thetennesseestar--2020-06-16--Crom Carmichael Discusses the United States Merit Systems Protection Board

Live from Music Row Monday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed the original all-star panelist , Crom Carmichael to the studio .
During the second hour , Carmichael discussed a little known body called the Merit Systems Protection Board , which is comprised of three members nominated by the President of the United States to protect from political and partisan personnel practices .
He described the board as a bureaucracy that is set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollars a year while striving for unattainable perfection .
Leahy : Crom , good morning how are you ?
Carmichael : Fine thank you , Michael .
How are you ?
Leahy : I ’ m great .
By the way , we have some interesting features here we ’ re going to talk a little bit about tomorrow .
I put out the Michael Patrick Leahy Genealogy Detective segment .
I did a little bit on your very impressive family history .
Your great grandfather , a very interesting fellow who served @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had 11 kids who were very accomplished .
And then a little bit on Carol Swain ’ s background .
She is in fact a descendant of a man by the name of Thomas Jefferson .
We don ’ t know what the relationship of that is to the Thomas Jefferson was .
By the way , did you see Carol last night on Mark Levin ?
Carmichael : I did not .
I record his show .
And we had some people over .
My daughter and her husband came over .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ I recorded it and I will watch it .
Leahy : She was fabulous .
And by the way for the listening audience , if you want to as I said , genealogy is sort of my hobby .
I use it to relax .
I know it sounds odd .
It ’ s like solving a puzzle .
I can take a half-hour or forty-five minutes over the weekend .
We got a request and Michael Patrick Genealogy Detective has undertaken the job of a woman who lives in Springfield who believes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ famous British spymaster who helped save the country in WWII .
A man called Intrepid .
We ’ ll bring that report to you .
Leahy : So that will be kind of fun .
Well , Crom , it ’ s been a crazy week .
Carmichael : It has .
For me , it capped off last night when I watched a portion of 60 Minutes .
It was just kind of on .
I generally don ’ t catch 60 Minutes .
But I saw a portion of the program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of hit me that you can take all our major cities but the one ’ s that are in the news right now , Seattle , Atlanta , our own city of Nashville , and Washington , D.C. Washington , D.C. is in the news because of this story from 60 Minutes .
I could add that exactly the same issues are in Philadelphia , St. Louis , Chicago , Los Angeles , and New York .
Any of our big cities .
Leahy : By the way , you know what they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years and decades have been run by Democrats .
Carmichael : They ’ ve been run by Democrats which have been funded by the unions .
And I keep harping on this .
We are not going to solve any of the problems that the protesters are after today until we address the union issue .
The police unions make it difficult to get rid of bad police .
There are not that many bad police .
I would say that there are one percent of police are bad I would be surprised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less than one percent .
But for teachers and for our bureaucrats .
Carmichael : And the bureaucrats .
It ’ s more these bureaucrats that are on these boards of education .
Carmichael : We are overweighted with non-teachers compared to teachers and our school systems do a terrible job .
This is across the board .
So when you see a problem that is across the board you have to find a fundamental problem .
This is the story on 60 Minutes that was just so fascinating to me .
Nora @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on CBS ’ s Nightly News has now been elevated to the status of a bimbo .
( Leahy laughs ) And I say that because she ’ s sitting there talking to people and she is getting information .
But she is so focused on the issue that she is paid millions of dollars to focus on that all of the other information that was coming her way , she was oblivious to it .
Leahy : By the way for our listening audience that may be tuning in for the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussions about what the word bimbo means .
Leahy : And in this particular instance we ’ ve identified that the word bimbo as defined by dictionary.com has three definitions .
One , a foolish stupid or inept person .
Two , a man or fellow often a disreputable or contemptible one and the third one is the more commonly understood one ; an attractive but stupid young woman especially one with loose morals .
Carmichael : She ’ s in the first category .
Carmichael : Yes .
Based on what she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She ’ s joining Joe Biden as a bimbo in that category .
Carmichael : She joins him as a bimbo in that category .
But here ’ s the information that came up while she was talking about bureaucracy in Washington that I did not know existed .
Now there are many many bureaucracies in Washington , D.C. Carmichael : Have you ever heard of it ?
Leahy : Not until this very moment .
Carmichael : The merit systems protection board has three members of the board .
They are appointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supposed to be “ bi-partisan ” so there can never be more than two from one party .
Leahy : So they are appointed by the President of the United States .
Leahy : And the reason they are appointed by the President of the United States is because the District of Columbia has a unique constitutional status .
Carmichael : It has nothing to do with the city .
This is our national government at work here .
Leahy : Oh , it ’ s the national government .
OK .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nora O ’ Donnell on this story .
It ’ s because right now non of the three board seats are occupied .
None of them .
And so the board can not function .
And for Nora O ’ Donnell this is absolutely deplorable that a federal bureaucracy can not function .
Now there are 100 employees at the merit systems protection board .
Now , this is numbers and so you have to pay attention .
There are two million federal employees .
According to the people she interviewed , 80,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That means that the average tenure is 25 years .
Carmichael : That means we are overpaying .
You should have more turnover than that .
There are 12,000 people who are fired .
Those 12,000 people when they are fired get to appeal to an administrative judge .
All but 800 of those cases are resolved by the administrative judge .
The 800 can if they wish can appeal to the merit systems protection board .
Carmichael : Here you have a bureaucracy that is set up that spends tens of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adjudicates 800 claims out of two million people .
And it strives for the unattainable and that is perfection .
Now , in this particular case and this is the part that was amazing .
There is a guy who is in Tennessee who served in the military and his name is Chris Markus and when he left the military he became a supervisor over three VA hospitals in Tennessee .
Part of his job was to walk around and find people who weren ’ t showing up to work on time or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he started digging into their cases and they weren ’ t even doing their job well so he would write them up .
He would send them up to the person above him .
Nothing would get done .
He got fired for writing up people who weren ’ t doing their job .
Leahy : ( Chuckles ) You are kidding me ?
Leahy : When was he fired ?
Carmichael : Fairly recently because the administrative judge ordered the VA to take him back .
They refused .
They have appealed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carmichael : ( Chuckles ) They have and because there are no board members they can not act .
And Nora O ’ Donnell says there are 129 cases now at the merit systems protection board .
She is completely oblivious to the ridiculousness of this bureaucracy and she ’ s completely oblivious to the fact that this guy was pointing out people within the bureaucracy who were not doing their jobs .
And she seems to be completely oblivious to the fact that the people above him weren ’ t doing their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guy back on the job now ?
Carmichael : No .
No , he is still not on the job because Trump has nominated three people that are apparently not supposed to happen and their at loggerheads over these three nominees .
And so that is a bureaucracy in action .
And I want to take that idea and apply it to these other cities .
Listen to the full second hour : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at iHeart Radio .
About the Headline Photo : Dennis Dean Kirk , pictured , was nominated to chair the Merit Systems Protection Board in March 2018 .
He is awaiting confirmation by the Senate .
Meanwhile , he serves as an Associate Director at the Office of Personnel Management .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-16--Supremes Revive Permit for Pipeline Under Appalachian Trail

WASHINGTON , D.C. ( AP ) — The Supreme Court on Monday paved the way for a critical permit for a proposed natural gas pipeline that would cross under the Appalachian Trail , siding with energy companies and the Trump administration .
The justices ruled 7-2 to reverse a lower court ruling that had thrown out the permit for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline .
It would bring natural gas from West Virginia to growing markets in Virginia and North Carolina .
Its supporters say the pipeline would bring economic development , thousands of jobs and reduced energy costs for consumers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority of the court that the “ Forest Service had the authority to issue the permit here.
” Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan dissented .
Other legal issues remain before construction of the pipeline could begin .
The narrow question before the Supreme Court was whether the U.S. Forest Service has the authority to grant rights-of-way through lands crossed by the Appalachian Trail within national forests , as project developers Dominion Energy and Duke Energy and the Trump administration argued .
The pipeline would run in part through the George Washington National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pipeline would cross about 600 feet ( about 183 meters ) beneath the Appalachian Trail .
Atlantic Coast Pipeline spokeswoman Ann Nallo said in a statement that the decision is an “ affirmation for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline and communities across our region that are depending on it for jobs , economic growth and clean energy ” and that they “ look forward to resolving the remaining project permits.
” The Sierra Club and other environmental groups had argued that because the 2,200-mile ( 3,540-kilometer ) scenic trail from Georgia to Maine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Park System , no federal agency can grant a right-of-way for the pipeline .
They say only Congress can approve such a crossing .
The Richmond , Virginia-based 4th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with the environmentalists in 2018 and threw out a special-use permit for the 605-mile ( 974-kilometer ) natural gas pipeline .
D.J .
Gerken , program director for the Southern Environmental Law Center , which represented the environmental groups before the Supreme Court , said they were disappointed with the ruling but that it “ doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the near term ” because it is still missing a total of eight required permits .
Gerken said the Forest Service will now need to restart the environmental review process and then decide if it will reissue a permit for the pipeline .
The Forest Service still needs to address three other issues cited by the 4th Circuit when it tossed out the permit , including the court ’ s finding that the agency had failed to fully consider alternative routes to avoid national forests .
“ The practical , real-world requirement of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for this thing is still very much on the table , ” he said .
The project has had numerous setbacks since plans were first announced in 2014 .
Legal challenges brought by environmental groups have prompted the dismissal or suspension of eight permits and halted construction for more than a year .
The project is more than three years behind schedule and its original price tag has nearly doubled to $ 8 billion .
Dominion says the pipeline will bring a critical new gas supply to Virginia and North Carolina to support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intermittent natural resources like solar .
The company also says greater availability of natural gas will attract manufacturing businesses .
Environmental groups say the pipeline would scar pristine landscapes , put numerous rivers and streams at risk of increased sedimentation and harm sensitive species .
Mark Sherman reports for The Associated Press .
AP reporter Denise Lavoie contributed to this report from Richmond , Virginia .

