thetennesseestar--2020-05-03--Commentary: No, Antarctica Is Not ‘Rapidly Melting’

The BBC , which in September 2018 announced its decision to censor any reports by climate skeptics , continues to propagandize for climate alarmists .
On March 12 , BBC “ Science Correspondent ” Jonathan Amos published an alarming article entitled “ Greenland and Antarctica ice loss accelerating.
” According to Amos , “ Earth ’ s great ice sheets , Greenland and Antarctica , are now losing mass six times faster than they were in the 1990s thanks to warming conditions.
” The BBC was not alone , of course .
Generic journalist NPCs around the world ran with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ version came with a predictably terrifying subhead : “ Losses of ice from Greenland and Antarctica are tracking the worst-case climate scenario , scientists warn.
” USA Today offered its version on March 16 , with a story headlined , “ Greenland and Antarctica are now melting six times faster than in the 1990s , accelerating sea-level rise.
” The source of these dire statistics was a report in the journal Nature , published late last year and released online on March 12 .
The key findings were summarized by NASA and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to certain quantitative assertions that invite skeptical analysis .
Perhaps the most alarming sounding statistic was the following , quoting from NASA/JPL : This sounds like a lot of ice , “ 6.4 trillion tons.
” But it ’ s not .
This equates to 6,400 billion tons , which may also be referred to as 6,400 gigatons , which is 6,400 cubic kilometers .
That would be an ice cube 18.5 kilometers on a side , or , to revert to the imperial system of measures , an ice cube 11.5 miles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this ice cube in the world ’ s oceans and let it melt , it would raise the level of the oceans by 18 millimeters—that ’ s 9/16ths of one inch .
To focus on Antarctica , the report in Nature claimed Antarctica is losing , in recent years , 190 gigatons of ice per year , an amount that supposedly portends an ominous future for coastal cities around the world .
But the total ice mass of Antarctica is generally estimated at 26.5 million gigatons .
This means that the participating scientists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the total ice mass of Antarctica of one seven millionths per year .
You can ’ t even make an easily comprehensible fraction for an amount this infinitesimal .
Expressed using decimals , it ’ s .000007 .
It doesn ’ t take a scientist to wonder if these scientists aren ’ t jumping to conclusions .
This amount of change is way below the noise level .
How on earth—using satellite-based imagers screaming through a polar orbit at nearly 20,000 miles per hour , observing a continent 5.4 million miles in area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is up to three miles thick—can these scientists claim with confidence that they ’ re detecting an annual change in the total ice mass of .0007 percent—and , worse , announce this to the world as if it ’ s terrifying ?
This is the sort of reasoning that the BBC openly censors .
But thank God for the blogosphere to debunk alarmist reports about the cryosphere .
A good anthology of links and summaries of contrarian , non-alarmist findings can be found on the indefatigable Marc Morano ’ s Climate Depot website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ articles by NASA glaciologist Jay Zwally claiming Antarctica is actually gaining ice .
One of the biggest obstacles to accurately measuring the volume of an ice sheet is that the underlying terrain itself changes , uplifting , or subsiding depending on tectonic shifts and other geologic variables .
Available online , from the Journal of Marine Science Research and Oceanography , is an article titled “ The Views of Three Sea Level Specialists.
” The observations by meteorologist Thomas Wysmuller , formerly with NASA , are particularly helpful in understanding the difficulties with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as sea-level trends .
With respect to sea-level rise , Wysmuller explains that “ the most influential driver of local sea level trend happens to be local tectonics , ” and therefore the most accurate long-term measurements of sea level can only be found in places that are “ tectonically inert.
” He cites these areas as reporting a 1 millimeter to 1.2-millimeter rate of annual sea-level rise over the last century , with scant evidence of acceleration .
Wysmuller provides an excellent example of how sea level data is manipulated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from NOAA depicting mean sea level at Seward , Alaska .
The trend line of the long-term tide gauges shows a supposed rapid rise in sea level , but when you observe the actual year over year data , it is clear that sea level was stable both before and after the Alaskan earthquake in 1964 .
At a magnitude of 9.3 , this devastating quake caused the coastal land to fall by 0.9 meters .
But what is reported is the long-term trend line ( red on the chart below ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ green ) helpfully superimposed .
It is impossible to refute every argument made by climate alarmists , because there is a perpetual onslaught of propaganda connecting virtually any topic to climate change .
But voters and politicians have an obligation to look past the hype and perform their own critical reasoning .
Six-point-four-trillion-tons .
That sounds like so much , but in fact it ’ s just a drop in the ocean .
And as for Greenland , why is it called Greenland ?
Because in “ Old Greenland , ” back in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hundred years thereafter , parts of this harsh land were green .
To this day there are ruins of churches , anchoring settlements where thousands lived until the little ice age drove them out .
And what about “ thermal expansion ” of the oceans ?
Then why is there no indisputable evidence of sea levels rising ?
And why wouldn ’ t increased evaporation in a thermally expanded , warmer ocean , offset the thermal expansion ?
These questions deserve discussion and answers .
But the BBC , along with most other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and suppress answers with which they do not agree .
Former presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg , when talking about his policy positions , was fond of prefacing a remark with the phrase “ science says .
.
.
” But using the words “ science says ” as a way to gain credibility and stifle debate is not scientific .
The lifeblood of science is skepticism .
It is supposed to be the lifeblood of journalism as well .
And when it comes to climate change , “ science ” knows a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s easy to wonder if the sheer volume of panic being spread on the issue of climate change is a conspiracy .
But it doesn ’ t have to be a conspiracy to be this pervasive , it just has to fit the world view of a critical mass of special interests .
And that it does .
Anyone who believes in socialism , or just in bigger government , will favor the climate alarmist narrative .
Anyone who believes in globalism and the withering away of national sovereignty will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As for private opportunists , from rent-seeking multinational corporations to local environmental impact consultants , climate alarmism is a gold mine .
Worst of all is not just the censorship of skeptical voices , but the demonization of skeptics .
For example , a Google search on Thomas Wysmuller reveals links to several websites devoted to nothing but smearing and defaming him and everybody like him .
But it is the documented facts and logical integrity of Wysmuller ’ s arguments that must be considered , not the attacks on his character made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to these left-wing , slime-slinging websites is the best way to quickly learn who ’ s willing to tell the other side of the story ; perhaps it ’ s where we find the good guys .
Edward Ring is a senior fellow of the Center for American Greatness and co-founder of the California Policy Center , which he co-founded in 2013 .

