journalism Project has launched several other grant programs to help struggling newsrooms during the coronavirus pandemic , including a $ 1 million grant program to “ support fact-checkers ” during the crisis .
The company also gave $ 2.5 million to Report for America , an organization that places hundreds of journalists in local newsrooms across the country .
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Star Tribune ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Editors ’ note : Neither The Minnesota Sun nor any of the other digital newspapers in the Star News Digital Media network applied for a Facebook grant because it would be impossible to honestly cover Facebook after having accepted such a grant .

The Star Tribune accepted $150,000 in grant money from Facebook, the tech giant revealed Thursday.
According to a press release from Facebook, the company awarded $10.3 million to 144 local U.S. newsrooms as part of a “COVID-19 Local News Relief Fund Grant Program.” Another $5.4 million was awarded to 59 North American newsrooms that participated in Facebook’s “Local News Accelerator” program, including The Star Tribune.
The Star Tribune received a $150,000 grant from Facebook, while Sahan Journal and MinnPost both received a $100,000 grant.
Steve Yaeger, chief marketing officer for The Star Tribune, told The Minnesota Sun that “the Facebook grant is entirely a business-side arrangement and would in no way influence our newsroom’s reporting on Facebook or any other subject.”
“Just as our relationships with hundreds of local and national advertisers do not involve our newsroom or influence our coverage in any way,” he said.
Facebook’s Local News Accelerator program was launched in 2018 to help news companies transition to reader revenue-driven business models, like subscriptions and memberships.
According to Facebook, participants of the program are “receiving relief grants to help safeguard the transformation they’ve achieved over the last several years and to capitalize on new opportunities.”
“We’re proud to support this diverse group of publishers – many of which are family or independently owned. Not only are these journalists working tirelessly to serve people right now – they’re focused on transformation, building innovative local news businesses that can continue to serve communities beyond the current pandemic,” said Campbell Brown, vice president of global news partnerships at Facebook.
The Facebook Journalism Project has launched several other grant programs to help struggling newsrooms during the coronavirus pandemic, including a $1 million grant program to “support fact-checkers” during the crisis.
The company also gave $2.5 million to Report for America, an organization that places hundreds of journalists in local newsrooms across the country.
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Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Star Tribune” by Tony Webster. CC BY 2.0.
Editors’ note: Neither The Minnesota Sun nor any of the other digital newspapers in the Star News Digital Media network applied for a Facebook grant because it would be impossible to honestly cover Facebook after having accepted such a grant.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-09--Gov. DeWine Announces Bars, Restaurants and Personal Care Services Can Open on May 15 in Some Capaci

Gov. DeWine Announces Bars, Restaurants and Personal Care Services Can Open on May 15 in Some Capacity

Ohioans waiting to go to bars , eat at restaurants , get their hair cut , or nails done will not have to wait much longer , as Gov .
Mike DeWine announced that next Friday these businesses will open in some capacity .
“ Reopening Ohio is a risk , but it ’ s also a risk if you don ’ t move forward .
We ’ re on a dangerous road that has never been traveled before in Ohio and the danger is that we relax and stop taking precautions , ” DeWine said .
“ All of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you to take calculated risks and make good judgments .
Continue social distancing , washing your hands , and wearing face coverings .
If you aren ’ t concerned with what happens to you , do it for others.
” These guidelines were established by two separate committees that DeWine formed for best recommendations and practices when reopening these entities .
For restaurants and bars , people will only be able to access the outdoor dining sections of these businesses on May 15 .
Dine-in services can begin on May 21 , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When these bars and restaurants open up , they must follow guidelines laid out by the Ohio Department of Health ( ODH ) .
Some of these rules include making employees wear face coverings ; clean the facility daily ; clean all high touch areas every two hours ; keep customers six feet away ; and provide handwashing and sanitizing products in common areas .
As personal care services such as hair salons , barbershops tanning facilities and day spas reopen on May 15 , they too will need to adhere to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be followed include mandatory face coverings for all employees are required ; wear gloves and dispose of gloves in high areas ; social distance measures for customers and employees ; business will have to stagger customer entry ; and getting rid of single-use materials in between clients .
When these businesses open , it will help Ohio ’ s unemployment rate .
As the state has slowly opened , the number of people filing for unemployment has dropped .
Just over 61,000 Ohioans filed jobless claims for the week ending May 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filed the previous week , The Ohio Star reported .
Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media .
If you have any tips , email Zachery at [ email protected ]