by Scott McClallen
Sixteen Michigan schools have been awarded $205,028 to develop Great Lakes-based science, technology, engineering, and math – STEM – programs.
“These grants will support freshwater literacy programs and offer students access to real world STEM experiences,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement. “Our Great Lakes are our greatest asset, and we must empower young Michiganders to learn more about them and continue advancing conservation efforts. Michigan’s economic competitiveness depends on a workforce proficient in STEM and committed to solving our biggest challenges. Investments like these will help prepare our kids to lead our state into the future.”
Grant proposals were submitted and reviewed through a competitive process. Selected projects study freshwater conservation and real-world experiences.
Grant awardees and amount are as follows:
Alcona Community Schools: $6,892 to expand 3-P learning by studying coastal and wetland habitats.
Alpena Public Schools: $8,078 so students can work as scientific researchers collecting data and making observations to determine if environmental issues are impacting the Thunder Bay River Watershed.
Avron Township School: $5,000 to adopt two beaches so it can participate in science lessons.
Atherton Community Schools: $10,000 to engage 195 middle and high school science students in 3-P learning through its “Health in Our Hands” curriculum.
Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District: $20,000 for 3-P learning to support teachers.
Farmington Public Schools: $15,870 to incorporate “student voice” in water steward topics and activate 3-P teaching
Forest Hills Central Woodlands ⅚ School: $20,000 to provide 3-P learning students, including transportation for all students to visit the Inland Seas Schooner and engage in the remotely operated vehicle program through Inland Seas Education Association.
Grand Rapids Montessori, Grand Rapids Public Schools: $8,862 to help students identify and solve habitat loss for local pollinators, bird and turtle species through a partnership with the John Ball Zoo.
Harrington Elementary School: $12,000 for Marshall Public Schools to partner with Albion College to develop “outdoors at school” curricula for grades K-5.
Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency: $20,000 to support Southwest MiSTEM and the Kalamazoo Nature Center to establish a Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative hub to continue water stewardship education programs.
Mt. Morris Consolidated Schools: $15,000 to participate in the Flint River Green project, where students learn about the Flint River Watershed and its community impact.
Muskegon Area Intermediate School District: $15,000 to expand 3-P learning for 420 fourth grade students and 3-P training for 19 fourth grade teachers.
Pickfield Public Schools: $9,996 so students can gather water quality data from the local watershed.
Stanton Township Public Schools: $5,000 to train new teachers to carry out future Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative activities.
Washtenaw Intermediate School District: $20,000 to build a foundation for cross-district collaboration in support of freshwater-focused place-based education.
Wayne-Westland Community Schools: $13,330 to activate a 3-P learning program.
The grants continue the 2020 From Students to Stewards Initiative and the 2021 MiSTEM Transformative Playbook grants.
The Great Lakes account for over 20% of the world’s surface freshwater.
– – –
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--2020-06-16--House Republicans Seek Probe of Chinese Communist Party Investment in US Visa Program

The top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee is asking the Government Accountability Office to review whether members of the Chinese Communist Party have exploited a program that allows foreigners to obtain green cards by investing in businesses in the United States .
Reps. Jim Jordan and Guy Reschenthaler sent a letter Monday to Gene Dodaro , the comptroller general of the Government Accountability Office , inquiring whether the Chinese Communist Party ( CCP ) and its members have used the EB-5 program to gain a foothold in the United States .
“ It has become clear in recent years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program to gain access to U.S. permanent residency for their members , ” the Republicans wrote .
The EB-5 program , which Congress enacted in 1990 , grants permanent visas to foreigners who invest at least $ 500,000 in U.S.-based businesses or real estate development projects .
Both Republicans and Democrats have criticized EB-5 over the years , saying that the program provides a loophole for wealthy foreigners to obtain permanent residence in the United States .
The program has also been scrutinized over allegations that Americans have defrauded foreign investors by promising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for visas .
Jordan ’ s letter underscores escalating tensions between Beijing and Washington over the Chinese government ’ s handling of the coronavirus pandemic .
U.S. officials have accused the Chinese communist regime of lying about its efforts to contain the virus .
The U.S. government has also accused Chinese leaders of mounting propaganda efforts to divert blame for the pandemic .
The pandemic has also exposed how heavily the U.S. economy relies on Chinese companies for its medical supply chain .
Jordan and Reschenthaler noted that 80 % of EB-5 visas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese investors .
They are asking the GAO , which provides audits of federal programs for Congress , to provide information on the extent to which the communist party has used the EB-5 system to obtain visas for members .
They are also seeking data on the amount of investment funding from the CCP or investors affiliated with the party .
Family members of Hillary Clinton , George W. Bush and Jared Kushner have all operated companies that promoted the EB-5 program .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-16--Justices Rule LGBT People Protected from Job Discrimination

WASHINGTON , D.C. ( AP ) — The Supreme Court ruled Monday that a landmark civil rights law protects gay , lesbian and transgender people from discrimination in employment , a resounding victory for LGBT rights from a conservative court .
The court decided by a 6-3 vote that a key provision of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 known as Title VII that bars job discrimination because of sex , among other reasons , encompasses bias against LGBT workers .
“ An employer who fires an individual for being homosexual or transgender fires that person for traits or actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a different sex , ” Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote for the court .
“ Sex plays a necessary and undisguisable role in the decision , exactly what Title VII forbids.
” “ The Court tries to convince readers that it is merely enforcing the terms of the statute , but that is preposterous , ” Alito wrote in the dissent .
“ Even as understood today , the concept of discrimination because of ‘ sex ’ is different from discrimination because of ‘ sexual orientation ’ or ‘ gender identity . '
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the court was rewriting the law to include gender identity and sexual orientation , a job that belongs to Congress .
Still , Kavanaugh said the decision represents an “ important victory achieved today by gay and lesbian Americans.
” The outcome is expected to have a big impact for the estimated 8.1 million LGBT workers across the country because most states don ’ t protect them from workplace discrimination .
An estimated 11.3 million LGBT people live in the U.S. , according to the Williams Institute at the UCLA law school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not likely to be the court ’ s last word on a host of issues revolving around LGBT rights , Gorsuch noted .
Lawsuits are pending over transgender athletes ’ participation in school sporting events , and courts also are dealing with cases about sex-segregated bathrooms and locker rooms , a subject that the justices seemed concerned about during arguments in October .
Employers who have religious objections to employing LGBT people also might be able to raise those claims in a different case , Gorsuch said .
“ But none of these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have not had the benefit of adversarial testing about the meaning of their terms , and we do not prejudge any such question today , ” he wrote .
The cases were the court ’ s first on LGBT rights since Justice Anthony Kennedy ’ s retirement and replacement by Kavanaugh .
Kennedy was a voice for gay rights and the author of the landmark ruling in 2015 that made same-sex marriage legal throughout the United States .
Kavanaugh generally is regarded as more conservative .
The Trump administration had changed course from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers in their discrimination claims under Title VII .
During the Obama years , the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission had changed its longstanding interpretation of civil rights law to include discrimination against LGBT people .
The law prohibits discrimination because of sex , but has no specific protection for sexual orientation or gender identity .
In recent years , some lower courts have held that discrimination against LGBT people is a subset of sex discrimination , and thus prohibited by the federal law .
Efforts by Congress to change the law have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases involved two gay men and a transgender woman who sued for employment discrimination after they lost their jobs .
Aimee Stephens lost her job as a funeral director in the Detroit area after she revealed to her boss that she had struggled with gender most of her life and had , at long last , “ decided to become the person that my mind already is.
” Stephens told funeral home owner Thomas Rost that following a vacation , she would report to work wearing a conservative skirt suit or dress that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his three funeral homes .
Rost fired Stephens .
The 6th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati , Ohio , ruled that the firing constituted sex discrimination under federal law .
Stephens died last month .
Donna Stephens , her wife of 20 years , said in a statement that she is “ grateful for this victory to honor the legacy of Aimee , and to ensure people are treated fairly regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
” The federal appeals court in New York ruled in favor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was fired because of his sexual orientation .
The full 2nd U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 10-3 that it was abandoning its earlier holding that Title VII didn ’ t cover sexual orientation because “ legal doctrine evolves.
” The court held that “ sexual orientation discrimination is motivated , at least in part , by sex and is thus a subset of sex discrimination.
” That ruling was a victory for the relatives of Donald Zarda , who was fired in 2010 from a skydiving job in Central Islip , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strap himself tightly to clients so they could jump in tandem from an airplane .
He tried to put a woman with whom he was jumping at ease by explaining that he was gay .
The school fired Zarda after the woman ’ s boyfriend called to complain .
Zarda died in a wingsuit accident in Switzerland in 2014 .
In a case from Georgia , the federal appeals court in Atlanta ruled against Gerald Bostock , a gay employee of Clayton County , in the Atlanta suburbs .
Bostock claimed he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The county argues that Bostock was let go because of the results of an audit of funds he managed .
The 11th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed Bostock ’ s claim in a three-page opinion that noted the court was bound by a 1979 decision that held “ discharge for homosexuality is not prohibited by Title VII.
” Read the full decision – including the dissent beginning on page 38 – here : Mark Sherman reports for The Associated Press .
AP writer Ed White contributed to this report from @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-06-16--Nashville’s Montgomery Bell Academy Awaits Metro Approval on Whether They Can Hold Commencement