by Edward Ring
The BBC, which in September 2018 announced its decision to censor any reports by climate skeptics, continues to propagandize for climate alarmists. On March 12, BBC “Science Correspondent” Jonathan Amos published an alarming article entitled “Greenland and Antarctica ice loss accelerating.” According to Amos, “Earth’s great ice sheets, Greenland and Antarctica, are now losing mass six times faster than they were in the 1990s thanks to warming conditions.”
The BBC was not alone, of course. Generic journalist NPCs around the world ran with the story. The Guardian’s version came with a predictably terrifying subhead: “Losses of ice from Greenland and Antarctica are tracking the worst-case climate scenario, scientists warn.” USA Today offered its version on March 16, with a story headlined, “Greenland and Antarctica are now melting six times faster than in the 1990s, accelerating sea-level rise.”
The source of these dire statistics was a report in the journal Nature, published late last year and released online on March 12. The key findings were summarized by NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and come down to certain quantitative assertions that invite skeptical analysis.
Perhaps the most alarming sounding statistic was the following, quoting from NASA/JPL:
The two regions [Greenland and Antarctica] have lost 6.4 trillion tons of ice in three decades; unabated, this rate of melting could cause flooding that affects hundreds of millions of people by 2100.
This sounds like a lot of ice, “6.4 trillion tons.” But it’s not. This equates to 6,400 billion tons, which may also be referred to as 6,400 gigatons, which is 6,400 cubic kilometers. That would be an ice cube 18.5 kilometers on a side, or, to revert to the imperial system of measures, an ice cube 11.5 miles on a side. If you dropped this ice cube in the world’s oceans and let it melt, it would raise the level of the oceans by 18 millimeters—that’s 9/16ths of one inch.
How horrible.
To focus on Antarctica, the report in Nature claimed Antarctica is losing, in recent years, 190 gigatons of ice per year, an amount that supposedly portends an ominous future for coastal cities around the world. But the total ice mass of Antarctica is generally estimated at 26.5 million gigatons. This means that the participating scientists claim they can observe a change in the total ice mass of Antarctica of one seven millionths per year. You can’t even make an easily comprehensible fraction for an amount this infinitesimal. Expressed using decimals, it’s .000007.
It doesn’t take a scientist to wonder if these scientists aren’t jumping to conclusions. This amount of change is way below the noise level. How on earth—using satellite-based imagers screaming through a polar orbit at nearly 20,000 miles per hour, observing a continent 5.4 million miles in area, covered with an ice sheet that is up to three miles thick—can these scientists claim with confidence that they’re detecting an annual change in the total ice mass of .0007 percent—and, worse, announce this to the world as if it’s terrifying?
This is the sort of reasoning that the BBC openly censors. But thank God for the blogosphere to debunk alarmist reports about the cryosphere.
A good anthology of links and summaries of contrarian, non-alarmist findings can be found on the indefatigable Marc Morano’s Climate Depot website. Included in a recent post are articles by NASA glaciologist Jay Zwally claiming Antarctica is actually gaining ice.
One of the biggest obstacles to accurately measuring the volume of an ice sheet is that the underlying terrain itself changes, uplifting, or subsiding depending on tectonic shifts and other geologic variables. Available online, from the Journal of Marine Science Research and Oceanography, is an article titled “The Views of Three Sea Level Specialists.” The observations by meteorologist Thomas Wysmuller, formerly with NASA, are particularly helpful in understanding the difficulties with measuring Antarctica’s ice mass, as well as sea-level trends.
With respect to sea-level rise, Wysmuller explains that “the most influential driver of local sea level trend happens to be local tectonics,” and therefore the most accurate long-term measurements of sea level can only be found in places that are “tectonically inert.” He cites these areas as reporting a 1 millimeter to 1.2-millimeter rate of annual sea-level rise over the last century, with scant evidence of acceleration.
Wysmuller provides an excellent example of how sea level data is manipulated by alarmists, by showing a chart from NOAA depicting mean sea level at Seward, Alaska. The trend line of the long-term tide gauges shows a supposed rapid rise in sea level, but when you observe the actual year over year data, it is clear that sea level was stable both before and after the Alaskan earthquake in 1964. At a magnitude of 9.3, this devastating quake caused the coastal land to fall by 0.9 meters. But what is reported is the long-term trend line (red on the chart below), with the long-term C02 PPM line (green) helpfully superimposed.
It is impossible to refute every argument made by climate alarmists, because there is a perpetual onslaught of propaganda connecting virtually any topic to climate change. But voters and politicians have an obligation to look past the hype and perform their own critical reasoning. Six-point-four-trillion-tons. That sounds like so much, but in fact it’s just a drop in the ocean.
And as for Greenland, why is it called Greenland? Because in “Old Greenland,” back in the 10th century and for a few hundred years thereafter, parts of this harsh land were green. To this day there are ruins of churches, anchoring settlements where thousands lived until the little ice age drove them out.
And what about “thermal expansion” of the oceans? Then why is there no indisputable evidence of sea levels rising? And why wouldn’t increased evaporation in a thermally expanded, warmer ocean, offset the thermal expansion? These questions deserve discussion and answers. But the BBC, along with most other mainstream and online media, suppress discussion, and suppress answers with which they do not agree.
Former presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg, when talking about his policy positions, was fond of prefacing a remark with the phrase “science says . . . ” But using the words “science says” as a way to gain credibility and stifle debate is not scientific. The lifeblood of science is skepticism. It is supposed to be the lifeblood of journalism as well. And when it comes to climate change, “science” knows a lot less than its self-proclaimed spokespersons claim.
It’s easy to wonder if the sheer volume of panic being spread on the issue of climate change is a conspiracy. But it doesn’t have to be a conspiracy to be this pervasive, it just has to fit the world view of a critical mass of special interests. And that it does.
Anyone who believes in socialism, or just in bigger government, will favor the climate alarmist narrative. Anyone who believes in globalism and the withering away of national sovereignty will be similarly attracted to climate alarmism. As for private opportunists, from rent-seeking multinational corporations to local environmental impact consultants, climate alarmism is a gold mine.
Worst of all is not just the censorship of skeptical voices, but the demonization of skeptics. For example, a Google search on Thomas Wysmuller reveals links to several websites devoted to nothing but smearing and defaming him and everybody like him. But it is the documented facts and logical integrity of Wysmuller’s arguments that must be considered, not the attacks on his character made by his ideological enemies.
Perhaps referring to these left-wing, slime-slinging websites is the best way to quickly learn who’s willing to tell the other side of the story; perhaps it’s where we find the good guys.
– – –
Edward Ring is a senior fellow of the Center for American Greatness and co-founder of the California Policy Center, which he co-founded in 2013.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-03--Protesters in Vehicles Clog Streets Outside Minnesota Capitol in Opposition to Stay at Home Order

Protesters clogged the streets with their vehicles outside the Minnesota Capitol Saturday afternoon in protest of Gov .
Tim Walz ’ s stay-at-home order .
Video of the event shows a swarm of vehicles lined up outside the Capitol , with passengers waving American flags and Trump flags from their car windows .
“ We ’ re here because we don ’ t think the governor has the authority to shut down the state .
We think it ’ s wrong that he ’ s shutting down the state , killing the economy , ” one protester told Breitbart News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of defying and standing up to a tyrannical government and that ’ s why people are here today.
” Gov .
Walz announced Thursday that he would be extending the state ’ s stay-at-home order for an additional two weeks , but with some minor modifications .
The announcement marked the second extension of the stay-at-home order , which initially went into effect on March 27 .
The order was set to expire Monday , but now has been extended until May 18 .
“ You need to free up the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to work .
You need to change this immediately , ” another demonstrator said .
The Saturday protest was at least the second organized demonstration against Gov .
Walz since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic .
In April , President Donald Trump expressed his support for the hundreds of Minnesotans who gathered outside the Governor ’ s Residence to protest Walz .
“ LIBERATE MINNESOTA , ” the president wrote on Twitter .
A few days later , the president said he “ received a very nice call ” from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all he needs and fast.
” Republicans continue to voice their opposition to extending the stay-at-home order and have unsuccessfully attempted on three occasions to end the governor ’ s peacetime emergency .
House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt ( R-Crown ) said the extension of the stay-at-home order “ could be a devastating setback ” for many small businesses “ that they may not recover from.
” “ Main Street businesses have been forced for weeks to remain closed while big box stores have been able to keep their doors open , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I hope the governor will move as quickly , and with as much advance notice as possible to help other businesses reopen their doors .
Every day that goes by risks the permanent closure of businesses that are staples in our communities.
” As of Saturday , Minnesota had 6,228 confirmed COVID-19 cases , 1,159 cumulative hospitalizations , and 395 deaths , the Department of Health said .
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Breitbart News .

Protesters clogged the streets with their vehicles outside the Minnesota Capitol Saturday afternoon in protest of Gov. Tim Walz’s stay-at-home order.
Video of the event shows a swarm of vehicles lined up outside the Capitol, with passengers waving American flags and Trump flags from their car windows.
“We’re here because we don’t think the governor has the authority to shut down the state. We think it’s wrong that he’s shutting down the state, killing the economy,” one protester told Breitbart News. “The history of America is one of defying and standing up to a tyrannical government and that’s why people are here today.”
Gov. Walz announced Thursday that he would be extending the state’s stay-at-home order for an additional two weeks, but with some minor modifications. The announcement marked the second extension of the stay-at-home order, which initially went into effect on March 27. The order was set to expire Monday, but now has been extended until May 18.
“You need to free up the state. You need to let people get back to work. You need to change this immediately,” another demonstrator said.
The Saturday protest was at least the second organized demonstration against Gov. Walz since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. In April, President Donald Trump expressed his support for the hundreds of Minnesotans who gathered outside the Governor’s Residence to protest Walz.
“LIBERATE MINNESOTA,” the president wrote on Twitter. A few days later, the president said he “received a very nice call” from the governor and promised to get “him all he needs and fast.”
Republicans continue to voice their opposition to extending the stay-at-home order and have unsuccessfully attempted on three occasions to end the governor’s peacetime emergency.
House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt (R-Crown) said the extension of the stay-at-home order “could be a devastating setback” for many small businesses “that they may not recover from.”
“Main Street businesses have been forced for weeks to remain closed while big box stores have been able to keep their doors open,” he said in a statement. “I hope the governor will move as quickly, and with as much advance notice as possible to help other businesses reopen their doors. Every day that goes by risks the permanent closure of businesses that are staples in our communities.”
As of Saturday, Minnesota had 6,228 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 1,159 cumulative hospitalizations, and 395 deaths, the Department of Health said.
– – –
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Minnesota Protest” by Breitbart News.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-03--KARE 11 Fires Meteorologist After He Called Anti-Shutdown Protesters ‘Nazi Sympathizers’

