thetennesseestar--2020-07-15--Ohio Lawmakers Introduce Bill That Would Make February 26 ‘Dr. Amy Acton Day’

Two Ohio lawmakers want to honor former Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton by giving her own day .
State Reps. Kent Smith ( D-Euclid ) and Mary Lightbody ( D-Westerville ) introduced House Bill 724 on Monday that would be designated February 26 “ Dr .
Amy Acton Day.
” February 26 is the date of choice because Gov .
Mike DeWine named Acton the ODH director on this date in 2019 .
In a message to his Ohio House colleagues , Smith said he wanted to honor Acton ’ s work that prevented the spread of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cleveland.com .
“ With about 5,100 COVID-19 cases on April 9th , we had less than a third the number of COVID-19 cases than in three comparably sized neighboring states — Michigan , Pennsylvania and Illinois , ” Smith said .
“ I think Amy Acton , as history tells us the story of Ohio ’ s COVID-19 tactics and strategies , will be seen as one of the heroes of 2020 , ” he added .
Despite this positive praise from Smith , Acton did not always provide reliable information to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When the Chinese virus first came to Ohio in March , Acton said Ohio was acting as if 100,000 people in the state had the virus due to community spread .
Acton said she came up with the “ 100,000 ” number based off a guesstimate .
Furthermore , from March 16 to March 25 , the ODH stopped providing the total number of tests it had conducted on its website .
Once the state released the total numbers of tests , it showed that only 4.7 percent of people tested positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ohio delayed its primary and put the state in lockdown .
At the end of March , DeWine and Acton claimed Ohio could see 10,000 daily new cases at some point in April .
However , this never came true as this prediction was off by 700 percent on April 21 where the state only saw 1,317 new cases .
During her time as ODH Director , Acton gathered quite a following .
On Facebook , someone started the Dr. Amy Acton Fan Club which has over 130,000 members .
Furthermore , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cartoon .
When Acton resigned on June 11 , she was replaced by Lance Himes .
Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media .
If you have any tips , email Zachery at [ email protected ] Follow Zachery on Twitter @ zacheryschmidt2 .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-15--Whitmer Extends Coronavirus Emergency, Disaster Declaration to August 11

Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer extended Michigan ’ s coronavirus emergency and disaster declaration until August 11 , per a new executive order signed on Tuesday .
The extension comes after every region in the state saw an uptick in confirmed cases of COVID-19 , Whitmer ’ s office said .
The order was issued under the Emergency Powers of the Governor Act of 1945 .
“ COVID-19 has now killed more than 6,000 people in Michigan .
That ’ s more than 6,000 of our parents , grandparents , friends and neighbors , ” Whitmer said in a statement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve seen over the past few weeks prove that this virus is still a very real threat in our state.
” Whitmer originally declared a state of emergency in Michigan on March 10 , after activating the state ’ s emergency operations center on February 29 .
The state saw its first two coronavirus cases on March 12 and its first death from the virus on March 18 .
“ Throughout this crisis , the vast majority of Michiganders have done their part , but we must remain vigilant and continue to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ones , ” Whitmer said .
“ That means wearing a mask over your mouth and nose and practicing safe physical distancing when going out in public .
If we all do our part now , there is a greater chance that schools can resume in-person learning in the fall .
Be smart , be safe , and mask up.
” An executive order signed Friday now requires Michigan residents to wear face coverings while indoors or in crowded , outdoor areas .
Daily coronavirus case counts now surpass 20 cases per million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rapids and Kalamazoo areas , according to the governor ’ s office .
Michigan currently has more than 70,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus , according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services .
The death toll in the state is 6,081 .
Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Michigan Star .
Follow her on Twitter at @ JordynPair .
Email her at [ email protected ]

A new bill to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour is emerging in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Sponsored by Representative Patty Kim (D-Harrisburg), the bill as described in a memorandum appears similar to legislation Senator Dan Laughlin (R-Erie) is spearheading in his chamber. It contrasts with a more radical measure authored by Representative Chris Rabb (D-Philadelphia) that would hike the wage floor to $16.50 in July 2025 and gradually increase it to $21 by mid-2028. The Rabb bill would also apply the state minimum wage to prisoners, vastly boosting their pay.
In her memo pushing for a $15 hourly floor, Kim (pictured above) lamented that the commonwealth last hiked its minimum wage to $7.25 in 2009. She cited data from the U.S. Department of Labor indicating that 30 states, including all of those that neighbor Pennsylvania, mandate higher wage minimums. Her $15 rate would take effect in January 2024 and would tie future minimum-wage rises to inflation.
“Too many people have worked too hard for too long to not be able to pay their bills,” Kim said at a House Majority Policy Committee hearing on the issue in late March. “We want to tag a cost-of-living adjustment on this, so we never have to wait years and years – or wait for a once-in-a-century pandemic – for this issue to have a bright light shined on it.”
While free-market advocates generally oppose minimum wage increases, some in Harrisburg expect Republicans like Laughlin who now champion a hike will insist that such a policy come as part of a broader deal that will include regulatory reform. Governor Josh Shapiro (D) has urged enactment of a new $15 floor and many Republicans have sensed an opportunity for dealmaking, particularly insofar as they control the state Senate.
Advocates of an increase often cite a Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Advisory Board report indicating that 63,800 individuals — less than two percent of the state’s workforce — earned $7.25 per hour or less in 2021. Nonetheless, wages have risen markedly over the last two years and many who continue to make so little are teenagers working one of their first jobs.
After House Democrats began clamoring for new pay mandates, the Harrisburg-based Commonwealth Foundation (CF) issued a backgrounder in March opposing the idea. CF cited calculations from the nonpartisan Independent Fiscal Office suggesting that even raising the floor to $12 per hour would kill 5,000 jobs.
And the think tank fears the proposal could disadvantage even workers who keep their jobs insofar as employers may compensate for the new mandate by cutting worker hours and benefits. An example of this was observed nationally in 2018 after Amazon set its own low-end hourly wage to $15 but nevertheless suspended workers’ monthly bonuses and stock options.
Instead of raising the minimum wage, CF suggested, the commonwealth should focus on lowering impediments to employment by reforming licensing and permitting processes as well as improving public-assistance programs so they reward those who secure employment.
– – –
Bradley Vasoli is managing editor of The Pennsylvania Daily Star. Follow Brad on Twitter at @BVasoli. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Patty Kim” by Rep. Patty Kim. Background Photo “Pennsylvania Capitol” by Ad Meskens. CC BY-SA 3.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-15--‘Unmasking’ the Maskless to Avoid Another Lockdown

More than 500 complaints about mask compliance were made over the weekend on a new hotline and online submission form meant to encourage in Cuyahoga County .
A week ago , Governor Mike DeWine mandated face masks in the seven counties , including Cuyahoga , where the Wuhan virus infections have spiked recently .
“ The surge [ in new cases ] is catastrophic .
According to the state , we are a Red Level 3 and going in the wrong direction towards [ level ] 4 , ” said County Executive Armond Budish in a live-streamed briefing last Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious steps to stop the spread .
We don ’ t want to shut down entirely .
The economy has already been seriously damaged.
” Instead of declining , day-to-day increases in coronavirus cases rose above the state ’ s 21-day average last week .
Ohio saw the largest rise in new cases since the pandemic hit on Friday , with 1,525 .
That ’ s more than 10 percent greater than the previous high on April 19 .
To date , the Ohio Department of Health reports a total of 67,995 coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitalizations and 3,069 deaths .
The other “ Red ” counties include Butler , Franklin , Hamilton , Huron , Montgomery and Trumbull .
Cuyahoga is the only county to implement a mask complaint program , according to Rachel Massoud , a policy analyst at the County Commissioners Association of Ohio .
No doubt other counties here and nationwide are monitoring the hotline ’ s impact .
“ We are not creating a snitch line , ” Mary Louise Madigan , the county ’ s director of communications , emphasized in an interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are asking people to share their concerns and observations online and by phone , so that businesses and municipalities can be more aware and take an active role getting people to follow the state order.
” Despite the large number of complaints , “ no individuals have been identified , ” Madigan said .
“ We are not looking for that information.
” The complaints are registered anonymously , and no identifying data is collected about people ignoring the mask order .
Instead , the public is simply reporting about masks not being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , especially bars , restaurants , gyms and retail stores ; outdoors where maintaining six feet of social distancing ( exempting household members ) isn ’ t possible ; and while engaged in public transportation , ride-sharing or a private car service .
So far , 80 percent of complaints concern area businesses .
County employees log each observation into a tracking system .
Madigan described how the information is then forwarded to the appropriate agency , such as a municipal board of health or city or town government .
That authority will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The goal here is not arrests , ” Budish said .
Instead , he hopes the program will nudge the public into voluntary acceptance of the governor ’ s new normal—and quickly , to stop the virus ’ s spread .
The aim is somewhat paradoxical , just as the IRS code delineates filing income tax forms as “ voluntary compliance.
” The underlying idea is that the public will comply honestly without the government ’ s heavy hand—usually .
Audits are used to enforce compliance , but hopefully sparingly .
Violating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential second-degree misdemeanor charge , with up to 90 days in jail and a $ 750 fine .
County sheriffs and local law enforcement have the authority to act .
But “ we hope that informing the business owner or relevant party , ” Budish said , “ will correct any compliance issues.
” He also noted that cities “ may still adopt their own mask law .
For example , Akron is considering its own ordinance primarily because it would be able to enforce civil fines instead of the state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar position.
” Just Do It Cuyahoga County , the state and nation are reeling from the pandemic ’ s human and economic impacts .
A recent Bankrate and YouGov survey showed that nearly half of Americans say their incomes have decreased due to the virus .
This proportion might increase significantly as government benefits run out .
More than 90 percent of people who have already suffered economic disruption worry about the harm future outbreaks might bring .
“ Masks reduce transmission up to 75 percent , ” Budish pleaded in just-do-it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inflict permanent , long-term damage .
Cuyahoga residents may also address complaints directly to the county board of health or to local government .
But to achieve maximum efficiency , Budish urged the public to utilize the hotline or online form .
Health authorities need “ to focus on contact tracing and testing as much as possible , ” he said .
Concerns , complaints and observations may be submitted by phone at ( 216 ) 698-5050 or online .
Patrick J. McCloskey is a reporter at The Ohio Star .
Send tips @ @ @ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-07-15--Minneapolis Park Board Plans to Repeal Nudity Ordinance

