thetennesseestar--2020-10-16--Commentary: Vice President Biden, Don’t Take Away Our Healthcare Choice

President Donald Trump recently painted a picture for the American people of what healthcare reform would look if given a second term in office .
Trump made a passionate argument for a framework anchored in choice and transparency , elements that stand in stark contrast to Obamacare—which used the power of the federal government to force people to purchase something simply for being alive : government-sanctioned health insurance .
Buried within the Affordable Care Act ( ACA ) , the “ individual mandate ” commanded Americans to buy these policies or face hundreds of dollars in fines .
( The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fines ” as “ taxes ” in an attempt to make them constitutional . )
The ACA ’ s intent to ensure healthcare coverage for all Americans was noble .
The reality , however , was disastrous .
The ACA ’ s other mandates , such as risk pools and minimum coverage requirements , made compliance too expensive for many smaller insurance companies , squeezing them out of the health insurance market altogether .
Their departure created lucrative regional cartels for the behemoth insurers left standing .
Without the stabilizing effect of competition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2013 to 2017 .
Thus , Americans were forced not only to buy health insurance , but choose from an ever-shrinking number of ever-more-expensive plans—and all the while becoming increasingly underinsured .
Those who couldn ’ t afford the ACA ’ s growing affordability problem were further punished by the Obama-Biden individual mandate .
That is , Americans were fined for their inability to afford a government-mandated health plan run by insurance companies now pulling in record profits .
Relief came in President Trump ’ s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by slashing its penalty to zero .
Beyond the punitive relief , the removal of the individual mandate ’ s roadblocks opened the door to a plethora of new , affordable coverage options .
The traditional mandated plans remained , but American healthcare consumers could also opt for Short-Term Limited Duration ( STLD ) policies , Indemnity Plans , and additional Health Sharing Organizations .
Many found that these new , affordable plans also paved new ways to access care outside of the artificial , restrictive insurance networks , such as Direct Primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bypasses the third party payer system in favor of direct payments from patients to medical service providers .
By circumventing the third party bureaucracy , direct payment from patient to doctor can lower prices and improve access .
In fact , in some cases , the cost reductions over ten years can be so profound that with the combination of less expensive coverage and care , a family of four could purchase a house with the savings .
Despite these successes , the ACA did not fully go away .
Legally , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resurrected by a new administration—a promise already made by former Vice President Joe Biden should he become president .
Biden ’ s commitment to the mandate likely explains the massive increase in contributions to his presidential campaign by the nation ’ s top health insurers .
Resurrecting the mandate would be a huge mistake .
It would drive Americans out of the more cost-effective insurance alternatives and force them to give their money to Biden ’ s benefactors in the insurance industry .
Health coverage for everyone should be achieved without manipulating the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favored companies .
Nor should hardworking Americans fear crushing fines .
One healthcare reform plan Biden should instead support is Healthcare for You—a framework from the Job Creators Network Foundation , of which I ’ m a member , that mirrors the elements recently highlighted by President Trump .
It gets Big Brother out of the exam room , rather than inviting him in .
Trust citizens to make the right decisions for themselves and do away with the notion that government must command people ’ s actions .
Allow them to retain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own decisions regarding what is best for themselves and their healthcare outside of governmental coercion .
Mr. Biden : If elected , do not bring back the individual mandate .
Dr. Chad Savage is the founder of YourChoice Direct Care in Michigan and member of the Job Creators Network .
Photo “ Joe Biden ” by Phil Roeder .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-16--Commentary: If Republican Senators Were Like Crazy Mazie

As I emerged from the Jewish Holy Season , marking the beginning of Year 5781 since Creation , I was jolted from the spirituality and meaningfulness of Sukkot , Sh ’ mini Atzeret , and Simchat Torah into the reality of the New Filth that permeates American politics .
The media like to blame the president for the degradation , but he is not the cause .
He is the response and the reaction .
While the McCain family lives out its petty vengeance , bearing the grudges that prompted them even to bar John McCain ’ s vice presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his funeral , a fair-minded observer can not avoid recognizing that the poison and vitriol in American politics long preceded Donald Trump .
It was the Democrats who changed the landscape by murdering Judge Robert Bork ’ s name and reputation for a generation .
While Republicans repeatedly treated Democrat Supreme Court nominees with kid gloves , the Democrats just assassinated one human being ’ s character after another .
They destroyed Bork .
They came up with the most racist , stereotypical garbage imaginable against Clarence Thomas .
( Right ?
Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to attract them .
Right ? )
They lied about Brett Kavanaugh , defaming that very extraordinary man , a man who reflects so elegantly the Divine spirit that reposes within all of us .
In the presence of his dignified wife and innocent children , and before the eyes and ears of hundreds of millions of Americans , they proffered false accusations of rapes , attacks that never happened , fantasies of truly sick minds .
And they knew they would get away with it — because no one except for that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though there ’ s money in that banana stand .
And then the Democrats pontificate and hypocritically ask why our democracy is no longer civilly bipartisan as it once was .
They attack religion as though a belief in G-d is something for which a public person should apologize .
Our Founding Fathers honored faith and religious belief , embracing it for unique protection in the First Amendment , placing its sanctity even before freedom of speech , of press , and of assembly .
We are one nation under G-d , indivisible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We Trust.
” The daily sessions of Congress begin with a sermon , an “ invocation , ” from clergy .
And yet the current crop of haters and bigots would have no part of it .
Dianne Feinstein shamelessly attacks a woman who believes in G-d by scolding her that the “ dogma ” lives within her .
Well , good for Amy Coney Barrett .
Kamala Harris , a despicably immoral public figure who shamelessly slept her way into Democrat politics by cavorting openly , brazenly , and publicly with California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senior and very married , attacks Catholics who join the Knights of Columbus .
It is unbelievable that such hate and bigotry , historically the purview of the Ku Klux Klan and its Democrat embodiments like Klan Exalted Cyclops Robert Byrd , still exists so brazenly in a society that supposedly welcomes diversity .
And how ironic that Kamala Harris is as anti-Catholic as Democrat Senate icon Robert Byrd , who said this : They will fire or suspend professors for using a word in Mandarin Chinese that sounds like the racial word @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over and over and over again , in Black rap lyrics .
They will topple statues of Jefferson and Lincoln .
But no concern over the federal buildings named for the Democrat United States senator who called Blacks “ mongrels.
” Take note , racists : that word is safe to use .
If you are a Democrat .
But the most despicable of all is the really obscene circus act from Hawaii , Mazie Hirono .
She has no limits , knows no bounds .
After scoring several public outrages while attacking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she most recently turned her vile bile on Judge Amy Coney Barrett in this despicable inquisition : What is wrong with this sick , sick person who desecrates and demeans the United States Senate by her very presence ?
Is this the best that Hawaii , a state once represented elegantly and nobly by Sen. Daniel Inouye , an American patriot , can send to Washington ?
Can you imagine if Republican senators had treated Democrat SCOTUS nominees that way ?
Imagine exchanges like these : Questioner : “ Judge Ginsburg , have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am just asking.
” Questioner : “ What about with a goat ?
I know you are Jewish , so I am not asking whether you ever had sex with a hog , a boar , a pig .
But , since you became a legal adult , have you ever allowed a male goat to sexually engage you ?
” Questioner : “ What about a lesbian ?
Have you ever acted sexually with a lesbian ?
” RBG : “ I have acted with a thespian .
But not with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What kind of question is this ?
” Questioner : “ I am asking the questions here , not you .
You have very bad manners , may I say .
Very disrespectful .
I request that my time be restored.
” Questioner : “ Judge Sotomayor .
Have you ever had sexual intercourse with an autistic boy under age eight ?
” Questioner : “ Well , what about with a boy somewhere on the spectrum ?
” Questioner : “ Are you evading my question ?
So you indeed were physically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Why won ’ t you answer my question ?
The American people want to know.
” Sotomayor : “ I do not understand your question .
In fact , I find this entire line of questioning reprehensible.
” Questioner : “ You still have not answered my question .
I think we all know the conclusion to draw.
” Questioner : “ Excuse me .
I ’ m speaking .
Have you ever faced discipline or entered into a settlement related to sexual attacks you may have launched on caged animals after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Sotomayor : “ I absolutely do not understand what this has to do with my — ” Sotomayor : “ But you seemed to be fin — ” The line of questioning in which Crazy Mazie engaged this week while interrogating Judge Barrett was so despicable that she should have been censured .
Ten years ago , she would have been .
Her voters would have been ashamed .
But the Democrats have redrawn the lines of engagement .
Now anything goes .
Harris , while running for vice president , gives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and arsonists .
Feinstein , Harris , and Hirono attack religion , people of faith , and cut into their very souls with obscene questions that never should be asked , questions like those that Crazy Mazie asked Judge Barrett .
Trump is not the cause but the effect .
There is just no other way to speak to such people .
Nearly a century ago , the great Zionist visionary and statesman , Zev Jabotinsky , gave voice to the frustration he felt over the constant repetition of a certain vile anti-Semitic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In his words : If it would not have given the Left media an excuse to publish that Judge Barrett lacks “ judicial temperament , ” that is the response to Crazy Mazie , to Kamala Harris , to Dianne Feinstein , and to the whole lot of them that I would have loved to have heard from her : “ Why don ’ t you all go to Hell ?
” Instead , we leave that clarity for the president to express .
It is the only sensible response .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Esq.
, a high-stakes litigation attorney of more than twenty-five years and an adjunct professor of law of more than fifteen years , is rabbi of Young Israel of Orange County , California .
His legal career has included serving as Chief Articles Editor of UCLA Law Review , clerking for the Hon .
Danny J. Boggs in the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit , and then litigating at three of America ’ s most prominent law firms : JonesDay , Akin Gump , and Baker & Hostetler .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has served several terms on the Executive Committee of the Rabbinical Council of America , is Senior Rabbinic Fellow at the Coalition for Jewish Values , has been Vice President of Zionist Organization of America , and has served on regional boards of the American Jewish Committee , B ’ nai Brith Hillel , and several others .
His writings on contemporary political issues have appeared over the years in the Wall Street Journal , the Los Angeles Times , the Jerusalem Post , National Review , American Greatness , The Weekly Standard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and in Israel .
A winner of an American Jurisprudence Award in Professional Legal Ethics , Rabbi Fischer also is the author of two books , including General Sharon ’ s War Against Time Magazine , which covered the Israeli General ’ s 1980s landmark libel suit .
Background Photo “ Mazie Hirono ” by PBS Newshour .