KARE 11 announced Friday that it has fired popular meteorologist Sven Sundgaard after he called opponents of the ongoing economic shutdowns “ Nazi sympathizer gun fetishist miscreants.
” “ Due to the continued violations of KARE 11 ’ s news ethics and other policies , we have made the decision to part ways with Sven Sundgaard .
We hope you continue to turn to KARE 11 for your news , traffic , weather and more , ” the station said in a statement posted to Facebook .
Sundgaard has yet to publicly comment on his departure from the network , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longtime fixture at the station sparked controversy late last month after he re-posted and then deleted a statement from Minneapolis Rabbi Michael Adam Latz on his Facebook page .
“ I understand that the press has an obligation to cover the rallies at state capitols by the ‘ liberate the state ’ white nationalist Nazi sympathizer gun fetishist miscreants .
We must pay attention to armed extremists , ” the post said , according to Alpha News .
Sundgaard shared the comments to his Facebook page just two days after hundreds of Minnesotans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in St. Paul to protest Gov .
Tim Walz and his stay-at-home order .
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Jason Lewis criticized Sundgaard for the comments and called on KARE 11 to fire him .
“ Today ’ s forecast : mostly sunny with a chance of idiocy , ” said Lewis .
“ COVID-19 models are about as accurate as his forecasts .
KARE 11 should fire him.
” In a 2015 interview with The Star Tribune , Sundgaard compared people who fly Confederate flags to Germans who want to fly the Nazi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That infuriates me when I see it on a car here , even , ” he said of a group of protesters who greeted former President Barack Obama while waving Confederate flags .
“ Actually what I ’ ve likened it to , and I don ’ t think it ’ s an exaggeration , let ’ s pretend that Germany were a state in the U.S. and they still wanted to fly the Nazi flag .
Get real , ” he added .
KARE 11 has declined to comment on Sundgaard ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Sven Sungaard ” by Sven Sungaard .
Background Photo “ Kare 11 Logo ” by Kare 11 .

KARE 11 announced Friday that it has fired popular meteorologist Sven Sundgaard after he called opponents of the ongoing economic shutdowns “Nazi sympathizer gun fetishist miscreants.”
“Due to the continued violations of KARE 11’s news ethics and other policies, we have made the decision to part ways with Sven Sundgaard. We hope you continue to turn to KARE 11 for your news, traffic, weather and more,” the station said in a statement posted to Facebook.
Sundgaard has yet to publicly comment on his departure from the network, which he joined in 2006. The longtime fixture at the station sparked controversy late last month after he re-posted and then deleted a statement from Minneapolis Rabbi Michael Adam Latz on his Facebook page.
“I understand that the press has an obligation to cover the rallies at state capitols by the ‘liberate the state’ white nationalist Nazi sympathizer gun fetishist miscreants. We must pay attention to armed extremists,” the post said, according to Alpha News.
Sundgaard shared the comments to his Facebook page just two days after hundreds of Minnesotans gathered outside the Governor’s Residence in St. Paul to protest Gov. Tim Walz and his stay-at-home order.
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Jason Lewis criticized Sundgaard for the comments and called on KARE 11 to fire him.
“Today’s forecast: mostly sunny with a chance of idiocy,” said Lewis. “COVID-19 models are about as accurate as his forecasts. KARE 11 should fire him.”
Today’s forecast: mostly sunny w/ a chance of idiocy. First ‘sports reporter’ @KFANRosen attacks the right to peaceably assemble. Now ‘weatherman’ @svensundgaard does this. #Covid_19 models are about as accurate as his forecasts.@kare11 should fire him!https://t.co/awo2Wiesfo — Jason Lewis (@LewisForMN) April 30, 2020
In a 2015 interview with The Star Tribune, Sundgaard compared people who fly Confederate flags to Germans who want to fly the Nazi flag.
“Hate and racism. That infuriates me when I see it on a car here, even,” he said of a group of protesters who greeted former President Barack Obama while waving Confederate flags.
“Actually what I’ve likened it to, and I don’t think it’s an exaggeration, let’s pretend that Germany were a state in the U.S. and they still wanted to fly the Nazi flag. Get real,” he added.
KARE 11 has declined to comment on Sundgaard’s departure beyond its public statement.
– – –
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Sven Sungaard” by Sven Sungaard. Background Photo “Kare 11 Logo” by Kare 11.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-03--State Rep. John Becker Will Introduce a Bill That Would Alter All Ohio Mandatory Coronavirus Public

State Rep. John Becker Will Introduce a Bill That Would Alter All Ohio Mandatory Coronavirus Public Health Orders

State Rep. John Becker ( R-Union Township ) plans to introduce a bill when the Ohio General Assembly opens up again next week that would make all public health orders issued by the Ohio Department of Health ( ODH ) Director Amy Acton advisory measures rather than mandatory measures , according to The Cincinnati Enquirer .
For an Acton prescribed public health order to be considered mandatory , the Ohio legislation would need to approve of it , Becker told The Enquirer .
On Friday , the ODH extended the state ’ s stay-at-home order till May 29 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” which replaced the current stay-at-home order that ended Friday night , incorporates the business and service openings announced as part of the Responsible RestartOhio plan , according to the Gov .
Mike DeWine ’ s press release .
Becker has been a vocal critic of DeWine and Acton closing Ohio ’ s economy down .
In the latest issue of The Becker Report , which acts as a newsletter for the House member , he called for Ohio to reopen businesses .
“ We could have discussions about the legal authority , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s decision to shut down Ohio ’ s economy .
Without regard to that , we are clearly on the downside of the curve .
The risk of overwhelming the healthcare system is no longer there ( and perhaps never was ) , ” Becker wrote .
“ I fully support businesses and individuals being made whole , ” he added , “ Their plight is no fault of their own .
It is a direct result of state government policy and the state bears full responsibility for it.
” Ohio ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went into a stay-at-home order on March 23 .
Over the last six weeks , more than 1 million people have asked the government for assistance .
The Buckeye State has accounted for almost four percent of America ’ s 30.3 million jobless claims .
Becker told The Enquirer that he doesn ’ t know how many other Republicans will support his bill .
This week other Republican House members issued a letter to DeWine asking him to reopen the state ’ s economy .
Thirty-three Republican House members penned a plan called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This plan advised that businesses be opened on Friday .
“ Many businesses have already modified their operating protocols to safely function in this current environment .
Businesses/organizations recognize if they do not make it safe for their employees and customers , they will not come back , ” the plan states .
“ We believe it is time to trust Ohioans .
They have respectfully followed the guidelines and NOW is the time to responsibly open all businesses.
” Despite DeWine ’ s high approval rating amongst Ohioans , Becker predicts that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ His reckless decision to shut down Ohio ’ s economy and keep it shut down will have long-term negative consequences , ” The Becker Report published on April 30 said .
“ The voters will rebel in November and Republicans across the state will suffer at the polls .
Should Governor DeWine run for re-election in 2022 , he will either be defeated in a primary or in November of that year.
” As of Saturday , Ohio has 18,537 cases and 1,021 deaths , according to ODH numbers .
Zachery Schmidt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Digital Media .
If you have any tips , email Zachery at [ email protected ] Background Photo “ Ohio House of Representatives Chamber ” by Joshua Rothaas .
CC BY 2.0 .