Officials at Nashville ’ s Montgomery Bell Academy have scheduled commencement ceremonies for June 25 , although they won ’ t disclose their specific plans for that event as the city is still in Phase Two of its COVID-19 recovery plans .
One of Nashville Mayor John Cooper ’ s sons , McGavock , is among the school ’ s 2020 graduates .
Headmaster Brad Gioia told The Tennessee Star Monday that school officials have submitted plans to the Metro Health Department for approval .
He said Nashville officials might deliver an answer before close of business Tuesday .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have graduation , but we have to have it approved , ” Gioia said .
“ The plans we have submitted are probably more in line with the Phase Three guidelines , which is when the graduation is — if we move into Phase Three.
” Gioia said that , ideally , 300 people will attend this year ’ s commencement .
In a normal year , when there is no COVID-19 , more than 2,000 people would come , he added .
Staff for Mayor Cooper did not return our request @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deadline .
Sources told The Star they worried the school would have an outdoor commencement and that as many as 600 people would show .
As reported , Nashville officials laid out plans for phases two , three , and four last month : • In Phase Two , businesses and restaurants can go to three-quarters capacity with certain guidelines .
In addition , personal hygiene businesses like hair and nail salons will open but only for appointments , no walk-ins , and limited to 10 people inside the building at one time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basketball courts will open .
Other public gatherings , including worship services , will be limited to 50 people and with adherence to strict physical distancing protocols .
• In Phase Three businesses and restaurants will go to full capacity .
In addition , bars and entertainment venues will open at half capacity .
Gyms and fitness facilities will open .
Other gatherings will be limited to 100 , again with adherence to strict physical distancing protocols .
• In Phase Four , bars and entertainment venues will be at full capacity , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to physical distancing protocols and best practices .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-06-16--Wall Street Veers Higher on Fed Plan to Buy Corporate Bonds

NEW YORK , New York ( AP ) — Stocks swung solidly higher on Wall Street in afternoon trading Monday after the Federal Reserve said it would begin buying individual corporate bonds , the central bank ’ s latest move to prop up volatile financial markets through the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic .
The S & P 500 was up 1 % after being down as much as 2.5 % shortly after trading began in New York .
The gains followed sharp losses in Asia and more moderate ones in Europe .
Worries were on the rise that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world could derail the swift economic recovery that Wall Street had seemed sure just a week ago was on the way .
But stocks and Treasury yields trimmed their losses as the day progressed , led by gains for media companies , homebuilders and other areas of the market .
They turned broadly higher after the Fed ’ s announcement at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 221 points , or 0.8 % , to 25,820 , and the Nasdaq composite was up 1.6 % .
Stocks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as worries about upticks in infections create cracks in the furious rally that had brought the S & P 500 back to within 4.5 % of its record set in February .
It ’ s now down about 10 % following last week ’ s loss , which was the biggest for the S & P 500 in nearly three months .
“ Volatility is here to stay , at least for a little while , ” said Jason Pride , chief investment officer of private wealth at Glenmede .
“ Nobody in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to forecast this.
” Case numbers are still growing in states across the country and nations around the world .
Governments are relaxing lockdowns in hopes of nursing their devastated economies back to life , but without a vaccine , the reopenings could bring on further waves of COVID-19 deaths .
“ If globally , we are still in wave 1 , then it is possible that without a vaccine , the big wave is still lying out there somewhere waiting to hit , ” said Robert Carnell , regional head of research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new outbreak in Beijing , one that appears to be the biggest since it largely stopped its spread at home more than two months ago .
In New York , the governor is upset that big groups of people are packing together outside bars and restaurants without face masks , and he threatened to reinstate closings in areas where local governments fail to enforce the rules .
That ’ s the biggest worry for markets : If infections swamp the world , governments could bring back the orders for people to stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down that sent the economy into its worst recession in decades .
Even if that doesn ’ t happen , rolling waves of outbreaks could frighten businesses and consumers enough to keep them from spending and investing , which would itself hinder the economy .
It was just a week ago that investors seemed were ebullient about expectations for a coming economic recovery .
The hopes got a shot of adrenaline earlier this month when a report showed that U.S. employers added jobs to their payrolls in May , a big surprise when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs lost .
That raised expectations that the economy could climb out of its hole nearly as quickly as it plunged into it .
That optimism sent the stock market on a second leg of its rally , which began in March after the Federal Reserve and Congress promised unprecedented amounts of aid to support the economy .
The Fed has cut interest rates back to nearly zero and expects to keep them there through 2022 , along with pumping money into far-reaching corners of financial markets to keep them running smoothly .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ offer more details about the Fed ’ s outlook in scheduled testimony before Congress this week .
All through its torrid rally , though , many professional investors were warning that the market ’ s gains may have been overdone considering how long and uncertain the economic recovery looked to be .
The S & P 500 climbed nearly back to its record high last week after earlier being down nearly 34 % .
Some of the rally was likely driven by a big influx of individual investors into the market .
Brokerages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trading earlier this year , and stocks popular with individual investors have returned 61 % since the market hit a bottom on March 23 , according to Goldman Sachs .
That ’ s much more than the 45 % rise for stocks popular with hedge funds and traditional mutual funds .
The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 0.71 % from 0.69 % late Friday .
It tends to rise and fall with investors ’ expectations for the economy and inflation , and it had been above 0.90 % earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Kospi dropped 4.8 % , Japan ’ s Nikkei 225 lost 3.5 % and the Hang Seng in Hong Kong fell 2.2 % .
In Europe , France ’ s CAC 40 slipped 0.5 % , Germany ’ s DAX lost 0.3 % and the FTSE 100 in London dipped 0.7 % Stan Choe and Damian J. Troise are Business Writers at The Associated Press .
AP Business Writer Yuri Kageyama contributed .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-16--Leahy and Carmichael Talk About the History of Statues Calling for Public Discussion and Not Mob Rul

Leahy and Carmichael Talk About the History of Statues Calling for Public Discussion and Not Mob Rule

Live from Music Row Monday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed the original all-star panelist , Crom Carmichael in the studio .
During the third hour , Leahy and Carmichael discussed the history of statues in Tennessee and how some of those well-known figures represent slavery yet later in their lives made amends .
The duo agreed that the purpose of statues and public art is there to remind us of our history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the best way to convene decisions and not mob rule .
Leahy : John Newton was a slave trader in 18th century England .
He was captain of a slave ship .
There is a statue of him in Ireland .
Should that statue be torn down because in the 18th century he was a slave trader ?
Carmichael : Well , according to the left it should absolutely be torn down .
Leahy : The thing about John Newton is he had a conversion experience after he was a slave trader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slave ships and realized that it was absolutely immoral and wrong .
And he wrote that song we just listened to , Amazing Grace .
Carmichael : He also became a monk and he spent the rest of his life trying to make amends for the sins of his early life .
Leahy : And he went on and was very influential in helping William Wilburforce lead the abolition of the slave trade in England .
Just a few months before he died in 1807 the United Kingdom , Great Britain abolished the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you have a person who committed terrible acts against humanity .
Who then realized that he had committed terrible acts against humanity and spent the rest of his life trying the best he could make amends .
But even if you listen and read the lyrics of the song which I encourage everyone to do because there are multiple verses in it .
He makes it clear that he can never make up for what he did .
He took a vow of poverty and spent the rest of his life doing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the grace of God .
Even though he can ’ t be redeemed on earth , he can be redeemed by God .
Leahy : But there is a statue of him at a park called the Amazing Grace Country in Donegal , Ireland .
The left would say , well , tear that statue down because he was once a slave trader !
But I think the purpose of statues and public art is to remind us of our history .
To remind us of the arc of life .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look at how they handled it back then .
Carmichael : It wasn ’ t until John Locke wrote Two Treatises of Government that maintained that when human beings are born they are given rights by God that no institution can take away .
Until that time our world had historically been a world run by what you can call dictators or call them tyrants .
Carmichael : That ’ s right .
You were ruled by a higher authority that had absolute authority .
Carmichael : And that was the way of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its own way until fairly recently .
And we ’ re literally talking 250 or actually… Leahy : Recent in human time .
No question about it .
Leahy : Let ’ s take John Newton as one example of somebody who changed his ways .
Now , Nathan Bedford Forrest , I think this is a proper public discussion .
But the discussion ought to be , his bust is there in the state capitol .
The state legislature thought it would be a good idea in the 1920s to put it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a controversial figure in American history .
I don ’ t have any problem with having a discussion at the legislature and the public about whether or not that bust ought to be there .
But I think there ought to be a complete discussion about why the bust is there and what his life is about .
As you probably know Crom , towards the end of his life , he was a slave trader and got rich trading slaves .
He was probably the best cavalry commander in American military history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But when he surrendered he surrendered .
He dedicated himself subsequently to the preservation of the union .
They asked him to become the first President of the KKK and when it became violent he told them to disband it .
He was actually in the latter part of his life before he died in 1877 he changed his ways and attitudes towards Black people .
Carmichael : Talk about it .
I don ’ t know the history of this .
Talk about the original founding and what was the premise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Leahy : It was founded in Pulaski , Tennessee in about 1867 .
People can correct me as I ’ m doing this a little bit from memory .
The original founding idea was to protect the rights of confederate veterans and their families .
That was the original founding .
They asked Nathan Bedford Forrest to come on board as the president and he agreed .
But then groups of the KKK became violent towards Black people and he didn ’ t like that and he ordered them to disband .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ time at his direction in 1869 .
There is a whole discussion about Nathan Bedford Forrest .
I think I ’ ve given an accurate overview of it .
I don ’ t think there is any reason that it ’ s a bad idea to have a public discussion about whether or not his bust belongs there .
But I think you also ought to add if the portraits of the governors ’ in Tennessee .
Prentice Cooper who ran in 1958 had been governor .
Had been governor during WWII .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Jim Cooper , he ran on a segregationist campaign in 1958 .
OK , let ’ s apply the same standard that we apply to Nathan Bedford Forrest and to everybody up there .
Carmichael : Did Prentice Cooper ever change ?
Or did he remain a segregationist throughout his whole life ?
Leahy : His main claim to fame and prominence was governor of Tennessee during World War II .
In 1958 he ran on a segregationist lost against Al Gore , Sr. but to my knowledge , I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed away in 1969 .
Carmichael : So he ran for the Senate ?
Carmichael : He voted against the Civil Rights Act .
So any statues of Al Gore… Carmichael : Should be taken down .
Leahy : In a democratic constitutional republic , have these discussions .
But don ’ t let the mob do it .
Carmichael : Or you could have a great big sign over Al Gore ’ s statue that says , last Tennessee Senator to vote for segregation .
Leahy : There you go .
Carmichael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leahy : I would favor putting a sign that historians review to put it in context .
I would leave all of the statues up there personally .
Carmichael : There you go .
I agree .
Listen to the full third hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-16--Commentary: Seven Specific Policy Ideas for Republican Congressional Candidates