Ohioans waiting to go to bars, eat at restaurants, get their hair cut, or nails done will not have to wait much longer, as Gov. Mike DeWine announced that next Friday these businesses will open in some capacity.
“Reopening Ohio is a risk, but it’s also a risk if you don’t move forward. We’re on a dangerous road that has never been traveled before in Ohio and the danger is that we relax and stop taking precautions,” DeWine said. “All of us collectively control this. I ask you to take calculated risks and make good judgments. Continue social distancing, washing your hands, and wearing face coverings. If you aren’t concerned with what happens to you, do it for others.”
These guidelines were established by two separate committees that DeWine formed for best recommendations and practices when reopening these entities.
For restaurants and bars, people will only be able to access the outdoor dining sections of these businesses on May 15. Dine-in services can begin on May 21, according to the governor’s press release.
When these bars and restaurants open up, they must follow guidelines laid out by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). Some of these rules include making employees wear face coverings; clean the facility daily; clean all high touch areas every two hours; keep customers six feet away; and provide handwashing and sanitizing products in common areas.
As personal care services such as hair salons, barbershops tanning facilities and day spas reopen on May 15, they too will need to adhere to ODH guidelines. Measures that will need to be followed include mandatory face coverings for all employees are required; wear gloves and dispose of gloves in high areas; social distance measures for customers and employees; business will have to stagger customer entry; and getting rid of single-use materials in between clients.
When these businesses open, it will help Ohio’s unemployment rate. As the state has slowly opened, the number of people filing for unemployment has dropped. Just over 61,000 Ohioans filed jobless claims for the week ending May 2, down from the nearly 100,000 claims filed the previous week, The Ohio Star reported.
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Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media. If you have any tips, email Zachery at [email protected]


thetennesseestar--2020-05-09--Whitmer Details Plan to Reopen State, Says Michigan Is in Phase Three of Six

Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer released her full MI Safe Start Plan this week , detailing when each type of business could open .
The six-part plan is categorized as Uncontrolled Growth , Persistent Spread , Flattening , Improving , Containing and Post-Pandemic .
Whitmer said Michigan is phase three of the plan , Flattening .
“ I am working closely with health care experts and epidemiologists to closely monitor Michigan ’ s progress in the fight against COVID-19 , ” Whitmer said in a statement .
“ As we move forward with the MI Safe Start Plan , I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ labor , and education to determine the best way to move forward each day.
” Under phase three , businesses like construction , lawn care and real estate can reopen .
It also recommends Michigan residents stay at home , not gather and to use face coverings .
The MI Safe Start Plan includes not just number of cases when moving between phases , but also health system capacity and the amount of contact tracing happening .
“ It is crucial that we monitor the impact of each set of re-engagement activities before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transmission can take some time to become visible , and we need to understand any impact of previous re-engagement activities on new disease spread before evaluating a transition to the next stage , ” the plan reads .
“ As we move into later phases , or if our progress stalls out , it may take longer to move from one phase to another.
” Stage four is characterized by a “ clearly declining ” number of cases and increased capacity of the healthcare system .
Some retail stores and offices may begin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place .
“ All of us know the importance of getting people back to work and the economy moving again , ” Whitmer said .
Stage five will allow most businesses , including restaurants , to reopen , as well as schools .
Increased size gatherings will also be allowed .
Stage six is considered “ post-pandemic.
” “ The worst thing we can do is open up in a way that causes a second wave of infections and death , puts health care workers at further risk , and wipes out all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Whitmer said .
“ That ’ s why we will continue to monitor the spread of this virus , hospital capacity , testing rates , and more as we work toward reaching the ‘ improving ’ phase.
” Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Michigan Star .
Follow her on Twitter at @ JordynPair .
Email her at [ email protected ] Photo “ Gretchen Whitmer ” by Gretchen Whitmer .