State Rep. John Becker (R-Union Township) plans to introduce a bill when the Ohio General Assembly opens up again next week that would make all public health orders issued by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Director Amy Acton advisory measures rather than mandatory measures, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer.
For an Acton prescribed public health order to be considered mandatory, the Ohio legislation would need to approve of it, Becker told The Enquirer.
On Friday, the ODH extended the state’s stay-at-home order till May 29. The new “Stay Safe Ohio Order,” which replaced the current stay-at-home order that ended Friday night, incorporates the business and service openings announced as part of the Responsible RestartOhio plan, according to the Gov. Mike DeWine’s press release.
Becker has been a vocal critic of DeWine and Acton closing Ohio’s economy down. In the latest issue of The Becker Report, which acts as a newsletter for the House member, he called for Ohio to reopen businesses.
“We could have discussions about the legal authority, if any, of the governor’s decision to shut down Ohio’s economy. Without regard to that, we are clearly on the downside of the curve. The risk of overwhelming the healthcare system is no longer there (and perhaps never was),” Becker wrote.
“I fully support businesses and individuals being made whole,” he added, “Their plight is no fault of their own. It is a direct result of state government policy and the state bears full responsibility for it.”
Ohio’s economy has been reeling since the state went into a stay-at-home order on March 23. Over the last six weeks, more than 1 million people have asked the government for assistance. The Buckeye State has accounted for almost four percent of America’s 30.3 million jobless claims.
Becker told The Enquirer that he doesn’t know how many other Republicans will support his bill.
This week other Republican House members issued a letter to DeWine asking him to reopen the state’s economy. Thirty-three Republican House members penned a plan called the “Open Ohio Responsibly Framework.” This plan advised that businesses be opened on Friday.
“Many businesses have already modified their operating protocols to safely function in this current environment. Businesses/organizations recognize if they do not make it safe for their employees and customers, they will not come back,” the plan states. “We believe it is time to trust Ohioans. They have respectfully followed the guidelines and NOW is the time to responsibly open all businesses.”
Healthcare industry businesses opened on Friday.
Despite DeWine’s high approval rating amongst Ohioans, Becker predicts that he will be a one-term governor.
“His reckless decision to shut down Ohio’s economy and keep it shut down will have long-term negative consequences,” The Becker Report published on April 30 said. “The voters will rebel in November and Republicans across the state will suffer at the polls. Should Governor DeWine run for re-election in 2022, he will either be defeated in a primary or in November of that year.”
As of Saturday, Ohio has 18,537 cases and 1,021 deaths, according to ODH numbers.
– – –
Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media. If you have any tips, email Zachery at [email protected]
Background Photo “Ohio House of Representatives Chamber” by Joshua Rothaas. CC BY 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-03--Michigan Legislature Doesn’t Extend State of Emergency, Authorizes Suing Whitmer Over COVID-19 Respo

Michigan Legislature Doesn’t Extend State of Emergency, Authorizes Suing Whitmer Over COVID-19 Response

The Michigan legislature adjourned Thursday without extending Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ’ s state of emergency .
The House and Senate adopted House Resolution 250 via voice vote .
The resolution authorizes House Speaker Lee Chatfield , R-Levering , to challenge legally Whitmer ’ s authority to continue the state of emergency without legislative authorization .
“ The idea we want to put an abrupt end to the state of emergency and go back to normal immediately is a lazy political talking point , ” Chatfield said in a statement .
“ We all agree Michigan must continue taking strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease.
” Chatfield cited the 1.2 million out of work Michiganders in their decision .
He argued that “ we can both protect the public health and protect the individual people who make up our great state.
” “ We need to take decisive action to fight the spread of the coronavirus , but this governor ’ s unchecked and undemocratic approach is the wrong way to do it , ” Chatfield said .
“ The current status quo relies on one-size-fits-all edicts that unfairly punish millions of people across the state without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the process .
The people deserve a better solution , and we can provide it.
” The GOP-led legislature and Whitmer disagree over the authorization required to extend the governor ’ s state of emergency .
Whitmer cites a 1945 law to support her claim she can act unilaterally .
The legislature approved Senate Bill 858 , which codifies some of Whitmer ’ s executive orders , including protections against so-called price gouging , easing certificate of need requirements for health care facilities , and extending the ban on evictions until June 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Whitmer ’ s stay-home order lasting until May 15 .
The legislation looks to allow bars and other places of public accommodations to open May 15 if they adopt social distancing guidelines , heightened cleaning standards , and provide personal protective equipment to employees .
“ We can no longer allow one person to make decisions for 10 million people , ” Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey , R-Clarklake , said .
Whitmer says she won ’ t sign a bill that limits her executive powers .
“ The Republican leadership is woefully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Michiganders overwhelmingly support the governor and Democrats handling of this unprecedented crisis , ” Greig said in a statement .
“ Impeding the governor ’ s ability to quickly respond to the present crisis is frighteningly disconnected from the reality facing Michigan families and communities coping with COVID-19 .
It is past time we got to work for the people of Michigan and delivered real solutions.
” Shirkey said the governor ’ s rule through executive order omitted Michiganders ’ voices .
“ Citizens count on a government structure of checks and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The legislature is the voice of the people and we must have a seat at the table to ensure the concerns of our constituents are considered as part of the decision-making process.
” 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 financial analyst at Pepsi .

by Scott McClallen
The Michigan legislature adjourned Thursday without extending Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s state of emergency.
The House and Senate adopted House Resolution 250 via voice vote.
The resolution authorizes House Speaker Lee Chatfield, R-Levering, to challenge legally Whitmer’s authority to continue the state of emergency without legislative authorization.
“The idea we want to put an abrupt end to the state of emergency and go back to normal immediately is a lazy political talking point,” Chatfield said in a statement. “We all agree Michigan must continue taking strong steps to fight the spread of this disease.”
Chatfield cited the 1.2 million out of work Michiganders in their decision.
He argued that “we can both protect the public health and protect the individual people who make up our great state.”
“We need to take decisive action to fight the spread of the coronavirus, but this governor’s unchecked and undemocratic approach is the wrong way to do it,” Chatfield said.
“The current status quo relies on one-size-fits-all edicts that unfairly punish millions of people across the state without giving them any recourse or voice in the process. The people deserve a better solution, and we can provide it.”
The GOP-led legislature and Whitmer disagree over the authorization required to extend the governor’s state of emergency.
Whitmer cites a 1945 law to support her claim she can act unilaterally.
Republicans point to a 1976 law to argue Whitmer’s powers expired overnight.
The legislature approved Senate Bill 858, which codifies some of Whitmer’s executive orders, including protections against so-called price gouging, easing certificate of need requirements for health care facilities, and extending the ban on evictions until June 30.
The bill doesn’t include Whitmer’s stay-home order lasting until May 15.
The legislation looks to allow bars and other places of public accommodations to open May 15 if they adopt social distancing guidelines, heightened cleaning standards, and provide personal protective equipment to employees.
“We can no longer allow one person to make decisions for 10 million people,” Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake, said.
Whitmer says she won’t sign a bill that limits her executive powers.
House Minority Leader Christine Greig, D-Farmington Hills, called House Republican’s actions “political theater.”
“The Republican leadership is woefully out-of-touch with the fact that a majority of Michiganders overwhelmingly support the governor and Democrats handling of this unprecedented crisis,” Greig said in a statement.
“Impeding the governor’s ability to quickly respond to the present crisis is frighteningly disconnected from the reality facing Michigan families and communities coping with COVID-19. It is past time we got to work for the people of Michigan and delivered real solutions.”
Shirkey said the governor’s rule through executive order omitted Michiganders’ voices.
“Citizens count on a government structure of checks and balances,” he said. “The legislature is the voice of the people and we must have a seat at the table to ensure the concerns of our constituents are considered as part of the decision-making process.”
– – –
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 financial analyst at Pepsi.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-03--Over 1,000 Inmates at Trousdale Prison Test Positive for COVID-19

Exactly 1,349 inmates and staff at the Hartsville-based Trousdale Turner Correctional Center tested positive for COVID-19 this week , according to press releases from both Gov .
Bill Lee and CoreCivic , which operates the facility .
Out of 2,444 inmates tested , exactly 1,299 tested positive for COVID-19 , while 50 staff members , out of 281 tested , also had the virus , according to CoreCivic .
Staff for The Tennessee Department of Correction did not return The Tennessee Star ’ s repeated requests for comment Saturday .
No one at CoreCivic was available to speak Saturday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ All of the inmates and staff were asymptomatic at the time of testing .
This is consistent with other correctional systems , which are reporting that 96 percent of inmates who tested positive are asymptomatic .
Across all inmates and staff , only two inmates at the Trousdale Turner Correctional Center have exhibited symptoms related to COVID-19 , and they both are receiving medical attention at a nearby hospital , ” according to CoreCivic .
“ The facility is currently conducting contact tracing for all staff and inmates .
Prior to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there were 12 confirmed COVID-19 cases among our staff .
All of these employees are self-isolating at home and are in regular communication with their healthcare providers.
” CoreCivic staff also said the rate of infection at the Trousdale Turner Correctional Center is consistent with or below what other correctional systems nationally have reported .
Members of Tennessee ’ s Unified Command Group , meanwhile , announced this week that all Tennessee Department of Correction inmates will test for COVID-19 beginning next week , according to the governor ’ s website .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , targeted facility testing that TDOC staff conducted at the Bledsoe County and Northwest Correctional Complexes on April 10 , and at the Turney Center Industrial Complex on April 19 , Lee ’ s website said .
CoreCivic officials said they will launch a 24-hour COVID-19 information hotline for family members of incarcerated individuals .
The hotline will operate 24 hours a day , seven days a week .
People who wish to call the hotline may do so at ( 615 ) 263-3200 .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Email tips to [ email protected ]