This year , hundreds of Republican candidates for federal office will be on the ballot this fall , and many of them lack the resources to put together a strong policy team .
While taxes , abortion , guns , school choice immigration , and defense are all very important issues , they have limited reach beyond the usual Republican voters .
Here are seven policy ideas for House and Senate candidates who would like to expand their platform to try to appeal to more voters – without alienating key elements of the Republican base .
• Ban civil asset @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep or dispose of seized property that it is allegedly illicit without proving that it was ill-gotten in court .
Although 35 states have already banned or limited civil asset forfeiture , local governments are often able to work around bans by working with the federal government .
• Enact mens rea reform ( Mens rea is Latin for “ guilty mind.
” ) .
There are basic crimes that we all know are wrong , but there are thousands of crimes on the books that people are unaware of .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use a dog leash that is longer than six feet in a national park , and it is a crime to allow your pet to scare wildlife while on federal land .
Somehow , it does not seem fair to punish people when they did not realize what they were doing was illegal .
Just as police officers sometimes just give warnings , rather than tickets , to drivers who did not realize that a taillight was out , it seems reasonable that the government should warn people about obscure crimes before prosecuting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ college debt .
Sell off the federal student loan portfolio at a discount , which is toxic ; get the federal government out of the business of making student loans ; much stronger allowance for bankruptcy for college debt for those who can not find a decent job years after leaving college ; and require those students ’ colleges to repay half of the discharged college debt .
By allowing bankruptcy and holding colleges accountable , colleges would likely work much harder to ensure that students were prepared to graduate and find a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bankruptcy used to be allowed for college debt , and there seems to be little reason why college debt should be treated any differently than credit card or business debt .
• Require colleges that take federal money to be transparent with parents and students about job and salary prospects and the typical debt load of graduates .
This information should be required to be broken down by major .
After all , how can young people be expected to make wise decisions if they do not have access to relevant data ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ money must issue clear financial aid award letters .
These letters should specify the total cost of attendance , which portions of aid packages are grants , which portions are loans , and which portions are work-study .
Currently , many award letters are intentionally confusing and omit key information .
• Remove the credit bureaus ’ immunity , which makes it very difficult to successfully sue them for their errors .
Credit bureaus routinely make mistakes that can cost consumers job opportunities as well as opportunities to purchase homes and vehicles .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ information on people with similar names or with similar Social Security numbers — even if their ages are far apart .
While these are simple errors , it can take consumers a lot of time to get them corrected .
Credit bureaus have repeatedly promised to do better , but the problems remain .
Currently , when consumers do file lawsuits , the bureaus just belatedly fix the problem and have the lawsuits dismissed , which is not acceptable .
• Make the federal court system easier to navigate for those who can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law school more affordable .
It has been estimated that 30 million people each year represent themselves in court .
Courts should standardize and streamline their local rules , post those rules online , and offer templates and simplified forms to make it easier for people to file documents and to represent themselves in court .
To bring down the cost of law school , the federal government should end its recognition of the American Bar Association to accredit law schools .
As it is , the ABA ’ s requirements for accreditation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal education , which contributes to higher costs for legal services .
To grow the Republican House and Senate caucuses , the Party must bring in new voters ; and one way to do this is for candidates to expand their campaign platforms .
After all , the Democrat Party is always innovating and finding new issues to appeal to niche groups .
While pandering is inadvisable , getting the government and crony capitalists off of the backs of everyday citizens , saving taxpayers ’ money , and empowering citizens should be both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McCarty is the Director of Research at Americans for Limited Government Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-16--Rep. Ilhan Omar Calls Minneapolis Police ‘Rotten,’ Can’t Explain Who Will Respond to Violent Crimes

Rep. Ilhan Omar Calls Minneapolis Police ‘Rotten,’ Can’t Explain Who Will Respond to Violent Crimes Without Them

Rep. Ilhan Omar ( D-MN-05 ) was unable to provide details on who will respond to violent crimes in her city without a police force , but said the Minneapolis Police Department is “ rotten to the root ” during a Sunday interview .
“ What takes its place ?
” CNN host Jake Tapper asked the congresswoman .
“ Who investigates crimes ?
Who arrests criminals ?
What happens ?
” “ Yeah , so , Minneapolis unanimously just voted on a resolution that will engage the community on a one-year process of what happens as we go through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starting anew , ” Omar replied .
“ A new way forward can ’ t be put in place if we have a department that is having a crisis of credibility , if we have a department that ’ s led by a chief who sued it for racism , if we have a department that hasn ’ t solved homicides – half of the homicides in the Minneapolis Police Department go unsolved .
There have been cases where they have destroyed rape kits ” she continued .
Omar said Minneapolis can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is rotten to the root.
” Instead , she said city leaders can only “ rebuild ” after the department is dismantled .
“ So this is our opportunity as a city to come together , have the conversation of what public safety looks like , who enforces the most dangerous crimes that take place in our community , ” she added .
As Omar mentioned , the Minneapolis City Council unanimously passed a resolution Friday declaring its intent to create a “ transformative new model for cultivating safety in Minneapolis.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May 25 , 2020 , by Minneapolis police officers , is a tragedy that shows that no amount of reforms will prevent lethal violence and abuse by some members of the Police Department against members of our community , especially Black people and people of color , ” states the resolution .
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has faced criticism from community leaders , and was even booed out of a protest , because he said he favors reforms to the department over full abolition .
Lisa Bender , the president of the Minneapolis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CNN last week and couldn ’ t explain who would respond to violent crimes if her city ’ s police department is actually abolished .
“ Look , it is our top priority to keep every single member of our community safe .
If you look back at the last 150 years of our police department , it is becoming increasingly clear that that model of policing isn ’ t working , ” said Bender .
“ So we need to invite in our whole community .
The nine members of our city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our city to stand together to make this commitment – we don ’ t have all the answers.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-16--Academy Delays 2021 Oscars Ceremony Over Coronavirus Concerns

For the fourth time in its history , the Oscars are being postponed .
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the ABC Television Network said Monday that the 93rd Academy Awards will now be held April 25 , 2021 , eight weeks later than originally planned because of the pandemic ’ s effects on the movie industry .
The Academy ’ s Board of Governors also decided to extend the eligibility window beyond the calendar year to Feb. 28 , 2021 , for feature films , and delay the opening of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Our hope , in extending the eligibility period and our Awards date , is to provide the flexibility filmmakers need to finish and release their films without being penalized for something beyond anyone ’ s control , ” said Academy President David Rubin and Academy CEO Dawn Hudson in a joint statement .
Karey Burke , the president of ABC Entertainment , added : “ We find ourselves in uncharted territory this year and will continue to work with our partners at the Academy to ensure next year ’ s show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The 12th annual Governors Awards has also been canceled .
The event , in which honorary Oscars are bestowed to previously announced recipients , is generally held in Los Angeles during the second week of November .
The untelevised event is a major gathering for many of the year ’ s awards hopefuls .
The film academy has been grappling with how to handle the pandemic ’ s near shutdown of the theatrical exhibition and film production and festival business since mid-March .
With theaters shuttered , release dates pushed and major festivals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April made the unprecedented decision to allow films that did not have a theatrical run to be eligible for the awards — but only for one year .
The Oscars ceremony date was the big lingering unknown , however .
The organization ’ s leadership has acknowledged all along that the situation was fluid and that everything was on the table .
Now , Oscars nominations will be announced on March 15 and the nominees luncheon will be on April 15 .
Still , many decisions need to be made .
Academy leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the show and whether it will be virtual or in-person .
Further , the future eligibility of films for the 94th Oscars and that show date will be announced later .
The Oscars have been postponed before , but never this far in advance .
The ceremony was pushed back a week because of disastrous flooding in Los Angeles in 1938 .
In 1968 , it was delayed two days following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. And in 1981 , it was put off for 24 hours after President Ronald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The 1981 decision was made four hours before the broadcast was scheduled to begin .
The eligibility window was extended beyond 12 months once before — in advance of the 6th Academy Awards in 1934 .
Other entertainment industry awards shows are also in flux .
The 74th Tony Awards , originally set for June 7 , has been postponed indefinitely .
But the 72nd Emmy Awards is still holding onto Sept. 20 .
The 78th Golden Globes does not yet have a date .
Even as the country begins to “ open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisions to delay releases .
Just Friday , Warner Bros. announced that it was pushing back what was supposed to be the first major movie in theaters , Christopher Nolan ’ s “ Tenet , ” by two weeks .
Lindsey Bahr is a Film Writer at The Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo : In this Feb. 21 , 2015 file photo , an Oscar statue appears outside the Dolby Theatre for the 87th Academy Awards in Los Angeles .
The Oscars are implementing some big changes , including having a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to-be-determined representation and inclusion standards for eligibility .
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences says Friday that there will be 10 best picture nominees beginning with the 94th Academy Awards in 2022 .
( Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP , File )


thetennesseestar--2020-06-16--Minnesota Lawmakers Unveil $300M Plan to Rebuild from George Floyd Riots