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--2020-10-16--The Tennessee Star Report: Listener Calls Pour in to Dispel National Polling Numbers and See the Ent

The Tennessee Star Report: Listener Calls Pour in to Dispel National Polling Numbers and See the Enthusiasm Trump

Live from Music Row Friday 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 guest host Ben Cunningham to the show .
During the third hour , Leahy and Cunningham took listeners calls who didn ’ t believe national polls were correct and gave eye witness accounts of large Trump supporters at both rallies and polling places .
Leahy : We are with our good friend the official guest host of The Tennessee Star report Bend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretty good caller I thought .
You know , we ’ d like to have people who have different views especially Democrats who actually can articulate their viewpoints .
He was pretty good at articulating his points .
Cunningham : Good guy good analyst .
He ’ s obviously been around politics for a long time .
He can separate himself from the numbers .
Although I think he probably , we ’ re all in bubbles .
Let ’ s admit that .
We all tend to stay in our ideological bubbles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his ideological bubble .
You know , Georgia , Florida , and North Carolina , I don ’ t think anybody at this point can say where those states are going .
It ’ s still pretty much a toss-up .
He ’ s seeing them going one way .
I think they could easily go the other way .
I don ’ t think it ’ s you know , we ’ re still in for a long long 19-day ride .
Leahy : A long 19-day ride followed by a long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This could impact the election .
We had yesterday breaking news from those emails of Hunter Biden setting up a deal where his business partner from Ukraine met with his father apparently .
And you know , it belies the statements to the contrary made by his father .
Here ’ s another one .
China now .
Headline : Emails Reveal How Hunter Biden Tried to Cash in Big on Behalf of Family With Chinese Firm .
The New York Post broke this story this morning at five o ’ clock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deals involving China ’ s largest private energy company including one that he said would be “ interesting for me and my family.
” Emails obtained by The Post show one email sent to Biden on May 13 , 2017 , with the subject line , expectations including details of remuneration packages for six people involved in an unspecified business venture .
Biden was identified as vice-chair , depending on an agreement with the Shanghai-based conglomerate China Energy Company .
Hmm .
Cunningham : Pretty amazing stuff .
Hunter Biden is turning out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leahy : The gift that keeps on giving to the Donald Trump campaign .
Cunningham : Absolutely .
And it ’ s just amazing .
Again , the press is an arm of the Democratic Party right now and it just is so obvious .
And that those kinds of X factors , they ’ re not going to affect the base .
The hardcore Democrats hate Donald Trump .
They ’ re going to vote .
They ’ re going to go through hell and high water to get out and vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what this is about .
It ’ s not about Joe Biden or Hunter Biden for them .
But the swing voters , this could in fact affect the swing voters .
Cunnigham : No question about it .
Leahy : Terry from Charlotte wants to win about early voting .
Terry , you ’ re on The Tennessee Star Report with Ben Cunningham and Michael Patrick Leahy .
Caller Terry : Well welcome .
Yeah .
My wife said yesterday in Dickson County that the parking lot was full all day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ building in Dickson County .
So Saturday morning , we ’ re going to have like a Trump rally in the parking lot .
So it ’ s a hundred feet away from the polling booth .
We ’ ll be fine .
Cunningham : Is there just one early voting location ?
Leahy : Where is it in Dickson County ?
Leahy : Head to the and Dickson , Tennessee library rally Saturday morning .
There will be a Trump rally .
Stay 100 feet away from the polling place .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Terry : Yes .
It is a law .
and I don ’ t know if they ’ ll enforce it .
But the other point is that there you ’ re not supposed to wear a mask in public buildings .
( Leahy laughs ) Terry : So I don ’ t know if that ’ s going to be enforced or not .
But it is when they have some problems there because most people that do not want to wear their masks .
Cunningham : What time did you say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be at about nine o ’ clock .
Leahy : Nine o ’ clock at the Dickson , Tennessee public library .
Make sure you stay 100 feet away .
It ’ s a Trump rally , but make sure you stay more than 100 feet away from the polling place because that ’ s the law .
And we always comply with the law don ’ t we Terry ?
Leahy : It ’ s got to be a protest so the officials will allow you to be there , right ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ d like to make here .
I ’ m very concerned about Chris Wray , the FBI director .
Supposedly he knew about this server since last December .
Leahy : This Hunter Biden email that just arrived in the New York Post story yesterday and again today Yeah , what ’ s Chris Wray doing ?
Terry : Why did we have to wait for Guiliani to bring this out ?
Leahy : Yeah , that is a very good point Terry and we appreciate your call .
We have a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wants to talk about the elections .
Brian , you ’ re on The Tennessee Star Report .
Caller Brian : I just want to comment .
Down in Orlando , Florida on Sunday Donald Trump , Jr. came into the Orlando area .
And just to give you an idea , the number of people that showed up for his son was just extraordinary .
It poured .
It was 98 degrees .
One hundred percent humidity .
Torrential rain .
And not one person chose to leave .
Everybody stayed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The turnout was an enormous amount of diversity of people that were there supporting them was just unbelievable .
Monday at the Sanford event people were there at five o ’ clock in the morning waiting for 12-plus hours to see a president in 95-degree heat .
Thousands and thousands and thousands of people who should be working or whatever are standing in line to support the president .
And they are saying that he ’ s losing or he ’ s behind in the polls ?
Come on .
Leahy : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Who will win Florida in your view on November 3 ?
Brian : I honestly believe based on people I know that are hardcore liberals that I work with choosing to vote for Biden , they can ’ t do it .
They say they can ’ t do it .
Anybody else they could but they can ’ t .
And they have nothing to show for it .
They have no proven track record .
Other than by the way , I want to comment on Caller Carl .
My health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I used to pay a $ 1,000 deductible .
My wife and myself we pay $ 8,000 for our deductible .
We pay our weekly premium and we pay a copay and basically , I can ’ t use my insurance .
You know , what we end up doing now ?
I end up going and paying cash for health care insurance .
So let me tell you America , this guy Carl is lying to you .
The polls are lying to you .
Look around !
Are you people that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up for a person on the worst day in a hundred-degree heat for 12 hours .
Leahy : Brian , tell us what you really feel about who ’ s going to win down there .
( Laughter ) What ’ s the margin of Trump victory going to be in your view down in Florida ?
Brian : It ’ s going to be a landslide .
There is no question .
We ’ re driving through neighborhoods that are Democratic and who would supposedly have Biden signs .
There are Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stickers .
You would know when we see they say , Trump .
Not Biden .
Trump .
Leahy : Brian , thanks so much for that call .
We ’ re going to go to Sam in Franklin now wants to talk a little bit about pulling this year .
Sam , You ’ re on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy and Ben Cunningham .
Caller Sam : Hey guys .
Good morning .
Hang up then .
I first met Ben 18 years ago at the Bellevue Shoney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congressman Ed Bryant when he was running for Fred Thompson ’ s seat .
And that ’ s how I first see , you know , got involved and got interested in politics .
And back when he was starting to Tennessee tax revolt .
Cunningham : Well , we ’ re going back there Sam , right ?
Sam : Yeah , so one of the things I want to talk about , you know , I think it ’ s important for everybody to not look at polls .
But look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
These polls are based on models that are not reflective of the electorate .
And I mean if you look at Quinnipiac which was so wrong in Florida you know in the midterms in 2018 .
I mean , they had Gilliam and Nelson up by , you know , six , seven , eight points .
They ’ re based on turnout models that Joe Biden ’ s going to turn out more youth vote .
And more of his base then Obama did in ’ 08 and ’ 12 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ example where I think the Democrats are really going to hurt this cycle .
It ’ s with the youth vote .
Listen to the full third hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ Trump Rally ” by Dan Scavino .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-16--Nashville Officials Call Religious Concert ‘a Disappointing Event’