The Minneapolis Park Board plans to vote on repealing its nudity ordinance this week because the law contains “ discriminatory language that targets female breasts.
” Park Board Commissioner Chris Meyer said repealing the ordinance will be voted on during a Wednesday meeting .
According to Meyer , it ’ s already legal for “ people of all genders ” to be topless in Minneapolis , but women and transgender people can still be cited for going topless in parks and on parkways because of the Park Board ordinance .
The ordinance in question states that no person 10 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expose his or her own genitals , pubic area , buttocks or female breast below the top of the areola , with less than a fully opaque covering in or upon any park or parkway.
” The Park Board plans to vote on repealing the entire ordinance , but city and state law will still prohibit indecent exposure , Meyer noted .
“ I firmly believe the law should treat people equally regardless of gender .
In spaces where men are allowed to go shirtless , women and transgender people should be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spaces where it would be inappropriate for women to expose their chests , it should be inappropriate for men as well , ” Meyer said in a Facebook post over the weekend .
“ People should not be discriminated against just because heterosexual men have oversexualized them .
Any argument that can be made against the exposure of a woman ’ s chest should apply just as strongly against the exposure of a man ’ s chest , ” he added .
No state law or citywide ordinance explicitly forbids the public exposure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Minneapolis where it is illegal to do so is in parks and on parkways .
Minneapolis resident Helena Howard has been highlighting this fact by biking topless throughout the city and avoiding parks and parkways .
“ I just want people to know that it ’ s legal and also make people think about why it ’ s weird to them or why they think it ’ s not acceptable , ” Howard told KARE 11 in a recent interview .
“ I don ’ t think it ’ s all that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I also want to fight the sexualization of breasts and female bodies .
I think it would be a safer place if female bodies could just exist without being objectified.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Headquarters ” by Innotata .
CC BY-SA 3.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-16--Williamson County Parents Say They’re Committed Long-Term to Recalling School Board Members Over COV

Williamson County Parents Say They’re Committed Long-Term to Recalling School Board Members Over COVID-19 Policy

A group of Williamson County parents said this week they are displeased with their local school board ’ s mandate that students wear masks or other face coverings , and they would like to recall certain people from office .
But Gary Humble , who speaks for the group , Recall Williamson , told The Tennessee Star Wednesday that he and other parents will have to wait a while .
That ’ s because current Tennessee law does not permit them to recall school board members — at least not yet .
But Humble and other parents said they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Williamson County School Board members voted for the policy this week .
“ We weren ’ t being heard by the school board , and that was very apparent in the school board meeting Monday night , ” Humble said .
“ The issue was if school board members won ’ t listen to the concerns of parents then we are going to exercise some oversight .
That ’ s when we began talking about a recall effort .
It stems from the fact that we need to know that our school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the concerns of the parents of Williamson County.
” Recall Williamson members said in a press release Wednesday that many people don ’ t know that Tennessee law has a statute of limitations on recall elections .
This , per a law that members of the Tennessee General Assembly passed in 2019 .
“ The initial version of the bill that passed the Senate did apply to the entire state .
But things changed as the bill made its way through the House .
And we ended up where we are today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Humble told The Star that legislators that year introduced a bill that year that would affect the entire state .
But legislators later amended the bill to apply only to Madison County .
State Rep. Glen Casada ( R-Franklin ) will work to change the law to help Recall Williamson recollect school board members , according to the press release .
“ This is not a foreign concept and the right to petition for recall is granted to the citizens of many states , ” the press release said .
“ As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not a quick fix.
” Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]

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--2020-07-16--Carol Swain Commentary: Bill Hagerty Is My Choice for the U.S. Senate

I enthusiastically endorse Bill Hagerty in his bid to become Tennessee ’ s next U.S .
Senator .
My decision is based on several factors : personal conversations with Bill , a comparison of his issue positions with those of his primary opponent Dr. Manny Sethi , who has emerged as a serious contender , and lastly , President Trump ’ s early endorsement of Bill .
In evaluating the candidates , I have spoken with numerous people and heard from supporters and opponents on both sides .
Let me share a little bit about myself .
I am a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times by the U.S. Supreme Court in voting rights cases .
I am also a former university professor tenured at Princeton and Vanderbilt Universities .
I am on the Advisory Board of Black Voices for Trump and the Steering Committee of the Mighty American Strike Force .
During my time at Vanderbilt , I was a faculty adviser for Christian student organizations , and I led the battle to keep Christian groups such as Campus Crusade , Intervarsity , Fellowship of Christian Athletes , Catholics , and other orthodox Christian groups on campus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ student organizations .
I have been outspoken about the sanctity of human life , the dangers of radical Islam in America , and the Marxist nature of Black Lives Matter .
Despite my being labeled as controversial and not the kind of person that a Republican in Name Only ( RINO ) would give the time of day , Bill reached out to me as soon as he returned to Tennessee after his stint as Ambassador to Japan .
I support Bill because he understands the social and political environment affecting our nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ represent Tennessee at a time when amateur politicians have proven themselves inadequate on too many occasions .
I support Bill because he has the full endorsement of the Donald Trump family and was encouraged by them to run for office .
Bill has supported President Trump since July 2016 and volunteered to serve full-time as chairman of Trump ’ s Tennessee Victory Campaign .
He has proven himself trustworthy and loyal to the president in the same way he was loyal to Governor Haslam , even though Bill – the most conservative member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agree 100 % with his boss on issues .
Loyalty is something to be treasured .
I support Bill because his issue positions are ones I care about .
Anyone voting in this election needs to compare the candidates ’ websites and their grasp of issues .
Bill understands Marxism and socialism and the fact that our nation ’ s future hangs in the balance .
We must not only re-elect President Trump but also make sure the people we send to Washington share all our values .
Bill ’ s issue positions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human trafficking , the opioid crisis , stopping illegal immigration , confirming constitutionalist judges , supporting our military , standing with Israel , and holding China accountable , protecting national security , and the right to life .
Bill ’ s website lists 19 issue positions covering state , national , and international affairs .
Dr. Sethi ’ s reasons for running for office include his faith , pro-life support , the opioid crisis , healthcare , immigration , and veterans .
His website cites Matthew 9:13 : “ The harvest is plenty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statesman and a Christian family man who says his Southern Baptist uncle led him to Christ while he was a child .
When Bill speaks to young people , he excites them about service to our nation , and he encourages the married members of his staff to be better spouses and parents .
I have spoken with several young , conservative activists who have met Bill or worked on his staff , and they love how he has time to listen to their concerns .
Bill is a kind and caring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we need in Washington .
He is also a self-made millionaire whose manual labor background includes shoveling asphalt .
It takes a special kind of person to achieve what he has achieved .
Bill has been the target of numerous smears in this campaign , including a 2½ page , single-spaced letter signed by “ Concerned Citizens of Tennessee ” and mailed to party chairs across the state warning them not to vote for Bill and that he would be a Trump backstabber , that he is a globalist with Muslim connections , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates in the past , such as Jeb Bush , Mitt Romney , and Marco Rubio .
Most recently , Bill has been accused of supporting Black Lives Matter .
Several blogs have accused Bill , former Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development , of hiring Samar Ali , a Muslim , in 2012 .
According to the narrative , Samar was hired as an expert on Shariah-compliant financing .
The true story is that Samar was one of several exceptionally qualified young people hired to work in Bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ position of assistant commissioner of international affairs to Bill Haslam , who appointed her .
Her job responsibilities had nothing to do with obtaining or advising about Shariah finance .
Samar left her position on less-than-favorable terms and some of her comments and actions since suggest she has become radical over time , much to Bill ’ s expressed regret .
Bill is a man who understands the history of the world .
Consequently , he has taken a bold stance against Islamic terrorism and Communism , which explains .
his decision to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The accusation that Bill supports Black Lives Matter because he served on the board of one of the many corporations that virtue signaled by tweeting using the # blacklivesmatter hashtag or giving money the organization money is ridiculous .
One board member can not control the decisions of the majority .
Bill is no longer on the board .
Like the rest of us , he believes all lives matter .
All include black lives .
Bill ’ s critics are grasping at straws .
It seems Bill is guilty of having a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a familiar smear tactic deployed against him .
Guilt by association seeks to shame someone for the alleged crimes of other people with whom they are associated .
Mitt Romney ’ s name is invoked along with Jeb Bush and Haslam .
Romney received the Republican nomination in 2012 .
I voted for him , and I believe most other Republicans supported the nominee .
Does that make us guilty of a crime ?
I think not !
Therefore .
I am proud to stand with President Trump in support of Bill Hagerty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Bill has the character and the temperament we need in Washington .
He is a statesman who understands what is at stake and can hit the ground running without the startup costs any amateur would encounter .
We should vote for him and hold his feet to the fire .
Dr. Carol M. Swain is a former tenured professor at Vanderbilt and Princeton .
Her Be The People News blog and podcast empower individuals to think independently , understand their responsibilities , and make a difference in the world .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-16--Biden Plans to Spend $2 Trillion on Climate Change if Elected