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer released her full MI Safe Start Plan this week, detailing when each type of business could open.
The six-part plan is categorized as Uncontrolled Growth, Persistent Spread, Flattening, Improving, Containing and Post-Pandemic. Whitmer said Michigan is phase three of the plan, Flattening.
“I am working closely with health care experts and epidemiologists to closely monitor Michigan’s progress in the fight against COVID-19,” Whitmer said in a statement. “As we move forward with the MI Safe Start Plan, I am working closely with partners in business, labor, and education to determine the best way to move forward each day.”
Under phase three, businesses like construction, lawn care and real estate can reopen. It also recommends Michigan residents stay at home, not gather and to use face coverings.
The MI Safe Start Plan includes not just number of cases when moving between phases, but also health system capacity and the amount of contact tracing happening.
“It is crucial that we monitor the impact of each set of re-engagement activities before moving into the next phase. New transmission can take some time to become visible, and we need to understand any impact of previous re-engagement activities on new disease spread before evaluating a transition to the next stage,” the plan reads. “As we move into later phases, or if our progress stalls out, it may take longer to move from one phase to another.”
Stage four is characterized by a “clearly declining” number of cases and increased capacity of the healthcare system. Some retail stores and offices may begin to open with certain safety standards in place.
“All of us know the importance of getting people back to work and the economy moving again,” Whitmer said.
Stage five will allow most businesses, including restaurants, to reopen, as well as schools. Increased size gatherings will also be allowed. Stage six is considered “post-pandemic.”
“The worst thing we can do is open up in a way that causes a second wave of infections and death, puts health care workers at further risk, and wipes out all the progress we’ve made,” Whitmer said. “That’s why we will continue to monitor the spread of this virus, hospital capacity, testing rates, and more as we work toward reaching the ‘improving’ phase.”
Read Whitmer’s full plan here.
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Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Michigan Star. Follow her on Twitter at @JordynPair. Email her at [email protected]
Photo “Gretchen Whitmer” by Gretchen Whitmer.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-09--Republicans Move to Suspend Walz’s Six-Figure Salary Until Shutdown Ends

A Republican lawmaker put forward an amendment Thursday that would suspend Gov .
Tim Walz ’ s salary during the course of his peacetime emergency declaration .
The move is the latest escalation in a battle between Republican and Democratic lawmakers over the best course of action in addressing the coronavirus pandemic .
House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt ( R-Crown ) announced last weekend that he would block a public works bill from being passed until Walz agreed to relinquish his emergency powers .
The governor ’ s peacetime emergency declaration is set to expire May 13 , but he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 days .
Rep. Steve Drazkowski ( R-Mazeppa ) introduced an amendment Thursday that would suspend the governor ’ s $ 127,629 salary until the peacetime emergency declaration is rescinded or terminated .
“ The governor has unilaterally suspended the salaries of hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans , and it is only right that he feels the pain of the economic damage he has caused , ” Drazkowski said in a statement .
“ I look around the state and I see businesses which were supposed to temporarily close but are now permanently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be furloughed for a short time have now lost their jobs entirely .
Gov .
Walz ’ s decision to shut down our economy has ruined livelihoods throughout our state , ” he added .
As of Thursday , more than 630,000 Minnesotans had filed for unemployment insurance since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic .
The economic shutdown has also turned Minnesota ’ s projected $ 1.5 billion budget surplus into a $ 2.4 billion deficit , state officials announced this week .
“ Gov .
Walz has been playing poker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Dakota has less than half the number of COVID-19 deaths per million people than we do .
Our neighbor to the west also has an unemployment rate less than half of our state ’ s unemployment rate .
This is because South Dakota did not turn off their economy or shut down livelihoods , ” Drazkowski added .
“ Tim Walz ’ s economy-killing shutdown is not helpful , it is not constitutional , and it remains economically destructive .
It is time for him to put his wallet on the table.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .

A Republican lawmaker put forward an amendment Thursday that would suspend Gov. Tim Walz’s salary during the course of his peacetime emergency declaration.
The move is the latest escalation in a battle between Republican and Democratic lawmakers over the best course of action in addressing the coronavirus pandemic. House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt (R-Crown) announced last weekend that he would block a public works bill from being passed until Walz agreed to relinquish his emergency powers.
The governor’s peacetime emergency declaration is set to expire May 13, but he can extend the emergency for an additional 30 days.
Rep. Steve Drazkowski (R-Mazeppa) introduced an amendment Thursday that would suspend the governor’s $127,629 salary until the peacetime emergency declaration is rescinded or terminated.
“The governor has unilaterally suspended the salaries of hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans, and it is only right that he feels the pain of the economic damage he has caused,” Drazkowski said in a statement.
“I look around the state and I see businesses which were supposed to temporarily close but are now permanently shut down. Workers who were supposed to be furloughed for a short time have now lost their jobs entirely. Gov. Walz’s decision to shut down our economy has ruined livelihoods throughout our state,” he added.
As of Thursday, more than 630,000 Minnesotans had filed for unemployment insurance since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. The economic shutdown has also turned Minnesota’s projected $1.5 billion budget surplus into a $2.4 billion deficit, state officials announced this week.
“Gov. Walz has been playing poker with the livelihoods of hard-working Minnesotans. South Dakota has less than half the number of COVID-19 deaths per million people than we do. Our neighbor to the west also has an unemployment rate less than half of our state’s unemployment rate. This is because South Dakota did not turn off their economy or shut down livelihoods,” Drazkowski added. “Tim Walz’s economy-killing shutdown is not helpful, it is not constitutional, and it remains economically destructive. It is time for him to put his wallet on the table.”
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Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].


thetennesseestar--2020-05-09--Tennessee Providing Names And Addresses of COVID-19 Patients to Law Enforcement, Report Reveals

The Tennessee government is providing the names and addresses of COVID-19 patients to law enforcement agencies and other first responders , documents obtained by the Associated Press reveal .
According to a memorandum of understanding ( MOU ) obtained by the outlet , the Tennessee Department of Health is “ disclosing ” the information to the Tennessee Emergency Communications Board , which in turn passes the information along to first responders .
“ Health is disclosing to TECB a list of names and addresses of individuals documented as having tested positive , or received treatment , for COVID-19 , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to update this list daily ; after 30 days on the list , an individual ’ s name and address will roll off of this list.
” The document states that the Department of Health “ may cease disclosure of the list upon the termination of the statewide state of emergency for COVID-19.
” The Associated Press also obtained an email sent by Brandon Gibson , Gov .
Bill Lee ’ s senior advisor , to local mayors across the state .
“ We know that first responder access to information regarding COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gibson said in the email .
“ Once the MOUs are executed , the Department of Health and ECB expect the information flow to begin fairly quickly , ” she added .
“ We ask for your patience as the process begins and please know that the health and safety of all Tennesseans is our primary goal.
” Many other states enacted similar policies after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services put out a guidance allowing states to share COVID-19 patient info with law enforcement .
Tennessee , however , never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lee briefly discussed the matter in a comment provided to the Associated Press Friday .
“ We know that first responders are required to , and law enforcement required to , come in contact with these people as part of their job , and that ’ s why Health and Human Services gave that guidance to states , and that ’ s why we ’ re implementing that , ” said Lee .
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Photo “ Bill Lee ” by Bill Lee .

The Tennessee government is providing the names and addresses of COVID-19 patients to law enforcement agencies and other first responders, documents obtained by the Associated Press reveal.
According to a memorandum of understanding (MOU) obtained by the outlet, the Tennessee Department of Health is “disclosing” the information to the Tennessee Emergency Communications Board, which in turn passes the information along to first responders.
“Health is disclosing to TECB a list of names and addresses of individuals documented as having tested positive, or received treatment, for COVID-19,” the memo states. “Health intends to update this list daily; after 30 days on the list, an individual’s name and address will roll off of this list.”
The document states that the Department of Health “may cease disclosure of the list upon the termination of the statewide state of emergency for COVID-19.”
The Associated Press also obtained an email sent by Brandon Gibson, Gov. Bill Lee’s senior advisor, to local mayors across the state.
“We know that first responder access to information regarding COVID-19 cases is of utmost concern,” Gibson said in the email.
“Once the MOUs are executed, the Department of Health and ECB expect the information flow to begin fairly quickly,” she added. “We ask for your patience as the process begins and please know that the health and safety of all Tennesseans is our primary goal.”
Many other states enacted similar policies after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services put out a guidance allowing states to share COVID-19 patient info with law enforcement. Tennessee, however, never publicly announced the arrangement.
Gov. Lee briefly discussed the matter in a comment provided to the Associated Press Friday.
“We know that first responders are required to, and law enforcement required to, come in contact with these people as part of their job, and that’s why Health and Human Services gave that guidance to states, and that’s why we’re implementing that,” said Lee.
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Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Bill Lee” by Bill Lee.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-10--Mark Green Says Pandemic Has Been ‘Made Worse by China’s Deception’ at White House Meeting