Metro Nashville officials said at a press conference Thursday that they are still investigating a Christian-event in downtown Nashville Sunday .
Metro Deputy Chief John Drake , referring to COVID-19 said Thursday that the people who organized it did not prioritize public health .
“ We had no advance communication from the organizers .
We were aware of a Facebook post .
Part of our enforcement was we tried to make contact without success .
We had an on-duty sergeant who drove by .
He looked at the event and saw that it wasn ’ t disorderly and that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the street .
So he made the decision not to notify any of the command staff , ” Drake said .
“ It ’ s really about what we ’ re going to do moving forward .
I had a very pointed conversation with our leadership earlier this week to ensure notification is always made and if we do have a police response what would that look like ?
At a very minimum we could have issued masks , given warnings and we could have asked people to social distance .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ re going to do and we have a plan in place moving forward .
As far as looking at warrants , that part of the investigation will be by the Health Department.
” Metro Public Health Bureau Director Hugh Atkins , meanwhile , said Metro employees are interviewing some people involved with the worship event .
“ After we speak and find out we can make decisions on what we might do as far as citations are concerned .
But as Chief Drake emphasized we want to look forward .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people that want to have a gathering of over 25 people submit an application through the Metro Public Health Department .
Part of that application process is to tell us how you plan to manage your crowd and social distancing and folks wearing masks and that you have people provided to monitor that at the gathering , ” Atkins said .
“ The process of going through and getting an application approved is a learning process , and it gives the Health Department the opportunity to consult with these organizers and have events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This was a disappointing event in so many ways that so many people did not have a healthy respect for their fellow citizens to be crowded in like that and not really a healthy respect for the status of the virus being spread in our community.
” As The Tennessee Star reported this week , an estimated 9,000 to 10,000 people attended a “ Let Us Worship ” protest in downtown Nashville Sunday .
Sean Feucht , a Christian artist known for his leadership in the California-based megachurch , Bethel Church , hosted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department issued a statement Monday that the city would take action against Feucht .
“ The Metro Public Health Department is working with other Metro Departments to investigate the event that took place Sunday in front of the Metro Courthouse .
The event organizer did not submit an application to the Health Department or permit application to any Metro department .
We have worked very hard to slow the spread of COVID by taking a measured approach to the community .
The Health Department is very concerned by the actions that took place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and will pursue appropriate penalties against the organizer.
” The department didn ’ t issue any statements on adherence to pandemic mandates following the George Floyd protests and riots back in May .
Nashville is currently in Phase III .
Any events over 25 people must have approval from the Metro Department of Health , with a maximum of 500 people or 30 percent capacity .
All event attendees must wear masks .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-10-16--Lynchburg Registrar Accused of Counting Absentee Ballots Illegally Without Republicans Present

The Republican Party of Virginia ( RPV ) and the Lynchburg Republican City Committee are accusing the Lynchburg Registrar ’ s Office of violating election laws by counting absentee ballots without Republicans present .
Individuals who previously registered as Democrats for years assisted in counting ballots , this time registered as “ non-party affiliation.
” 65 of the “ non-party affiliation ” individuals were Democrats last year .
“ Local Democrats being designated as ‘ non-party affiliated ’ enables an unlawful ratio of Democrats to Republicans at Lynchburg voting precincts .
It is a transparent system to avoid following Virginia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican City Committee press release .
In interviews with The Star , Lynchburg Republican City Committee Chairman Eric Harrison and Political Director Amber Haskew ( Political Director ) explained the rationale for questioning the registrar ’ s actions .
“ We had poll watchers down there , and that ’ s where we found out there might not be any Republicans there , ” said Haskew .
“ We reached out to the Registrar ’ s Office , and she misrepresented that there were three Republicans there .
She didn ’ t disclose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day.
” In emails shared with The Star , it appears that Gibbons knew three days prior to the absentee ballot counting that the only Republican listed wasn ’ t confirmed to work .
Harrison admitted that while they need a bigger pool of Republicans for registrars to work with , it doesn ’ t take away from what happened Monday .
“ I ’ ll concede – we need to have larger amounts of Republicans serving as election officials .
However , under this new system , there are ‘ no Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven ‘ non-party affiliates ’ who were recently Democrats and one Republican .
It ’ s a pretty transparent attempt to circumvent the spirit of these laws.
” Harrison clarified that they aren ’ t concerned about tampering with the absentee ballots counted .
“ I don ’ t think these folks were acting nefariously .
I don ’ t think it was some giant scheme to throw ballots that say ‘ Trump ’ on them away .
And , we know nothing untoward was happening because we had a poll watcher there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we need the veracity of the results cleared from Monday.
” RPV Chairman Richard Anderson told The Virginia Star that he confirmed with the Lynchburg Republicans that there were election officials ready to work , but they weren ’ t brought on that day .
“ They counted ballots with no Republican election officer in the room .
The chairman told me he has individuals who have been trained and certified as Republican election officials but they were not called.
” Gibbon passed on questioning to a legal representative , David Neumeyer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by press time .
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Network .
Follow her latest on Twitter , or email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ People Voting ” by WyoFile WyoFile .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-16--TRUMPDATE: Latest from the Team Trump Virginia Campaign for October 16

Welcome to the Friday edition of our daily Virginia Trump campaign update !
We will provide our readers with daily updates on the Trump Virginia campaign from today to November 3 ( and after…if need be ! )
.
It ’ s officially 18 days until the election on November 3 – and 15 days until early voting in Virginia closes .
President Trump meets Joe Biden in the final presidential debate six days from today .
Trump had an incredibly busy Thursday .
Part of it was spent in Greenville , North Carolina , where the president addressed around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Air Force One touched down to the delight of those in attendance .
North Carolina has become one of the key states the Trump-Pence campaign has targeted , knowing that turning the Tar Heel state red would be crucial in the president ’ s re-election .
Trump touted the accomplishments of his administration in the first term , the recovery of the economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic , Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett and of course attacking Democrat nominees Joe Biden and Kamala Harris .
From there the president touched down in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Savannah Guthrie , host of Today on NBC , in a town hall-style event .
As mentioned , Guthrie pressed President Trump on issues like disavowing white supremacy and Qanon , health care and the pandemic , while voters also had opportunities to ask Mr. Trump questions .
Some of the voters were referred to as Democrat voters , Republican voters , others undecided or independent .
Trump will be speaking at rallies in Florida and Georgia today , and will then be in Wisconsin and Nevada over the weekend .
Check back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ updates !
If you want to join the volunteer team or if you need signs email Fredericks or Justin Rice .
To Donate to our Virginia campaign click here .
For more information , or to sign up to become a volunteer , click here .
John Fredericks is the publisher and editor-in-chief of The Virginia Star .
He is also a Trump 2020 delegate and the chairman of the Trump Virginia Delegation .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-16--JMU History Professor Puts a Death Wish on Republicans: They ‘Can Die For All I Care’

James Madison University ( JMU ) Associate Professor of History Mary Gayne tweeted a death wish for the Republican Party .
The tweet has since been deleted .
“ I ’ m not linked to a party but , this year , I ’ m just straight up voting the Democratic ticket .
Not even going to think about other variations .
The Republican Party can die for all I care .
They ’ ve demonstrated lack of loyalty to democracy & the US Constitution .
F*** ’ em all.
” Delegate Kirk Cox ( R-Colonial Heights ) , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the content of her message .
“ A college professor at a public university can and should have their own political beliefs .
They should be allowed to discuss politics in the classroom , particularly in political and social science courses where it plays such a large role .
Frankly , students expect political debate .
But when our professors – the ones whom many students look up to – decide that those who think differently than they do are not worthy of even voicing their own opinion or in this case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is crossed .
Public statements like the one made by Dr. Gayne do not encourage the free flow of ideas and diminish JMU ’ s standing among her sister institutions in the Commonwealth .
Our colleges and universities need to eliminate biases like this in all aspects of university life and encourage open and honest debate.
” Gayne tweeted a response several days later to the coverage of her remarks .
“ In a world where I meet with students from my kitchen , I clearly should have treated my personal twitter feed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
VIP Question : Students drive by to North 38 .
Will they be offended if there ’ s a BLM sign & no purple/gold mums ?
” In a statement , Delegate Cox told The Virginia Star that he doesn ’ t agree with Gayne ’ s response .
“ As I said in my original social media post , it was unbecoming of the University and wrongfully targeted conservatives .
I am not going to suggest the University take any action or call on the professor to be fired .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of cancel culture for these kind of mistakes , though her response certainly lacked the authentic apology the situation merits.
” Cox added that he believes higher education lacks a balance of ideas .
“ Whether intentional or not in this instance , I think the left and academia have a pattern of targeting conservatives in an effort to silence and shame any dissenters .
And broadly speaking , I think Virginia ’ s colleges and universities need to do more to ensure a truly open and honest debate on campus that allows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of targeting or retribution.
” Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Network .
Follow her latest on Twitter , or email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ James Madison University Campus ” by James Madison University .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-16--Another Suspect Charged in Alleged Michigan Kidnap Plot