MINNEAPOLIS , Minnesota ( AP ) — Democrats who control the Minnesota House announced a $ 300 million economic aid proposal Monday for businesses that were damaged or destroyed during the civil unrest over the death of George Floyd .
The legislation is aimed at commercial corridors in lower income neighborhoods that were hardest hit as protests over Floyd ’ s May 25 death while in Minneapolis police custody turned violent .
Many of the affected small businesses along Lake Street and Broadway Avenue in Minneapolis , and University Avenue in St. Paul , are owned by people of color @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Minneapolis Democrat who represents part of the damaged area , said the community is still “ in a lot of pain , ” and that buyers are already offering cash to people whose buildings were burned if they ’ ll just go away .
“ That ’ s not the rebuilding we want , ” she said during a news conference .
“ We want to make sure Lake Street stays the way it was and ( returns ) even better .
We are not seeking gentrification .
We are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , whose family owned Chicago Furniture Warehouse for nearly 27 years until they watched it burn down , said the family wants to rebuild but needs help .
“ We don ’ t want to be segregated from anybody else , ” he said .
“ We want to stay in our neighborhood .
We want to build this neighborhood .
We lost , we can come back as together .
So all we need from you guys is your support , as much as we can , for anything that we need.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ million relief fund that ’ s meant to get aid to small businesses in the next two to three weeks , with the rest of the money designated for longer-term recovery .
It also includes sales and property tax breaks for rebuilding eligible properties , and measures that would prevent gentrification by ensuring that affected properties aren ’ t sold off to the highest bidders for redevelopment .
Democratic House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler , who is leading the push , told reporters that Democrats hope to pass the legislation this week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Republican-controlled state Senate , where GOP leaders last week said that they intend to adjourn the special session this Friday no matter what happens in the House .
Leading Democrats have urged Republicans to support the aid package .
Democratic Gov .
Tim Walz called the special session mostly to comply with legal requirements for extending the emergency powers he has been using to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic , but he strongly endorsed an ambitious House Democratic slate of police accountability measures .
The Senate GOP ’ s top special session @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to rescind his emergency powers , which the House blocked Friday .
House committees on Monday approved the Democratic-proposed policing measures , which are expected to go before the full chamber for votes late this week .
The special session policing agenda of Senate Republicans is much more limited .
Senate Republican leaders said they would support some of the less controversial measures in the House package , such as a statewide ban on chokeholds and neck restraints , a duty for officers to intercede and report when they see another officer use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for officers in recovering from stressful or traumatic events that could affect their future performance .
But those GOP leaders expressed opposition to many of the bigger changes sought by the House , such as putting the state attorney general ’ s office in charge of prosecuting all officer-involved killings .
Senate Republicans have scheduled a hearing on their policing measures for Tuesday .
Also uncertain is whether the House and Senate can agree in time on a public construction borrowing package known as a bonding bill that ’ s the main piece @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 regular session , which ended last month .
Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka said Friday that he ’ d be willing to consider increasing the size of the package from the $ 1.1 billion figure discussed earlier to $ 1.35 billion to provide money for rebuilding .
But such a borrowing bill would require bipartisan support in both chambers to get the necessary three-fifths majorities needed to pass .
Minnesota is one of several states where Democratic lawmakers and governors are hoping to harness the anger over Floyd ’ s death to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slow to tackle those issues since a wave of police killings of young black men in 2014 , including Michael Brown in Ferguson , Missouri .
Steve Karnowski reports for The Associated Press .
Mohamed Ibrahim is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative .
Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-16--Commentary: Renaming Fort Bragg is a Ridiculous Idea that Deserves Ridicule

Alfred Lord Tennyson was right : We are not now that strength which in old days moved earth and heaven .
Sadly , we do not have the consolation of being able to claim that we are “ one equal temper of heroic hearts , ” either .
The Marine Corps , long the most countercultural branch of the U.S. military , just banned even the informal use of the battle flag it used to wink at .
Widespread emotional and sometimes felonious response to recent actions of a rogue police officer makes it perilous to tag preface that observation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good or for ill , ” so revisionist history proceeds not just unchecked , but actually endorsed ( there ’ s no other way to explain awarding a Pulitzer Prize to the 1619 Project ) .
Riding the same whirlwind , the Army now considers renaming Fort Bragg and nine other installations named for Confederate commanders .
Conversations of this kind only ever seem to have one outcome , but publications like the Atlantic are taking no chances , so editors there posted an op-ed by retired Gen. David Petraeus to explain why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decorated soldiers like him .
Mindful ( maybe ) of a similar essay by Gen. Stanley McChrystal in the same publication just two years ago , Petraeus took the high road .
Rather than simp as McChrystal had about how it took decades of soul-searching before he could throw out a portrait of Robert E. Lee that had been a gift to him from his wife , Petraeus looked at the Confederate record on slavery .
He then concluded ( reasonably ) , that “ We do not live in a country to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or Robert E. Lee can serve as an inspiration.
” Perhaps justice delayed is no longer justice denied .
But people with whom we do not agree can still be remembered as cautionary examples , at least until the book-burning phase of revolution grows popular .
Oddly for a man who wants to throw most Confederates under the proverbial bus , Petraeus also says that he does not propose to “ erase ” Robert E. Lee ’ s large role in the history of West Point .
Unlike President Trump , Petraeus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progressives don ’ t do nuance , and his logic won ’ t spare “ Marse Robert.
” Petraeus also banks too much on education : Your average Civil War re-enactor understands more of American history than community organizers , congressional staffers , or members of the New York Times editorial board , all of whom exercise disproportionate influence over federal policy .
Would it be impolite to mention that every damn one of the Confederate commanders whom Petraeus wants to toss in the dustbin of history was a Democrat ?
And is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that a memorial to the 54th Massachusetts Regiment ( an all-black unit that fought bravely for the Union in the Civil War ) was recently vandalized by rioters claiming solidarity with Black Lives Matter ?
Neither public education nor progressive ideology recognizes irony .
Changing names that have been used for generations presents the military with a branding problem , as even the Obama administration once admitted .
Retired Gen. Dan McNeill , a former Fort Bragg commander , reminded WRAL News ( Raleigh , North Carolina ) on June 9 that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not for its Confederate roots , but as “ a symbol of strength and freedom.
” People who can ’ t find Fayetteville on a map have nevertheless heard of Fort Bragg , home to both the 82nd Airborne Division and Special Operations Command .
In his essay , Petraeus observes that with the exception of Robert E. Lee , “ most of the Confederate generals for whom our bases were named were undistinguished , if not incompetent , battlefield commanders.
” That ’ s true but irrelevant .
If army base names @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fort Bragg might have been called Fort James Longstreet or Fort Stand Watie , because both of those men were better Confederate generals .
Yet what ’ s the point of wishcasting ?
We might want to think that merit matters more for memorial purposes than it once did , but we ’ d be wrong .
The U.S. Navy has an Arleigh Burke–class destroyer ( DDG-56 ) named for the late Sen. John McCain .
Confederate motivation was misguided and un-Christian .
Any perusal of primary documents like the Confederate States Constitution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good to say for being magnanimous in victory .
Too many generals seem to have forgotten important lessons taught by heroes like Ulysses S. Grant and Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain .
In his book April 1865 : The Month That Saved America , historian Jay Winik writes evocatively about the surrender of Lee ’ s Army of Northern Virginia to Grant ’ s Army of the Potomac at Appomattox Court House .
Grant was generous in victory .
He ordered federal bands and artillerymen to stop their raucous celebrations because , he said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and we did not want to exult over their downfall.
” At the formal surrender ceremony , Joshua L. Chamberlain was moved by what he called the “ proud humiliation ” of the men he ’ d help to defeat .
Winik paints the scene and quotes Chamberlain : Without having planned it — and without any official sanction — Chamberlain suddenly gave the order for Union soldiers to “ carry arms ” as a sign of their deepest mark of military respect .
A bugle call instantly rang out .
All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their muskets to their shoulders , the salute of honor .
“ At the sound of the machine-like snap of arms , ” Chamberlain recalled , “ [ Confederate General Joseph ] Gordon started … then wheeled his horse , facing me , touching him gently with the spur so that the animal slightly reared , and , as he wheeled , horse and rider made one motion , the horse ’ s head swung down with a graceful bow , and General Gordon dropped his sword-point to his toe in salutation.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in blue gave a soldierly shout to those “ vanquished heroes ” — a “ token of respect from Americans to Americans .
”


thetennesseestar--2020-06-16--Concealed Gun Change Divides Ohio House

Concealed Gun Change Divides Ohio House

The state House has passed legislation Republicans say protects the rights of concealed handgun license ( CHL ) holders across the state , but Democrats say it will lead to confusion and potentially dangerous situations .
The state House approved House Bill 425 , known as the “ Duty to Notify When Asked Law , ” by a 58-32 margin .
It heads to the state Senate for consideration .
Currently , anyone stopped by police must “ promptly ” alert officers if they are carrying a handgun .
Under the proposed change , anyone with a gun would only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are carrying if asked .
“ Under current law , the duty to notify a police officer of carrying a firearm is vaguely written and carries harshest penalties in the nation for Ohio ’ s more than 673,000 CHL holders – this has intruded on the constitutional rights of too many Ohioans , ” state Rep. Scott Wiggam ( R-Wayne County ) , said in a news release .
“ Ohio citizens deserve to have laws that are understandable and clearly defined , ” Wiggam added .
“ The current law is ambiguous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decriminalize normal encounters when upstanding citizens are engaging with law enforcement.
” As is the nature of many bills under consideration in the current political climate , the vote fell mostly along party lines .
Democrats offered a contrasting view from their Republican counterparts , citing protests following the death of George Floyd , the unarmed man who died in police custody in Minneapolis , to object to the bill and call on lawmakers to declare racism a public health crisis .
“ As protesters continue to march across the country , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communities to work alongside them to bridge racial divides and rebuild together , ” Ohio House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes ( D-Akron ) , said in a statement .
“ However , HB 425 is not working with police .
In fact , it ’ s pushing through something that makes them less safe on the job while potentially putting even more black lives at risk , ” she added .
“ No one asked for this bill .
What people have asked for are common sense solutions that keep our kids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This is a step in the wrong direction to end gun violence , restore trust and heal the deep wounds of division in our country.
” “ This law gives control of the dialogue back to the law enforcement officer by allowing them to ask if the person they stop is carrying a concealed handgun , ” he said .
“ A concealed handgun license holder no longer must interject themselves into the conversation with a law enforcement officer.
” Todd DeFeo is a regular contributor to The Center Square .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-16--Detroit Mayor Orders Christopher Columbus Statue Taken Down, Put Into Storage