U.S. Rep. Mark Green ( R-TN-08 ) joined President Donald Trump at the White House Friday for a discussion on the administration ’ s plan for a “ great American comeback.
” Green thanked the president for his leadership in responding to the coronavirus pandemic and criticized the mainstream media for laughing at decisions that have “ saved American lives.
” “ As an infantry officer , ER physician , and former business CEO , I know that when a leader is caught in an ambush , that leader needs to make split-second decisions with the information on hand .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Trump has made .
Decisions like banning travel from China , which was laughed at and criticized by the press , but saved American lives , ” Green said during the meeting .
According to a press release from Green ’ s office , he discussed with the president how the pandemic has been “ made worse by China ’ s deception.
” “ In Tennessee , we are open for business .
We ’ re going to restaurants , businesses are running again , and we ’ re ready to lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan , and we ’ re implementing it back home .
Thank you for your leadership , sir , ” said Green , according to a video of the meeting .
Green was one of five Republicans and the only doctor to be selected to serve on the House Coronavirus Select Committee , which will provide oversight on the president ’ s coronavirus relief measures .
Green , however , criticized Democratic plans to use the committee for investigating the president .
“ I ’ m honored to have been selected to represent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this Committee .
However , Congress should be passing bills to help the American people , not creating more bureaucratic committees , ” he 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.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .

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


thetennesseestar--2020-05-10--Commentary: Her Children Will Rise Up and Call Her Blessed