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden announced Tuesday a $ 2 trillion budget to combat climate change reform and create jobs , according to The New York Times .
Biden said during his campaign speech in Delaware the $ 2 trillion budget will be spent in four years to create jobs while increasing clean energy use in the transportation , electricity and building industries , according to the Times .
Biden plans to have an “ emissions-free power sector ” by 2035 .
Previously , Biden planned to spend $ 1.7 trillion over ten years to achieve “ net-zero admissions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Biden ’ s new proposal would spend more money in a shorter time period .
During his speech , Biden called climate change an “ existential threat ” if unattended while also criticizing President Donald Trump for his response to the climate issue , according to a Tuesday tweet .
“ When I hear the words ‘ climate change , ’ I hear the word ‘ jobs.
’ Good-paying , union jobs that will solve our jobs crisis while addressing our climate crisis , ” Biden wrote .
Think tank and campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 7 trillion spending plan Biden has proposed for the next ten years , according to the Wall Street Journal .
The Biden Campaign did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Mary Rose Corkery is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Joe Biden ” by Gage Skidmore .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-16--Commentary: Has-Beens for Biden

Commentary: Has-Beens for Biden

Over the weekend a flurry of articles appeared , enthusing about the awesome machinery being put together across the country to defeat President Donald Trump in this fall ’ s presidential election .
The machinery is being put together not by Democrats but by that most curious of political animals , the Never Trumpers .
I have pored over all the reports and noted all the data .
Reporters spent a lot of time interviewing the Never Trumpers and noting all their grand designs .
It looked to me like it was curtains for Donald , except for two problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the chief architects of the Never Trump movement are either has-beens or never-weres .
I was dimly aware of a few of these Machiavels — probably owing to my legendary long-term memory — but most of them I had never heard of before and probably never will again .
As for problem No .
2 , none of the Never Trumpers could come up with a compelling reason to vote for Joe Biden as an alternative to the president when Joe finally emerges from his basement to challenge him .
Donald , his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ robust economy .
He is doing it again .
By the way , Joe ’ s campaign for the presidency is the first Basement Campaign in American history , and he ought to be congratulated for trying something so daring .
There was a day when Republicans won the presidency by campaigning from their front porches .
The last such campaign was that of Warren G. Harding in 1920 .
Yet no one has ever won a campaign from his basement , and , forget not , Joe is wearing a mask .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will find the White House basement very much to his liking .
But to return to what we might call the anonymity factor that hobbles the Never Trump movement .
Even the names of the organizations providing money and — dare I say it — leadership are unfamiliar to me .
One is the “ Lincoln Project , ” which I at first thought was a project organized by the Ford Motor Company to advance the sales of their luxury automobile .
But , no , the “ Lincoln Project ” is an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million this quarter — and produces ads to annoy the president .
Another is the “ Never Trump ” group , which has the admirable quality of being straightforward , if quixotic .
Also , there is another straightforward group calling itself “ Republican Voters Against Trump.
” All these groups suffer from the same two problems .
There are undoubtedly voters out there who disrelish the president , but that does not mean when it comes time to vote they will trust their future with a 50-year veteran of the Swamp .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is leading these groups .
Few people have ever heard of them .
One is a fellow called Stuart Stevens , who claims to have been “ the chief strategist ” on Mitt Romney ’ s long-ago presidential bid .
But Romney lost .
Another is Tim Miller , identified by the Washington Post as “ a Republican operative who worked on Jeb Bush ’ s 2016 presidential campaign.
” Possibly he did .
And then there is Mike Murphy , a seasoned Republican “ strategist.
” What does that mean ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders is William Kristol , referred to by the Post as “ a conservative commentator.
” I remember him from headier days .
Finally , let me introduce you to Sarah Longwell , the founder of Republican Voters Against Trump .
The Post describes her as a “ longtime conservative and self-described ‘ Never Trumper.
’ ” Well , I have been a conservative for over half a century , and I have never heard of her .
But there you have the truncated biographies of some of the titans who are running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to turn Donald Trump out of office this year .
I have my doubts .
The truth is that the Republican Party is solidly behind Donald Trump .
With the demonstrations in the street it seems to me the Independents are coming to the president ’ s support .
As the statues come down , the statues of our Founding Fathers , of Abraham Lincoln , of Ulysses S. Grant , even of Frederick Douglass and of Christopher Columbus , I think more and more Americans will agree .
Keep Joe Biden in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jr. is the founder and editor in chief ofThe American Spectator .
He is the author of The Death of Liberalism , published by Thomas Nelson Inc. His previous books include the New York Times bestseller Boy Clinton : The Political Biography ; The Impeachment of William Jefferson Clinton ; The Liberal Crack-Up ; The Conservative Crack-Up ; Public Nuisances ; The Future that Doesn ’ t Work : Social Democracy ’ s Failure in Britain ; Madame Hillary : The Dark Road to the White House ; The Clinton Crack-Up ; and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Road to Recovery .
He makes frequent appearances on national television and is a nationally syndicated columnist , whose articles have appeared in the Wall Street Journal , New York Times , Los Angeles Times , Baltimore Sun , Washington Times , National Review , Harper ’ s , Commentary , The ( London ) Spectator , Le Figaro ( Paris ) , and elsewhere .
He is also a contributing editor to the New York Sun .
Left to Right : Photo “ Bill Kristol ” by Gage Skidmore .
CC BY-SA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Matthew Chapman .
Photo “ Stuart Stevens ” by MIT Comparative Media Studies/Writing .
CC BY 3.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-16--Walmart to Require Face Masks for All Customers

Walmart will require all customers to wear face coverings inside its stores beginning July 20 , the company announced Wednesday .
“ As the number of confirmed cases has spiked in communities across the country recently , so have the number and types of face covering mandates being implemented , ” the retailer said in a press release .
“ To help bring consistency across stores and clubs , we will require all shoppers to wear a face covering starting Monday , July 20.
” Walmart ’ s mask requirement exceeds the guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public , ” but has not implemented a compulsory federal mask mandate .
Walmart ’ s mandate comes as 37 states have reported an increasing number of positive coronavirus cases , according to a Johns Hopkins University database .
More than 3.3 million Americans have tested positive for the virus , and over 136,000 have died .
The retailer ’ s new mandate follows similar policies from companies including Starbucks , Best Buy and Costco , who mandated masks as early as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become an increasingly hot-button issue across the United States , as some retailers have been reluctant to enforce the measure over fears of driving away shoppers who refuse to wear them , according to CNN .
Multiple confrontations have arisen in the U.S. between retail employees and customers not wearing masks .
In Flint , Michigan , a security guard was fatally shot after insisting a customer wear one , according to The New York Times .
Both the Retail Leaders Industry Association and the United Food and Commercial Workers ’ Union have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adopt statewide mask mandates , according to CNN .
Andrew Trunsky is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Walmart ’ by Mike Mozart .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-16--Commentary: The Republican Party Needs a Voter Fraud Task Force in Every State