LANSING , Michigan ( AP ) — Michigan ’ s attorney general charged an eighth person Thursday in what authorities have described as a foiled scheme to storm the state Capitol building and kidnap officials , including Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer .
Brian Higgins , 51 , of Wisconsin Dells , Wisconsin , was charged with material support of an act of terrorism , Attorney General Dana Nessel said .
If convicted , Higgins could get up to 20 years in prison .
Seven men purportedly linked to a paramilitary group called the Wolverine Watchmen were charged in state court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terrorist acts and possession of a firearm while committing a felony .
Federal charges were filed against six others in the alleged conspiracy to kidnap Whitmer .
“ While the political rhetoric in our nation may at times be divisive , I am encouraged by the united front our law enforcement community has displayed in response to this indescribable act of terror , ” Nessel said .
“ These were very credible , and very serious threats to our elected officials and the public in general , and the swift actions taken by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are nothing short of heroic.
” A Michigan State Police affidavit said Higgins assisted four members of an extremist paramilitary organization called the Wolverine Watchmen who took part in surveillance of Whitmer ’ s vacation home in northern Michigan .
Higgins provided night-vision goggles for the mission , the document said .
“ Additionally , he used a mounted digital dash camera located in his vehicle to record the surveillance of the Governor ’ s home in order to aid in kidnapping plans , ” it said .
The state suspects are accused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Capitol in Lansing and target law enforcement officers “ to instigate a civil war leading to societal collapse , ” Nessel said .
Higgins was arrested Thursday in Wisconsin and will be extradited to Michigan , she said .
A spokesman for Nessel said it was uncertain whether Higgins had an attorney .
He was being held in the Columbia County Jail in Wisconsin .
An FBI affidavit said the men who plotted to kidnap Whitmer had discussed taking her to Wisconsin for “ trial.
” John Flesher and Anna Liz Nichols are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported from Traverse City , Michigan .
Anna Liz Nichols 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--2020-10-16--Legislation Allowing Localities to Establish Law Enforcement Civilian Review Boards Heads to Governo

Legislation Allowing Localities to Establish Law Enforcement Civilian Review Boards Heads to Governor’s Desk

Compromised legislation that gives localities the authority to establish law enforcement civilian review boards ( CRB ) successfully passed final votes in the Senate and House of Delegates Wednesday afternoon , and now goes to the governor ’ s desk for final approval .
Joint conference committee reports for Senate Bill 5035 passed the Senate ( 21-Y 17-N ) and for House Bill 5055 passed the House ( 53-Y 35-N ) , mostly along the party lines of both chambers .
“ The goal is to increase transparency and collaboration between local police departments and the communities they serve , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , one of the sponsors , wrote in an email response to questions from The Virginia Star .
Simply put , the bill grants the local governing bodies of localities throughout Virginia to create CRBs with subpoena power and the ability to issue findings on complaints or incidents involving law enforcement officers as well as make disciplinary determinations such as termination .
The legislation in its current form is not the same as originally introduced , undergoing several changes during the conference committee process .
“ The House conferees agreed with the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the legislation is permissive , enabling localities to establish CRBs if they choose , ” Hashmi wrote .
“ Two , Sheriffs and Virginia State Police are not included because these law enforcement agencies do not fall under local authority.
” Other amendments to the legislation include : the CRB membership will reflect the locality ’ s demographics , a delayed enactment until July 1 , 2021 , and that a retired law enforcement officer may become a member to advise the other citizens , according to Hashmi .
Hashmi noted that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decide the process for choosing members and how the CRB will be structured .
Some people who work in law enforcement , the group set to be impacted the most , are not in favor of the legislation , however .
“ When you open up these processes to the general public , first of all , it slows discipline and slows remediation down considerably , ” Dana Schrad , Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police executive director , told The Star in an interview .
“ Secondly , you ’ re making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open book in the community .
That puts the officer at risk , that puts their family at risk and , frankly , we ’ re going to have a hell of a hard time retaining officers when they feel like their bosses are the thousands of people that live in the community.
” Schrad added that a large majority of complaints or inquiries between officers and citizens are normally resolved fairly quickly and do not often require an oversight board to intervene .
A potential negative impact on officer retention comes at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fewest number of cops in 25 years .
Sen. Mark Peake ( R-Lynchburg ) , who voted against passing the conference committee report , said he had concerns over the fact that citizens would be Monday morning quarterbacking split second decisions law enforcement officers have to make in life or death situations .
Peake also brought up the possibility for members of CRBs to be anti-police .
Currently , there are already multiple localities in the Commonwealth with civilian oversight bodies .
Those are Fairfax County , Charlottesville , Virginia Beach and Roanoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fraternal Order of Police of Virginia John Ohrnberger .
The legislation has not yet been communicated with Governor Ralph Northam as of Thursday .
According to Hashmi , the Speaker of the House and Senate President have to sign the substitute bills , which is expected to happen on Friday , and then the legislation will be delivered to the governor .
Alena Yarmosky , Northam ’ s press secretary , issued a blanket statement when asked by The Star whether or not the governor intends to sign the legislation into law .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this legislation , as he does with all bills that reach his desk , ” Yarmosky wrote .
Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Follow Jacob on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Background Photo “ Virginia Capitol ” by Martin Kraft .
CC BY-SA 3.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-16--Bombshell Report Blames Walz’s ‘Slow Decision Making’ for Extensive Riot Damage

A shocking report released this week provides an inside look at how state and local leaders responded to May ’ s Minneapolis riots , the second-most destructive period of local unrest in U.S. history .
The 55-page report is the product of four joint hearings convened by the Minnesota Senate and is based on testimony from witnesses , data practice requests , written testimony , press conferences and news articles .
Throughout July , many of the key players involved in handling the response to the riots testified before a joint meeting of the Senate Transportation Committee and the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearings were called in order to investigate how more than 1,500 Twin Cities businesses were vandalized or destroyed , causing an estimated $ 500 million in property damage .
For context , that ’ s nearly three times as many businesses as there are in the Mall of America , and all but 11 cities in the state have fewer total businesses .
City officials expect it to take at least 10 years to rebuild the business corridors destroyed in the rioting .
But Gov .
Tim Walz ’ s office was telling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” about putting “ property above people ” when making public statements about the riots .
“ Having monitored social [ media ] of other electeds today , we need to be very careful with messaging like this as not to be tone deaf or dismissive … or put property above people , ” the governor ’ s office advised in a message sent to staff during the unrest , according to the report .
The report suggests that a “ philosophical conflict ” caused Walz and local leaders to think twice before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Tim Walz and elected local leaders identified with the causes promoted by the demonstrators , causing them to lose sight of their responsibility to protect the public from criminal acts committed during the riots , ” it reads , quoting Walz as saying that an “ armed presence on the ground ” could be “ seen as a catalyst.
” The report describes Walz ’ s hesitation in activating the Minnesota National Guard , something only the governor has the authority to do .
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey made a direct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guard assistance at 6:29 p.m. on Wednesday , May 27 .
The city then sent a written request , drafted by Minneapolis Police Department ( MPD ) Commander Scott Gerlicher , to the Walz administration at 9:11 p.m. on Wednesday , May 27 .
Walz didn ’ t activate the National Guard until Thursday afternoon and the first round of guardsmen didn ’ t arrive on the ground until 10:00 p.m. Thursday night , more than 24 hours after the written request was sent , according to testimony from Commander Gerlicher .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mobilized until four days after the first building was burned , ” the report says .
The governor also waited until Thursday morning , more than nine hours after receiving a written request , to alert Adjutant General Jon Jensen of Minneapolis ’ appeal for help .
“ The MPD was overwhelmed beyond our capabilities to effectively control the violence and looting taking place Wednesday , May 27 .
This was made clear in our written request for the National Guard on the evening of Wednesday , May 27 , ” Gerlicher said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governor ’ s staff had questions about whether National Guard soldiers participated in “ diversity and inclusion training ” or had any “ experience working with diverse communities.
” Walz ’ s staff also wanted to know if the citizen soldiers would “ have weapons , ” be in “ regular uniform ” or “ wearing riot gear , ” and if they had “ de-escalation training.
” Texts between Minneapolis staff said “ Walz was hesitating , ” a sentiment echoed by Mayor Frey .
After activating the National Guard , Walz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wants DPS and NG to tweet about the deployment of the state patrol and guard members tonight ” because “ he ’ s seeing criticism of not stopping protesters.
” Some of that feedback apparently came from Lt. Gov .
Peggy Flanagan , who texted Gov .
Walz on the night of Friday , May 29 because she “ didn ’ t see State Patrol or NG ” present .
The Walz administration wanted to “ wait for assignments ” from Minneapolis leaders before ordering the National Guard to engage , the report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the governor “ allowed his adult daughter to access confidential information that she then disseminated to the general public and rioters.
” “ This unnecessarily put police , Minnesota State Troopers , and the Minnesota National Guard in jeopardy , ” it says .
Department of Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington said it was not until Minneapolis ’ Third Precinct fell on the night of Thursday , May 28 that state officials “ understood locals were too overwhelmed to handle it themselves , ” even though they had already received a request for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commander Gerlicher said the MPD had a plan to defend the Third Precinct , but officers were ordered by Chief Medaria Arradondo “ not to use any additional chemical munitions or less lethal projectiles to protect the building.
” “ It is well documented that this directive came from the Mayor through the Chief of Police , ” said Gerlicher .
According to testimony in the Senate report , officers at the Third Precinct “ were so afraid for their lives that they had messages passed along to their families as they thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ Some of those officers even saved bullets for themselves in case they were overrun .
Minneapolis police officers believed their department left them to die in the Third Precinct , ” the report says .
Other officers said they were “ publicly humiliated to serve on a department full of leaders who thought our building was nothing but bricks and mortar , ” and felt their “ leaders gave up on their home.
” Approximately two dozen Minneapolis Police officers suffered some type of acute physical injury during the riots , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ severely injured and went to the hospital .
Rioters attempted to harm officers with Molotov cocktails , commercial grade fireworks , bricks , rocks , bottles , paintball guns , homemade projectiles , bottles filled with cement or nails , mortar rounds , and even skinned pig heads .
But the attacks weren ’ t reserved exclusively for the police .
Minneapolis firefighters stopped “ responding to arsons and only responded to medical emergencies because they did not feel safe due to being attacked and having their gear stolen , ” the report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three officers , Minneapolis police are now scared to respond to 911 calls out of fear of being killed or accused of using excessive force .
At least 100 officers have left the department this year and another 75 are expected to leave , Chief Arradondo said .
That ’ s four-times higher than the average turnover rate , the report states .
Meanwhile , many of the rioters faced no consequences for their actions .
More than 80 % were released on the scene and not arrested .
That doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Of the 18 % who were arrested , 88 % of those cases were never processed by city or county attorneys , meaning about 2 % of rioters who were caught and cited actually have cases pending .
“ MPD has no plan … especially to arrest anyone , ” two of the governor ’ s staffers said in a text exchange , according to the report .
The situation was so severe that Adjutant General Jensen compared it to his time serving in Iraq , while Gov .
Walz said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iraq and Somalia.
” “ For nearly a week at the end of May , Minnesotans watched in horror each night as Minneapolis descended further into chaos , ” Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka , R-East Gull Lake , said in a statement .
“ They were begging for leadership that took far too long to arrive — an unacceptable reality that must be addressed and fixed .
Like anything else in life , the only way to improve is by studying what went wrong and what went right .
Senator Newman , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members did a terrific job , and the recommendations in their committees ’ report will help Minnesota avoid similar tragedies in the future.
” Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News .
He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform , and reported for The Daily Caller .
Photo “ Minnesota Riot Damage ” by Fibonacci Blue .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-16--Newport News Public Schools Superintendent Delays Students’ Return to Classrooms

