thetennesseestar--2020-04-26--Commentary: Harvard Magazine Is Wrong When it Called for a ‘Presumptive Ban’ on Homeschooling

As a Harvard alum , longtime donor , education researcher , and homeschooling mother of four children in Cambridge , Massachusetts , I was shocked to read the article , “ The Risks of Homeschooling , ” by Erin O ’ Donnell in Harvard Magazine ’ s new May-June 2020 issue .
Aside from its biting , one-sided portrayal of homeschooling families that mischaracterizes the vast majority of today ’ s homeschoolers , it is filled with misinformation and incorrect data .
Here are five key points that challenge the article ’ s primary claim that the alleged “ risks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ presumptive ban on the practice ” : I agree with the author of the article and Harvard Law School professor , Elizabeth Bartholet , who is widely quoted throughout , that it is critically important that children be protected from abuse .
They argue that sending children to school prompts “ mandated reporters , ” such as teachers and school administrators , to identify possible child abuse .
But many parents choose to homeschool their children to remove them from abuse at school , whether it ’ s widespread bullying by peers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teachers and school administrators themselves .
Child abuse is horrific wherever it occurs , but singling out homeschooling parents as potential abusers simply because they do not send their children to school is both unfair and troubling .
Child abuse laws exist in all states and should be rigorously enforced .
Banning homeschooling , or adding burdensome regulations on homeschooling families , who in many instances are fleeing a system of education that they find harmful to their children , are unnecessary attacks on law-abiding families .
One of the more incorrect assertions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to 90 percent of today ’ s homeschooling families are “ driven by conservative Christian beliefs.
” It is true that religious conservatives were key to the growth of homeschooling in the late-20th century , as the number of US homeschoolers swelled to 850,000 in 1999 .
About two-thirds of today ’ s nearly two million US homeschoolers identify as Christian ( equal to the US population as a whole ) , but the homeschooling population is becoming increasingly diverse , both ideologically and demographically .
According to the most recent data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Education , the most significant motivator for parents choosing this education option was “ concern about the school environment , such as safety , drugs , and negative peer pressure , ” exceeding other factors such as a desire to provide religious or moral instruction .
Much of the current growth in homeschooling is being driven by urban , secular parents who are disillusioned with a test-driven , one-size-fits-all mass schooling model and want a more individualized educational environment for their children .
Federal data also reveal that the percentage of black homeschoolers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent , while the percentage of Hispanic homeschoolers is about 25 percent .
Bartholet also argues against homeschooling on civic grounds , saying that it ’ s “ important that children grow up exposed to community values , social values , democratic values , ideas about nondiscrimination and tolerance of other people ’ s viewpoints.
” Indeed , research on homeschoolers finds that they are tightly connected with their larger community and may have more community involvement and participation in extracurricular and volunteer activities than schooled children due to their more flexible schedules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community members .
This reinforces similar research on private education more broadly , suggesting positive civic engagement and outcomes .
Moreover , public schools are struggling to inculcate a strong understanding of democratic values and civic knowledge .
According to a 2017 survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania , 37 percent of Americans could not identify one right protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution , and more than half of them erroneously believe that undocumented immigrants have no constitutional rights .
Worrying about homeschoolers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seemingly floundering in this regard is misguided .
The central tension between those who advocate for homeschooling bans and heightened regulation and those who don ’ t relates to how each side views the proper role of government .
The former sees a proactive role of government in “ intervening to try to safeguard the child ’ s right to education and protection , ” while the latter relies on the historical underpinnings of our democracy , going back to the writings of John Locke and Thomas Jefferson .
We are endowed with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ secure these rights , governments are instituted.
” If a child is being abused , whether in a homeschooling situation or a public school classroom , the government should intervene to protect that child .
But to single out a particular group for increased suspicion , monitoring , and invasion of privacy under the guise of “ protection ” is as un-American as similar attempts of the past .
I agree with Bartholet when she says in the article : “ I think it ’ s always dangerous to put powerful people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to give the powerful ones total authority.
” She is concerned with families having this power , while I worry about giving that power to government .
In 2018 , The Harvard Gazette spotlighted three Harvard students who were homeschooled using an informal , self-directed approach to learning .
“ There wasn ’ t much of a plan or a long-term plan going in ; I just took classes I was interested in , ” said one of the students , while another asked , “ Why would you go to the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing every day ?
” The article said that the students all demonstrated a “ spirit of curiosity and independence that continues to shape their education.
” While there may always be outliers and more research is needed , most peer-reviewed studies on homeschooling outcomes find that homeschoolers generally outperform their schooled peers academically , and have positive life experiences .
There is room for robust discussion and debate about education and homeschooling , including what is considered effective and beneficial—and who decides .
Given Harvard Magazine ’ s reputation for editorial excellence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ article ’ s emphasis on the potential risks of homeschooling without highlighting its benefits .
Bartholet indicates that “ tolerance of other people ’ s viewpoints ” is a key civic value .
I agree , and I hope future articles in this magazine demonstrate this tolerance .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-26--Chinese Government Pressured EU to Alter Report on Coronavirus Disinformation

The Chinese government successfully pressured European Union officials to water down language in a report that cited the communist regime ’ s disinformation campaign regarding the coronavirus pandemic , according to news reports .
Chinese diplomats reached out to the EU earlier this week after learning through a Politico story about the imminent release a report noting Beijing ’ s disinformation efforts , according to Reuters .
“ China has continued to run a global disinformation campaign to deflect blame for the outbreak of the pandemic and improve its international image , ” the initial version of the report , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Both overt and covert tactics have been observed.
” The report also criticized the Chinese government for casting blame on France for its handling of the coronavirus pandemic .
The revelation in Politico angered Chinese diplomats , who reached out to their EU counterparts threatening ramifications if the report was published .
“ The Chinese are already threatening with reactions if the report comes out , ” a diplomat with the European Union , Lutz Güllner , wrote in an email on Tuesday , according to The New York Times .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that said that a senior Chinese foreign ministry official , Yang Xiaoguang , told his EU counterparts that the report in its original form would make Beijing “ very angry.
” “ If the report is as described and it is released today it will be very bad for cooperation , ” the EU diplomatic correspondence says , according to Reuters .
EU officials initially delayed the report before rewriting parts of it to remove the reference to China ’ s “ global disinformation campaign , ” according to The Times and Reuters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released on Friday is softer toward the Chinese government .
One section cites disinformation from “ state-backed sources from various governments , including Russia and – to a lesser extent – China.
” One analyst upset by the revisions wrote to her bosses that the EU was “ self-censoring to appease the Chinese Communist Party , ” according to The Times .
Chinese government officials and government-controlled propaganda outlets have pushed several different narratives about coronavirus to deflect blame from Beijing over its early response to the pandemic .
On March 12 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China ’ s foreign ministry information department , asserted on Twitter that “ it may be that the US military brought the epidemic to Wuhan.
” The novel coronavirus originated in Wuhan , possibly either from a wildlife food market or a science lab that studies viruses in bats .
Experts in infectious disease have asserted that the virus could have been contained and prevented from spreading across the globe if the Chinese government had shared information early on about the new virus .
Chinese officials assured the World Health Organization ( WHO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus was not transmitted from person to person .
WHO , which has been accused of catering to Beijing , cited the government ’ s assurances on Jan. 14 that coronavirus was not transmitted through human-to-human contact .
Dr. Scott Gottlieb , the former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration , blasted the Chinese government for refusing to share live strains of the virus with scientists outside of China .
The delay slowed development of diagnostic tests .
“ China was not truthful with the world at the outset of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on April 12 .
“ Had they been more truthful with the world , which would have enabled them to be more truthful with themselves , they might have actually been able to contain this entirely.
” Dr. Deborah Birx , the White House coronavirus task force coordinator , said earlier this month that China ’ s false assurances about transmission of the virus slowed health experts ’ response to the pandemic .
“ The medical community interpreted the Chinese data as , this was serious , but smaller , ” she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Because , I think , probably we were missing a significant amount of the data.
” Chuck Ross is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Background Photo “ EU Meeting ” by GUE/NGL .
CC BY 2.0 .