A bust of Christopher Columbus in downtown Detroit was removed by order of the Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan on Monday .
The 110-year-old statue is currently in storage , according to the Detroit Free Press .
“ The mayor decided it ought to be placed in storage to give us time to evaluate the appropriate long-term disposition of the statue , ” said John Roach , a spokesman for the mayor ’ s office .
The Detroit bust of Columbus was dedicated in October of 1910 and was a gift from readers of the Italian newspaper La Tribuna Italiana d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It was sculpted by Augusto Rivalta and stood until recently at East Jefferson Avenue and Randolph Street .
The bust was originally gifted in celebration of the 400th anniversary of Columbus ’ death .
Last week , a sign reading “ Looter .
Rapist .
Slave Trader.
” was hung around the statue ’ s neck , the Detroit Free Press reported .
The statue has received pushback before .
In 2017 , City Councilwoman Raquel Castañeda-López called for the city to remove the bust and to name an Indigenous People ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There was also a petition to remove the statue that same year , according to WXYZ .
The petition garnered more than 1,500 supporters at the time .
Statues of the Italian explorer have been vandalized across the country as part of national Black Lives Matter protests sparked by the death of George Floyd , who was killed during an arrest in Minneapolis on May 25 .
Columbus statues have also been vandalized or taken down by protesters in Minnesota , Virginia and Philadelphia .
Other monuments , including the Lincoln Memorial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statue of Gen. Casimir Pulask in the National Mall , have also been vandalized during Black Lives Matter protests , according to Fox News .
Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Michigan Star .
Follow her on Twitter at @ JordynPair .
Email her at [ email protected ] Photo “ Christopher Columbus in Detroit ” by Thom Mann .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-17--Left-Wing Activist, Already Banned from Tennessee Capitol, Said Lawmakers Invited Him Inside

Left-wing activist Justin Jones walked into the Tennessee State Capitol Tuesday , more than a year after state officials banned him from the facility for allegedly assaulting then-Speaker of the House Glen Casada .
Various Republican and Democratic officials , as well as those from the Tennessee Highway Patrol , provided no information about how Jones entered the building .
But Jones ’ social media postings from the Capitol Tuesday provided some clues as to how he might have gotten in .
Jones posted from the state House gallery on his Facebook page while demanding that state legislators , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ R-Crossville ) meet with him and other protestors .
“ We don ’ t know why they are afraid of accountability , but that is why we are here today on the House floor — to get some answers from Speaker Cameron Sexton and some of these members here .
These representatives have kept us out for so long , ” Jones said .
“ We are glad we were invited as guests of some lawmakers today to come inside , to get answers , to seek accountability and we will remain here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however , did not identify the lawmakers who summoned him to the Capitol .
State Rep. Gloria Johnson ( D-Knoxville ) posted Monday that she spent an hour talking to Jones , which she described as the “ best hour of my day.
” Nashville Public Radio reporter Sergio Martinez-Beltran posted a video to his Twitter feed Monday morning .
In it , Jones appeared to stand alongside Johnson in front of the Capitol bust of Nathan Bedford Forrest .
About an hour later , The Tennessean reporter Natalie Allison posted a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Bill Lee ’ s office before THP officers intercepted him and forcibly removed him from the Capitol .
A few minutes after that , Martinez-Beltran posted another Twitter video that showed Jones screaming for Lee while asserting he was a peaceful protestor .
As The Tennessee Star reported , Jones led a group of protesters in trying to force their way into the Capitol Monday .
State Rep. Mike Stewart ( D-Nashville ) invited some of them to come inside as his guests .
Stewart spokesman Ken Jobe told The Star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not one of Stewart ’ s guests at the Capitol that day .
THP officers detained more than 20 people at the Capitol during a protest Monday evening .
According to a news release , troopers removed the protesters after issuing a warning Monday evening that anyone remaining on Capitol grounds after 11 p.m. would be arrested .
The crowd declined , and instead locked legs and arms while sitting down .
Troopers say they cited 19 people and arrested two for public intoxication .
Protesters had been allowed to stay overnight outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrested .
Earlier that day , however , protesters were blocked from entering the Capitol right before the House ’ s scheduled floor session .
State troopers initially told the crowd that the building was closed because of COVID-19 — even though the public had been attending House chamber meetings in a limited capacity for the past two weeks .
GOP leadership later clarified that five protesters could enter , but the group declined , arguing that all the protesters should be able to access the public building .
Chris Butler is an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] The Associated Press ’ Kimberlee Kruesi contributed to this report .
Background Photo “ Justin Jones Removal ” by Natalie Allison .

by Eric Lendrum
On April 7th, an amicus brief was filed in favor of Florida’s current ban on using state funds to support “transgender” treatments, with 17 state attorneys general voicing their support for the law.
According to the Daily Caller, the brief’s filing was part of an ongoing legal battle in the state of Florida, where far-left, pro-transgender activists have teamed up with several pseudo-medical organizations to file a lawsuit against the law. The groups involved include the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), the Endocrine Society, and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The law in question states that Medicaid funds cannot be used to cover any transgender operations, including sex change surgery, cross-sex hormones, and puberty blockers.
The 17 states that have filed in support of Florida are: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Virginia. In their filing, the AGs argue that the organizations involved in the lawsuit have “prioritized politics over science.”
“The amici States submit this brief in support of Florida’s right to regulate medicine and determine appropriate treatments for Medicaid coverage,” the brief states. “Moreover, there is particular reason to be suspicious of the interest groups in this case.”
Their brief goes on to point out that several European countries, including the United Kingdom, Finland, Norway, and Sweden have taken similar steps to crack down on transgender treatments, declaring that “transitioning treatments for minors are experimental.”
The case has already seen a judge order the three organizations to comply with subpoenas ordering them to turn over documents related to their guidance for children suffering from gender dysphoria, the official name for the condition of transgenderism. In addition, Florida’s Agency for Healthcare Administration (AHCA) submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Biden Administration demanding access to similar internal documents related to the administration’s gender transition policies.
– – –
Eric Lendrum graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he was the Secretary of the College Republicans and the founding chairman of the school’s Young Americans for Freedom chapter.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-17--Commentary: The Silent Majority Will Support Trump Like It Did Nixon in 1972

That was President Donald Trump ’ s analysis on Twitter of the current political climate in the U.S. , likening it to the late 1960s and early 1970s — with radical antiwar and race riots — that helped propel Richard Nixon into the White House in 1968 and later helped engineer his 49-state sweep in his 1972 reelection bid .
Today , the issues are surely different .
In the wake of the murder and manslaughter of George Floyd by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin , radical protests and sometime riots have urged defunding or even abolishing the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Autonomous Zone ( CHAZ ) has sprung up in downtown Seattle .
Here , Trump is betting politically that most Americans realize that one bad cop does not eliminate the necessity for police , courts and criminal justice in order to maintain civil order and the civil society .
Moreover , Trump believes most Americans have no desire to cave into mob rule as the alternative .
Sure enough , public opinion is decidedly against the idea of disbanding police departments nationwide , across all demographics and political party lines .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 64 percent of Americans reject the idea of defunding the police , including 91 percent of Republicans , 45 percent of Democrats , 43 percent of blacks , 58 percent of Hispanics and 74 percent of whites .
Seeing specifically Democrats so divided on the issue must be terrible news for former Vice President Joe Biden , who has to choose between rejecting a majority of his own base who want to get rid of the police or losing almost half of his supporters who oppose doing so .
Almost 50 years ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the nation was facing a different sort of choice .
While Nixon was utilizing diplomacy and ending the conflict in Vietnam on U.S. terms — he would later call it “ peace with honor ” — radical activists were demanding he engage in unilateral surrender and simply withdraw troops , abandoning the people of South Vietnam , and often engaging in political violence in advocating that end .
In Nov. 1969 , Nixon first used the “ silent majority ” phrase in a speech outlining his plan to end the war in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record that when America was the most powerful nation in the world we passed on the other side of the road and allowed the last hopes for peace and freedom of millions of people to be suffocated by the forces of totalitarianism .
And so tonight — to you , the great silent majority of my fellow Americans — I ask for your support .
I pledged in my campaign for the Presidency to end the war in a way that we could win the peace .
I have initiated a plan of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that pledge.
” Again , it ’ s a different sort of choice , but it is in a similar vein .
Americans wanted to get out of Vietnam across the board — Nixon ran on the idea — but he had a vision about the right way to do it .
Three years later , in 1972 , the silent majority would finally make their voices heard at the polls , garnering over 60 percent of the vote and winning every state against George McGovern except Massachusetts and the District of Columbia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predict such an outcome in 2020 — the U.S. differs drastically both demographically and politically from 1972 — there are elements of human nature and common sense that are time tested .
Most Americans realize that without the rule of law , courts and due process , there can be no fairness .
We all want to hold bad police officers to account , and to see reforms including eliminating collective bargaining agreements that prevent officers who commit crimes from being arrested for days , but there is a right way to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can hold bad actors like Chauvin who take life to account , and ensure that justice is upheld .
The mob , on the other hand , can only destroy the civil society — and then there will be no justice for all .
It ’ s an easy issue to frame .
If you want justice , you need laws and somebody to enforce them .
On the issue of law and order , that gives Trump has a decided advantage over Biden .
Robert Romano is the Vice President of Public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Photo “ Silent Majority Poster ” by Gage Skidmore .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-17--Leahy and Roberts Discuss Nashville Mayor Cooper’s Continued Hold on Nashville Small Businesses