The Newport News Public Schools ( NNPS ) superintendent George Parker announced Tuesday that he was postponing the plan that would have brought students back to the classroom for the first time since March .
The delay comes after the Newport News School Board voted 5-2 during its meeting last week to allow for a phased return to in-person instruction for K-12 students .
“ Today , with the support of our School Board and division leadership , I made the important decision to suspend the implementation timeline for the transition to a hybrid , in-person instructional schedule , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the first quarter , ” Parker said in a message posted online .
The decision by the school board was met with some pushback from local educator groups , primarily the Newport News Educators United who called for teachers and staff to have more say in choosing whether or not in-person classes resume , and for questions about safety protocols , mitigation strategies , reporting positive COVID-19 cases and other concerns to be answered , according to a press release about a Wednesday rally on the group ’ s Facebook page .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ far , our most recent input from key stakeholders has led to a decision that we simply need more time to plan for the safe arrival of students , ” Parker said .
The now delayed plan includes five phases for a return to in-person classes using a hybrid schedule where the majority of students would come to school for two-days a week and then learn virtually from home for the other three days .
Phase one would have brought back special needs students and English language learners who are level one or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday .
Separate from the rest of the students , these groups would have four days of in-person instruction per week under the plan .
For phase two , K-2 students would have begun learning under the hybrid schedule on October 26 .
Phase three would have seen students from third grade to sixth-grade return to school on November 5 , while phase four was for students in grades seven and eight starting on November 16 .
The fifth and final phase of the plan relating to high school students was set for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be determined because of the availability of bus transportation .
Parker ’ s message did not offer a new timeline for students ’ return to the classroom .
Another part of the process to resume in-person classes is an online intent form parents must fill out , choosing whether they want to keep their child in a fully virtual schedule , which can happen for the rest of the school year , or if they want their child to learn in the hybrid model .
Preliminary results from the intent form showed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michelle Price , NNPS director of public information , told The Virginia Star .
Price also said the timeline was revised by Parker to allow for more planning and to get some additional input from stakeholders – Teaching and support staff , parents and students .
Additionally , Price offered details on when an adjusted plan will be shown to the school board again .
“ [ Superintendent Parker ’ s ] goal is to present a proposed plan to the school board during their board meeting on November 17 , ” Price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ His timeline now is to take the next few weeks to work out a lot more of the details so he can prepare for a safe return for all students.
” Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Follow Jacob on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Newport News Public Schools Superintendent Dr. George Parker , III ” by New Port News Public Schools .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-17--Tennessee State Rep. John DeBerry: Progressives Use ‘Despicable Language’ Against Him and His Faith

Tennessee state Rep. John DeBerry ( D-Memphis ) this week publicly told members of the state and national Democratic Party apparatus that politicians will no longer sacrifice their beliefs just to have a “ D ” behind their name .
DeBerry said this during an interview with the Brooklyn , New York-based The Tablet , which is that area ’ s newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese .
As The Tennessee Star reported in April , the majority White Tennessee Democratic Party Executive Committee voted 41-18 , with two abstentions , to remove DeBerry , who is Black , from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ views didn ’ t always fall in line with progressives — especially on abortion .
DeBerry is now running as an independent .
“ My views have never varied at all since the time I took the oath of office in 1995 .
Folks knew where I stood on abortion then .
It was a contentious issue , even 26 years ago .
And I spoke very clearly and plainly and succinctly about what I believe , the same thing my father and mother taught me .
My mother protested against abortion in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approved in 1973 .
My father protested against it as part of the civil rights movement of that day , ” DeBerry told the website .
“ I have spoken against it , stood against it and preached against it my entire adult life .
My views didn ’ t change .
It is tragic and disturbing that the Democratic Party has moved in the direction to where they can not tolerate what I believe and thousands of others believe when it comes to this issue to the extent that they say the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unwelcome under the tent of the Democratic Party.
” DeBerry said the Democratic Party now excludes people with pro-life views .
“ There are the billboards that have been placed up around Shelby County , the radio ads , the despicable language that has been used against me and my faith .
It really and seriously points to the fact that it ’ s about my pro-life views , ” DeBerry said .
“ That is the issue that is driving them to exclude people like myself , and I can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s where our beliefs come from.
” During the interview , DeBerry said it ’ s important “ to protect the life of the unborn and to stand for those who can not stand for themselves.
” “ Because of their place of residency , they reside in the wombs of their mothers .
This ought to be the safest place on Earth for a child , ” DeBerry said .
“ But , because of their place of residency , they are not given constitutional rights.
” Chris Butler is an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ John DeBerry ” by Current News .

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--2020-10-17--Commentary: Is Twitter, Facebook Censorship of New York Post Biden-Ukraine Story the Beginning of So

Commentary: Is Twitter, Facebook Censorship of New York Post Biden-Ukraine Story the Beginning of Social Tyranny?