The news that the Republican Party of Connecticut has created a citizen task force to record and investigate cases of potential voter fraud ahead of the 2020 presidential election is a welcome sign that some Republican leaders understand how the Democrats intend to create Election Day chaos to ensure that President Trump is defeated .
According to reporting by Solange Reyner of NewsMax , Connecticut Republican Party Chairman J.R. Romano announced the Taskforce same day a West Virginia postal worker pleaded guilty to attempted election fraud .
“ Our voter rolls are a mess , with dead and moved voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” GOP chairman Romano told the CT Mirror .
“ Now Secretary of the State Denise Merrill has made an already bad system even worse by unilaterally sending tens of thousands of absentee ballot applications to voters across the state.
” Merrill mailed out 1.2 million unsolicited absentee ballot applications to every registered voter in the state , but nearly 100,000 of them were returned as undeliverable .
Republican State Chairman J.R. Romano and Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano said the returns on the mass mailing expose a potential for fraud in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relies on local registrars to keep the voting lists up to date .
Romano told the CT Mirror the state GOP is opening a tip line dubbed the “ CT Republican Voter Fraud Task Force ” seeking examples of applications mailed to the wrong address , and Fasano said he may propose legislation that would bar Merrill from making a similar mailing for the general election in November .
In addition to the mail returned as undeliverable , there are instances of absentee ballot applications being delivered to the wrong homes , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hear about through its tip line , Romano said according to reporting by the CT Mirror .
The last time Connecticut voted for a Republican presidential candidate was 1988 , but GOP Chairman J.R. Romano and Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano are way ahead of many of their counterparts in other states where the election will be a lot closer .
So what about other states ?
As our friend , former Justice Department attorney and election law expert with the Public Interest Legal Foundation J. Christian Adams has done yeoman ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not entitled to vote have been registered to vote and voted through the “ motor voter ” registration program in Democrat-run states such as Virginia , where election officials repeatedly refused to cooperate with open records inquiries on non-citizen voter registrations .
As the Supreme Court of the United States said in Crawford v. Marion County Election Board , “ not only is the risk of voter fraud real but … it could affect the outcome of a close election.
” And in 2008 in the Indiana Democratic Primary it did .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2008 presidential election , so as our friend election law attorney Hans von Spakovsky observed , Americans will never know what impact it might have had on the heated contest between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination for President if it had been discovered at the time .
One thing , however , is certain , says von Spakovsy : Had this fraud been discovered , Barack Obama would have been disqualified from the primary ballot in a major state , and Hillary Clinton would have won all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And that was in a Democrat primary – imagine the lengths Democrats will go to defeat Donald Trump .
Well , actually we don ’ t have to imagine , we saw it firsthand in Ohio .
While voter fraud isn ’ t a uniquely Democrat problem – if you look hard enough you can find an example or two of Republicans engaged in voter fraud – defense of voter fraud is a unique province of the Democratic Party and the Left .
Who can forget Melowese Richardson , a Hamilton County , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her arrest 2013 when she was charged with eight counts of illegal voting .
In May 2013 , she accepted a plea deal including five years in prison for her plea to four counts in exchange for the other four being dismissed .
She was convicted of voting twice in the 2012 election and voting three times — in 2008 , 2011 and 2012 — for her sister , Montez Richardson , who has been in a coma since 2003 .
Richardson told the judge she was bothered that Amy Searcy , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had criticized her moments before the sentencing .
Richardson , 58 , said that for years she helped register Democrats to vote but now was being persecuted despite her decades as a poll worker .
“ I think the board has shown me nothing but total disrespect for the 30 years I ’ ve served them , ” she told the judge .
“ I believe in the system and I ’ ve done nothing to harm the system or cause disgrace to President Obama.
” The judge and prosecutor later relented under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to a hero ’ s welcome at a Democratic voter registration rally .
A year later in March of 2014 Richardson got a big hug from Rev .
Al Sharpton at a 400-person strong rally at Word of Deliverance Church in Forest Park , Ohio when Cincinnati National Action Network President Bobby Hilton called her on stage for a “ welcome home.
” State Republican Parties used to conduct regular ballot security operations , but fear of being branded a racist , and in some cases settlements of lawsuits , have made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time state Republican Party officials – and the Trump campaign – grasped that Democrats are playing for all the chips in this election , and small niceties like counting only legally cast votes by legally registered voters will not be allowed to get in the way .
Contact information for your state ’ s Republican Party may be obtained through this link .
We urge CHQ readers and friends to contact their state Republican leadership to demand they institute an Election Day ballot integrity operation to ensure that the Democrats ’ Election Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the legally cast ballots in your state .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-16--Biden, Gates, Other Twitter Accounts Hacked in Bitcoin Scam

Unidentified hackers broke into the Twitter accounts of technology moguls , politicians , celebrities and major companies Wednesday in an apparent Bitcoin scam .
The ruse included bogus tweets from former President Barack Obama , Democratic presidential front-runner Joe Biden , Mike Bloomberg and a number of tech billionaires including Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos , Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and Tesla CEO Elon Musk .
Celebrities Kanye West and his wife , Kim Kardashian West , were also hacked .
The fake tweets tweets offered to send $ 2,000 for every $ 1,000 sent to an anonymous Bitcoin address .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of these accounts were targeted themselves .
Instead , the hacks appeared designed to lure their Twitter followers into sending money to an anonymous Bitcoin account .
The Biden campaign , for instance , said that Twitter ’ s integrity team “ locked down the account within a few minutes of the breach and removed the related tweet.
” Obama ’ s office had no immediate comment .
In a tweet , Twitter noted only that it was aware of a “ security incident impacting accounts on Twitter.
” The San Francisco company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ update shortly .
It did not reply immediately to requests for comment .
The apparently fake tweets were all quickly deleted , although The Associated Press was able to capture screenshots of several before they disappeared .
Bezos , Gates and Musk are among the 10 richest people in the world , with tens of millions of followers on Twitter .
The three men are worth a combined $ 362 billion , according to the latest calculations by Forbes magazine .
The same bogus offer cropped up a second on Musk ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sometimes befuddling tweets from the eccentric billionaire .
Tesla didn ’ t immediately respond to a request for comment .
Gates , who has become one of the world ’ s leading philanthropists since stepping down as Microsoft CEO , confirmed the tweet wasn ’ t from him .
“ This appears to be part of a larger issue that Twitter is facing , ” a spokesperson for the billionaire said in a statement .
Among the political figures targeted , the hack mostly appeared to target Democrats or other figures on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign .
U.S. intelligence agencies established that Russia engaged in coordinated attempts to interfere in those U.S. elections through social media tampering and various hacks , including targeting the various campaigns and major party organizations .
Michael Liedtke is a reporter for The Associated Press .
AP political reporter Bill Barrow contributed to this article from Washington .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-16--Caller Bernadette Reports on Woke White Neighbor’s Anonymous Cancel Culture Note Claiming Her Confed

Caller Bernadette Reports on Woke White Neighbor’s Anonymous Cancel Culture Note Claiming Her Confederate Flag Is Offensive

Live from Music Row Wednesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed the original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael to the studio and frequent Caller Bernadette .
At the end of the third hour , Caller Bernadette reported to the duo about her recent anonymous note that was signed “ White neighbor ” regarding the offensiveness of her Confederate flag she has displayed on the door of her private property .
Leahy : One of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the show for us .
Leahy : And we have a little musical introduction for this caller .
( Carmichael chuckles ) Leahy : Bernadette , welcome to The Tennessee Star Report !
Good morning .
Caller Bernadette : Good morning fellas .
Oh , you know I hate that song .
Carmichael : We know , that ’ s why we enjoyed playing it .
Leahy : We won ’ t play it every time Bernadette .
We know you hate this song .
Bernadette : You know I appreciate that .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had to call and weigh-in time for this woke thing because I ’ ve experienced it recently .
Leahy : Oh !
We want to know what ’ s going on with that .
Bernadette : So I made a copy of the letter and put it on a nice size .
Leahy : Describe to the audience what the letter was in your mailbox .
Bernadette : The letter was basically telling me that because of my Confederate flag display which is draping over my front door that it ’ s treasonous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that I should take it down basically .
Leahy : And it was signed by your White neighbor right ?
Bernadette : By my White neighbor yes .
So I took the copy of that note to her with a bright pink fluorescent poster board and I wrote a nice little note appreciating the fact that she took the time out and I wished that she would have knocked on my door so that we could have talked face to face .
And that I welcome her to do that .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take the display down .
And I understand the history behind but if I ’ m not offended as a Black American woman .
And if I ’ m not offended by the flag than neither should she be .
And that ’ s it ’ s my right to keep the flag up .
I have it nailed to my mailbox right now and I ’ m waiting for her to respond .
Leahy : What a generous invitation to a little discussion .
Carmichael : Yes .
And that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like Bernadette does .
That ’ s how we respond to the authoritarian nature of the opposition .
We say look , if you don ’ t agree with me don ’ t hide and don ’ t send me a letter that ’ s unsigned other than to say , one of you White neighbors .
Come see me .
Let ’ s talk .
We don ’ t know whether its male or female ?
Bernadette : It ’ s female .
It ’ s one of those female ones that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Matter kind of people .
For her to put your White neighbor , that is totally unnecessary .
That bothers me more than the rest of that crap I don ’ t care about because it wasn ’ t necessary .
Carmichael : She ’ s virtue signaling .
But if she won ’ t come forward , let us give it another week or so .
And please keep us updated because this is exactly the type of thing that we ’ re confronted with in this country .
And that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s hard to say .
( Bernadette chuckles ) Leahy : Bernadette , we salute you for your adherence to the First Amendment and your desire to exercise your freedom of speech .
Thanks , very much .
And please keep us posted on this .
Bernadette : Thank you , darling .
I appreciate it .
I ’ ll call you next week .
I ’ ll be home all weekend .
Leahy : And Bernadette next time I won ’ t play that song because we know you don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bernadette : Please do , then everybody knows it ’ s me .
( Carmichael laughs ) Leahy : OK. We ’ ll do it !
We ’ ll play that so they know you are coming .
Listen to the full third hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-16--Analysis: Black People Do Not Suffer Disproportionately from Police Brutality