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


thetennesseestar--2020-04-26--Evidence Lends Credibility to Biden Accuser’s Claim That She Told Her Mother About Alleged Assault

New video evidence proves that accuser Tara Reade was forced out of her job as a senate staffer for 2020 presidential candidate Joe Biden , Reade told the Daily Caller News Foundation Friday .
The 56-year-old Reade had previously told The Intercept that her mother called into “ Larry King Live ” on CNN regarding Biden ’ s alleged assault .
A transcript obtained by The Intercept , as well as a video uncovered by the Media Research Center , show that someone from her mother ’ s city did indeed call into CNN in 1993 and asked for advice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ prominent senator.
” Reade reminded the DCNF that she had told reporters that her mother called the Larry King show about her alleged assault .
“ I just heard audio , my mother died and hearing her voice made me cry .
She was such a good mom and always watching out for me even now , ” she said , adding that the video proves what she has been saying : “ that I was forced out and wanted to come forward in 1993.
” Reade worked as a Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused the then-senator of kissing her , touching her and penetrating her with his fingers without her consent .
The Biden campaign has denied the assault and said it “ absolutely did not happen.
” The Biden accuser has told multiple news outlets that she told her mother , who died in 2016 , about the alleged assault .
Reade had previously said that her mother called into a CNN show and referenced Reade ’ s troubles on Capitol Hill .
“ I remember it being an anonymous call and her saying my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fired , where can she go for help ?
I was mortified , ” Reade told The Intercept .
She was in her 20s at the time , and could not provide The Intercept with dates related to the call .
The Intercept ’ s Ryan Grim discussed Reade ’ s comments during a podcast interview with Katie Halper , who first aired Reade ’ s allegations .
After the podcast aired , a listener located the transcript of a call very similar to the one Reade had referenced .
The transcript @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 1993 , the publication reported , noting that congressional records show that August 1993 was the last month of Reade ’ s employment with Biden ’ s Senate office .
In the transcript of the Larry King program titled “ Washington : The Cruelest City on Earth , ” King introduced a caller from San Luis Obispo , California — the California city where Reade ’ s mother resided , according to The Intercept .
“ San Luis Obispo , California , hello , ” King said , according to the transcript @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the caller responded .
“ I ’ m wondering what a staffer would do besides go to the press in Washington ?
My daughter has just left there , after working for a prominent senator , and could not get through with her problems at all , and the only thing she could have done was go to the press , and she chose not to do it out of respect for him.
” “ In other words , she had a story to tell but , out of respect for the person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t tell it , ” King responded .
Reade said she is sure that the call was from her mother , she told The Intercept after being read the transcript .
Following the discovery of the transcript , the Media Research Center uncovered the video of the August 11 , 1993 edition of CNN ’ s “ Larry King Live ” on Friday .
The San Luis Obispo caller does not specifically reference sexual harassment during the call , as Reade had told The Intercept , but the publication noted that the caller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through with her problems at all , ” and could only have gone “ to the press.
” These statements also align with the Biden accuser ’ s claims that though she told her superiors in Biden ’ s office about her allegations , she did not receive help .
The Biden campaign did not immediately respond to the DCNF ’ s request for comment .
Mary Margaret Olohan is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Joe Biden ” by Gage Skidmore .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-26--Commentary: The Big Red Fake News Machine