Twitter and Facebook have both limited distribution of an Oct. 14 report from the New York Post ’ s Emma-Jo Morris and Gabrielle Fonrouge entitled , “ Smoking-gun email reveals how Hunter Biden introduced Ukrainian businessman to VP dad ” detailing an alleged meeting between former Vice President Joe Biden and Burisma executive Vadym who Biden ’ s son , Hunter , used to work for , in April 2015 .
The Wall Street Journal ’ s Robert McMillan and Jeff Horwitz reported on Oct. 15 , “ Twitter on Wednesday blocked users from posting links to the articles , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules regarding hacked materials .
The company later said the articles also violated its policies on displaying private information like email addresses and phone numbers without a person ’ s permission… Twitter ’ s move came after Facebook also limited the distribution of the articles on its platform , saying it was awaiting guidance from its third-party fact-checking partners—independent organizations that routinely review the accuracy of viral content .
Facebook has slowed the spread of the Post articles pending a decision by those partners , company spokesman Andy Stone said in a Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the email obtained by the New York Post , allegedly from Pozharskyi to Hunter Biden , “ Dear Hunter , thank you for inviting me to DC and giving an opportunity to meet your father and spent [ sic ] some time together .
It ’ s realty [ sic ] an honor and pleasure.
” Twitter and Facebook have claimed the news report somehow violated their terms of service in republishing illegally obtained materials .
The outrage for Twitter and Facebook is that regardless of where the computer containing the emails came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a First Amendment right to publish them .
It ’ s freedom of the press , something social media companies have in the past defended .
For example , Twitter has never banned or throttled the Twitter account for Wikileaks , which routinely publishes classified information or other news outlets that have similar national security sources and classified materials included that by definition are illegally obtained .
The Biden campaign has denied any such meeting took place , saying it was not in the former Vice President ’ s “ official schedule ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , supposed Russian disinformation .
Later , the Biden campaign admitted it was possible Biden met with Pozharskyi , according to Politico ’ s Kyle Cheney and Natasha Bertrand reporting on Oct. 14 : “ Biden ’ s campaign would not rule out the possibility that the former VP had some kind of informal interaction with Pozharskyi , which wouldn ’ t appear on Biden ’ s official schedule .
But they said any encounter would have been cursory.
” The trouble for Biden , of course , was that Burisma was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that his son worked for , and who Biden bragged he got the prosecutor looking into the company fired by threatening an International Monetary Fund loan .
Biden told the Council on Foreign Relations at the Jan. 2018 event he threatened $ 1.2 billion of loan guarantees in 2016 to get Ukrainian Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin fired : “ I said , ‘ You ’ re not getting the billion.
’ I ’ m going to be leaving here in , I think it was about six hours .
I looked at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m leaving in six hours .
If the prosecutor is not fired , you ’ re not getting the money.
’ …Well , son of a bitch , he got fired .
And they put in place someone who was solid at the time.
” Shokin in April 2019 told journalist John Solomon that prior to the election of the new Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky , he was removed in 2016 because of his investigation of Burisma , on which Biden ’ s son , Hunter , served on the Board of Directors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court in 2019 , Shokin testified , “ The truth is that I was forced out because I was leading a wide-ranging corruption probe into Burisma Holdings , a natural gas firm active in Ukraine and Joe Biden ’ s son , Hunter Biden , was a member of the Board of Directors… On several occasions President Poroshenko asked me to have a look at the case against Burisma and consider the possibility of winding down the investigative actions in respect of this company but I refused to close this investigation.
” A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May 2020 , between former Vice President Joe Biden and then-Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko confirmed the quid pro quo in Ukraine , that is , the $ 1.2 billion loan guarantee from the IMF approved by the Obama administration and the firing and replacement of Shokin .
In the May 2016 phone call , Biden clearly says , “ [ C ] ongratulations on installing the new prosecutor general , it ’ s going to be critical for him to work quickly to repair the damage Shokin did .
And I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now that the new prosecutor general is in place , we ’ re ready to move forward in signing that one-billion-dollar loan guarantee.
” The phone call was said to have been recorded by Poroshenko himself .
This was the matter President Donald Trump sought to have Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “ look into ” on the July 25 , 2019 phone call with current Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky .
In the phone call with Zelensky , Trump said , “ It sounds horrible to me.
” And now , it looks like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executives , putting the lie to Biden ’ s claim that “ never spoken to my son about his overseas business dealings ” .
In the meantime , Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Ron Johnson ( R-Wis. ) has told Fox News that his committee is in touch with the individual who provided the emails and is in the process of authenticating them .
“ We regularly speak with individuals who email the committee ’ s whistleblower account to determine whether we can validate their claims , ” said Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those communications to be confidential , because the individual in this instance spoke with the media about his contact with the committee , we can confirm receipt of his email complaint , have been in contact with the whistleblower , and are in the process of validating the information he provided.
” And Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai is promising to put forward a regulation clarifying Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act that is used by social media companies as a shield from liability , stating , “ Members of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expressed serious concerns about the prevailing interpretation of the immunity set forth in Section 230 of the Communications Act .
There is bipartisan support in Congress to reform the law .
The U.S. Department of Commerce has petitioned the Commission to ‘ clarify ambiguities in section 230.
’ … Many advance an overly broad interpretation that in some cases shields social media companies from consumer protection laws in a way that has no basis in the text of Section 230 .
The Commission ’ s General Counsel has informed me that the FCC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 230 .
Consistent with this advice , I intend to move forward with a rulemaking to clarify its meaning.
” Pai added , “ Social media companies have a First Amendment right to free speech .
But they do not have a First Amendment right to a special immunity denied to other media outlets , such as newspapers and broadcasters.
” Adding to the furor at Twitter , White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany was locked out of her Twitter account for sharing the New York Post story .
“ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ log onto my Twitter account it says I ’ m permanently banned .
They essentially had me at gunpoint and said unless you delete a news story reported by the New York Post I can not regain access to my account , ” McEnany told Fox News ’ Sean Hannity on Oct. 14 .
McEnany has since had her account restored , but the threat to press freedom posed by these big tech firms is quite clear who have anointed themselves the arbiters of truth .
But while Twitter , Facebook and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marketplace of ideas , they by no means have a monopoly on that market — yet .
In April 2018 , Twitter co-founder and CEO Jack Dorsey retweeted an article by Peter Leyden and Ruy Teixeira that called our political discourse a “ new civil war , ” with Leyden and Teixeira writing , “ America can ’ t afford more political paralysis .
One side or the other must win .
This is a civil war that can be won without firing a shot .
But it is a fundamental conflict between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ short order.
” It called for “ Democratic One-Party Rule ” in the U.S. as a means of reconciling issues facing the country and ultimately implementing the progressive agenda .
Dorsey called it a “ great read.
” Are we beginning to see what one party rule will look like in the U.S. — with Twitter and Facebook acting as party spokespersons and ministries of propaganda for the Democratic Party ?
It sure looks that way .
This is a mortal danger to freedom of the press and of speech .
In John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the philosopher warned how a “ social tyranny ” of the majority could impose censorship that would be “ more formidable ” than even government censorship and that it could “ enslav [ e ] the soul ” with little room for escape .
Mill wrote , “ [ W ] hen society is itself the tyrant — society collectively over the separate individuals who compose it — its means of tyrannising are not restricted to the acts which it may do by the hands of its political functionaries .
Society can and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if it issues wrong mandates instead of right , or any mandates at all in things with which it ought not to meddle , it practices a social tyranny more formidable than many kinds of political oppression , since , though not usually upheld by such extreme penalties , it leaves fewer means of escape , penetrating much more deeply into the details of life , and enslaving the soul itself.
” Now that “ social tyranny ” appears to be taking root in America , arbitrating what can and can not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is irrelevant how the New York Post , or any other news organization obtains its information , classified or otherwise .
The question is whether the freedom of the press will be protected or not .
We do not support corporate censorship and social censorship anymore than we support government censorphip .
As Mill wrote , “ If all mankind minus one were of one opinion , and only one person were of the contrary opinion , mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person than he , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be justified in silencing mankind.
” Robert Romano is the Vice President of Public Policy at Americans for Limited Government .
Photo “ Biden Ukraine ” by U.S. Embassy Kyiv Ukraine .
CC BY-ND 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-17--Host Michael Patrick Leahy and Owner of Star News Digital Media Comments on Media Matters Recent Hit

Host Michael Patrick Leahy and Owner of Star News Digital Media Comments on Media Matters Recent Hit Piece