Live from Music Row Tuesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – Leahy was joined in studio by state Senator Kerry Roberts ( R-Springfield ) .
During the second hour , Leahy and Roberts questioned the motives of Mayor John Cooper who continues to hold Nashville small businesses hostage .
Leahy : That ’ s Mayor Francisco Suarez .
They are actually opening in Miami .
They seem to be more interested in getting that city back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mayor John Cooper is doing everything he can to make it difficult for businesses in Nashville .
He ’ s got his social distance contact tracing police health director out there .
While the protests are going on Friday , he sent a bunch of them out to shut down restaurants on Lower Broadway .
Roberts : Well you just need to make them a venue for protesters .
Then you can open up for full capacity .
You just need to put a sign out that you ’ re protesting something .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ what you should do is go to these , we had somebody call and say look , let ’ s just have a big protest .
And the way you protest is you go to a business on Lower Broadway and you spend money there .
( Roberts chuckles ) That would be a protest .
Roberts : That ’ s like the businesses that shut down learned to sell food .
Because if you sell food then what are you ?
You are an essential business .
I told several people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kind of food to sell then you can claim to be an essential business .
Leahy : Here is our story from this morning .
Fourteen Nashville businesses cited for not complying with health orders .
Health officials in Tennessee have cited 14 Nashville businesses including a restaurant owned by Kid Rock for not complying with coronavirus public health guidelines .
Roberts : Now you said is that the State Department of Health or the Metro Department of Health ?
Leahy : It ’ s the Metro .
Metro Health Department Director Michael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blank , I ’ m not going to say that word on air .
Honkey-tonk and rock-n-roll steakhouse on Saturday .
I won ’ t say the world .
But I ’ m going to go down there and get a steak this week I think .
Just because .
On Saturday , after receiving a complaint citing a statement from the health department .
They are sending these health inspectors around to look for violations in restaurants and then reporting them .
Then giving them fines .
Of course , how do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a 32 percent property tax increase ?
Which is what they want to give these guys .
Roberts : I don ’ t know .
But I just think it ’ s horrible .
It ’ s horrible , horrible that Metro Health Department would be seeking out people who are simply trying to preserve their livelihood for themselves and their employees and doing what they think is necessary to do to survive .
When in the history of humankind have we quarantined healthy people ?
When have we told healthy people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When have we shut down businesses like this ?
This whole thing is shameful and I hope that when we get around to the polls I hope some people get voted out of office , never be seen or heard from again .
It ’ s ridiculous .
Leahy : Did any health department folks like Director Michael Caldwell , did they go to the protest rallies that the mayor encouraged to happen ?
Roberts : Of course , they didn ’ t .
Leahy : And say , you know we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing ?
Roberts : No .
Of course , they didn ’ t because there is such a hypocritical double standard .
It ’ s just amazing to me that the people of Nashville , I ’ ll tell you what , what the rebellion needs to be is against Mayor Cooper and his government .
Leahy : Yes , he ’ s really turning into a tin pot progressive dictator .
Roberts : You know what ?
Let the people alone and tell them if you don ’ t want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roberts : Just stay at home if you don ’ t want to get sick .
Leahy : If you want to defend Mayor Cooper .
Just give us a call .
Mayor Cooper , you can just call in because you are too afraid to show up .
I know that for sure .
If you want to defend Mayor Cooper for being an authoritarian dictator over legitimate businesses in Nashville exercising your illegal un-constitutional executive orders to shut them down now and to fine them .
Attorney Brian Lewis by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owner of Kid Rock ’ s Honkey Tonk and other businesses said the citation by Mayor Cooper ’ s health department was “ selective prosecution ” and they intend to fight it .
“ We find it very unfair that Mayor John Cooper can encourage thousands of people to march with him in violation of his own phases but he wants to hold the Nashville business community hostage.
” We need to have attorney Brian Lewis on here .
Roberts : I ’ ll tell you what .
I can ’ t tell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s saying .
It ’ s ridiculous .
Let ’ s get to court .
But you know what ?
Where are you going to go to court ?
In Nashville , Tennessee ?
And what kind of outcome is that going to be ?
You ’ re going to be in front of a liberal judge who ’ s going to do this on a Zoom meeting because they don ’ t want you in their courtroom .
This is something else that bothers me .
People are being denied the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Leahy : We had an attorney call in about that .
Roberts : That is a constitutional right .
( Sighs ) A lot of stuff is messed up in the world today .
Leahy : But hey , we ’ ll see if there are rules for thee but not for me .
We have a story at The Tennessee Star .
Montgomery Bell Academy , a fine school by the way .
Roberts : Asking for permission to do a graduation .
Leahy : They are waiting for Metro approval @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The mayor ’ s son is graduating among the other Montgomery Bell graduates .
They have a commencement planned .
But the plans right now would be in violation of Phase Two .
It ’ s on Thursday .
They are asking the mayor to approve it .
We ’ ll see what happens .
Will he move to Phase Three just in time for his son ’ s graduation from Montgomery Bell Academy .
Roberts : You know what ?
If that ’ s what it takes for him to move to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You know what I mean ?
Leahy : Or will he make a special exception .
Because he makes special exceptions for protesters .
Roberts : Here is the thing .
If that is something that would be allowed under Phase Three then I would tell every business in Nashville , Tennessee to reopen however you want to reopen and line up in court with a class-action lawsuit against all these people doing this stuff .
It ’ s ridiculous .
Leahy : I am in favor of that .
They should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive orders are unconstitutional .
Roberts : What is their defense going to be ?
Roberts : The experts don ’ t agree on what does or doesn ’ t work .
So how are you going to defend yourselves ?
Anyway .
( Leahy laughs ) What are you doing to me ?
You ’ re getting me in a negative mood again .
I came here in a good mood and look at what you ’ ve done for me .
Leahy : When you come back for the next hour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leahy : Rainbows and unicorns !
The Tennessee Star Report , a beacon of hope in a land of turmoil .
Listen to the full second hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ John Cooper ” by John Cooper .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-17--Stocks Rally Worldwide on Hopes for Coming Economic Recovery

NEW YORK , New York ( AP ) — Stocks rose again Tuesday , part of a strong and worldwide rally for markets , after a big rebound in buying at U.S. stores and online raised hopes that the economy can escape its recession relatively quickly .
The S & P 500 climbed 1.9 % for its third straight gain , bringing it back within 8 % of its record set in February .
Gains have built in recent weeks as reports bolster investor expectations that the worst of the downturn may have already passed .
Continuing , immense aid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ markets , and its chair said Tuesday that the central bank will continue to use all its tools to cushion the blow of the worst recession in decades .
But trading remains very skittish across markets as worsening coronavirus trends in several global hotspots raise the possibility that all the improvements could unravel .
The S & P 500 shot to an early 2.8 % gain , lost nearly all of it at one point and then rallied back .
By the end of Tuesday , the index was up 58.15 points at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rose 526.82 , or 2 % , to 26,289.98 , and the Nasdaq composite climbed 169.84 , or 1.7 % , to 9,895.87 .
“ The markets have been looking forward to the economy reopening , and that ’ s a large part of the story for the next few months , ” said Bruce Bittles , chief investment strategist at Baird .
“ My feeling is that while reopenings and things get better , it won ’ t be without some backsteps , and I think it ’ ll be a rocky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Retail sales jumped 17.7 % from April to May , more than double economists ’ expectations , to retrace some of their record-setting plunges in March and April as businesses reopened across the country .
It follows earlier reports that the U.S. job market unexpectedly strengthened last month .
Economists at IHS Markit said this could be the shortest recession on record for the United States , perhaps just a couple months .
Among other encouraging signs spurring markets worldwide : Researchers in England said they have the first evidence that a drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is already widely available and cheap .
Underpinning all of the market ’ s strength is continued aid coming from central banks , which have repeatedly come to the economy ’ s rescue .
The Federal Reserve helped turn markets around on Monday after it said it will buy individual corporate bonds as part of a previously announced program to support lending markets .
“ The Fed has flooded the economy with liquidity , ” said Randy Frederick , vice president of trading and derivatives at Charles Schwab .
And with lots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accounts , the market has more potential fuel for its next leg higher , he said .
“ People are just waiting for any good news to jump in and drive that higher.
” Still , caution continues to run through markets .
A record number of fund managers in Bank of America ’ s monthly survey say the stock market is overvalued following its nearly 40 % surge since late March .
The rally has also been showing some cracks recently as investors worry that a possible resurgence of infections could push @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread of the virus .
Analysts on Tuesday cited discouraging trends in Florida , Texas and China .
And even if the stay-at-home orders don ’ t come back , worried consumers and businesses could pull back on their spending .
Skepticism has been high about the stock market ’ s run since it began climbing since hitting a bottom in late March , down 34 % from its record .
The huge backstops from the Fed and Capitol Hill helped halt the declines .
More recently , investors have been pushing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a reopening economy on expectations that activity can rebound as governments relax shutdown restrictions put in place to slow the spread of the virus .
Such stocks were again leading the market on Tuesday .
Smaller stocks were among the market ’ s biggest gainers , which often happens when investors are getting more optimistic about the economy .
The Russell 2000 index of small-cap stocks rose 2.3 % .
Nordstrom jumped 12.9 % for one of the biggest gains in the S & P 500 , leading a group of retailers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stores .
The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 0.74 % from 0.70 % late Monday .
It tends to move with investors ’ expectations for the economy and inflation .
In Asia , Japan ’ s Nikkei 225 jumped 4.9 % , South Korea ’ s Kospi surged 5.3 % and the Hang Seng in Hong Kong rose 2.4 % .
In Europe , Germany ’ s DAX returned 3.4 % , France ’ s CAC 40 rose 2.8 % and the FTSE 100 in London added 2.9 % .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ rose $ 1.26 to settle at $ 38.38 a barrel Monday .
Brent crude oil for August delivery rose $ 1.24 to $ 40.96 a barrel .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-17--Carol Swain Tells Mark Levin That We Are All Suffering Right Now Because of the Left’s Political Age