A recent New York Times article by Jeremy W. Peters claims it is a “ fact ” “ that black people suffer disproportionately from police brutality.
” He also asserts that President Trump ’ s rejection of this accusation is “ racially inflammatory ” and “ racially divisive.
” To the contrary , comprehensive facts show that this allegation against police is false .
Furthermore , this deception has stoked racial divides and driven people to despise and even murder police officers .
In an interview with CBS News that is slated to air in full tonight , reporter Catherine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ African-Americans still dying at the hands of law enforcement in this country ?
” He responded that this is a “ terrible question ” and that “ more white people ” are killed by police than black people .
CBS News , the New York Times , and many other media outlets are criticizing Trump ’ s response because blacks are a much smaller portion of the U.S. population than whites .
Thus , the odds of being killed by police are higher for each black person than each white person .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ omits facts that are vital to this issue .
As detailed in a 2018 paper in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science : • None “ The most common means of testing for racial disparity in police use of deadly force is to compare the odds of being fatally shot for blacks to the odds of being fatally shot for whites.
” • None That logic is flawed because it relies upon the false assumption that white and black people commit life-threatening crimes at the same rates .
• None The rational @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compare the odds of being fatally shot to each race ’ s “ involvement in those situations where the police may be more likely to use deadly force.
” • None Based on four different national datasets on “ murder/nonnegligent manslaughter , violent crime , and weapons violations , ” “ in nearly every case , whites were either more likely to be fatally shot by police or police showed no significant disparity in either direction.
” The facts about murder and police killings underscore this reality .
Black people represent about 13 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least 53 % of murder offenders , and roughly 33 % of people killed by police .
The Supreme Court ’ s 1895 ruling in Tennessee v. Garner forbids police from using lethal force except in situations where there is a genuine risk of “ death or serious physical injury.
” In 2015 , the Washington Post found that over the prior decade an average of about five police officers per year were indicted for violating this standard , and only one per year was convicted .
Likewise , a study conducted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that police are 42 % less likely to use lethal force when arresting black people than when arresting whites .
Yet , the authors of this study buried that data on the 19th page of a 29-page report and wrote an overview that gives the opposing impression .
Taken together , the facts above disprove the claim that “ black people suffer disproportionately from police brutality.
” Yet , media outlets routinely ignore these facts or report them in isolation so that their implications are obscured .
Meanwhile , they widely spread the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , hatred of the police , and slayings of officers .
For example : • None New York City policemen Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu in 2014 , he posted on Instagram : “ I ’ m Putting Wings On Pigs Today .
They Take 1 Of Ours….. Let ’ s Take 2 of Theirs # ShootThePolice , # RIPErivGardner and # RIPMikeBrown .
This may be my final post.
” • None in which the crowd chanted “ Hands up , don ’ t shoot , ” Micah Johnson killed five police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he wanted to kill white people , especially white officers .
All of the policemen he murdered were white .
• None shot six Baton Rouge , Louisiana police officers , killing three of them .
His stated : “ I must bring the same destruction that bad cops continue to inflict upon my people , ” meaning people of color .
Beyond this , the Times and other media outlets that propagate those racially provocative falsehoods are accusing people who challenge them of stirring racial hostilities .
There are more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. , and they commit roughly one murder per year .
This amounts to an annual murder rate of 0.13 per 100,000—or about 38 times lower than the general U.S. murder rate of 5.0 per 100,000 .
Police are vetted for criminality , and thus , they should be much less likely to commit murder than the average person .
However , police are also faced with life-threatening situations more often than the general public , and this opens doors for violent tendencies to emerge .
Regardless , it is irrational to accuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of brutality or systemic racism based on the actions of an infinitesimal portion of them .
Yet , the media and activists repeatedly do this , even though it is a hallmark tactic of racists and demagogues .
James D. Agresti is the president of Just Facts , a think tank dedicated to publishing rigorously documented facts about public policy issues .
Photo “ Back the Blue Supporter ” by David Geitgey Sierralupe .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-16--Pompeo Imposes Visa Restrictions on Staff of Chinese Tech Companies That Support the Chinese Communi

Pompeo Imposes Visa Restrictions on Staff of Chinese Tech Companies That Support the Chinese Communist Party

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has imposed visa restrictions on employees at Chinese tech companies that provide support to the Chinese Communist Party ( CCP ) .
An alien can not gain access to the United States if the secretary of state believes the person ’ s entry “ would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States , ” the Department of State said in a press statement Wednesday , citing a section from the Immigration and Nationality Act .
Pompeo ’ s move will impact Chinese tech giant Huawei , which “ censors political dissidents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enabling the country ’ s “ mass internment camps in Xinjiang and the indentured servitude of its population shipped all over China , ” the press statement noted .
“ Certain Huawei employees provide material support to the CCP regime that commits human rights abuses , ” the statement added .
The United Kingdom announced Tuesday that it is banning Huawei from deploying equipment designed to build out Britain ’ s fifth generation mobile service , delivering a blow to the Chinese tech giant .
Pompeo ’ s decision provides another blow to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ player in the ramp up to buildout 5G .
President Donald Trump imposed an export control in May that cuts Huawei off from semiconductors necessary to build out technology .
Experts believe 5G will help lay the groundwork for the so-called Internet of Things , a form of technology tying virtually all appliances to the internet , according to Digital Trends .
China spent $ 24 billion more than the U.S. on wireless communications infrastructure since 2015 , ZD Net previously reported .
The country also built more 5G towers in a three-month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in three years .
There are also concerns that Huawei ’ s close ties to China leave the U.S. open to cyber attacks .
Huawei has not yet responded to the Daily Caller News Foundation ’ s request for comment .
Chris White is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-16--Chaotic Protests Prompt Soul-Searching in Portland, Oregon

PORTLAND , Oregon ( AP ) — Nearly two months of nightly protests that have devolved into violent clashes with police have prompted soul-searching in Portland , Oregon , a city that prides itself on its progressive reputation but is increasingly polarized over how to handle the unrest .
President Donald Trump recently deployed federal agents to “ quell ” the demonstrations in Portland that began after George Floyd ’ s death at the hands of Minneapolis police , shining an unwelcome spotlight as the city struggles to find a way forward .
The national attention comes as divisions deepen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the more violent protests — striking at the heart of Portland ’ s identity as an ultraliberal haven where protest is seen as a badge of honor .
“ I was born and raised here , and I ’ m a graduate of the local public school system .
I chose to make my livelihood here , I chose to raise my daughter here , ” said Mayor Ted Wheeler , who has faced criticism from all sides .
“ And in all the years that I have lived here , I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nor have I seen it look worse.
” Small groups of protesters have set fires , launched fireworks and sprayed graffiti on public buildings , including police precincts and the federal courthouse , leading to nearly nightly clashes with police who have used force that ’ s caused injuries .
Similar unrest engulfed many U.S. cities when Floyd died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee to his neck on May 25 .
But in Portland , which is familiar ground for the loosely organized , far-left activists known as “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests never stopped .
Lost in the debate are the downtown businesses racking up millions in property damage and lost sales and the voices of the hundreds of thousands of Portland residents who have stayed off the streets .
“ The impact is terrible because what people have seen on the TV … has scared people who live outside the downtown .
They feel it ’ s that way 24 hours a day , ” said David Margulis , who said the protests have caused sales at his jewelry store to drop more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to people , on the phone , who tell me : ‘ I don ’ t know if I ’ ll ever come downtown again.
’ ” Soon after Floyd ’ s death , diverse crowds of thousands took to the streets every night for peaceful marches and rallies , filling a bridge that spans the Willamette River on several nights .
Smaller groups , however , quickly turned to vandalism .
Police have arrested dozens of people , dispersing protesters with tear gas on multiple occasions .
Federal law enforcement officers sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop the unrest have further inflamed tensions , particularly after one protester was critically injured when a federal agent fired a non-lethal round at his head .
The mayor and police have repeatedly decried the clashes as a destructive distraction from the Black Lives Matter movement and make a sharp distinction between peaceful demonstrators and those bent on engaging with authorities , whom the police call “ agitators.
” Other officials , including several city commissioners , Democratic Gov .
Kate Brown and Oregon ’ s House speaker , have criticized the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s become a cycle of unrest , police response and further outrage .
“ Each night ’ s protest is now turning into a protest of the night before ’ s police activity .
And so when people say we want this to stop , it can ’ t stop because today ’ s protest will be about what the feds or the Portland Police Bureau did yesterday , ” said Gregory McKelvey , an activist and critic of the police response .
“ There ’ s really this battle that we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war over who ’ s a ‘ good protester ’ and who ’ s a ‘ bad protester.
’ And what the police and the mayor are trying to do is turn the city against the people that are out protesting , ” he said .
Some members of the Black community , which makes up less than 6 % of Portland ’ s population , say the continual clashes with police — including in a historically Black part of the city — are distracting from the message of racial justice .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that this is not about accomplishing goals .
This is about anarchy , and people are taking advantage of the demonstrations for their own reasons that have nothing to do with social justice , ” said Ron Herndon , a prominent civil rights activist .
“ Any support you think you could get , you probably have lost from a lot of people because you have negatively impacted their lives.
” Jo Ann Hardesty , the first Black woman on Portland ’ s City Council , said protesters don ’ t need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the violence is a reaction to a newfound understanding , particularly among white people , about “ how abusive the police can be.
” Nevertheless , Hardesty , who has dedicated her career to police reform , is confident Portland will come out of this stronger .
She ’ s working to get a measure before voters — circumventing the powerful police union — to create an independent police review board .
She also led a push last month to cut $ 27 million from the police budget .
“ We have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move the city forward ?
What we know is that we can ’ t protest forever and ever .
And what we know is that people want real change , ” Hardesty said .
“ I think the more we invite people in , the less disruption we ’ ll see on our streets.
” Gillian Flaccus is a reporter for The Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo : In this July 4 , 2020 , file photo , protesters gather near a fire in downtown Portland , Ore. Oregon ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests have wracked downtown for weeks .
The mayor can ’ t bring the council along on cracking down because of very liberal council members and no matter what he does , the city gets sued anyway .
Meanwhile , downtown businesses are being destroyed on top of the pandemic and the rank-and-file police are increasingly venting their frustration .
( Beth Nakamura/The Oregonian via AP , File )


thetennesseestar--2020-07-16--Stand for America Rally at Ohio Statehouse on July 18