Live from Music Row Friday 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 went through and commented on a recent hit piece written by Media Matters which criticizes The Star News Network and its affiliate The Virginia Star owned by John Fredericks .
Speaking of getting the job done .
Media Matters , the left-wing attack dog publication that was founded by the discredited David Brock and funded by left-wing billionaires have discovered The Tennessee Star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that I own a majority interest in , Star News digital Media Inc. which owns all The Tennessee Star site .
The Ohio Star site .
The Michigan Star site .
The Minnesota Sun .
And we have our Network affiliate that we operate The Virginia Star , which is owned by John Frederick ’ s who is a radio host .
A very successful radio host in Virginia .
I will read this story in its entirety and I will interrupt it with occasional commentary .
This was published by Media Matters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ founded by David Brock back in 2004 .
Here ’ s the headline .
Trump Loyalist and radio host John Frederick ’ s is Running a Hyper-Partisan Blog disguise as a Local News Site .
The Virginia Star is a new addition to an ever-growing pile of questionable local news sites .
This was written by a character by the name of Spencer Silva .
Probably have to talk to Spencer and let him know we appreciate his promoting The Virginia Star .
Our traffic is about to go way up .
Here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , one of Virginia ’ s top talk radio hosts with close ties to President Donald Trump is using a hyper-partisan blog masquerading as a local news site to solicit support for Trump ’ s re-election campaign and spread right wing narratives while promoting his own radio program .
Boy , that ’ s really awful to promote your own radio program while you ’ re also running a new site .
Gee .
The Virginia Star which was launched this summer is the latest addition to Fredericks ’ budding media empire and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Star News Digital Media Network .
Hyper-partisan .
I just thought we had a conservative worldview , but apparently , we are hyper-partisan according to the hyper-partisan blog on the left Media Matters .
I ’ m continuing with the story by the way .
( Leahy asks callers to call in ) At first glance , the site The Virginia Star looks like an ordinary low-budget local news site .
Katie .
Do we look like a low-budget new site here at the Tennessee Star ?
She ’ s going oh , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t look so low budget .
Kind of clean a little clean well-designed site its Facebook page describes , the Virginia ’ s our site as a quote new source for investigative news thoughtful opinion and more on its Google search landing page the site is built as leading the way in news and education .
Well , that ’ s because we are leading the way news education at The Virginia Star and The Tennessee Star , and our other sites .
But in reality , The Virginia Star contains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , partisan bile .
Okay .
A quick scroll through its homepage reveals headlines making dubious claims about voter fraud and criticizing local leaders for spending tax dollars to remove Confederate monuments .
That ’ s what they were doing .
Scroll further and find the podcast of Steve Bannon , who is the former executive chairman of Breitbart News and a trump ally embedded along the sidebar .
That ’ s the same Steve Bannon this article of Media Matters who has used his platform in recent months to spread xenophobic conspiracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , like oh , I don ’ t know .
That it started in China .
( Chuckles ) So continuing .
The conservative framing continues among The Virginia Star ’ s articles recent news story for instance mocked a ‘ racially Equitable Fair Housing Initiative put forth by Mayor Levar Stoney of Richmond , Virginia writing that in the wake of the summer ‘ riots.
’ They were riots .
The mayor ‘ continues to propose measures other than improving law and order in the city including legalizing marijuana and removing Confederate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what the guys doing .
Another recent article shamed Democratic legislators for appropriating funds for a text messaging service that allows teens to ask questions about sexual health and discreetly find medically accurate answers .
The only person quoted in the article is a Republican state Senator who proposed a failed measure to eliminate the sex educational service calling it a “ sex to text talk line.
” Continuing with the Media Matters story .
The Virginia Star has also begun publishing semi-updates from the Trump campaign trail .
The site ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limited liability company registered to Fredericks .
The Star is just the latest edition of Fredericks ’ budding media empire in addition to hosting his own show .
Fredericks owns three conservative talk radio stations in Central Virginia .
Though The Virginia Star lists Fredericks as its CEO and editor-in-chief , the site is operated by the Star News Digital Media Network .
That ’ s the company I own .
I ’ m the majority owner folks .
And you can see it at every site that we own and operate and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s right there in the about us .
This site is owned by Star News Digital Media , and I am Michael Patrick Leahy .
I ’ m the majority owner of it .
It ’ s been out there for years .
But this is what Media Matters calls us .
A journalistic organization of quote dubious origin that was founded in 2017 by Tea Party connective conservative activist Michael Patrick Leahy , Steve Gill , and Christina Botteri .
The company runs similar pages in Tennessee , Michigan , Ohio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seems to be the only publication in the network that doesn ’ t list Leahy on its masthead .
Well because I ’ m the owner of the Star New Digital Media Network and The Virginia Star is our network affiliate .
The Star News Network is but one example of thousands of mostly conservative partisan media outlets that have swept in to fill the nationwide void and coverage by masquerading as local news .
These guys have never read all of the breaking news stories we have at our sites .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Star we ’ re the only ones reporting the truth about what ’ s going on with the Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act .
We are the only ones that reported the truth about the critical race theory training that was going on in Williamson County schools back in 2018 .
In 2018 Politico dubbed the Star News Network sites as “ baby Breitbart ’ s ” for their similarity in tone and demeanor to Breitbart News .
In fact Leahy , that ’ s me , who manages the other Star News Network @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s right .
Like its swing state peers , The Virginia Star mixes original content with articles in reprints from right-wing media outlets , like The Daily Caller , The Daily Wire , American Greatness , and others .
Indeed this seems to be the standard way the Star News Network sites operate producing a mix of original content and and reprints from right-wing outlets that promote conservative viewpoints .
Oh and here ’ s the kicker .
And sometimes misinformation .
Gosh , you know this guy this guy out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you think ?
It ’ s conservative .
We can ’ t have that out there .
Although The Virginia Star emulates many of the same practices of the other pages , Fredericks influence appears to have resulted in more original content about Virginia politics .
Obviously , they haven ’ t read The Tennessee Star which has plenty of original content about Tennessee contracts .
John Fredericks appears to be cross-promoting his content between the sites and on the radio network .
Ya think ?
It ’ s called marketing 101 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Virginia Star while the Star prominently features an advertisement for Fredericks show on its own homepage .
Yeah .
It ’ s called capitalism , Media Matters .
But thanks for the promotion of The Tennessee Star and The Virginia Star and the Star News Network .
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 .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-17--Tennessee Crushes First-Day Early Voting Turnout Record

A total of 273,325 in-person and absentee votes have been cast by Tennesseans – a 91 % increase in voter turnout over the first day of early voting in the 2016 presidential election and a 120 % increase in turnout over the first day of early voting in 2012 .
More than 167,000 Tennesseans cast ballots in-person Wednesday on the first day of early voting this week , and more than 105,500 absentee ballots already have been cast , according to data released Thursday by Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett .
“ I ’ m excited that Tennesseans are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the polls , ” Hargett said in a statement .
“ We are on pace to break our previous early voting turnout record , which was set in 2016.
” The nearly quarter-million votes cast amount to more than 6 % of all registered voters in Tennessee .
A record breaking 4.4 million Tennesseans are registered to vote ahead of the Nov. 3 election , a 24 % increase in registered voters since the 2016 presidential election .
Vivian Jones reports on Tennessee and South Carolina for The Center Square .
Her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , The Hill , and publications of The Heartland Institute .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-17--Battleground State Polling Shows Tighter Trump-Biden Race Than National Polls

While national polls may reliably forecast the national popular vote in a presidential election , given the electoral college map , battleground state polling is more meaningful — and in 2020 battleground polls show a much tighter race between President Trump and challenger Joe Biden .
In the RealClearPolitics polling averages on Thursday , Biden led Trump by 9.4 % nationally but just 4.9 % in key battleground states .
In the battleground states , moreover , Trump on Thursday was running 0.5 % ahead of where he was at this stage of the 2016 campaign , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on which the president outperformed his corresponding 2016 numbers .
Pollster Scott Rasmussen , who conducts the Just the News Daily Poll , also released for PoliticalIQ a series of polls in four battleground states showing a race for the White House that remains competitive .
Trump was victorious in all four states in 2016 , and they are crucial to his reelection hopes .
Rasmussen reported that Biden leads narrowly in all four — Florida , North Carolina , Pennsylvania , and Michigan .
However , with a slightly stronger-than-expected Republican turnout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lead in Florida and North Carolina .
Like the polls in the RealClearPolitics average , Rasmussen ’ s nationwide poll for Just the News also showed a wider lead for Biden than among his PoliticalIQ key battleground polls .
And the PoliticalIQ polls conducted among 800 likely voters show results in all four states that were within the margin of error , meaning that Trump could prove victorious and defy conventional wisdom as he did in 2016 .
“ One particular challenge involves estimating the number of mail-in votes that will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Those who plan to vote by mail overwhelmingly prefer Biden over Trump .
Therefore , the larger the number of votes cast by mail , the better it is for the Democrat.
” Rasmussen told Just the News that the polling wild card this cycle is sampling during a pandemic — something for which there is no precedent , as polling wasn ’ t practiced in 1918 during the last global pandemic .
Rasmussen said if the race remains close , this could create a crisis of legitimacy for whoever wins .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a press call this week that internal campaign analysis showed that 58 % of all polls published last week “ failed to meet the basic media standards of transparency .
And what that means is they fail to significantly disclose the partisan makeup or the cross tabs.
” Carrie Sheffield is a reporter at Just the News .
Photos “ President Trump ” by Gage Skidmore .
CC BY-SA 2.0 and “ Joe Biden ” by Gage Skidmore .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .
Background Photo “ The White House ” by Mark Skrobola @ @ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-10-17--UAW Abandons Federal Lawsuit Seeking to Overturn Michigan Union Law

The United Auto Workers union abandoned a lawsuit over a Michigan law , which mandates that public sector union workers reauthorize their union membership annually .
Judge George C. Steeh of the Eastern District Court of Michigan approved the United Auto Workers ’ ( UAW ) request , and stipulated agreement with defendants , to dismiss the case entirely Wednesday .
UAW filed the lawsuit on Sept. 3 along with the American Federation of State , County and Municipal Employees ( AFSCME ) and Service Employees International Union ( SEIU ) .
“ That union officials so quickly dropped their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the strength of the legal case for it , namely that the Supreme Court clearly delineated in Janus v. AFSCME that union dues can only be taken from public employees ’ paychecks with their affirmative and knowing consent , ” said National Right to Work Foundation ( NRTW ) president Mark Mix in statement Thursday .
In July , the four-person Michigan Civil Service Commission ( MiCSC ) , a bipartisan commission that regulates all conditions of state employment , approved the law changes in a 3-1 vote mandating that public sector union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
The four members of the MiCSC were the defendants listed in the lawsuit .
“ This is part of a long-running campaign against working families in Michigan and across the country , pushed by billionaire-backed anti-worker groups , ” UAW , AFSCME and SEIU said in a September joint statement .
Mandating employees annually reauthorize their union membership violates the Contracts Clause of the U.S. Constitution , the unions argued .
The Contracts Clause prevents states from passing laws “ impairing the obligation of contracts.
” However , Steeh ruled that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ irreparable harm , ” according to NRTW ’ s Thursday statement .
NRTW , an organization that defends workers nationwide in union abuse cases , filed an amicus brief in the case .
“ The Civil Service Commission rule ’ s endurance is a victory for Michigan state employees , who will now have their First Amendment right to refuse to subsidize union activities respected and safeguarded , ” Mix added .
NRTW represented Mark Janus in Janus vs. AFSCME , a 2018 landmark Supreme Court case .
The court voted 5-4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ non-union government workers can not be required to pay union fees as a condition of working in public service , ” according to the Liberty Justice Center .
Jase Bolger , a MiCSC commissioner and former Michigan state representative , said the Supreme Court ’ s decision in Janus vs. AFSCME justified the new regulations , The Detroit News reported .
The UAW , AFSCME and SEIU collectively represent 3.7 million workers nationwide , according to Department of Labor filings .
Thomas Catenacci is a reporter for The Daily Caller News Foundation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Good .
CC BY-ND 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-17--WHO Study Finds Remdesivir Didn’t Help COVID-19 Patients