Carol Swain Tells Mark Levin That We Are All Suffering Right Now Because of the Left’s Political Agenda

Dr. Carol M. Swain appeared on Fox News Channel ’ s Life , Liberty , and Levin with host Mark Levin this past Sunday evening to discuss historic systemic racism and the Democratic Party ’ s left-wing agenda .
Levin : Our first guest is Dr. Carol Swain .
Dr. Swain taught at Princeton where she was tenured .
She was a tenured professor of political science at Vanderbilt University .
She has a BA in criminal justice .
A master ’ s in law .
A Ph.D. in political science .
What a remarkable woman .
She ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bob Woodson has organized .
And is part of the Black Voices for Trump advisory board member .
And I could go on and on .
Dr. Swain , your very very impressive .
For people who don ’ t know , give us a little bit of your background .
Swain : Well I ’ m an American success story .
I was one of 12 children born and raised in the rural south .
We all dropped out of school after completing the eighth grade .
I married at 16 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ By the time I was 20 I had three small children .
And I divorced .
I went to a community college and got the first of five degrees .
And I eventually became a successful university professor earning early tenure at Princeton .
I ’ ve won national prizes .
I ’ ve been cited by the U.S. Supreme Court .
And I love America .
And if you haven ’ t noticed I ’ m black .
Levin : ( Chuckles ) Well , let me ask you some questions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve seen what ’ s been going on in this country .
You ’ ve seen the voices on television and heard them .
Athletes .
Commissioner of the NFL .
Hollywood .
The Democrat Party on the left .
Pelosi and Schumer .
First of all , I want to ask you a question .
Is this a civil rights movement like the civil rights movement of the 1960s that had a specific agenda on equality , voting , access , and due process ?
Whereas this seems to be as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its purpose as an overthrow of the original purposes of our government and the overthrow of our government and our economic system .
What do you make of this ?
Swain : I think of it as a part of the cultural Marxist agenda against America .
And many of the protesters that are out there and the corporations that are giving money , I believe that they are sincere and that they believe racism in America is intolerable .
That it hasn ’ t improved and that black people live their lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ false narrative and I think it ’ s being pushed this year because of the election .
And I think that the situation with George Floyd that the media , the Democratic Party , Antifa , Black Lives Matter , all of those groups have an incentive to push and fan the flames so that they ended up with what we ’ re experiencing right now .
So we are all suffering as a result of their political agenda .
And it will not bring us closer together .
Levin : You know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I look at this you look at these cities and they are run by one party with an iron fist .
Mayors , city councils , aldermen for half a century at least .
They are in charge of the money that comes into these communities .
They are in charge of how it is distributed .
That money is laundered through their bureaucracy , their nepotism , their political cronyism .
They take no responsibility for what ’ s going on in their cities .
They blame other people .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one-party states .
These are Democrat states and it is amazing to me because you have Nancy Pelosi this week who announced that she wants to remove 11 Confederate statues from Congress .
And I ’ m thinking to myself Dr. Swain , hasn ’ t she been there like 30 years ?
She ’ s been speaker twice .
She was there when the Democrats controlled the House and the Senate and Barack Obama was president .
And only now she decides to move 11 Confederate statues ?
Number one , what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in these communities ?
And number two isn ’ t it for her purely opportunism because she had every opportunity to remove those statues years ago ?
Swain : First off I ’ d like your viewers to know that I was a Democrat up to 2009 but I always had a different perspective on the world .
I ’ ve always been able to see through things .
But I was there and I ’ ve been able to watch them over the years .
And it ’ s clear that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I believe it ’ s really focused on dividing the country even further .
Because the monuments are a part of our history .
If we can ’ t learn from our history than we are in trouble .
The whole situation is problematic because , with the monuments , this is something that there are monuments on all sides .
If we start tearing down monuments , what happens tomorrow when the leaders that we are celebrating today when those people fall out of favor ?
It ’ s the wrong path @ @ @ @ @ @ @ divisive .
It ’ s opportunism .
And it ’ s just meant to stir up people that are traditionalists .
People that love America .
People that are patriotic .
Levin : I think you are right .
The notion that we are now going to tear down all the Confederate statues because Americans worship these generals .
Americans don ’ t worship these generals .
Americans mostly despise these generals or don ’ t even know who the hell they are .
And the fact is , you ’ re going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes next ?
Any of the Founding Fathers who owned slaves and released slaves ?
What comes next ?
Books ?
We already know movies are being affected .
Television shows are being pulled off the air .
We have this bizarre purging going on .
This cleaning up of history going on when in fact we actually need to know all these things as we go into the future .
Correct ?
Swain : It ’ s far more important to look at the full picture and not to judge the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use today .
Levin : Yes because if we judge the past by the political lens of today as you point out then we have a lot of questions to ask of the left and the Democrat Party don ’ t we ?
Levin : How could you have voted for Robert Byrd to be the Democrat Majority Leader in the United States Senate when he had been an avowed klansman several decades before ?
That seems to me to be a rational question .
And how could Joe Biden of worked with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1970s on various crime bills and other issues if we are supposed to cleanse history ?
Are we supposed to ignore that too ?
And may I say this to you professor , the Democrat Party , if we are going to purge society and segregation and racism , was it not the Democratic Party that led the Confederacy ?
Was it not the Democrat Party that gave birth to the Klan ?
Was it not the Democrat Party that throughout a hundred years after the civil war led the effort on segregation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ literacy tests ?
I understand the Democrat Party has done some good things but if it ’ s in our DNA and we are systemically racist and we ’ re pulling down statues and we ’ re burning books and we ’ re removing TV shows , why don ’ t we purge the Democrat Party ?
Just a rhetorical point to you professor .
Swain : I agree .
And the Democrat Party also fought against the anti-lynching laws .
And if you look at the 1960s , the Democrats have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they pay off the leaders .
They pick certain ones in the black community .
They pay them off and nothing good trickles down to the masses .
The Democratic Party has stood in the way of black progress .
It ’ s standing in the way right now .
And they are using black people to advance a radical agenda that I believe will be destructive to our nation and will hurt all of us and it ’ s hurting us right now .
Levin : And you know when I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 1964 .
The 1964 Civil Rights Act which was actually quite crucial .
You look at the breakdown of the votes .
In the House of Representatives , 61 percent of the Democrats voted for it and 80 percent of the Republicans voted for it .
In the Senate , where it was filibustered , 69 percent Democrats wound up voting for it .
86 percent of Republicans wound up voting for it , and yet , the Democrat Party today claims to take the lead in dealing with what it calls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Systemic racism in police departments .
That the Democrat Party is going to advance equality .
You have iconic figures in our culture .
Oprah Winfrey .
LeBron James .
You have the commissioner of the NFL pretty much .
These are all Democrats all promoting the Democrat Party .
Let me circle back .
Is this in many respects about power and not so much about civil rights ?
Swain : It ’ s absolutely about power .
And if you go to the Black Lives Matter website and you click @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is going to Democratic candidates .
It ’ s not really advancing the cause of black people .
And I think that it ’ s very problematic that the true statement and the slogan that Black Lives Matter in the same way that all lives matter , that because the slogan Black Lives Matter is a true statement people that want to help blacks and they ’ re white and being shamed .
They feel like the only way they can show support is to donate money or to acquiesce or get down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And that ’ s not going to benefit the black community and this whole move to defund the police .
I mean that ’ s ludicrous .
That will hurt black people more than any other group .
Photo “ Mark Levin ” by Gage Skidmore .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .
Background Photo “ Fox News Studio ” by Inside Cable news .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-17--New Water Park Opening in Tennessee Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

SEVIERVILLE , Tenn. ( AP ) — A new water park in the Smoky Mountains foothills of Tennessee is preparing @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic .
The 50-acre Soaky Mountain Waterpark in Sevierville said it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ , with preview days on June 25 and 26 for guests of Wilderness at the @ @ @ @ @ .
Masks will be optional in the park and not allowed in or on water @ @ @ @ @ and other precautions will be in place .
The park ’ s leadership said it @ @ @ @ @ federal officials have advised that there ’ s no evidence COVID-19 can spread through water @ @ @ @ @ .
The water park cost about $ 90 million to build and will have nearly @ @ @ @ @ .