In the late 1990s , Latin America underwent a seismic shift away from its northern neighbor as a result of the domineering and interventionist policies of successive U.S. administrations dating back to the 19th century .
This led to the 1998 election of Hugo Chávez Frias as president of Venezuela , and a chain reaction of similar governments of varying leftist ideological stringency coming to power in nations such as Nicaragua , Bolivia , Uruguay , Brazil , and Ecuador .
The focus of Chávez ’ s Bolivarian revolution , first and foremost , was on creating a new bloc @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Americas .
But although this was the stated primary ambition , the revolution itself was not limited to Latin America .
A dormant far Left in the United States , briefly sidelined after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Soviet Bloc , quickly found in this movement a new kindred spirit .
They were ecstatic that Chávez was elected in “ free and democratic ” elections , effectively displacing the two established centrist parties COPEI and Democratic Action , and that he survived a CIA-sponsored coup in 2002 thanks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Conveniently omitted in this history is that twice in 1992 prior to his election , Chávez , as an army lieutenant colonel along with his colleagues , attempted to overthrow the government of his predecessor Carlos Andrés Pérez , leading to the deaths of almost 200 soldiers .
Along with other middle-ranking military officers , Chávez had formed in the 1980s the revolutionary leftist MBR-200 group and conspired for years to overthrow the duopoly ruling his country , by force if necessary .
As seems always to be the case with socialism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the movement are either ignored or excused by true believers .
The results of the Bolivarian revolution in Venezuela and its offshoots took more than 15 years to transpire thanks to an oil glut that wiped out the strategic advantage of the nation ’ s reserves , and are now obvious to all as an example of an unsustainable experiment that ignored the basic rules of supply and demand .
But that part of the story is well known .
Now is the time to shed more light on the Canadian and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not only supported Chávez , but in some cases became paid mouthpieces and accomplices in the scheme to export Bolivarianism to the land of the yanquis .
In 2007 , as the rot and decay of the George W. Bush Administration began to manifest itself , a Canadian filmmaker launched a project he hoped would apply his perspective to news reporting after years of toiling in obscurity .
Paul Jay had been a producer , director , and journalist at CTV , Canada ’ s largest private television network , as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ produced several documentary films ranging from “ Return to Kandahar ” about the war in Afghanistan to “ Hitman Hart : Wrestling with Shadows ” about professional wrestler Brett Hart .
While many in the media have left-leaning political sympathies , Jay ’ s leftist convictions run deep .
His uncle , Ted Allan , had served with the Lincoln Brigades in the Spanish Civil War , and became a renowned screenwriter .
The Lincoln Brigades were made up primarily of anglophone Communists supporting the Republican government of Spain .
Allan would later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a fellow volunteer surgeon from Canada who later served the Communist Chinese before dying in 1939 of sepsis .
He was personally close to the Canadian Communist Party leader Tim Buck .
Jay ’ s new creation would be called The Real News Network ( TRNN ) and he located the company in Toronto .
In 2013 , TRNN moved its main headquarters to Baltimore and have made that location and its community a focus of their reporting ever since .
TRNN ’ s building at 231 Holliday Street , two blocks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.3 million in 2012 .
The Real News operates on several digital platforms , notably YouTube and Roku .
Despite massive annual investments from its backers , The Real News remained a niche news source under Jay until his 2019 departure .
It continues to operate as a nonprofit without accepting corporate advertisements , a structure that is similar to that of The Nation , In These Times and other digital left-wing publications .
It has close to 400,000 YouTube subscribers and an unknown number of Roku viewers .
Though these are respectable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not begin to financially sustain a full network with both on-screen and production staff .
While claiming to promote real journalism , The Real News Network—perhaps to its credit—quite openly draws its presenters and reporters almost exclusively from members of the far-left activist community .
For example , former Black Panther Eddie Conway , whose conviction for the murder of a Baltimore police officer was overturned in 2014 due to “ irregularities , ” hosts a series on the network called “ Rattling the Bars , ” concerning criminal justice issues .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is more of an editorial presentation , made worse by the fact that Conway is clearly not confident in front of the camera after more than 40 years in prison .
In one episode , Conway clumsily confronted , to no good effect , a group of Donald Trump supporters led by Scott Presler cleaning streets in West Baltimore .
While some of TRNN ’ s reporting does focus on the decay and corruption of Baltimore , most of the network ’ s efforts have been spent highlighting issues that are completely disconnected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its stories are hostile to foreign governments in Brazil , Israel , and India .
As Jay himself is an anti-Zionist Jew , he is deeply linked to various pro-Palestine movements and media figures such as Grayzone ’ s Max Blumenthal , the son of former Hillary Clinton advisor Sidney Blumenthal and an obsessively hostile critic of Israel .
Similarly , TRNN ’ s main commentator on India is Vijay Prashad , a Marxist at Trinity College in Connecticut who runs the Tricontinental Institute , an organization that claims to support the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that met in Havana in 1966 at the Tricontinental Conference .
The original Tricontinental continues to function in Cuba as the Organization of Solidarity with the People of Asia , Africa and Latin America ( OSPAAAL ) , the vehicle for exporting its revolution abroad , and Prashad ’ s group openly admits to collaborating with this organization .
Paul Jay ’ s second-in-command was Sharmini Peries , a Sri Lankan-Canadian with views similar to Prashad ’ s .
At times it seems the only competition that TRNN engaged in was whether to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But Peries and others have a connection that is much stronger than either Palestine or India—Venezuela .
At one point , Peries was a direct advisor on economics and trade to Hugo Chávez .
The overlap between TRNN and Venezuela ’ s state-supported media is so blatant , that it almost functions as a branch office with minor local variations .
And while Americans as a whole have had to deal with crippling social media censorship thanks to media-generated moral panics , this unabashed fifth column has operated unhindered and without general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enshrined in our Bill of Rights , these activists masquerade as reporters , play the part of martyrs , and live out the youthful fantasies emblazoned on their sweatshop made Ché shirts .
The Real News Network and a network of related groups provide them that stage .
The progressive media landscape is littered with the shards of the shattered leftist chandelier that never seemed to illuminate much to begin with .
Far-left politics is notoriously schismatic , especially when it comes to applying the theories of Karl Marx and other socialists who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been interpreted in many different ways .
Many progressives are apologists for Communism while denying that they are believers , such as Cenk Uygur of “ The Young Turks , ” who gives mealy-mouthed defenses of capitalism but in substance supports a corporate nanny state .
But The Real News and its affiliated organizations rarely allow such ambiguities to stand .
On the ideological spectrum , TRNN occupies a space somewhere between “ democratic ” socialism and revolutionary Marxism-Leninism .
The main dispute between these two schools of thought concerns whether violent revolution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ divisions .
Portions of TRNN ’ s programing have been sourced directly—and often unedited— from TeleSUR English , a television station owned by the Venezuelan , Cuban , and Nicaraguan governments .
Founded in 2005 , TeleSUR is the mouthpiece of Hugo Chávez ’ s successor Nicolás Maduro and the nation ’ s ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela ( PSUV ) .
During the aborted 2002 coup against Chávez , he and his supporters recognized that the commercial media in Venezuela were blatantly sympathetic to military and corporate interests that were intent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this they formed not only TeleSUR , but other international blocs such as Bolivarian Alliance for the Liberation of Our Americas ( ALBA ) with Cuban and Caribbean allies , the Unasur transnational union in South America and the economic union Mercosur .
But all of these entities , including TeleSUR are political instruments of Chavista governments and political parties .
Contributing nations in TeleSUR at one time included Argentina and Ecuador , who pulled out after changes of government and souring of relations with Venezuela .
In 2018 , Daniela Vielman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resigned in a huff and discussed the mistreatment , extortion , and political coercion that she and other staff had undergone in covering her nation ’ s many political crises and civil disturbances .
Many personnel from TRNN also have been prominent commentators on TeleSUR : • Tariq Ali has been featured on The Real News to talk about topics relating to Britain , Pakistan , and the Iraq War .
He also hosted the TeleSUR program “ The World Today , ” such as one from 2015 where he heralded a bright @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close friend and colleague Jeremy Corbyn .
• Abby Martin arrived at TeleSUR after a falling out with Russia ’ s RTAmerica over the Ukraine crisis .
Prior to that , she was a San Diego-area organizer for 9/11 Truth and supported the controlled demolition theory , but later distanced herself from that community and today rarely speaks on the topic .
She hosted “ Empire Files ” on TeleSUR until 2018 when it could no longer be funded .
TRNN has featured full episodes of the program , such as one from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister Guillaume Long .
Listed in the credits are two other TRNN staff , Oscar León and executive producer Paul Jay .
It continues to produce new episodes using a donation model .
Besides TeleSUR personnel , TRNN also employs or publishes content by other Maduro government apologists : • Gregory Wilpert is the founder of Venezuelaanalysis.com , a news website dedicated to rationalizing Venezuela ’ s economic meltdown as the result of sanctions .
His wife is also a senior Venezuelan diplomat and former ambassador to Ecuador .
• Lucas Koerner writes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a media critic in defense of the Maduro regime .
Like Paul Jay , he is an anti-Zionist Jew and was once arrested for attempting to disrupt the Jerusalem Day parade .
Those last two , in particular , illustrate the depths to which TRNN will sink in order to defend Venezuela in the name of being “ anti-war.
” Both Koerner and Wilpert have written for Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting ( FAIR ) , a leftist media watchdog that is blatantly sympathetic to the Chavista government .
In 2006 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Chávez was corrupt by claiming that metrics used by Transparency International and other corruption monitors were skewed by public opinion .
As it turns out , the late president ’ s daughter , Maria Gabriela Chávez , became a multi-billionaire and the richest woman in the country , although most of her assets were held in American and Andorran banks , all while serving as the country ’ s alternate ambassador to the United Nations .
Koerner is an even more dedicated supporter of Maduro .
In 2019 , Gabriel Hetland , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University of Albany , published an article for the North American Congress in Latin America ( NACLA ) and Jacobin critical of the Maduro government for its incompetence and abuses .
In the article , Hetland placed three values above all others : “ non-interventionism , self-determination , and solidarity with the oppressed.
” NACLA and Jacobin are both staunchly left-wing socialist organizations and media outlets , and Hetland himself had been featured in 2016 with Peries on TRNN downplaying the severity of the humanitarian disaster in Venezuela .
Joining him was Koerner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of TeleSUR and Venezualaanalysis.com .
Nevertheless , Koerner wrote a response a year later for FAIR claiming that Hetland ’ s piece was part of a campaign to legitimize regime change in Venezuela , despite Hetland ’ s explicit statements to the contrary .
Hetland responded by pointing out that he did not support regime change in Venezuela , nor the November 2019 overthrow of its allied government in Bolivia .
In FAIR ’ s publishing of the exchange , Koerner responded by castigating Hetland for not presenting “ solidarity ” and an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader Evo Morales .
The infighting suggests there is a growing rift between those who accept and those who deny that the Maduro government should continue to be championed by the anti-capitalist left .
Unfortunately , it is difficult to gauge which of these players is being sincere as opposed to abandoning a sinking ship out of self-interest .
The Real News Network also shares TeleSUR ’ s coverage of historical topics , not just current events .
It is apparent from the network ’ s choice of programming that it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cold War-era Marxism .
In 2017 , on the 100th anniversary of the October Revolution that established the Soviet Union , Abby Martin interviewed Brian Becker in a very flattering retrospective of the monumental event .
While not addressing the Red Terror , famines , or the reconquest of the Caucasus and Central Asia that subjugated many non-Russian minorities , the two created the impression that this bloody introduction to tyranny in the name of progress was a necessary speed bump on the road to their goal .
Becker hailed the creation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body that supposedly gave all Soviet peoples representation in government .
But in practice , both this and the other chamber , the Soviet of the Union , were rubber stamp parliaments for Communist Party organs such as the Politburo and Central Committee .
Also omitted was the fact that Becker is the founder and leader of the Party for Socialism and Liberation ( PSL ) a pro-Venezuela Marxist-Leninist group and the head of the ANSWER Coalition .
Like Martin , who once hosted a show on RTAmerica , Becker has similarly hosted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , formerly known as RAI Novosti , since 2015 .
Paul Jay ’ s own TRNN program , “ Reality Asserts Itself , ” has often featured episodes discussing the virtues of Marxism and Soviet Communism .
A 2018 episode was devoted to Marx ’ s 200th birthday .
Another 2018 episode discussed the present-day relevance of Communism with the Russian anti-revisionist Marxist Alexander Buzaglin .
Most TRNN segments on Venezuela have denied the fact that the Chávez and Maduro governments mismanaged the country , removed all constitutional protections , and created a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Venezuela crisis in 2019 in the context of whether socialism is a failure , Jay hedged by claiming that foreign sanctions had crippled the Chávez-Maduro experiment .
In so doing , he made several false statements , such as that Venezuela was not an industrialized country .
In fact , for many decades it was one of the richest and most developed nations in the Western hemisphere .
Is the support for this failed state merely ideological , since the ties to Caracas seem no longer to be financial ?
How can a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy and Wall Street plutocracy simultaneously credit so much of its financing to both ?
In the early 1990s , as a younger documentary filmmaker , Jay produced “ Albanian Journey ” in the midst of its transition to democracy .
While papering over the crimes and oppression wielded by the Communist regime of Enver Hoxha that clung to Stalinism even after China abandoned it following Mao Zedong ’ s death in 1976 , he did portray the decay and downfall of socialism in the Mediterranean state .
It seems as if The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bolivarian socialism were just an attempt by Paul Jay to hold on to the new hope of a “ 21st Century Socialism ” that Chávez promised .
Like the last century ’ s version , however , its Western supporters are fine with enjoying the comparative luxuries of a decadent capitalist economy as it falls apart .
What is so ironic about The Real News Network ’ s fawning coverage of Venezuela , a petrostate now economically beholden to its creditors , is its simultaneous focus on supporting the replacement of fossil fuels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gas in any way possible .
Throughout its history , TRNN has promoted “ climate justice ” calling it an imperative in 2011 .
During the 2020 Democratic primary season , one of its correspondents asked at the woke Netroots Nation summit whether candidates ’ climate plans were “ climate justice plans.
” Mere hypocrisy is not so rare as to be the only reason to highlight this contradiction .
What TRNN is actually doing is much worse than that .
It is using a manufactured global crisis in order to support the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While the domestic U.S. oil industry is naturally subject to hazards such as spills and air pollution , in that respect it is not to be distinguished from other oil producers like Saudi Arabia , Iran , Russia , Norway , or Venezuela .
The fracking boom of the 2010s and the further expansion of offshore drilling under President Donald Trump , however , has only served to create downward pressure on oil prices and hurt the bottom lines of every oil-dependent economy—including Venezuela ’ s , which for decades has sold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its subsidiary Citgo stations .
By advocating for policies such as the Green New Deal , TRNN seeks the economic equivalent of unilateral nuclear disarmament .
The United State would abandon fossil fuel extraction prematurely , and therefore would have to be supplied by states like Venezuela once it becomes evident that the energy needs of American citizens can not be met by renewables .
This already has occurred in Germany which once was the vanguard in green technology and is now attempting to compensate with a natural gas pipeline from Russia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ grounded in fear and guilt , not science .
Rather than being revolutionaries with microphones fighting Wall Street , the money trail shows them to be fully conflicted and hiding their dirty laundry behind red flags .
While progressive media has embraced several different agendas over the decades in order to buttress their economic and social vision , none has greater potential than climate change does to shape the future of society .
The benefit of focusing on this area is that target audiences beyond the far Left are reluctant to challenge a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scientific community , the United Nations , and Hollywood .
It is a common refrain that the dependence of the economy on fossil fuels will doom humanity and the planet at large .
But behind this agenda is the serious paradox that is difficult for activist journalists to get around : oil and natural gas are so ingrained in the economy that typically those pushing the agenda of renewable energy are themselves backed by or invested in fossil fuels .
In 2019 , presidential hopeful Beto O ’ Rourke found this out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacked by the Sunrise Movement for having an insufficiently aggressive climate change plan and for accepting contributions from fossil-fuel company executives .
Progressives deem as heresy anything short of a full embrace of the panic-driven climate change movement—and TRNN does its best to stay near the tip of the spear on the subject .
After the first Democratic debate in June 2019 , TRNN talking heads griped that only 15 minutes had been dedicated to climate change .
In August 2019 , correspondent Dharna Noor interviewed a plaintiff in Juliana v. USA , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to force the federal government to pay reparations to young Americans over its alleged “ inaction ” on climate change .
( The Ninth U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the case in January . )
More recently , TRNN news host Marc Steiner has attempted to tie the coronavirus outbreak to climate change .
Cloaked in the façade of caring for the future of the planet and opposing Wall Street , TRNN deceptively hides its own past reservoir of fossil fuel interests .
Its leaders are not merely ideologically committed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through its funding apparatus had financial ties to the regime and its oil conglomerate until 2018 .
Its editorial line remains sympathetic to the regime , and the details of the departure of Jay and Peries remain undisclosed .
Their best-known investigative reporter Aaron Maté , one of the central Russiagate skeptics , had left in 2018 under similarly mysterious circumstances .
Since then he has appeared more often on China ’ s CGTN America network .
Much of how and why TRNN came about is known only to them and other insiders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s media materials , they remain staunchly supportive of the Maduro government .
Puzzle pieces relating to its background can be gathered from TRNN videos , as well as tax disclosures .
According to a now-deleted 2014 video , the organization ’ s Baltimore headquarters was purchased by the “ small family ” Quitiplas Foundation as part of a $ 3 million investment .
According to real estate records the property at 231 N. Holliday Street was purchased for $ 1.3 million in 2012 .
But in TRNN ’ s 2015 IRS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was still listed as belonging to Quitiplas .
The foundation has no website , and like many corporations and organizations that want to avoid scrutiny , it is incorporated in Delaware .
The name of the foundation comes from the “ quitiplas , ” which is a percussion instrument originating in Venezuela .
An organization called “ Son of Quitiplas ” registered under Paul Jay ’ s name is currently “ not in good standing ” based on available information from the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation and lists the same property @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether this organization is directly linked to Quitiplas , but the status suggests Jay ’ s entity has been dissolved .
Delving into the list of grantees from 2015 , some familiar names pop up : • Dwarfing all of the others was “ Independent World Television ” which received $ 650,000 .
Independent World Television is the legal name of The Real News Network .
IWT ’ s own 2015 form 990 listed Jay as the corporation ’ s CEO along with Hollywood actor and Hugo Chávez supporter Danny Glover as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a board that shares significant overlap with that of Quitiplas ) .
Glover co-wrote a eulogy for Chávez in 2014 with fellow board member James Early , who serves as an assistant provost and author at the Smithsonian Institute .
Another board member , Thomas M. Scruggs , is listed as the president of Quitiplas .
Scruggs ’ personal background is as an ethnomusicologist ( one who studies folk music of different cultures ) , and he has taught at a number of institutions such as the University of Iowa and Florida International @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was a guest teacher at the University of the Andes , in Mérida , Venezuela on a Fulbright fellowship .
His most well-known work is a foreword to a pamphlet honoring the musician Victor Jara , a Chilean Communist and supporter of murdered President Salvador Allende , who was himself murdered under the regime of General Augusto Pinochet .
In 2012 , Scruggs was featured by TRNN on a report about elections in Venezuela from his home in Berkeley , California .
Scruggs continues to serve on the boards of both TRNN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both organizations , Dmitri Lascaris of Montreal , is a pro-Palestine activist and current candidate for leader of the Green Party of Canada .
The tax disclosures also show that Quitiplas held financial assets directly tied to the Venezuelan and Argentine governments , as well as massive oil and gas assets .
In 2013 , it had investments of over $ 800,000 in 5 percent interest bond holdings for Petroleos de Venezuela ( PDVSA ; pronounced Pe-de-ve-sa ) , the state-owned oil monopoly of Venezuela .
On top of that , the foundation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent interest bonds for Argentina , which in 2014 would default on its debt .
In 2016 , TRNN ’ s Greg Wilpert condemned new Argentine President Mauricio Macri for paying out vulture funds that had held these very same bonds .
Quitiplas also has investments in Sandridge Mississippian Trust , an American fund that holds royalties in oil and gas properties in states like Oklahoma and Kansas .
Quitiplas ’ investment in Venezuelan and Argentine public debt dates back all the way to 2008 , the second year of its existence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 100,000 and the pro-Venezuela think tank Center for Economic and Policy Research for $ 500,000 .
CEPR ’ s c0-director Mark Weisbrot famously wrote in The Guardian in 2013 that Venezuela ’ s economy was not “ the Greece of Latin America .
He was a co-writer of the screenplay for “ South of the Border , ” Oliver Stone ’ s fawning 2009 documentary about Chávez and the Latin American “ Pink Tide.
” As of 2018 , the last available year for which filings are available , it appears that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were sold off .
Yet Quitiplas continued to hold investments of tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in Facebook , Amazon , Alphabet ( parent company of Google ) , Apple , discount store chain Dollar General , and defense contractor Honeywell .
Another investment that Quitiplas consistently has held is the hedge fund Alphakeys Millennium I and III , despite TRNN ’ s condemnation of hedge funds for capitalizing on public debt in Puerto Rico and hindering medical innovation .
Of course , TRNN portrays Wall Street as a whole as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 2018 video that “ the billionaire class is not fit to rule.
” Also in 2018 , TRNN reporter Marc Steiner interviewed Matt Taibbi about the restrictions that Google and Facebook were putting on the privacy and freedom of users while simultaneously calling the recently unpersoned Alex Jones “ vile.
” Perhaps Steiner was unaware of where his employer ’ s finances originated .
Did the dumping of PDVSA and other state-owned assets occur to square the organization ’ s finances with its philosophy , or was that merely a reaction to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Latin America and the oil glut of the mid-2010s ?
The most likely explanation is that the foundation dumped the assets in compliance with 2017 sanctions on Venezuela , and to PDVSA-related debt holdings specifically .
Unlike other years , the organization ’ s 2016 form 990 disclosure does not include any itemized investment holdings , and the 2014 disclosure is completely unavailable .
The editorial line of The Real News Network has not changed with the unexplained departure of Jay and Peries , and it consistently portrays Venezuela as the victim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TeleSUR partner , TRNN sees the United States as having designs of regime change in Venezuela and worldwide , but unlike them , its content is not labeled as being funded by the Venezuelan government on YouTube .
Today , more than 22 years since Chávez rose to power , the pretension of supporting his successor Maduro in the name of fighting U.S. imperialism is ludicrous .
Last year , Venezuela ’ s sovereign debt rose to $ 156 billion , some of it held not by hedge funds but by allies such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drops in the worldwide crude oil price , it is facing new economic pressure if China does not agree to restructure Venezuelan debts again .
In March , the U.S. Justice Department indicted Maduro and several of his most senior officials for narcoterrorism and leading the “ Cartel of the Suns ” to traffic cocaine to the United States by air and maritime routes .
The investigation began in 2015 thanks to careless talk by the “ narcosobrinos , ” two nephews of Hugo Chávez , boasting of their state support to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While TRNN continues to cheer on the Venezuelan communes , regime figures have looted the country and squirreled away assets overseas .
As millions of their countrymen starve , the boliburgueses ( Bolivarian bourgeoisie ) like Alejandro Betancourt benefit from state contracts with PDVSA while living among the gringo imperialists in Miami .
Far from promoting a brighter future and more equal world , PDVSA is today a basket case run by Major General Manuel Quevedo .
In 2018 , the oil company quelled riots at its own cafeteria using national guardsmen .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ found guilty in 2007 of violating the Clean Air Act in a U.S. federal court case .
In 2019 , the U.S. government legally prohibited PDVSA from profiting from Citgo , and most recently the Supreme Court ruled it liable for a 2004 oil spill .
Meanwhile the U.N. High Commission on Refugees claims 4.5 million Venezuelans are currently refugees or migrants abroad .
As it attempts to survive in a difficult digital media market , some questions remain unanswered concerning the relationship between TRNN and the Venezuelan government .
Who donated the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2008 and buy the Baltimore building five years later ?
What are the sources of the foundation ’ s finances since then , and do they include foreign state funds ?
How formal was the partnership between it and TeleSUR ?
And finally , what triggered the replacement of Paul Jay and Sharmini Peries , neither of whom have made any public statement since ?
These are riddles that Venezuelans living abroad , Baltimore residents , and even TRNN ’ s own confused viewers may find fascinating and troubling .
Ray McCoy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Photo “ Venezuela Protest ” by Wilfredor .
CC BY-SA 4.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-26--Gov Cuomo Says Trump Was ‘Right’ to Take on World Health Organization