GENEVA , Switzerland ( AP ) — A large study led by the World Health Organization suggests that the antiviral drug remdesivir did not help hospitalized COVID-19 patients , in contrast to an earlier study that made the medicine a standard of care in the United States and many other countries .
The results announced Friday do not negate the previous ones , and the WHO study was not as rigorous as the earlier one led by the U.S. National Institutes of Health .
But they add to concerns about how much value the pricey drug gives because none of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ survival .
The drug has not been approved for COVID-19 in the U.S. , but it was authorized for emergency use after the previous study found it shortened recovery time by five days on average .
It ’ s approved for use against COVID-19 in the United Kingdom and Europe , and is among the treatments U.S. President Donald Trump received when he was infected earlier this month .
The WHO study involved more than 11,000 patients in 30 countries .
About 2,750 were randomly assigned to get remdesivir .
The rest got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immune-system booster interferon , the antiviral combo lopinavir-ritonavir , or just usual care .
The other drugs have largely been ruled out for COVID-19 by previous studies , but not remdesivir .
Death rates after 28 days , the need for breathing machines and time in the hospital were relatively similar for those given remdesivir versus usual care .
The results have not been published in a journal or reviewed by independent scientists , but were posted on a site researchers use to share results quickly .
“ The big story is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on survival , ” Martin Landray , an Oxford University professor who led other coronavirus treatment research , said in a statement .
“ This is a drug that has to be given by intravenous infusion for five to 10 days , ” and costs about $ 2,550 per treatment course , he said .
“ COVID affects millions of people and their families around the world .
We need scalable , affordable and equitable treatments.
” Dr. Margaret Harris , a WHO spokeswoman , attributed the difference in the conclusions of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s was larger .
“ It ’ s just a much higher-powered study , ” she said .
“ It ’ s quadruple the number of people in all the other studies.
” However , Dr. Andre Kalil , a University of Nebraska infectious disease specialist who helped lead the U.S. remdesivir study , said the WHO one was poorly designed , which makes its conclusions less reliable .
Patients and doctors knew what treatment they were using , there was no placebo infusion to help avoid biased reporting of risks or benefits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ severity of patients ’ symptoms when treatments began and a lot of missing data , he said .
“ Poor quality study design can not be fixed by a large sample size , no matter how large it is , ” Kalil wrote in an email .
Furthermore , the WHO study tested 10 days of remdesivir , so some patients may have been hospitalized longer than they needed to be just to finish treatment , making their length of stay look bad in comparison to others getting usual care .
Remdesivir ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement that the results are inconsistent with more rigorous studies and have not been fully reviewed or published .
Jamie Keaten and Marilynn Marchione are reporters for The Associated Press .
Marchione reported from Milwaukee .
About the Headline Photo : A bottle containing the drug Remdesivir is held by a health worker at the Institute of Infectology of Kenezy Gyula Teaching Hospital of the University of Debrecen in Debrecen , Hungary , Thursday Oct. 15 , 2020 .
A large study led by the World Health Organization released on Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the antiviral drug did not help hospitalized COVID-19 patients , in contrast to an earlier study that made the medicine a standard of care in the United States and many other countries .
The results do not negate the previous ones , and the WHO study was not as rigorous as the earlier one led by the U.S. National Institutes of Health .
But they add to concerns about how much value the pricey drug gives because none of the studies have found it can improve survival .
( Zsolt Czegledi/MTI via @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-10-17--Steve Bannon Presents: The CCP’s Ownership of Joe Biden

An all new LIVE STREAM of War Room : Pandemic starts at 9 a.m. Central Time on Saturday .
Former White House Chief Strategist Stephen K. Bannon began the daily War Room : Pandemic radio show and podcast on January 25 , when news of the virus was just beginning to leak out of China around the Lunar New Year .
Bannon and co-hosts bring listeners exclusive analysis and breaking updates from top medical , public health , economic , national security , supply chain and geopolitical experts weekdays from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon ET .
The show ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Voice News , the John Fredericks Radio Network , Salem Media Group , and Newsmax TV and the podcast is available on Apple , Spotify , Stitcher , SoundCloud , and Google Play .
You can watch past episodes here .
Previously , Bannon hosted a series of three , two-hour long special programs entitled Descent into Hell : The Chinese People Confront the CCP .
The groundbreaking specials aired live on the John Fredericks Radio Network , America ’ s Voice Network , Dish TV Channel 219 , The Epoch Times , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mandarin .
For more information , visit www.pandemic.warroom.org and @ WarRoomPandemic .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-17--Awash in Red Ink: U.S. Posts Record $3.1T 2020 Budget Deficit

WASHINGTON , D.C. ( AP ) — The federal budget deficit hit an all-time high of $ 3.1 trillion in the 2020 budget year , more than double the previous record , as the coronavirus pandemic shrank revenues and sent spending soaring .
The Trump administration reported Friday that the deficit for the budget year that ended on Sept. 30 was three times the size of last year ’ s deficit of $ 984 billion .
It was also $ 2 trillion higher than the administration had estimated in February , before the pandemic hit .
It was the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terms , surpassing the previous record of $ 1.4 trillion set in 2009 .
At that time , the Obama administration was spending heavily to shore up the nation ’ s banking system and limit the economic damage from the 2008 financial crisis .
The 2020 deficit , in terms of its relationship to the economy , represented 15.2 % of total gross domestic product , the sum of all the goods and services produced by the country .
That was the highest level since 1945 , when the U.S. was borrowing heavily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration ’ s final accounting of the 2020 budget year shows that revenues fell by 1.2 % to $ 3.42 trillion , while government spending surged 47.3 % to $ 6.55 trillion .
That spending reflects the relief programs Congress passed in the spring to support the economy as millions of Americans were losing their jobs .
Many of the benefit programs expired in late July or early August , and so far Democrats and Republicans have been unable to agree on legislation to re-instate them .
Republicans have balked at the level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warn that without significant support the country could be facing a double-dip recession .
While about half of the 22 million jobs lost in March and April have been recovered , the concern is that without more government support , those still without work will be unable to make their rent or mortgage payments and buy food .
In addition to the human toll , the result would be a significant drag on U.S. economic growth .
President Donald Trump has said he is willing to compromise with Democrats on a new relief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t support the spending levels being put forward by Democrats .
“ The administration remains fully committed to supporting American workers , families and businesses and to ensuring that our robust rebound continues , ” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement released with the budget report .
The joint report from Treasury and the Office of Management and Budget showed that total government receipts of $ 1.61 trillion were $ 286 billion lower than the administration had projected in February .
That reflected a drop of $ 203 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forecast and a decline of $ 51.8 billion in corporate income taxes from the February projection .
The $ 6.55 trillion in spending — $ 1.76 trillion higher than the administration ’ s February estimate — includes the coronavirus relief programs passed by Congress , such as individual economic impact payments of $ 1,200 , expanded weekly unemployment benefits of $ 600 per week and the Paycheck Protection Program to provide support to small businesses .
Despite all the borrowing required to finance the surging deficit , interest payments on the debt actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration ’ s February projection .
That was due to interest rates being lower than expected this year because of the recession that began in February .
The low interest rates are a key reason economists are not as concerned about the rising debt burden caused by the deficit .
The federal deficit is approaching 100 % of GDP and is projected to top that amount in 2021 .
“ It ’ s disappointing to both candidates for president proposing trillions of dollars in additional debt , ” said Maya MacGuineas , president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Budget .
“ The deeper we dig this hole , the harder it will be to claw our way out.
” Martin Crutsinger is a reporter for The Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo : In this Sept. 1 , 2020 file photo , Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin testifies before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis , during a hybrid hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington .
The federal budget deficit hit an all-time high of $ 3.1 trillion in the 2020 budget year , more than double the previous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revenues and sent spending soaring .
The Trump administration reported Friday , Oct. 16 , that the deficit for the budget year that ended on Sept. 30 was three times the size of last year ’ s deficit of $ 984 billion .
( Graeme Jennings/Pool via AP , File )