A “ Stand for America Against Terrorists and Tyrants ” rally will be held on the Ohio Statehouse grounds on Saturday , July 18 , from noon to 3 p.m .
The rally is a grassroots effort , hosted by the Ohio Patriot Action Network and organized by John Witwer , an Ohio business owner , and Dan Ciammaichela , a retired U.S. Marine .
“ We want to show that there are many patriots who love America , who stand for the flag and kneel for the cross , ” said Witwer in an interview .
Face masks are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anti-Mask Civil Disobedience Rally at the same location at 11 a.m. Around the country , Americans of all races are beginning to respond to the rioters and looters , which include violent criminals and domestic terrorists .
Last weekend , 400 people held a “ Back the Blue ” demonstration in support of the New York Police Department in Brooklyn , New York .
Meanwhile in Manhattan , 100 Trump supporters wearing t-shirts , reading “ All Lives Matter , ” gathered in front of Trump Tower , the president ’ s former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is where protesters—with the support of Mayor Bill De Blazio—recently painted “ BLACK LIVES MATTER ” in huge yellow letters .
Of course , Trump got this message in 2016 and instituted policies that led to the lowest unemployment rate and highest income for African Americans in our history .
He also signed the First Step Act—long-overdue justice reform , which he championed—into law in 2018 .
On June 20 this year , Witwer , Ciammaichella and several friends were volunteering at the Ohio Statehouse cleaning graffiti from statues , steps and walls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporters started harassing and threatening the volunteers .
The confrontation provided motivation for Witwer and Ciammaichella to organize the July 18 rally .
Witwer lamented that just “ calling ourselves patriots ” incurs accusations of racism and being “ KKK members.
” Instead , he emphasized that any white supremacists would be promptly escorted from the rally .
“ We allow no racism or antisemitism at our rallies , none.
” To ensure safety , 300 armed members of Ohio militias will provide security .
Children are not invited to the Stand for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a U.S. Air Force veteran who ran in the Republican primary to represent the 22nd district of the Ohio State Senate , will lead the rally in prayer and talk about the importance of religion in America .
Then Sarah Cleveland , a popular conservative activist and wife and mother , will talk about the need for women to stand up for gun rights and the Second Amendment .
Next to speak will be Mark Richardson , the Republican candidate for Ohio ’ s 3rd Congressional District against incumbent Democrat Joyce Beatty .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and longtime leader in corporate finance .
He will talk about rebuilding America and how to pull the country back together .
Rob Weber , the Republican candidate for Ohio ’ s 9th Congressional District , will then speak .
After graduating from West Point as an environmental engineer , Weber served for five years in the U.S. Army , attaining the rank of captain .
He then become a trial lawyer dedicated to helping people in need .
Weber is running against Democrat incumbent Marcy Kaptur .
The rally ’ s keynote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigative reporter for WMFD TV in Mansfield , Ohio .
Windsor will talk about the importance of restoring integrity to journalism , which has been purged from the mainstream media .
Next on the podium will be Joel Patrick , known as “ The Legendary Black Redneck , ” who hosts a weekly podcast on WHIZ radio .
Patrick is a black conservative who speaks out about abortion , the Second Amendment , the persecution of Christians and the censorship of conservatives in the mainstream media .
A recent addition to the agenda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Muskingum County , who will speak about constitutional rights and governmental orders regarding wearing face masks .
Witwer is also working on a mystery guest—who supports BLM .
“ We want to bring everyone together and unite around what we have in common as Americans , ” he said .
Stand for America supports core conservative principles , as articulated in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution .
The group supports law enforcement officers in their courageous efforts to maintain peace and order—and opposes police brutality .
Also supported is “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States , Donald J. Trump , and the constitutional electoral system that elected him and every other president of our great nation , ” according to Stand for America ’ s Facebook page .
Even so , the rally is not a political event , according to Witwer and Ciammaichela .
Please note that the Stand for America rally is not associated with Nikki Haley ’ s Stand for America advocacy group , although commonality seems apparent .
Haley , a former U.S .
Ambassador to the United Nations and South Carolina governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public policies that strengthen America ’ s economy , culture and national security , ” according to the website .
For a full statement of Stand for America ’ s core principles and for updated information , please refer to the rally ’ s Facebook event page .
Patrick J. McCloskey is a reporter for the Ohio Star and may be contacted at p [ email protected ] Photo “ Ohio Statehouse ” by MJ .
CC BY-SA 4.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-16--Crom Carmichael Discusses Firearm Sales Surge by First-Time Gun Owners Citing a Concern for the Lack

Crom Carmichael Discusses Firearm Sales Surge by First-Time Gun Owners Citing a Concern for the Lack of Police Response

Live from Music Row Wednesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed the original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael to the studio .
At the top of the third hour , Carmichael revealed data showing a gigantic increase in gun sales in the United States , especially among first-time gun owners .
He likened the surge to people who live in major metropolitan areas that are not confident they will be protected by police .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking at some very interesting data that you ’ ve pointed out to me about gun sales in the United States .
Carmichael : Yes .
When Americans get nervous about their safety sometimes they get nervous about changes in the Second Amendment and gun sales tend to go up .
In this case , gun sales are going up at the fastest rate ever .
Between March and June that is a three to four-month period depending on when you start .
There were 7.8 million background checks for gun purchases that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ checks for firearms went up 136 percent .
That is almost as fast as the murder rate in the big cities .
Carmichael : Almost .
Not quite .
As fast as the murder rates .
And by the way for those that are the uninitiated , those two statistics are related .
And then when you see the video of that St. Louis couple where they called the police , they called 911 .
The police did not come on purpose .
And this is the part that bothers them the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come .
Now we don ’ t know why but they did not come .
And it went on for a very very long time .
It ’ s not like these people are 50 miles out from downtown .
They are right in a suburb , not even a suburb they are in the city .
Leahy : A neighborhood within the city of St. Louis .
Carmicheal : The police were minutes away and they chose not to come .
Leahy : Several hundred violent protesters broke into this gated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through the gate .
Leahy : Broke through the gate .
Stepped onto their property .
Carmichael : Yes .
But I don ’ t care about the stepping it was the yelling at them saying we are going to kill you and we are going to burn your house .
Then the dog started to bark and they said we ’ re going to shoot your dog too .
That reminds me of the yellow brick road .
And we ’ re going to shoot your little dog too .
Leahy : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Americans are responding .
And here ’ s what ’ s fascinating .
The percentage of gun sales to first-time gun buyers is 40 percent .
So 40 percent of this giant increase are the people who for the first time believe that they need to protect themselves .
This is a really good quote by a gun buyer named Greg Gedski 57 years old said he was applying for a permit because he ’ s afraid the police in his area aren ’ t able to protect him .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anybody ever , he said .
But if I had to duck and shoot back in self-defense at least I ’ d have a chance.
” Now that ’ s just a regular guy .
And the left , by the way , does not care .
Greg Gedski is probably not a government employee who pays union dues .
And therefore the Left does not care about his life any more than they care about Roger Stone ’ s life .
Leahy : Some lives don ’ t matter according to them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right .
And in fact , the lives that they say matter actually Black Lives Don ’ t Matter to them either .
Leahy : Well , there ’ s a certain kind of Black life that matters .
It ’ s a Black life killed by a White policeman .
That life matters .
But a Black person killed by a Black person doesn ’ t matter .
A Black person killed by abortion doesn ’ t even matter .
Carmichael : But a White activist life matters to the Black Lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have that audio clip of the protesters outside the house of the people in St. Louis who had to brandish guns to protect themselves legally .
Carmichael : That ’ s pretty good .
I didn ’ t know that Ruth Bader Ginsburg was out on the sidewalk .
Leahy : She ’ s in the hospital .
We wish her well .
Carmichael : Yes .
Yes .
But anyway , going back to the gun issue .
In Georgia where they had all the problems in Georgia background checks for guns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last month over last year .
In Oklahoma , in New York , in Illinois , and in Minnesota .
Now , what do these other than Oklahoma all though I ’ m not sure what happened in Oklahoma .
But in Illinois , Minnesota , and New York the violence was just incredible .
I ’ m not blaming the police .
If I were a police person I don ’ t believe I would show up either because until I ’ m told what it is I ’ m supposed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what you ’ ve been trained to do you will be prosecuted .
Carmichael : You are putting your life at risk in two directions .
One is you could be shot by these hoodlums or the other is you can arrest a hoodlum and be put in prison for the rest of your life .
Leahy : Acting for doing your job .
Carmichael : For doing what you were trained to do .
Leahy : I see what ’ s going to come here .
In my view Crom , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement to support the police and the rule of law .
It has to happen on our side .
Otherwise , the big cities are going to descend into violence .
Carmichael : They are going to ?
Leahy : Further then they are right now .
Chaotic violence otherwise .
Carmichael : If you live in the inner cities in these towns you are already there .
But here ’ s what ’ s so fascinating .
Here ’ s a little paragraph in the story about the increase in gun sales @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggling to quell a recent surge in violence in cities around the US .
Murders in Milwaukee , Chicago , Kansas City , and New York are on pace to see their highest levels in decades .
And the politicians are worried about the gun violence .
Listen to the full third hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-16--Top-Level Democrat Party Member Says Marsha Blackburn Is ‘Inbred Racist Trash’