When I was young and brash and full of dreams for the future ( and in the process of making them come true ) , had anyone told me I would embrace motherhood joyfully , I would have scoffed .
Could someone have enumerated the various episodes of vomit , crying , screaming , temper tantrums , refusals , Legos on the floor , suspect dried items of unknown origin stuck to the wall , load upon load of laundry , fatigue , and the acquisition of enough marks on my body that it resembles a world map , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stormed away .
What is astonishing to me is the incredible joy and humor and depth to be found in such seeming banality .
How when you feel the soft slump of a newborn melt into your chest , it is to brush up against the sublime .
Somehow , in these moments , you are finally in touch with a love so intense that you could not have imagined it existed .
Somehow , when you hear childish peals of laughter after you blow raspberries on a chubby toddler stomach , your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experienced .
Somehow when you watch your first child walk out your front door for the last time , you will weep with the loss of that presence , that you will endure a period of grief as you bid adieu to the years of hard work and wish them back to do again , a little better this time , and you will bear witness to sadness as you contemplate your household one person quieter .
The magic of motherhood is found in the unique ability to kiss a boo boo and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ child both from a bully and a broken heart , to cheer on a luckless child from yet another boring sideline for some unending sports event , to exchange a worldly identity which was once so important for the title “ Johnny ’ s mom.
” If you have endured the stuttering , stammering first attempts as a small reader sits tucked next to you , you ’ re a mother .
If you have watched in dismay as a treasure trove of worms and bugs and rocks gets dumped triumphantly on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show you some precious thing collected that day , you are a mother .
If you sat up late at night , waiting for the slam of the front door that shakes the house , announcing the safe arrival of a new driver , you are a mother .
You might be a mother if , like Susanna Wesley coping with her large litter of children , you feel like dropping to your knees in the middle of the day and throwing an apron over your head in fervent prayer—even if it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tempted to hurt one of them .
You might be a mother if , like Erma Bombeck , you declared emphatically each child your favorite and gave them each the reasons why .
You might be a mother if , like yours and mine , they put up with us and our attitudes and our rebellion and self-made emergencies , and they loved us anyway .
If you have felt your knees go weak and dropped to them only to feel fat toddler arms encircle your neck in a hug and have marveled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cheek , you are a mother .
If you stayed the desire to run after your children and cover their ears and their eyes with what the world would tell them and show them , you are a mother .
If you have cracked open a book , scanned online articles , called respected friends to search for advice on how to handle a troubling issue with a child , you are a mother .
If you have laughed so hard you cried when you really should have been angry at the little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are a mother .
If worry could generate power like an electric plant , mothers could power the world .
If pride in our offspring could fill a space , the universe would have no voids .
If love could be felt as tangibly as our teenagers ’ disapproval in our presence at times , we would have world peace .
If you ’ ve stood sentry at a too-small grave , clutching a handful of flowers , and still grieve for a life and possibilities lost .
.
.
if you have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time sitting beside a hospital bed in a pediatric unit , wishing that it was you instead of her .
.
.
if you have been jealous for “ normal ” problems for your child instead of those granted to him .
.
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you are one of the most special kinds of mothers .
If you ’ ve known the dual pain and pleasure of watching a child cross a stage in a cap and gown and felt the excitement at the future and the sorrow at the years past , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mother .
If you ’ ve laughed at the remembrance of a too-bold proclamation uttered at an uninformed time ( “ My child would never .
.
.
” ) and have found that a God who has a delightful sense of humor has taught you a lesson or two or three about such egoism , you are now a better mother .
If you ’ ve apologized after you lost your temper because your child just can ’ t seem to remember where to put her shoes away , or how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what time you told him to be home , you might be a wiser mother .
If you ’ ve thanked God for the painful mirror that is known as “ Motherhood ” that teaches so many necessary and useful lessons , you might be a more humble mother .
As we gaze back through our lives and relish memories of times gone by , it is easy to remember the grubby fists bringing handfuls of yellow dandelions for the most precious bouquet ever received .
With tears , we recall the ghost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shines through the spaces in his mouth where baby teeth have gone and adult ones haven ’ t yet been received .
We smile with the remembrance of a phone call issued for the sole purpose of saying “ I love you , Mom.
” The memories flood , and we savor those veritable monuments to times past .
Happy Mother ’ s Day to every woman who recognizes “ Mother ” as not just a job description but , rather , an explanation of who we are .
Jennifer Polk is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in South Carolina .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-10--AG Barr: Mueller ‘Ignored’ Evidence of Russian Disinformation in Steele Dossier

Attorney General William Barr said in an interview aired Friday that special counsel Robert Mueller and his investigators “ ignored ” evidence of possible Russian disinformation in the Steele dossier .
“ I think that ’ s one of the most troubling aspects of this whole thing , ” Barr told CBS News when asked about the possibility that the Kremlin fed disinformation to Christopher Steele , a former British spy who investigated the Trump campaign .
Barr said he was “ very concerned ” at the possibility that the dossier and Steele “ were used as a vector for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political campaign.
” The FBI relied heavily on information from Steele to obtain warrants to wiretap Trump campaign aide Carter Page .
Multiple news outlets and Democrats in Congress also touted Steele ’ s information as evidence of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian government .
Despite Trump critics ’ early confidence in the dossier , many of its allegations have come under scrutiny or been outright debunked over the past year or so .
Mueller said in a report of his investigation released on April 18 , 2019 that his investigators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump campaign and Russia .
A Justice Department inspector general ’ s report on the FBI ’ s Crossfire Hurricane investigation did even more damage to Steele ’ s reputation , while raising questions about Mueller ’ s investigation .
It said that the FBI received evidence in early 2017 that Russian intelligence operatives may have fed disinformation to Steele , a former MI6 officer who investigated Donald Trump on behalf of Democrats .
The IG report also said that the U.S. intelligence community provided a report to the FBI in June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were aware as early as July 2016 that Steele was investigating the Trump campaign .
Barr said in his CBS interview that Mueller should have investigated the dossier further , especially since the point of the special counsel ’ s investigation was to uncover Russia ’ s interference in the U.S. political system .
“ I think that is something that Robert Mueller was responsible for looking at under his charter , which is the potential of Russian influence , ” Barr told CBS News .
“ But I think it was ignored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could very well have been happening and no one really stopped to look at it.
” Mueller was appointed special counsel on May 17 , 2017 to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 election .
The probe largely focused on allegations that members of the Trump campaign conspired with the Russian government to influence the election .
Chuck Ross is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Background Photo “ Department of Justice Building ” by Another Believer .
CC BY-SA 3.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-10--Report: Trump Preparing to Limit Temporary Workers into the US