New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said Friday that President Donald Trump was “ right ” to question the World Health Organization ’ s early response to the coronavirus pandemic .
“ Whose job is it to warn us of these global pandemics ?
The president says it ’ s the World Health Organization , and that ’ s why he ’ s taken action against them , ” Cuomo said at his daily press conference in Albany .
He added : “ But he ’ s right to ask the question because this was too little , too late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what happened so it doesn ’ t happen again.
” “ And it will happen again .
Bank on it.
” Trump suspended U.S. government funding to the WHO earlier in April , citing the organization ’ s “ China-centric ” stance and its failure to warn the rest of the world of an outbreak of the virus .
“ The WHO ’ s reliance on China ’ s disclosures likely caused a 20-fold increase in cases worldwide , and it may be much more than that , ” Trump said on April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addressed a single one of these concerns nor provided a serious explanation that acknowledges its own mistakes , of which there are many.
” The United States contributes roughly $ 400 million a year to the WHO , or 15 % of the organization ’ s annual budget .
The WHO relied heavily on assurances from the Chinese government about the threat posed by the novel coronavirus strain , which began to spread in Wuhan in November 2019 .
Chinese officials were tracking outbreaks of the virus by early December 2019 , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread until later that month .
On Jan. 14 , the WHO cited the Chinese government ’ s claims that coronavirus was not transmitted from person to person .
And in late February , Bruce Aylward , a WHO official who led a fact-finding mission to China , said there was little evidence of asymptomatic carriers of the virus .
Both of those claims appear inaccurate .
The CDC has estimated that at least 25 % of people with coronavirus are asymptomatic .
High rates of asymptomatic transmission of the virus make it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection .
Politicians are not the WHO ’ s only critics .
Health experts have also blasted the group for accepting the Chinese government ’ s assessments at a crucial point in the coronavirus outbreak .
Dr. Michael Osterholm , an epidemiologist who raised early concerns about coronavirus , has said that he and other health experts were “ incredibly disappointed ” in the WHO ’ s response in the early days of the pandemic .
“ When you look at what WHO did , I think they set us back a great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just a few countries that were going to get this would just do the containment work , we could stop it , ” he said in a podcast interview on March 31 .
Dr. Scott Gottlieb , the former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration , criticized the WHO in an interview on April 12 , saying that the organization was guilty of “ enabling the obfuscation of China.
” Chuck Ross is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Andrew Cuomo ” by NBC News .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-26--Supreme Court Sides with Trump Admin, Rules Criminal Immigrant Can Be Deported