Exactly 1,349 inmates and staff at the Hartsville-based Trousdale Turner Correctional Center tested positive for COVID-19 this week, according to press releases from both Gov. Bill Lee and CoreCivic, which operates the facility.
Out of 2,444 inmates tested, exactly 1,299 tested positive for COVID-19, while 50 staff members, out of 281 tested, also had the virus, according to CoreCivic.
Staff for The Tennessee Department of Correction did not return The Tennessee Star’s repeated requests for comment Saturday.
No one at CoreCivic was available to speak Saturday, but staff said this on their website:
“All of the inmates and staff were asymptomatic at the time of testing. This is consistent with other correctional systems, which are reporting that 96 percent of inmates who tested positive are asymptomatic. Across all inmates and staff, only two inmates at the Trousdale Turner Correctional Center have exhibited symptoms related to COVID-19, and they both are receiving medical attention at a nearby hospital,” according to CoreCivic.
“The facility is currently conducting contact tracing for all staff and inmates. Prior to this round of employee and contractor testing, there were 12 confirmed COVID-19 cases among our staff. All of these employees are self-isolating at home and are in regular communication with their healthcare providers.”
CoreCivic staff also said the rate of infection at the Trousdale Turner Correctional Center is consistent with or below what other correctional systems nationally have reported.
Members of Tennessee’s Unified Command Group, meanwhile, announced this week that all Tennessee Department of Correction inmates will test for COVID-19 beginning next week, according to the governor’s website.
The statewide mass testing initiative follows additional, targeted facility testing that TDOC staff conducted at the Bledsoe County and Northwest Correctional Complexes on April 10, and at the Turney Center Industrial Complex on April 19, Lee’s website said.
CoreCivic officials said they will launch a 24-hour COVID-19 information hotline for family members of incarcerated individuals. The hotline will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. People who wish to call the hotline may do so at (615) 263-3200.
– – –
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected]


thetennesseestar--2020-05-04--MTSU Intends to Resume On-Campus, In-Person Classes this Fall

Middle Tennessee State University officials have announced they will move forward with COVID-19 preparations with a goal of resuming on-campus , in-person classes and operations in August for the Fall 2020 semester .
MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee announced the news in a press release late last week .
“ The task before me as president … is to chart a course that will allow us to welcome our new incoming freshman class , transfers and returning students , as well as faculty and staff , to a safe and healthy campus for the new academic year , ” McPhee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions ultimately will be guided by the advice and recommendations of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) and state public health officials concerning the Coronavirus.
” The pandemic forced the university to make many difficult decisions over the past few weeks .
These included transitioning thousands of on-ground classes to online delivery of instruction with less than two weeks ’ notice , to the cancellation of many on-campus events and activities .
Those activities included the Spring 2020 commencement exercises .
The president said University Provost Mark Byrnes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , staff , students , alumni and community leaders who will recommend how to reopen in the fall and how to adapt to the new environment .
McPhee said the university “ will act quickly , but carefully , keeping the safety of our community at the forefront of our planning.
” “ While we can not predict the future , we can prepare for the possibilities that lie ahead , ” McPhee said .
“ Will everything be just like it once was ?
Unlikely , but we will be prepared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efficient , effective , and even more relevant as our nation emerges from this crisis.
” Meanwhile , McPhee said there will be “ many questions about our plans ” and that “ we will address them as we learn more about the status of the virus and its impact.
’ “ Again , I want to emphasize that we will consider the health and welfare of our community with every decision we make , ” McPhee said .
“ We will be prepared to adapt should public health guidelines or orders dictate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acknowledged the resiliency and adaptability of the university ’ s faculty and students and reaffirmed his belief in their abilities to adjust to an ever-evolving situation , just as the university has done in times past .
“ I have no doubt that we will demonstrate that resolve once again , as we move beyond the health and financial challenges our world is facing from this horrific pandemic , ” McPhee said .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sidney McPhee ” by MSTU .

Middle Tennessee State University officials have announced they will move forward with COVID-19 preparations with a goal of resuming on-campus, in-person classes and operations in August for the Fall 2020 semester.
MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee announced the news in a press release late last week.
“The task before me as president … is to chart a course that will allow us to welcome our new incoming freshman class, transfers and returning students, as well as faculty and staff, to a safe and healthy campus for the new academic year,” McPhee said.
“Please know that our actions ultimately will be guided by the advice and recommendations of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state public health officials concerning the Coronavirus.”
The pandemic forced the university to make many difficult decisions over the past few weeks. These included transitioning thousands of on-ground classes to online delivery of instruction with less than two weeks’ notice, to the cancellation of many on-campus events and activities. Those activities included the Spring 2020 commencement exercises.
The president said University Provost Mark Byrnes is heading a task force of faculty, staff, students, alumni and community leaders who will recommend how to reopen in the fall and how to adapt to the new environment.
McPhee said the university “will act quickly, but carefully, keeping the safety of our community at the forefront of our planning.”
“While we cannot predict the future, we can prepare for the possibilities that lie ahead,” McPhee said.
“Will everything be just like it once was? Unlikely, but we will be prepared to adapt and evolve so that we remain efficient, effective, and even more relevant as our nation emerges from this crisis.”
Meanwhile, McPhee said there will be “many questions about our plans” and that “we will address them as we learn more about the status of the virus and its impact.’
“Again, I want to emphasize that we will consider the health and welfare of our community with every decision we make,” McPhee said.
“We will be prepared to adapt should public health guidelines or orders dictate that we alter our plans.”
McPhee acknowledged the resiliency and adaptability of the university’s faculty and students and reaffirmed his belief in their abilities to adjust to an ever-evolving situation, just as the university has done in times past.
“I have no doubt that we will demonstrate that resolve once again, as we move beyond the health and financial challenges our world is facing from this horrific pandemic,” McPhee said.
Watch McPhee’s full statement:
– – –
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “MSTU President Sidney McPhee” by MSTU.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-04--Commentary: That Americans Were Poorly Educated Before Mass Government Schooling Is a Myth