One of the Democratic Party ’ s top grassroots organizers , who once worked for Hillary Clinton , this week took to Twitter and described U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn ( R-TN ) as “ inbred racist trash.
” That man , Adam Parkhomenko , of McLean , VA. then told Blackburn to “ f*** off.
” All this because Blackburn , in a tweet of her own , criticized Black Lives Matter .
“ The life of every African American matters .
But Black Lives Matter is a 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) organization run by ‘ trained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great country to be destroyed under the pretense of social justice , ” Blackburn wrote .
Parkhomenko , according to his LinkedIn page , joined Donna Brazile ’ s transition team at the Democratic National Committee in September 2016 .
Brazile appointed him to serve as the DNC ’ s national field director for the general election .
“ Parkhomenko was co-founder and executive director of Ready for Hillary , a grassroots effort that organized millions of Americans on behalf of Secretary Clinton .
In early April 2015 , Parkhomenko joined Clinton ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Engagement .
Secretary Clinton also named him Director for the Maryland and District of Columbia primaries , which she won by 30 and 58 points , respectively , ” Parkhomenko ’ s LinkedIn said .
“ Prior to founding Ready for Hillary , Parkhomenko worked for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children , the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission , and in several roles for Secretary Clinton dating back to 2003.
” This is not the first time members of the political left have hurled vile insults at Blackburn .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ software engineer who oversees a key component of the search engine called U.S. Senate candidate Marsha Blackburn a “ violent thug ” and a “ terrorist.
” As The Tennessee Star reported in 2018 , U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen , ( D-TN-09 ) compared Blackburn to The Waterboy .
Adam Sandler portrayed the character in a movie more than 20 years ago .
In the movie , The Waterboy ’ s real name is Bobby Boucher .
Boucher , according to IMBD , is “ a socially inept , stuttering , simpleton ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constant teasing and excessive sheltering by his overbearing and domineering mother.
” Also that year , Cohen publicly said Blackburn would jump off the Harahan Bridge in Memphis if U.S. President Donald Trump instructed her to do so .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Adam Parkhomenko ” by Adam Parkhomenko .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-16--Nearly 3,000 Tennesseans Have Signed Up to Work Polls

Nearly 3,000 Tennesseans have signed up to be poll workers for the state ’ s August 6 primary election , Secretary of State Tre Hargett said .
“ I am encouraged by how many students and young adults have applied to serve as poll officials , ” Hargett said in a press release .
“ A successful election would not be possible without these Tennesseans choosing to serve in their community.
” He said it ’ s not too late to apply at GoVoteTN.com and noted that many counties still need more poll workers .
Poll workers greet and process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cast a ballot , and count absentee ballots .
Poll officials are paid for attending training sessions , working during early voting , and Election Day work .
“ For months , county election commissions have been working and planning for a safe and secure election , ” said Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins .
“ But they can ’ t put these plans into action without poll officials to be the eyes , ears , hands and feet on the ground at polling sites.
” Poll workers must be at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , must be a registered voter .
Candidates or close relatives of candidates are excluded from working as poll officials , all of whom must be able to read and write in English .
Most local and state government employees can also serve as poll officials , unless they work directly under the supervision of an elected official on the ballot .
A lot of the work this year could involve processing absentee ballots , since a judge ruled in June that the state must give all of its 4.1 million registered voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic .
First-time voters , however , have to present an ID at a county election office before voting by mail .
Early voting for the August primary begins July 17 and runs through August 1 .
Election Day is Thursday , August 6 .
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Background Photo “ Voting Booths ” by Tim Evanson .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-16--Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Released from Hospital

WASHINGTON , D.C. ( AP ) — The Supreme Court said Wednesday that Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was discharged from a hospital after being treated for a possible infection .
A court spokeswoman said in an emailed statement that the 87-year-old Ginsburg was “ home and doing well.
” Ginsburg , the court ’ s oldest justice , had gone to a hospital in Washington on Monday evening after experiencing fever and chills .
She had a procedure at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore on Tuesday afternoon to clean out a bile duct stent that was placed last August when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on her pancreas .
The court said in a statement Tuesday that she would “ stay in the hospital for a few days to receive intravenous antibiotic treatment.
” While Ginsburg was said to be doing well , White House chief of staff Mark Meadows , asked Wednesday by reporters about the possibility of a vacancy on the court before the election , said President Donald Trump would act quickly if any opening were to arise .
“ I can ’ t imagine if he had a vacancy on the Supreme Court that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appointment and look for the Senate to take quick action .
That being said , we ’ re glad Ruth Bader Ginsburg is out of hospital , ” he said , adding he didn ’ t want any comment to be seen “ as we wish her anything but the very best.
” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , has said that if there were to be a vacancy on the court during this year ’ s election cycle , the Republican-controlled Senate would likely confirm a nominee selected by Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ final year in office , McConnell blocked Obama ’ s choice of Merrick Garland to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia , saying the 2016 election should determine who would get to nominate the person to fill Scalia ’ s seat .
Ginsburg , who was appointed by President Bill Clinton and joined the court in 1993 , has been treated four times for cancer .
In addition to the tumor on her pancreas last year , she was previously treated for colorectal cancer in 1999 and pancreatic cancer in 2009 .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in December 2018 .
Ginsburg spent a night in the hospital in May with an infection caused by a gallstone .
While in the hospital , she participated in arguments the court heard by telephone because of the coronavirus pandemic .
About the Headline Photo : In this Dec. 17 , 2019 , file photo Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg speaks with author Jeffrey Rosen at the National Constitution Center Americas Town Hall at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington .
( AP Photo/Steve Helber , File )


thetennesseestar--2020-07-16--Carmichael Talks About Jeff Sessions’ Alabama Senate Seat Loss and Bari Weiss’ Resignation at The Ne

Carmichael Talks About Jeff Sessions’ Alabama Senate Seat Loss and Bari Weiss’ Resignation at The New York Times