The Supreme Court sided with the Trump administration on Thursday , finding that the government can deport criminal immigrants from the United States even if they have been living legally in the country for a long time .
In a split 5-4 decision , the Court ’ s conservative bloc agreed with the administration that Andre Martello Barton , a non-citizen from Jamaica , is eligible for deportation after being charged with drug and firearm offenses , despite him living in the United States since the 1980s .
The decision makes it more difficult for green card holders with criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deportation orders .
Barton ’ s crimes made him eligible for removal , but he argued that he was not , citing a 1996 law that allows some long-term legal residents to avoid deportation .
Under the law touted by Barton ’ s legal team , green card holders can request to have their deportation orders repealed if they ’ ve been living in the United States continuously for at least seven years .
The Supreme Court ’ s majority , however , ruled that legal residents who have committed certain crimes before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be deported .
Justice Brett Kavanaugh , writing for the Court ’ s majority opinion , wrote that “ when a lawful permanent resident has amassed a criminal record of this kind , ” the country ’ s immigration laws deem them ineligible to request to remain in the United States .
“ Removal of a lawful permanent resident from the United States is a wrenching process , especially in light of the consequences for family members , ” Kavanaugh stated .
“ Congress made a choice , however , to authorize removal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — who have committed certain serious crimes , ” he continued .
“ And Congress also made a choice to categorically preclude cancellation of removal for noncitizens who have substantial criminal records .
Congress may of course amend the law at any time .
In the meantime , the Court is constrained to apply the law as enacted by Congress.
” Kavanaugh was joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Clarence Thomas , Neil Gorsuch and Samuel Alito .
The decision marked a major win for the White House , and also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal immigrants who have committed serious crimes within the first seven years of their arrival into the United States .
Jason Hopkins is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-26--Keith Ellison Asked Trump Admin to End Ban on Using Aborted Fetal Tissue for Research

Attorney General Keith Ellison said a federal ban on using aborted fetal tissue for research is “ hampering ” the nation ’ s ability to respond to COVID-19 in a letter sent to the Trump administration .
The letter , which was sent in late March , was signed by the attorneys general of 15 states , a coalition led by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra .
“ We write to you out of concern that the current Fetal Tissue Ban that took effect in June 2019 is hampering our Nation ’ s ability to address COVID-19 , ” states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Institutes of Health working on potential therapies for COVID-19 have been appealing to this administration for permission to work with fetal tissue , arguing that this pandemic warrants an exemption to your Ban .
We urge you to grant their request and end the Ban.
” U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar announced in June 2019 that scientists at the National Institutes of Health ( NIH ) would no longer be allowed to conduct research “ involving the use of human fetal tissue from elective abortions.
” “ Intramural research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from elective abortions will not be conducted , ” HHS said .
The U.S. House voted a week later to overturn the ban , but the proposal was dead-on-arrival in the Republican-controlled U.S. Senate .
According to Ellison and his cosigners , allowing the country ’ s scientists to use aborted fetal tissue “ can help accelerate vaccine development to combat COVID-19.
” “ Research using fetal tissue has led to the development of other vaccines to combat diseases like poliovirus , rubella , measles , and rabies .
Fetal tissue has also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ towards finding treatments and cures for some of the most debilitating diseases , including HIV/AIDS and Alzheimer ’ s , ” the letter continues .
A group of House Democrats sent a similar letter to the Trump administration earlier this month and urged Secretary Azar to “ prioritize science.
” “ Because of your restrictions , NIH is unable to utilize human fetal tissue to develop animal models of COVID-19 that can test potential vaccines and treatments to decelerate or even end this global health crisis , ” that letter elaborated .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump administration stressed the importance of “ promoting the dignity of human life from conception to natural death ” and called the pro-life cause one of the president ’ s “ very top priorities.
” Ellison and his 14 colleagues , however , think Trump needs to “ permit research on all fronts.
” “ The present moment is not a time for politics , ” the letter concludes .
“ Science-based decision making should be at the forefront when addressing this issue and the scientists ’ position on this issue has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no alternatives to human fetal tissue that have been shown to be as powerful in conducting these important studies across a broad range of research topics.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-26--State Rep. Vitale’s Facebook Campaign Account is Alive and Well, Despite Reports to the Contrary