Parents the world over are dealing with massive adjustments in their children ’ s education that they could not have anticipated just three months ago .
To one degree or another , pandemic-induced school closures are creating the “ mass homeschooling ” that FEE ’ s senior education fellow Kerry McDonald predicted two months ago .
Who knows , with millions of youngsters absent from government school classrooms , maybe education will become as good as it was before the government ever got involved .
“ What ?
” you exclaim !
“ Wasn ’ t education lousy or non-existent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and subsidized it ?
That ’ s what my government schoolteachers assured me so it must be true , ” you say !
The fact is , at least in early America , education was better and more widespread than most people today realize or were ever told .
Sometimes it wasn ’ t “ book learning ” but it was functional and built for the world most young people confronted at the time .
Even without laptops and swimming pools , and on a fraction of what government schools spend today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in our first hundred years .
I was reminded a few days ago of the amazing achievements of early American education while reading the enthralling book by bestselling author Stephen Mansfield , Lincoln ’ s Battle With God : A President ’ s Struggle With Faith and What It Meant for America .
It traces the spiritual journey of America ’ s 16th president—from fiery atheist to one whose last words to his wife on that tragic evening at Ford ’ s Theater were a promise to “ visit the Holy Land and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Savior.
” In a moment , I ’ ll cite a revealing , extended passage from Mansfield ’ s book but first , I ’ d like to offer some excellent , related works that come mostly from FEE ’ s own archives .
In 1983 , Robert A. Peterson ’ s “ Education in Colonial America ” revealed some stunning facts and figures .
“ The Federalist Papers , which are seldom read or understood today even in our universities , ” explains Peterson , “ were written for and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rates were as high or higher than they are today.
” Incredibly , “ A study conducted in 1800 by DuPont de Nemours revealed that only four in a thousand Americans were unable to read and write legibly ” [ emphasis mine ] .
Well into the 19th Century , writes Susan Alder in “ Education in America , ” “ parents did not even consider that the civil government in any way had the responsibility or should assume the responsibility of providing for the education of children.
” Only one state ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the Civil War , yet literacy rates were among the highest in our history .
Great Britain experienced similar trends .
In 1996 , Edwin West wrote in “ The Spread of Education Before Compulsion in Britain and America in the Nineteenth Century ” that “ when national compulsion was enacted ( [ in 1880 ] , over 95 percent of fifteen-year-olds were literate.
” More than a century later , “ 40 percent of 21-year-olds in the United Kingdom admit [ ted ] to difficulties with writing and spelling.
” Laws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to as early as 1740 , but the desire to read proved too strong to prevent its steady growth even under bondage .
For purposes of religious instruction , it was not uncommon for slaves to be taught reading but not writing .
Many taught themselves to write , or learned to do so with the help of others willing to flout the law .
Government efforts to outlaw the education of blacks in the Old South may not have been much more effective than today ’ s drug laws .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
Estimates of the literacy rate among slaves on the eve of the Civil War range from 10 to 20 percent .
By 1880 , nearly 40 percent of southern blacks were literate .
In 1910 , half a century before the federal government involved itself in K-12 funding , black literacy exceeded 70 percent and was comparable to that of whites .
Daniel Lattier explained in a 2016 article titled “ Did Public Schools Really Improve American Literacy ?
” that a government school system is no guarantee that young people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well .
He cites the shocking findings of a study conducted by the US Department of Education : “ 32 million of American adults are illiterate , 21 percent read below a 5th grade level , and 19 percent of high school graduates are functionally illiterate , which means they can ’ t read well enough to manage daily living and perform tasks required by many jobs.
” Compulsory government schools were not established in America because of some widely-perceived failure of private education , which makes it both erroneous and self-serving for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ myth that Americans would be illiterate without them .
As Kerry McDonald wrote in “ Public Schools Were Designed to Indoctrinate Immigrants , ” the prime motivation for government schooling was something much less benign than a fear of illiteracy .
Her remarkable 2019 book , Unschooled : Raising Curious , Well-Educated Children Outside the Conventional Classroom , explains the viable , self-directed alternatives that far outclass the standardized , test-driven , massively expensive and politicized government schooling of today .
If you ’ re looking for a good history of how America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national education crisis , you can find it in a recent , well-documented book by Justin Spears and associates , titled Failure : The History and Results of America ’ s School System .
The way in which government short-changes parents , teachers , and students is heart-breaking .
I promised to share a passage from Stephen Mansfield ’ s book , so now I am pleased to deliver it .
Read it carefully , and let it soak in : We should remember that the early English settlers in the New World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would pursue their “ errand into the wilderness ” and become barbarians in the process .
Loved ones at home wondered how a people could cross an ocean and live in the wild without losing the literacy , the learning , and the faith that defined them .
The early colonists came determined to defy these fears .
They brought books , printing presses , and teachers with them and made the founding of schools a priority .
Puritans founded Boston in 1630 and established Harvard College within six years .
After ten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ book in the colonies , the Bay Psalm Book .
Many more would follow .
The American colonists were so devoted to education—inspired as they were by their Protestant insistence upon biblical literacy and by their hope of converting and educating the natives—that they created a near-miraculous culture of learning .
This was achieved through an educational free market .
Colonial society offered “ Dame schools , ” Latin grammar schools , tutors for hire , what would today be called “ home schools , ” church schools , schools for the poor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well-to-do .
Enveloping these institutions of learning was a wider culture that prized knowledge as an aid to godliness .
Books were cherished and well-read .
A respected minister might have thousands of them .
Sermons were long and learned .
Newspapers were devoured , and elevated discussion of ideas filled taverns and parlors .
Citizens formed gatherings for the “ improvement of the mind ” —debate societies and reading clubs and even sewing circles at which the latest books from England were read .
The intellectual achievements of colonial America were astonishing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ education historians , estimated the literacy rate of the period at between 80 and 90 percent .
Benjamin Franklin taught himself five languages and was not thought exceptional .
Jefferson taught himself half a dozen , including Arabic .
George Washington was unceasingly embarrassed by his lack of formal education , and yet readers of his journals today marvel at his intellect and wonder why he ever felt insecure .
It was nothing for a man—or in some cases a woman—to learn algebra , geometry , navigation , science , logic , grammar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A seminarian was usually required to know Greek , Hebrew , Latin , French and German just to begin his studies , instruction which might take place in a log classroom and on a dirt floor .
This culture of learning spilled over onto the American frontier .
Though pioneers routinely moved beyond the reach of even basic education , as soon as the first buildings of a town were erected , so too , were voluntary societies to foster intellectual life .
Aside from schools for the young , there were debate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lecture associations , political clubs , and always , Bible societies .
The level of learning these groups encouraged was astounding .
The language of Shakespeare and classical literature—at the least Virgil , Plutarch , Cicero , and Homer—so permeated the letters and journals of frontier Americans that modern readers have difficulty understanding that generation ’ s literary metaphors .
This meant that even a rustic Western settlement could serve as a kind of informal frontier university for the aspiring .
It is precisely this legacy and passion for learning that shaped young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Salem .
Not bad for a society that hardly even knew what a government school was for generations , wouldn ’ t you say ?
Why should we blindly assume today that we couldn ’ t possibly get along without government schools ?
Instead , we should be studying how remarkable it was that we did so well without them .
When I think of the many ways that government deceives us into its embrace , one in particular really stands out : It seeks to convince us how helpless we would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can ’ t do this , we can ’ t do that , that government possesses magical powers beyond those of mere mortals and that yes , we ’ d be dumb as dirt and as destitute as drifters if we didn ’ t put it in charge of one thing or another .
When it comes to education , Americans really should know better .
Maybe one positive outcome of the virus pandemic is that they will rediscover that they don ’ t need government schools as much as the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we never did .
Lawrence W. Reed is President Emeritus , Humphreys Family Senior Fellow , and Ron Manners Ambassador for Global Liberty at the Foundation for Economic Education .
He is also author of Real Heroes : Incredible True Stories of Courage , Character , and Conviction and Excuse Me , Professor : Challenging the Myths of Progressivism .