President Donald Trump may prohibit some temporary workers from entering the U.S. in an executive order later this month , the Wall Street Journal reported Friday .
Trump ’ s anticipated order , much like his recent immigration ban , is meant to help mitigate the spread of coronavirus while protecting U.S. workers amid a monumental downturn in the economy , the WSJ reported .
“ If we are taking actions on immigration that help improve public health , help improve the economy , help improve jobs , it ’ s a vindication or validation that the president was right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senior official with the Department of Homeland Security told the WSJ .
The order would target H1-B visas , which are set aside for highly skilled workers , seasonal migrant workers on H-2B visas , and also student visas that can include work authorization , according to the WSJ .
Officials who spoke with the WSJ said that the administration is not only looking to push a new executive order on temporary workers , but it also wants to keep in place some of the immigration restrictions for months or even years to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has dissipated .
In response to the outbreak of the coronavirus within the U.S. , the Trump administration has temporarily closed off all non-essential traffic throughout the northern and southern borders .
More recently , the president issued an executive order that temporarily bars many green card applicants abroad and those on the visa lottery system from entering the country .
At the time of his immigration ban , Trump left the door open to expanding it or even signing another immigration order .
However , immigration hardliners at the time voiced their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t go far enough because it still allowed thousands of temporary workers to enter the U.S. and compete with American workers at a time when the economy is dramatically contacting .
Four Republican senators — Ted Cruz of Texas , Chuck Grassley of Iowa , Josh Hawley of Missouri and Tom Cotton of Arkansas — delivered a letter to the president on Thursday , asking him to extend his immigration ban and expand it to include employment-based immigration .
The lawmakers asked Trump to pump the brakes on guest worker visas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspension on new non-immigration guest workers for a year or until U.S. employment figures get back to normal levels .
Recent polling suggest that the American public supports immigration restrictions during this time of crisis .
A survey conducted by The Washington Post and University of Maryland found that Americans not only back state-imposed restrictions on public gatherings and businesses to mitigate the COVID-19 outbreak by strong margins , but they also favor a moratorium on immigration similar to the order issued by the president .
The poll , conducted from April 21 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Americans support a temporary ban on almost all immigration into the U.S. during the coronavirus pandemic , while only 34 % oppose such an order .
Jason Hopkins is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Farm Workers ” by US Department of Agriculture .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-10--Betsy DeVos Implements More Title IX Protections for College Students Accused of Sexual Misconduct

Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos unveiled several new rules that will be changed regarding Title IX protections for college students accused of sexual misconduct , as reported by CNN .
The changes involve increased legal protection for the accused , including the right during trial to cross-examiner their accusers .
In a statement regarding the implementation , DeVos said that “ too many students have lost access to their education because their school inadequately responded when a student filed a complaint of sexual harassment or sexual assault.
” This marks a significantly different approach from the Obama Administration , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the infamous “ dear colleague ” letter in 2011 ; under the previous administration , in a precursor to the “ Me Too ” movement , colleges were ordered to take the default position of believing the accusers , and putting the burden of proof for disproving allegations on the accused .
The new rules are set to go into effect in August .
As opposed to the Obama Administration ’ s broad definition of sexual harassment , the new rules define sexual harassment on college campuses as one of three scenarios : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on participation in unwelcome sexual conduct , ” “ unwelcome conduct that a reasonable person would determine is so severe , pervasive , and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the school ’ s education program or activity , ” and “ sexual assault , dating violence , domestic violence , and stalking.
” The new rules will also apply to certain off-campus activities , including Greek life , but will not include accusations of sexual misconduct that took place during study abroad programs .
Eric Lendrum reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DeVos ” by U.S. Department of Education .
CC BY 2.0 .