State Rep. Nino Vitale ( R-Urbana ) says reports of his Facebook campaign page ’ s demise are greatly exaggerated — it was down temporarily , but the social media giant was very cooperative in restoring it .
Vitale posted on his active campaign page Saturday : Media outlets falsely misleading people to think Facebook disabled THIS PAGE .
That is not true from the information we have .
Facebook has been VERY helpful in restoring my page and the audience , and they have been working with me for almost 14 hours now to figure out what went wrong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something like Facebook disabled my account , those are simply false .
As we gain further information , I will share it with you , but the TRUTH is that Facebook has been exceptional in this process , and I am overwhelmingly pleased by their support .
According to a story reported Friday by the Plain-Dealer , the Champaign County representative said he was not given any reason for the page ’ s removal , but added that Facebook was being helpful in studying the issue .
His personal Facebook page was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protecting the rights of Ohioans in the face of the ongoing Chinese coronavirus shutdown by Gov .
Mike DeWine and Dr. Amy Acton of the Ohio Department of Health .
Vitale issued a call to action in mid-April to ease restrictions and reopen hospitals and medical centers to elective surgeries , as The Ohio Star reported .
“ My request is we allow the doctors and nurses in these fields to immediately open back up and treat Ohioans that need medical care , which is getting more and more critical by the day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote in an open letter to DeWine and Acton .
Vitale warned that Ohio could see a collapse in the state ’ s health infrastructure , with “ up to 85 % of doctors and practices , which are either days or a week from closing their doors permanently.
” Once his campaign page was restored , he posted a copy of the letter and said , “ After having my original page deleted , I can think of no better first post now that my page is back up and has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 letter to DeWine to OPEN OHIO .
“ I am still working with Facebook , who has been very honest about this process .
I will have more details forthcoming .
Vitale also is a member of the OHIO 2020 task force , a bipartisan group to discuss the reopening that includes members from different parts of the state selected by House Speaker Larry Householder ( R-Glenford ) , WOUB reported .
Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-26--VIDEO: Minnesota Business Owners Describe Economic Devastation of Stay-at-Home Order

A group of small business owners described the devastating economic impact of Minnesota Gov .
Tim Walz ’ s stay-at-home order in a recently released video .
“ Due to the slowdown in beer production , we ’ ve had to lay off a lot of employees and furlough people , ” said Dan Schwartz , CEO of Lift Bridge Brewing Company .
He said the closure of bars and restaurants has put more than half of Lift Bridge ’ s clients temporarily out of business .
The video was released by state Sen. Karin Housley ( R-St. Mary ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate candidate who represents the Stillwater area in the Minnesota Senate .
“ We are seeing the devastating effects this shutdown order has had on so many of our hometown small businesses – the same businesses we depend on to power our local economies .
Many of them have applied for federal assistance but have yet to receive any funds , ” Housley said in a statement provided to The Minnesota Sun .
“ And as they so often do , businesses were already adapting to the ‘ new normal , ’ making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during this pandemic before they were ordered to shut down .
If we do not begin the process of opening our state back up for business , there is a real chance some of them may never open their doors again , ” she continued .
In the video , Tom Leonard , co-owner of Fury Motors , said the company has furloughed more than half of its employees .
“ What we have going forward right now is unsustainable and I don ’ t know how much longer we can last , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hair stylist at Zaczkowski ’ s Blue Belle Salon in Oak Park Heights , said she and her colleagues work on commission so if they don ’ t have any clients then they “ are not getting any income.
” Minnesota has seen 536,742 unemployment claims since the start of the coronavirus pandemic .
For comparison , the state had about 450,000 applications for unemployment in 2009 , according to Commissioner Steve Grove .
Gov .
Walz issued a new executive order that will allow some “ non-critical ” businesses to return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before his stay-at-home order expires .
The order , however , applies to businesses that aren ’ t customer facing , so retail environments are required to remain closed until at least May 4 .
“ We should be proud of our successful efforts to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus .
But if we don ’ t begin to take proactive steps to begin to reopen our economy right now , it might be too late , ” Housley added .
“ We can do it slowly and we can do it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to start reopening Minnesota ’ s economy.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Minnesota Small Business Owner ” by Karin Housley .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-26--Ohio Couple Sentenced for Conspiring to Import, Distribute Chinese Fentanyl

An Akron couple was sentenced Thursday for their roles in what prosecutors described as an operation that brought large amounts of fentanyl and carfentanil from China for sale in Northeast Ohio .
Donte Gibson , 41 , was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison .
His wife Audrey Gibson , 36 , was sentenced to 10 years , 10 months in prison .
Chief U.S. District Judge Patricia Gaughan sentenced the pair by video .
The Akron couple were arrested in February 2018 and pleaded guilty to drug and money laundering conspiracy charges .
“ These two defendants were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that used illegal weapons and brought large amounts of fentanyl and carfentanil into our neighborhoods , endangering the lives of so many in our community , ” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman .
“ Today ’ s sentencing reaffirms our commitment to keeping dangerous drugs and weapons off our streets.
” Donte and Audrey Gibson both pleaded guilty to money laundering and conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and carfentanil .
In exchange , federal prosecutors agreed to drop numerous other charges .
“ Criminals and criminal organizations use money laundering as a way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economies , ” said Bryant Jackson , Special Agent in Charge , IRS Criminal Investigation , Cincinnati Field Office .
“ The laundering of illegal drug profits is as important and essential to drug traffickers as the very distribution of their illegal drugs .
Without these illegal gains , the traffickers could not finance their organizations.
” “ Fentanyl and carfentanil continue to be the deadliest illegal drugs that we are up against in the law enforcement community , ” said HSI Special Agent in Charge Vance Callender .
“ HSI has uniquely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law enforcement partnerships to bring consequences to criminal enterprises that operate on a global scale to profit from distributing this lethal poison in our local communities.
” Investigators found that between May 2016 and February 2018 , Mr. and Mrs. Gibson purchased fentanyl and carfentanil from China over the internet .
At the couple ’ s direction , the drugs shipped to various locations in the Akron-Canton area through the U.S .
Postal Service .
The Gibsons then had a group of seven co-conspirators to open post office boxes throughout the area , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for distribution and sale in Akron and Lorain .
Donte and Audrey Gibson were the last of nine co-defendants sentenced in this matter .
All nine defendants were indicted on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 200 grams of carfentanil .
Previously sentenced on this matter were : Lori E. Martin , age 59 , mother of Audrey Gibson of Barberton was sentenced on January 28 , 2019 on one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering to two years of probation .
Dontaysha S. Gibson , age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gibson of Akron was sentenced on January 16 , 2019 on one count each of conspiracy to possess and distribute fentanyl and carfentanil and money laundering to 15 months in prison .
Derrick A. Adams II , age 24 , of Akron was sentenced on January 24 , 2019 on one count each of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl and carfentanil and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime to 120 months in prison .
Lisa A , Richardson , age , 56 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2019 on one count each of conspiracy to possess and distribute fentanyl and carfentanil and conspiracy to commit money laundering to 51 months in prison .
Ajarae C. Hisle , age 29 , of Lorain was sentenced on February 19 , 2019 on one count of conspiracy to possess and distribute fentanyl and carfentanil to one month in prison and seven months of home confinement .
Jamar Jackson , age 30 , of Lorain was sentenced on February 1 , 2019 on one count of conspiracy to possess and distribute fentanyl and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garret R. Frantz , age 22 , of North Canton was sentenced on January 28 , 2019 on one count of conspiracy to possess and distribute fentanyl and carfentanil to one day in prison and eight months of home confinement .
The couple agreed to forfeit more than $ 250,000 in assets , two firearms , ammunition and their Akron home .
While agents investigated , Donte and Audrey Gibson ’ s six-year-old daughter overdosed on fentanyl that a burglar dropped on the floor during a heist at the couple ’ s home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The couple was never charged because there were no witnesses and lab tests were unable to test for synthetic opioids in the child ’ s bloodstream , according to court records .
This case was investigated by the FBI ’ s Safe Streets Task Force , which is comprised of agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation , Homeland Security Investigations , U.S .
Postal Inspection Service , Internal Revenue Service and the Akron Police Department .
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark S. Bennett and Danielle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at The Ohio Star .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-26--Michigan Senate Passes Bills to Curb Whitmer’s Emergency Powers; Created Government COVID-19 Oversig