Live from Music Row Wednesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed the original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael to the studio .
During the second hour , Carmichael weighed in on Jeff Sessions ’ Senate loss in Alabama and The New York Times opinion editor Bari Weiss ’ resignation .
Leahy : We are joined this morning as we often are on Wednesdays by our good friend , the original all-star panelist , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here in Nashville , Tennessee although not consecutively but for a least 35 years I think it is Crom .
Leahy : Long time .
Good morning Crom .
I just want to bring to your attention what happened yesterday in the Alabama Senate race .
Tommy Tuberville won .
Stomped Jeff Sessions .
Carmichael : Well , I was expecting that .
Leahy : You were expecting him to stomp Sessions .
Leahy : I was not .
It was 61 percent with 100 percent precincts reporting .
61 percent and only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuberville would win but I thought it would be in the single digits .
21 percent or a 22 percent victory .
Carmichael : Well , Jeff Sessions is the single person that made the Russia hoax mess possible .
I would never have voted for Jeff Sessions .
Never .
I wouldn ’ t vote for a Democrat who would have done the same thing .
But I probably would have stayed home .
Here ’ s the thing .
He doesn ’ t even understand what he did .
So he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his personal honor… Carmichael : His personal honor was at stake without thinking .
It reminds me of a little bit of Mitt Romney marching with Black Lives Matter .
Because he thought it was the right thing to do so he did it before he thought about what Black Lives Matter actually stands for .
Leahy : You mean the socialist Marxist agenda thereof ?
Carmichael : Yes .
So Sessions did what he did without thinking through the ramifications of what it would do to the country .
He put himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because he wanted to say I ’ m noble .
And so I ’ m glad he lost .
Carmichael : I ’ m glad he lost .
I don ’ t know if Tommy Tuberville will be a great senator .
And if I were Joe Biden I would say that Tuberville will do a good job at calling balls and strikes having been a former football coach .
Leahy : ( Laughs ) That ’ s good Crom .
You ’ re pretty good at this hour in the morning .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Until Sessions did what he did to the country , I liked Sessions .
But after he did that and then still made it clear he didn ’ t even understand what he did .
Leahy : The thing about that is that you really need to have self-knowledge .
And Sessions probably should have realized that he was in a good spot in the Senate but he just didn ’ t have the skill set to be the attorney general .
He made a big mistake .
Carmichael : He didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understand that this is how Washington has become .
Carmichael : Now I ’ m not saying Republicans are completely pure but on the scale of viciousness one side clearly outweighs the other .
Carmichael : It ’ s at least 90/10 if the total number of units is 100 .
And by the way that ’ s a big part of what ’ s going on in the entire country .
Carmichael : It goes even beyond that .
It is inequality under the law .
Inequality in even debate .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The highway is kind of like this lady at The New York Times .
Leahy : Oh , I want to talk about Bari Weiss .
Carmichael : That is just one of many examples .
Another example is the couple in St. Louis .
Carmichael : So here they are defending their home and their lives .
Carmichael : Yes .
They are doing that .
The people who are attacking them are doing so illegally .
And yet the actual authorities reverse it .
Leahy : Are citing with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is rumored that this couple who defended themselves in their own house with guns just brandishing them are about to be indicted .
Leahy : That ’ s the rumor .
And their guns have already been taken .
Carmichael : The guns have already been taken under the true pretext .
But the people who were actually the criminals in the matter are getting off scot-free .
And this reporter for The New York Times , she wasn ’ t even a reporter .
What was her position ?
Leahy : She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who graduated from Columbia University .
Carmichael : But her job was ?
Carmichael : So she wasn ’ t a writer per se , she was an editor whose job was to try to make sure that all sides were represented in the opinion section .
Now that didn ’ t mean that she controlled the editorial position that the paper was taking .
But the other writers in there , for example , Tom Cotton was invited to write an opinion piece and for that , some other people higher up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to resign .
Two people actually .
Carmichael : Was forced to resign .
What ’ s the difference between fired and forced to resign .
Maybe one is you get your pension and the other you don ’ t .
In her case , she resigned because of what ?
What did she say ?
Leahy : She was being bullied .
Carmichael : Because she ’ s being bullied .
Now the Left claims that it is the right that is bullying .
Well , there aren ’ t any conservative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this lady .
So The New York Times here has a bullying problem and they don ’ t care .
And nobody else on the left cares .
Leahy : She ’ s self identifies as left of center .
Leahy : And she is a woman .
Leahy : She also publicly says she ’ s bi-sexual .
So she fits in that group as well .
Leahy : I didn ’ t know that until I started researching her .
The point is that she ’ s in a group that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Here ’ s the key point .
She is trying to be reasonable .
Carmichael : That ’ s the box that if you check the box that I ’ m going to try to be reasonable .
I don ’ t care what other boxes you check , you are gone .
And that ’ s what I ’ m talking about here .
This is incredibly dangerous for the country because it is now everywhere in the Democrat Party .
It just is .
You have the governor of Minnesota @ @ @ @ @ @ @ burn the buildings .
Let them do whatever it is that they want to do .
And now he goes to the federal government and asks for money to rebuild .
Leahy : From my bad decision that caused it .
Carmichael : It ’ s like giving a drug addict the cash to buy drugs from the dealer that is literally standing next to that person .
Leahy : Here ’ s a little bit of what Bari Weiss who is in her late 30s and a graduate of Columbia University School @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left of center .
Left of center .
Carmichael : Well , you can ’ t be in that position if you are not .
But she is .
Leahy : “ Showing up for work as a centrist at an American newspaper should not require bravery , ” she wrote .
She also wrote that she was bullied by colleagues in an illiberal environment .
Stories are chosen and told in a way to satisfy the narrowest of audiences and intellectual curiosity is the liability at The New York Times .
Carmichael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a one-off .
And I want to discuss this more because we can give issue after issue after issue where reason , logic , and the facts have disappeared .
I ’ m sure that the people who are going to write stories about Trump ’ s speech wrote it before the speech .
Leahy : Absolutely .
Here ’ s the good news Crom .
Reason , logic , and the facts are brought to the floor here every Monday , Wednesday , and Friday by Crom Carmichael building the edifice of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 “ Jeff Sessions ” by Gage Skidmore .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-16--Commentary: Fake News Media Continues to Focus on the Wrong Things During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Each new dawn brings another farcical rant from the mainstream media .
Facts be damned , hypocrisy ignored , truth summarily rejected—all in the name of “ But Trump !
” and “ Orange Man bad !
” Pravda veterans would be proud and perhaps , even a little jealous , as nobody in the MSM is being forced to propagandize at the point of a gun , with threats of a permanent vacation to sunny Siberia .
No , the American news media does all of this of its own volition .
President Trump gives a speech from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of America and our shared history , imperfect though it is , of striving to recognize the equality that demands justice and liberty for all of our citizens .
But the Washington Post , apparently with a straight face and zero shame , writes : “ President Trump ’ s unyielding push to preserve Confederate symbols and the legacy of white domination , crystallized by his harsh denunciation of the racial justice movement .
.
.
” Of course , the president made no mention of the Confederacy or its symbols , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minus Fox News and the rest of the mainstream media followed the Post ’ s unhinged fabrications as though they think we will favor them over our own eyes and ears .
The mainstream media , having exhausted any trace of objectivity after eight years of fawning coverage of Obama and three years of attacking Trump , now proudly spins leftist propaganda without even pretending to do anything else .
When called on their left-leaning bias and their war on the truth , they cry “ But Trump !
” And if that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fabrications then perhaps you ’ ll get , “ But Fox News !
” Recently , the Washington Post Style section ( and you ’ re thinking , “ Who the hell in Washington has any style ?
” ) ran a column headlined , “ The data is in : Fox News May Have Kept Millions from Taking the Coronavirus Threat Seriously.
” Seriously .
The esteemed author reports on a study by Harvard University ’ s Kennedy School of Misinformation Review which makes all sorts of breathless claims wrapped in shiny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sean Hannity in particular .
I wonder if the HKSoMR ( thought I ’ d toss in an acronym ) has ever reviewed the New York Times for “ misinformation ?
” Perhaps they could start with NYT ’ s own Pulitzer Prize winner Walter Duranty who actually made a career working on behalf of the Soviets while Uncle Joe Stalin was murdering tens of millions of his own people and threatening to blow up tens of millions of freedom loving Americans and Europeans .
That ’ s an historical fact which one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ names the New York Times the preeminent subsidiary of the KGB ’ s propaganda arm .
They still feature that Pulitzer prominently in their headquarters lobby .
But I digress .
The Biden campaign press release thinly disguised as a Washington Post story even quoted a group of left-wing nut bags in Washington State who recently had their lawsuit against Fox News summarily dismissed by the state judge .
Quoth the Post : By now , you ’ d think the Washington Post and the rest of the lefty media cohort—which is pretty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , talk radio , and a handful of online publications—would have learned their lesson .
But no .
They keep walking into it as they did when White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany had the audacity to point out that leading mainstream news outlets such as the Washington Post did everything they could to downplay the seriousness of COVID-19 back in March .
Back then , American Pravda was telling us that it was no big deal , no worse than the seasonal flu , and they were more concerned that calling it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and xenophobic .
Even the soon-to-be-canonized Anthony Fauci ( Note to Pope Francis : “ St .
Anthony of Rockville Pike ” has a nice ring to it ) was busy telling America on NBC as late as late February 29 that we didn ’ t have to make any changes to the way we went about our lives in relation to COVID-19 .
Three days later , Fauci changed his tune to one of certain death and destruction .
A few weeks later the “ experts ” were telling us that based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ College of London , even with strict social distancing to flatten the curve we were all going to die horrible deaths .
Two-hundred million of us would get it and 2.2 million of us were going to perish .
Fauci now wears a mask everywhere he goes—well , at least everywhere he goes where there are TV cameras .
When the cameras are off , the mask is off too , as we witnessed in the recent video of St. Anthony testifying before Congress .
As soon as the hearing took a recess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fauci thought the cameras were off , he removed his mask .
The level of phony would be breathtaking but for American Pravda ignoring this embarrassing incident altogether .
Somehow , American Pravda missed or did their best to cover for Democratic New York Governor Andrew Cuomo , and his fellow Democrats Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and Phil Murphy of New Jersey , who issued executive orders forcing senior citizens who survived the virus into nursing homes where they pretty much infected everyone .
I guess the governors wanted to expedite the dying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : More than 40 percent of all U.S. deaths from COVID-19 are connected to nursing homes and the majority of those deaths occurred in New York , New Jersey , and Michigan .
Crickets .
But Trump !
But Fox News !
Trump didn ’ t cause the Wuhan flu , and he certainly didn ’ t intensify its spread .
The Communist Chinese tyrants caused it and covered it up until it was too late .
But give credit where credit is due : Governor Cuomo ’ s “ send grandma to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ managed to kill tens of thousands of American senior citizens while the swooning subsidiaries of American Pravda like the Washington Post and New York Times covered for him and the other Democratic governors who acted similarly .
It is an election year after all and Joe Biden is having trouble speaking in coherent sentences or even reading the coherent sentences written for him in big letters on his teleprompter .
Ned Ryun is a former presidential writer for George W. Bush and the founder and CEO of American Majority .
You can find @ @ @ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-07-16--Minnesota Lawmaker Asks Federal Government to Withhold Transportation Funds if Highway Protests Cont

Minnesota Lawmaker Asks Federal Government to Withhold Transportation Funds if Highway Protests Continue

A Minnesota lawmaker has asked the federal government to withhold federal transportation funds from the state if leaders continue to allow protesters to block highways .
“ In the last few months , we have seen two of our primary interstates blocked by protesters , 35 and 94 , with the acquiescence of state and local officials .
While some arrests have been made , the penalty for this offense is low ; it encourages others to protest in the same way , ” Rep. Cal Bahr ( R-East Bethel ) said in a letter sent Tuesday to U.S. Attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ works as a commercial truck driver and previously owned a trucking company .
In addition to Attorney General Barr , his letter was sent to Gov .
Tim Walz , U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao , and Minnesota Department of Transportation ( MNDOT ) Commissioner Margaret Anderson Kelliher .
“ As someone who has a commercial driver ’ s license myself , I know firsthand how dangerous this situation is for all concerned , ” he said in his letter .
“ On May 31 , a fuel hauler named Bogdan Virechko @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blocked by protesters , which MNDOT had failed to secure properly .
MNDOT has cameras everywhere along that road , and knowing that they had been unable to restrict traffic in that area , they allowed protesters to block it anyway.
” Bahr said the incident could have resulted in “ many deaths ” were it not for the actions of Virechko , who was assaulted by protesters and briefly jailed .
“ I don ’ t need to tell you that allowing situations like this to develop in Minnesota and other states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commerce system and our rights as citizens to move freely about the country and engage in transactions of all kinds , ” said the letter .
“ Skirting the rule of law and making excuses for lawless behavior leads to civil discord and , ultimately , the destruction of society .
I encourage you , your office , along with other federal agencies , to use every tool at your disposal up to and including withholding federal funds if these actions are allowed to continue , ” it concluded .
The right to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation , ” but no individual or group has the “ right to restrict other citizens from traveling freely , ” Bahr said in a statement .
“ The unlawful blocking of highways by protesters is a severe infringement on the rights of all Minnesotans , ” he said .
“ Finally , state and local leaders have failed to maintain order when protesters have blocked highways.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Protests ” by Fibonacci Blue .
CC BY 2.0 .