by Lawrence W. Reed
Parents the world over are dealing with massive adjustments in their children’s education that they could not have anticipated just three months ago. To one degree or another, pandemic-induced school closures are creating the “mass homeschooling” that FEE’s senior education fellow Kerry McDonald predicted two months ago. Who knows, with millions of youngsters absent from government school classrooms, maybe education will become as good as it was before the government ever got involved.
“What?” you exclaim! “Wasn’t education lousy or non-existent before government mandated it, provided it, and subsidized it? That’s what my government schoolteachers assured me so it must be true,” you say!
The fact is, at least in early America, education was better and more widespread than most people today realize or were ever told. Sometimes it wasn’t “book learning” but it was functional and built for the world most young people confronted at the time. Even without laptops and swimming pools, and on a fraction of what government schools spend today, Americans were a surprisingly learned people in our first hundred years.
I was reminded a few days ago of the amazing achievements of early American education while reading the enthralling book by bestselling author Stephen Mansfield, Lincoln’s Battle With God: A President’s Struggle With Faith and What It Meant for America. It traces the spiritual journey of America’s 16th president—from fiery atheist to one whose last words to his wife on that tragic evening at Ford’s Theater were a promise to “visit the Holy Land and see those places hallowed by the footsteps of the Savior.”
In a moment, I’ll cite a revealing, extended passage from Mansfield’s book but first, I’d like to offer some excellent, related works that come mostly from FEE’s own archives.
In 1983, Robert A. Peterson’s “Education in Colonial America” revealed some stunning facts and figures. “The Federalist Papers, which are seldom read or understood today even in our universities,” explains Peterson, “were written for and read by the common man. Literacy rates were as high or higher than they are today.” Incredibly, “A study conducted in 1800 by DuPont de Nemours revealed that only four in a thousand Americans were unable to read and write legibly” [emphasis mine].
Well into the 19th Century, writes Susan Alder in “Education in America,” “parents did not even consider that the civil government in any way had the responsibility or should assume the responsibility of providing for the education of children.” Only one state (Massachusetts) even had compulsory schooling laws before the Civil War, yet literacy rates were among the highest in our history.
Great Britain experienced similar trends. In 1996, Edwin West wrote in “The Spread of Education Before Compulsion in Britain and America in the Nineteenth Century” that “when national compulsion was enacted ([in 1880], over 95 percent of fifteen-year-olds were literate.” More than a century later, “40 percent of 21-year-olds in the United Kingdom admit[ted] to difficulties with writing and spelling.”
Laws against the education of black slaves date back to as early as 1740, but the desire to read proved too strong to prevent its steady growth even under bondage. For purposes of religious instruction, it was not uncommon for slaves to be taught reading but not writing. Many taught themselves to write, or learned to do so with the help of others willing to flout the law. Government efforts to outlaw the education of blacks in the Old South may not have been much more effective than today’s drug laws. If you wanted it, you could find it.
Estimates of the literacy rate among slaves on the eve of the Civil War range from 10 to 20 percent. By 1880, nearly 40 percent of southern blacks were literate. In 1910, half a century before the federal government involved itself in K-12 funding, black literacy exceeded 70 percent and was comparable to that of whites.
Daniel Lattier explained in a 2016 article titled “Did Public Schools Really Improve American Literacy?” that a government school system is no guarantee that young people will actually learn to read and write well. He cites the shocking findings of a study conducted by the US Department of Education: “32 million of American adults are illiterate, 21 percent read below a 5th grade level, and 19 percent of high school graduates are functionally illiterate, which means they can’t read well enough to manage daily living and perform tasks required by many jobs.”
Compulsory government schools were not established in America because of some widely-perceived failure of private education, which makes it both erroneous and self-serving for the government school establishment to propagate the myth that Americans would be illiterate without them.
As Kerry McDonald wrote in “Public Schools Were Designed to Indoctrinate Immigrants,” the prime motivation for government schooling was something much less benign than a fear of illiteracy. Her remarkable 2019 book, Unschooled: Raising Curious, Well-Educated Children Outside the Conventional Classroom, explains the viable, self-directed alternatives that far outclass the standardized, test-driven, massively expensive and politicized government schooling of today.
If you’re looking for a good history of how America traveled the path of literacy to a national education crisis, you can find it in a recent, well-documented book by Justin Spears and associates, titled Failure: The History and Results of America’s School System. The way in which government short-changes parents, teachers, and students is heart-breaking.
I promised to share a passage from Stephen Mansfield’s book, so now I am pleased to deliver it. Read it carefully, and let it soak in:
We should remember that the early English settlers in the New World left England accompanied by fears that they would pursue their “errand into the wilderness” and become barbarians in the process. Loved ones at home wondered how a people could cross an ocean and live in the wild without losing the literacy, the learning, and the faith that defined them. The early colonists came determined to defy these fears. They brought books, printing presses, and teachers with them and made the founding of schools a priority. Puritans founded Boston in 1630 and established Harvard College within six years. After ten years they had already printed the first book in the colonies, the Bay Psalm Book. Many more would follow. The American colonists were so devoted to education—inspired as they were by their Protestant insistence upon biblical literacy and by their hope of converting and educating the natives—that they created a near-miraculous culture of learning. This was achieved through an educational free market. Colonial society offered “Dame schools,” Latin grammar schools, tutors for hire, what would today be called “home schools,” church schools, schools for the poor, and colleges for the gifted and well-to-do. Enveloping these institutions of learning was a wider culture that prized knowledge as an aid to godliness. Books were cherished and well-read. A respected minister might have thousands of them. Sermons were long and learned. Newspapers were devoured, and elevated discussion of ideas filled taverns and parlors. Citizens formed gatherings for the “improvement of the mind”—debate societies and reading clubs and even sewing circles at which the latest books from England were read. The intellectual achievements of colonial America were astonishing. Lawrence Cremin, dean of American education historians, estimated the literacy rate of the period at between 80 and 90 percent. Benjamin Franklin taught himself five languages and was not thought exceptional. Jefferson taught himself half a dozen, including Arabic. George Washington was unceasingly embarrassed by his lack of formal education, and yet readers of his journals today marvel at his intellect and wonder why he ever felt insecure. It was nothing for a man—or in some cases a woman—to learn algebra, geometry, navigation, science, logic, grammar, and history entirely through self-education. A seminarian was usually required to know Greek, Hebrew, Latin, French and German just to begin his studies, instruction which might take place in a log classroom and on a dirt floor. This culture of learning spilled over onto the American frontier. Though pioneers routinely moved beyond the reach of even basic education, as soon as the first buildings of a town were erected, so too, were voluntary societies to foster intellectual life. Aside from schools for the young, there were debate societies, discussion groups, lyceums, lecture associations, political clubs, and always, Bible societies. The level of learning these groups encouraged was astounding. The language of Shakespeare and classical literature—at the least Virgil, Plutarch, Cicero, and Homer—so permeated the letters and journals of frontier Americans that modern readers have difficulty understanding that generation’s literary metaphors. This meant that even a rustic Western settlement could serve as a kind of informal frontier university for the aspiring. It is precisely this legacy and passion for learning that shaped young Abraham Lincoln during his six years in New Salem.
Not bad for a society that hardly even knew what a government school was for generations, wouldn’t you say? Why should we blindly assume today that we couldn’t possibly get along without government schools? Instead, we should be studying how remarkable it was that we did so well without them.
When I think of the many ways that government deceives us into its embrace, one in particular really stands out: It seeks to convince us how helpless we would be without it. It tells us we can’t do this, we can’t do that, that government possesses magical powers beyond those of mere mortals and that yes, we’d be dumb as dirt and as destitute as drifters if we didn’t put it in charge of one thing or another.
When it comes to education, Americans really should know better. Maybe one positive outcome of the virus pandemic is that they will rediscover that they don’t need government schools as much as the government told them they do. In fact, we never did.
– – –
Lawrence W. Reed is President Emeritus, Humphreys Family Senior Fellow, and Ron Manners Ambassador for Global Liberty at the Foundation for Economic Education. He is also author of Real Heroes: Incredible True Stories of Courage, Character, and Conviction and Excuse Me, Professor: Challenging the Myths of Progressivism.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-04--SBA: 2.2 Million Loans, $175B Issued So Far in 2nd Round of Paycheck Protection Program

The Small Business Administration and the U.S. Treasury revealed Sunday that the second round of the Paycheck Protection Program has issued 2.2 million loans , totaling $ 175 billion .
PPP loans are forgivable loans for small businesses to offset some of the losses experienced by the response to the COVID-19 pandemic .
The loans are meant to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll .
The $ 2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid , Relief and Economic Security ( CARES ) Act , signed by President Donald Trump in late March , provided $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SBA had disbursed all of the money in less than two weeks .
Round 1 of PPP faced heavy criticism from lawmakers and small business owners because of who received loans and the difficulty many small business owners had in applying for the loans .
Many businesses faced bank delays and struggled with paperwork and red tape .
After it was revealed some of the Round 1 funding was funneled to publicly traded companies – it was reported 15 publicly traded companies with market values of more than $ 100 million received PPP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CARES Act funding and said publicly traded companies had to return loans meant for small businesses .
The Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act was signed by Trump on April 24 .
It replenished PPP with another $ 310 billion .
Round 2 loans started being processed Monday .
The 2.2 million loans made to small businesses in Round 2 has surpassed the 1.6 million PPP loans issued in Round 1 .
“ Notably , the average loan size in Round 2 is $ 79,000 , yet another indicator that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smallest of small businesses , ” SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Sunday in a joint statement .
“ Nearly 500,000 of the loans were made by lenders with less than $ 1 billion in assets and non-banks .
… Over 850,000 loans – about one third of the 2.2 million loans – were made by lenders with $ 10 billion of assets or less.
” White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said Sunday on CNN ’ s “ State of the Union ” the Trump administration has not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of PPP loans .
“ This has been an extremely popular and effective program , no question about it , ” Kudlow said .
“ Keeping folks on the payroll is so important .
And even if they are furloughed for a while , they ’ ll be picked up by the unemployment compensation .
That suggests , I might add , potential strong spring back once the states gradually phase in their reopenings in the transition months of May and June.
” SBA said 5,432 lenders have distributed Round 2 loans .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , New York ( $ 17.6 billion ) , Texas ( $ 12.8 billion ) , Florida ( $ 12.2 billion ) and Illinois ( $ 6.6 billion ) have received the most money so far .
“ SBA systems are processing loans so lenders can disburse funds quickly .
We encourage all eligible lenders to participate and all eligible borrowers that need this assistance to work with an approved lender to apply , ” Carranza and Mnuchin said .
“ We are fully committed to ensuring that American workers and small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to get through this challenging time.
” Jason Schaumburg is the Regional Editor for The Center Square .
He is an award-winning , veteran editor who has been a journalist for more than 20 years .
He spent a decade as the top editor in three northern Illinois newsrooms for Shaw Media and Pioneer Press .