Michigan Senate Passes Bills to Curb Whitmer’s Emergency Powers; Created Government COVID-19 Oversight Committee

The Senate passed two bills by a 22-15 vote Friday that would curb Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ’ s emergency powers , but she ’ s vowed a veto .
Tempers flared at the Capitol as parties traded partisan accusations .
Senate Bill 857 aims to repeal Public Act 302 of 1945 , which allows the governor to proclaim a state of emergency during times of “ great public crisis , disaster , rioting , catastrophe , or similar public emergency.
” SB 858 seeks to amend the Emergency Management Act to shorten the number of days for which the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 28 to 14 , after which the legislature would each have to approve an extension .
Sen. Dayna Polehanki , D-Livonia , said it was “ wildly irresponsible ” for the Republican majority to call the legislature to Lansing in the middle of a global pandemic to vote on bills that Whitmer said she will reject .
“ Stunts and political games – that ’ s all we ’ ve seen from Republicans since Gov .
Whitmer started being noticed at the national level for her effective leadership , ” Senate Minority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement .
“ Today could not have presented a clearer picture of that contrast , ” he continued .
“ While she announced eased restrictions and a short extension of the ‘ Stay Home , Stay Safe ’ executive order that appropriately coincides with where we are on the COVID-19 curve , legislative Republicans launched an attack to take away her ability to fight back against the virus and save lives ” he said .
Others argued the bills aimed to restore the separation of powers in Michigan ’ s government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that legislators are supposed to represent constituents , but currently can ’ t under Whitmer ’ s rule by executive order .
“ This is all being taken care of by one person and one person alone , ” he said .
“ There are governments around this world that vest all the power and authority of government into one person ; those aren ’ t called democracies and aren ’ t called republics , ” Horn said .
Sen. Adam Hollier , D-Detroit , encouraged a “ no ” vote and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have battled COVID-19 .
About 799 Detroiters have died of COVID-19 , one of the heaviest hit cities in the U.S. Sen. Tom Barrett , R-Charlotte , said his bill “ restores the constitutional order to our state and removes any doubt as to the actions allowed by each branch of government.
” Barrett responded to accusations that his party ’ s action to limit Whitmer ’ s power was callous while Michiganders were dying .
“ We can both grieve for the loss of life and still protect our system of government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two are not mutually exclusive.
” The House and Senate adopted House Concurrent Resolution 20 to create a 10-member , bipartisan COVID-19 pandemic committee .
The resolution gives the committee subpoena power for state entities .
The committee will submit a report to the legislature of its findings and recommendations for further action to address COVID-19 .
House Speaker Lee Chatfield , R-Levering , said that constituents “ deserve answers ” to concerns over how state officials are handling COVID-19 .
“ The state ’ s response must be transparent , and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state government to higher standards for its actions and choices , ” Chatfield said in a statement .
The legislature met while Whitmer extended her stay-home through May 15 , but loosened some restrictions , including prohibiting large stores from selling paint , and bans on operating a motorized boat and traveling between two personal residences .
Scott McClallen is a staff writer covering Michigan and Minnesota for The Center Square .
A graduate of Hillsdale College , his work has appeared on Forbes.com and FEE.org .
Previously , he worked as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ken Horn ” by Ken Horn .
Photo “ Dayna Polehanki ” by Dayna Polehanki .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-26--Steve Cohen Asks Attorney General Barr to Clarify Trump’s Emergency Powers Comments

Rep. Steve Cohen ( D-TN-09 ) sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General William Barr Friday asking him to clarify President Donald Trump ’ s comments about the use of emergency powers during the coronavirus pandemic .
According to the letter , President Trump “ has repeatedly suggested he may use unspecified emergency powers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
” The letter cites the president ’ s March 12 comment that he has “ the right to do a lot of things that people don ’ t even know about , ” including “ a lot of emergency actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an April 14 press briefing , the President asserted ‘ total ’ authority to force state and local governments to rescind public health measures .
When challenged about his claims , President Trump said his administration would ‘ write up papers ’ or a ‘ legal brief ’ justifying these positions , ” says the letter , which was cosigned by Rep. Jerry Nadler ( D-NY-10 ) .
Cohen and Nadler said it ’ s “ unclear ” what the president is referring to , but his comments “ suggest that his administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purporting to support the use of extraordinary legal authorities in response to the pandemic.
” “ Such documents would likely undergo review by the Justice Department ’ s Office of Legal Counsel .
The president may also be referencing ‘ Presidential Emergency Action Documents , ’ which may contain contingency plans by this administration or its predecessors for the government ’ s response to a pandemic , ” the letter continues .
In light of the “ president ’ s threats to invoke these hidden emergency powers , ” Cohen asked Barr to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration ’ s “ anticipated use of emergency powers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
” It also asks the Department of Justice to hand over any “ documents or communications ” that describe or analyze the “ legality of the president ’ s potential use of emergency authorities.
” “ While the federal government must respond swiftly and energetically to protect the public health during this pandemic , the president can not use the current crisis to assert secret and unreviewable powers , ” the letter concludes .
In a similar letter sent to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Cohen and Nadler sought to explain Trump ’ s “ actual legal and constitutional authority in this area.
” “ The President ’ s authority is limited to the enumerated powers given to him by the Constitution and to those delegated to him by acts of Congress .
Even within those spheres , he can not exercise his authorities in ways that violate Americans ’ civil rights and civil liberties , ” that letter said .
They went on to accuse the president of threatening to assert “ dictatorial power.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stretch the limits of his power during a time of emergency .
But for perhaps the first time in our history , a president dangled emergency powers as a way to hinder , rather than help , our response .
Whatever his purpose or ultimate plans , President Trump can not ignore the structure of our Constitution and the basic checks and balances put in place by our Founders , ” the letter concluded .
Cohen has repeatedly criticized the president on Twitter throughout the pandemic , saying he ’ s “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Background Photo “ DOJ Building ” by Baseball Watcher .
CC BY-SA 3.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-25--Paradigm Shift with Michael Patrick Leahy Debuts Saturday on Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC

Paradigm Shift , airing Saturdays at 6:00 a.m. to 7 a.m. CST with Michael Patrick Leahy – is a one-hour weekend radio show from Star News Digital Media that discusses how daily life will change in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic .
During the show , Leahy gave his commentary on Governor Andrew Cuomo ’ s recent press briefing and how New York state ’ s coronavirus data revealed less than one percent death rate .
This is Michael Patrick Leahy .
Welcome to Paradigm Shift , the weekly program that focuses on what the world will be like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we await the development of a vaccine .
We focus on five general areas in this program .
It ’ s a one hour program every Saturday .
You can hear it here on Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m .
The areas we focus on are your personal behavior and actions .
Where you are going to shop ?
What you ’ re going to do ?
And how you will spend your time while you ’ re not working ?
Another area we focus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make a living ?
What will jobs be like and the economy and business be like after the first wave of this pandemic passes and we return to somewhat normal ?
Third area is politics and how ’ s that going to change .
Fourth area is health and healthcare and hospitals and all of those issues for you and your family .
Lastly , we look at education .
How is that going to be different ?
Are people going to be doing more online training ?
And how will private and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broadcast every Saturday from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. here on Talks Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC .
You hear me every weekday morning on this station from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. on the Tennessee Star Report .
In today ’ s program we ’ ll hear from Crom Carmichael and Washington journalist Neil McCabe .
Along with former Trump White House chief strategist my good friend , former boss , mentor , and friend , Steve Bannon .
But first , some breaking news from yesterday .
So this is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important story .
A lot of people have been wondering about this .
How many people have been infected by coronavirus and haven ’ t known it ?
This is important because it gets to the issue of the real mortality rates .
We know what the mortality rate is in terms of the number of people who have been tested for it .
4.5 million people in the United States have been tested and about 825,000 or so have tested positive .
Of those who have tested positive about 45,000 have died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got a death rate there of about 4.59 % or 5 % .
That ’ s pretty high particularly when you compare it to the flu or something like that which is much lower .
But , some people have wondered if people out there that have been unaffected have they been asymptomatic .
Or perhaps just had mild mild responses to it .
A lot of people thought , a lot of folks have it .
Well , we had actually of all people Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York yesterday detailed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results of a statewide antibody study revealed that wait for it…13.9 % of people who live in New York state have developed antibodies to the coronavirus .
And it ’ s interesting because if you look at that there are regional differences within New York .
New York City , that number is 21 % .
Of course New York City has been devastated by this .
You have the highest death rates in New York City and highest transmissions there .
Governor Cuomo said , the survey was conducted among 3,000 individuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counties and 40 different localities .
Blood samples were collected at grocery stores and other retail stores .
And the people were being tested out of the home and not at work .
So these are people who were out and about .
This is exactly how Governor Cuomo described it .
“ These were people who were out and about shopping and were not people who were in their homes .
They are not people who are isolated .
They are not people who are quarantined .
These are people who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably not essential workers , ” he said .
Well , I ’ m not sure if that ’ s true .
That ’ s what Cuomo said .
And he said , that information “ has to be calibrated.
” So the regional look at this information says , 21.2 % in New York City tested positive for developing antibodies .
16.7 % tested positive in Long Island .
11.7 % tested positive in Westchester and Rockland counties .
That ’ s metropolitan New York area .
The distance from Rockland County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miles .
And Long Island at the edge to downtown Manhattan is about 70 miles .
I know that in New York state they don ’ t pay much attention to upstaters .
There ’ s been a movement in upstate New York where people want to be separate from downstate New York to have two states .
I think that would be a pretty good idea but not something that is going to happen .
In upstate New York as you might imagine , 3.6 % tested positive in the rest of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s very interesting .
And if that ’ s true than here ’ s the key .
If 13 % of the population of New York state is about two million .
If you have a death rate of about 15,000 that would be a less than half of one percent death rate .
That ’ s far far less than people thought .
It ’ s a lot closer to the flu but a little bit higher than the flu .
But this puts things in context .
If this is true @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starkly difficult and troublesome and scary as people thought .
But we ’ ll see how this all plays out .
That ’ s kind of the breaking news .
Up next in our next segments we ’ ll talk to Crom Carmichael , Neil McCabe , and Steve Bannon .

One of the principles asserted by Governor Haslam in support of his IMPROVE Act and its proposed increase of 7 cents per gallon in the gas tax is that “users” of roads should pay for road construction.
The gas tax is proper, he argues, because people who purchase gas to fuel their cars are the users of roads, and the gas tax is the best mechanism to charge them for that usage.
For at least a decade, however, revenue sources originally designed to fund highway construction have been intermingled, and that “user” fee principle has not strictly been applied to the funding of road construction. The IMPROVE Act does not fully address the co-mingling of funds.
The Highway Fund receives road construction “user fee” revenues from gasoline tax, motor fuel tax, gasoline inspection tax, motor vehicle registration tax and the motor vehicle title fees. At least 25 percent of those road construction “user fees” go to the General Fund, Education and Debt Service.
Though the majority of these “user fee” revenues have been allocated to the Highway Fund, between 25 percent and 29 percent of those fees -ranging from $177 million to $196 million annually– have been diverted away from the Highway Fund between FY 2011-12 and FY 2017-18, as Table 1 below illustrates.
Table 1
Highway Fund ‘User Fees’ Allocated to Funds Other than the Highway Fund
FY 2011-12 to FY 2017-18
Fiscal Year Highway Fund”User Fees ” Directed to General Fund, Education & Debt Svc. As % of Highway Fund Total Sales & Use Tax Revenues Sales Tax $ to Highway Fund % Sales Tax to Highway Fund Data Source (Link to Document) Page of Data Source 2017-18 $187,100,000 26.2% $8,861,100,000 $22,600,000 0.26% Estimated 99 of 558 2016-17 $195,200,000 26.5% $8,564,100,000 $22,600,000 0.26% Revised Est. 98 of 558 2015-16 $189,572,000 26.2% $8,267,224,400 $22,625,400 0.27% Actual 97 of 558 2014-15 $177,611,900 25.1% $7,706,018,700 $38,165,000 0.50% Actual 97 of 550 2013-14 $196,234,300 28.9% $7,286,164,500 $53,797,600 0.74% Actual 97 of 542 2012-13 $194,365,000 28.4% $7,012,028,700 $60,902,800 0.87% Actual 97 of 545 2011-12 $193,243,800 28.2% $6,899,944,000 $64,574,000 0.94% Actual 111 of 656
The state of Tennessee budget documents detail the revenue sources and the basis of apportionment for those revenues. For every one of the “user fee” revenues, the Tennessee Code Annotated that directs funds away from the Highway Fund is cited.
There are also allocations to the Highway Fund, such as Gross Receipts Tax-Other and Beer Tax, that would otherwise be considered General Fund revenues, as the majority of those revenues are allocated to the General Fund. However, the increase of 25 to 29 percent to the Highway Fund is net the General Fund dollars.
In the upcoming 2017-18 budget year, the redistribution of “user fees” strictly to the Highway Fund would increase the Highway Fund by $187 million, and combined with the past six years would have added a total of $1.3 billion to the Highway Fund, all without a gas tax increase.
The co-mingling of funds goes both ways.
“Sales and Use Tax” revenues have been and continue to be allocated to the Highway Fund.
During Gov. Haslam’s administration, the percentage of state sales tax revenues allocated to the Highway Fund ranged between 0.26 and 0.94 percent. Essentially, the alternate “Hawk Plan,” named for Rep. David Hawk of Greenville, which allocates 0.25 percent of the sales tax revenues to the Highway Fund has been in effect for years to an even greater extent.


thetennesseestar--2020-04-27--Joe Biden Tells Al Gore He Will Rejoin Paris Climate Accords

Democratic Presidential candidate Joe Biden and former vice president and environmental activist Al Gore , apparently from his Nashville home , had an online environmental pow wow this past week .
During the live Facebook event – dubbed a Climate Change Town Hall – Biden accused President Donald Trump of ignoring science .
Biden promised that , if elected , he would make the United States rejoin the Paris Climate Accords .
Gore , meanwhile , endorsed Biden ’ s candidacy .
Gore also called Trump “ the face of climate change denial and adding pollution to the atmosphere.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he called the benefits of driving electric cars .
Biden said this climate crisis is too urgent to ignore , and then he tried to quote former president John F. Kennedy .
“ JFK said he refused to postpone , you know that one line in his speech we all had to learn when we were kids about going to the moon .
He talked about the one thing , the line that meant the most to me , and it used to drive my college crazy .
It was his phrase , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing this because we refuse to postpone.
’ Well we should say to the nation ‘ I refuse to postpone .
As president , I refuse to postpone taking immediate action , ’ ” Biden said .
“ And , look , I ’ m confident , not only can we address the crisis , we can make most of the opportunity and create 10 million good jobs , make the U.S. the world ’ s clean energy exporter and , [ I am ] more optimistic than I have been since I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what we can do.
” As The Tennessee Star reported earlier this month , Gore said on Real Time with Bill Maher that as president , Joe Biden could appoint former President Barack Obama as a “ Coronavirus Czar.
” As reported last year , Gore won the top Climate Hypocrite Award , given to climate change alarmists who don ’ t practice what they preach .
Senator Jim Inhofe ( R-OK ) presented the award .
As National Center for Public Policy Research Senior Fellow Drew Johnson concluded in a report : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his frenzied efforts to propagandize global warming .
At the same time , Gore has done little to prove his commitment to the cause in his own life .
While Gore encourages people throughout the world to reduce their carbon footprint and make drastic changes to cut energy consumption , Gore ’ s own home electricity use has hypocritically increased to more than 21 times the national average this past year with no sign of slowing down .
As The Star reported last year , taxpayers have paid millions of dollars to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their products out on the road but also furnish electric car charging stations all over Nashville .
Prior reporting shows few people around Nashville appear to use these charging stations .
Some research shows manufacturers of electric cars wouldn ’ t make a tidy profit in a pure free market system because , at least right now , there isn ’ t enough demand for that product .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Image “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” by Joe Biden .

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