by Jason Schaumburg
The Small Business Administration and the U.S. Treasury revealed Sunday that the second round of the Paycheck Protection Program has issued 2.2 million loans, totaling $175 billion.
PPP loans are forgivable loans for small businesses to offset some of the losses experienced by the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The loans are meant to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll.
The $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed by President Donald Trump in late March, provided $349 billion for the PPP loans.
SBA had disbursed all of the money in less than two weeks. Round 1 of PPP faced heavy criticism from lawmakers and small business owners because of who received loans and the difficulty many small business owners had in applying for the loans.
Many businesses faced bank delays and struggled with paperwork and red tape.
After it was revealed some of the Round 1 funding was funneled to publicly traded companies – it was reported 15 publicly traded companies with market values of more than $100 million received PPP loans – Treasury issued new guidance on CARES Act funding and said publicly traded companies had to return loans meant for small businesses.
The Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act was signed by Trump on April 24. It replenished PPP with another $310 billion.
Round 2 loans started being processed Monday. The 2.2 million loans made to small businesses in Round 2 has surpassed the 1.6 million PPP loans issued in Round 1.
“Notably, the average loan size in Round 2 is $79,000, yet another indicator that the program is broadly based and assisting the smallest of small businesses,” SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Sunday in a joint statement. “Nearly 500,000 of the loans were made by lenders with less than $1 billion in assets and non-banks. … Over 850,000 loans – about one third of the 2.2 million loans – were made by lenders with $10 billion of assets or less.”
White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union” the Trump administration has not made a decision on a third round of PPP loans.
“This has been an extremely popular and effective program, no question about it,” Kudlow said. “Keeping folks on the payroll is so important. And even if they are furloughed for a while, they’ll be picked up by the unemployment compensation. That suggests, I might add, potential strong spring back once the states gradually phase in their reopenings in the transition months of May and June.”
SBA said 5,432 lenders have distributed Round 2 loans. Businesses in California ($33.2 billion), New York ($17.6 billion), Texas ($12.8 billion), Florida ($12.2 billion) and Illinois ($6.6 billion) have received the most money so far.
“SBA systems are processing loans so lenders can disburse funds quickly. We encourage all eligible lenders to participate and all eligible borrowers that need this assistance to work with an approved lender to apply,” Carranza and Mnuchin said. “We are fully committed to ensuring that American workers and small businesses continue to get the resources they need to get through this challenging time.”
– – –
Jason Schaumburg is the Regional Editor for The Center Square. He is an award-winning, veteran editor who has been a journalist for more than 20 years. He spent a decade as the top editor in three northern Illinois newsrooms for Shaw Media and Pioneer Press.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-04--University of Texas Under Investigation for Possible Ties to Wuhan Biolab

The Department of Education sent a letter to the University of Texas requesting all records pertaining to its dealings with the Wuhan Institute of Virology .
The Department of Education ’ s Office of the General Counsel sent a letter to University of Texas Chancellor James Milliken on April 24 requesting records related to the University ’ s dealings with Chinese state-owned companies and universities .
The letter states that the University of Texas had “ substantial contractual relations ” with a Wuhan based maximum biocontainment laboratory ( Wuhan MCL ) also called the Wuhan Institute of Virology .
MCLs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biological containment to diagnose , perform research on , and validate cures for life-threatening diseases.
” The U.S. laboratory involved , the Galveston National Laboratory ( GNL ) , one of America ’ s fourteen Bio Safety Level 4 laboratories , is operated by the University of Texas ’ Medical Branch Institute for Human Infections and Immunity .
On November 28 , 2019 , GNL revealed in a press release in SCIENCE magazine that the lab “ engaged in short- and long-term personnel exchanges focused on biosafety training , building operations and maintenance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” with the Wuhan Institute of Virology .
According to an editorial in SCIENCE magazine , the establishment of the Wuhan MCL was a response to the outbreak of the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2018 .
There are more than fifty MCLs across the world , the leaders of which are moving toward establishing an MCL network with shared best practices in order to gain public trust .
“ We succeeded in transferring proven best practices to the new Wuhan facility .
Both labs recently signed formal cooperative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operational collaborations on dangerous pathogens , although funding for research and the logistics of exchanging specimens are challenges that we have yet to solve , ” continued the press release .
From June 6 , 2014 , to June 3 , 2019 , the University of Texas has disclosed twenty-four contacts with Chinese state-owned universities and ten contracts with Huawei Technologies , a company that has been charged with bribery and corruption from numerous countries .
These contracts amount to approximately $ 13 million .
Suspicions arose that UT neglected to report all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese state-owned institutions .
A federal mandate to report all dealings by universities with foreign countries is found in Section 117 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 , which promotes “ financial transparency through required reporting of contracts with and gifts from a foreign source that , alone or combined , are valued at $ 250,000 or more in a calendar year.
” The Department of Education requested that the University of Texas provide any and all records relating to the Wuhan Institute of Virology , the Chinese Academy of Sciences , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within thirty days .
Failure to comply will result in the Secretary of Education requesting that the “ Attorney General commence an enforcement action to compel compliance and to recover the full costs to the United States of obtaining compliance.
” The University of Texas assured Fox News , however , that they have always and will continue to comply with federal laws and regulations .
The GNL has “ collaborated with more than 70 countries and with scientists from the U.S. and abroad on biosafety and biosecurity , as part of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” reads the statement .
This investigation comes two months after federal investigations were launched against Yale and Harvard for their ties to the Chinese and Saudi Arabian governments , as reported on by Campus Reform .
“ Unfortunately , the more we dig , the more we find that too many are underreporting or not reporting at all .
We will continue to hold colleges and universities accountable and work with them to ensure their reporting is full , accurate , and transparent , as required by the law , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the U.S. universities ’ involvement with foreign sources .
McKenna Dallmeyer is a Texas Senior Campus Correspondent for CampusReform.org .
Follow McKenna of Twitter at @ redwave1776 .
Photo “ University of Texas Research Park ” by SK CC2.0 .

by McKenna Dallmeyer
The Department of Education sent a letter to the University of Texas requesting all records pertaining to its dealings with the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
The Department of Education’s Office of the General Counsel sent a letter to University of Texas Chancellor James Milliken on April 24 requesting records related to the University’s dealings with Chinese state-owned companies and universities.
The letter states that the University of Texas had “substantial contractual relations” with a Wuhan based maximum biocontainment laboratory (Wuhan MCL) also called the Wuhan Institute of Virology. MCLs “operate at the highest level of biological containment to diagnose, perform research on, and validate cures for life-threatening diseases.”
The U.S. laboratory involved, the Galveston National Laboratory (GNL), one of America’s fourteen Bio Safety Level 4 laboratories, is operated by the University of Texas’ Medical Branch Institute for Human Infections and Immunity.
On November 28, 2019, GNL revealed in a press release in SCIENCE magazine that the lab “engaged in short- and long-term personnel exchanges focused on biosafety training, building operations and maintenance, and collaborative scientific investigations in biocontainment” with the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
According to an editorial in SCIENCE magazine, the establishment of the Wuhan MCL was a response to the outbreak of the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2018. There are more than fifty MCLs across the world, the leaders of which are moving toward establishing an MCL network with shared best practices in order to gain public trust.
“We succeeded in transferring proven best practices to the new Wuhan facility. Both labs recently signed formal cooperative agreements that will streamline future scientific and operational collaborations on dangerous pathogens, although funding for research and the logistics of exchanging specimens are challenges that we have yet to solve,” continued the press release.
From June 6, 2014, to June 3, 2019, the University of Texas has disclosed twenty-four contacts with Chinese state-owned universities and ten contracts with Huawei Technologies, a company that has been charged with bribery and corruption from numerous countries. These contracts amount to approximately $13 million.
Suspicions arose that UT neglected to report all gifts and exchanges between itself and the Chinese state-owned institutions. A federal mandate to report all dealings by universities with foreign countries is found in Section 117 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which promotes “financial transparency through required reporting of contracts with and gifts from a foreign source that, alone or combined, are valued at $250,000 or more in a calendar year.”
The Department of Education requested that the University of Texas provide any and all records relating to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, as well as numerous other China-based organizations within thirty days. Failure to comply will result in the Secretary of Education requesting that the “Attorney General commence an enforcement action to compel compliance and to recover the full costs to the United States of obtaining compliance.”
The University of Texas assured Fox News, however, that they have always and will continue to comply with federal laws and regulations. The GNL has “collaborated with more than 70 countries and with scientists from the U.S. and abroad on biosafety and biosecurity, as part of its broad mission to advance global scientific collaboration,” reads the statement.
This investigation comes two months after federal investigations were launched against Yale and Harvard for their ties to the Chinese and Saudi Arabian governments, as reported on by Campus Reform.
“Unfortunately, the more we dig, the more we find that too many are underreporting or not reporting at all. We will continue to hold colleges and universities accountable and work with them to ensure their reporting is full, accurate, and transparent, as required by the law,” Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said in response to the U.S. universities’ involvement with foreign sources.
– – –
McKenna Dallmeyer is a Texas Senior Campus Correspondent for CampusReform.org. Follow McKenna of Twitter at @redwave1776.
Photo “University of Texas Research Park” by SK CC2.0.