thetennesseestar--2020-05-23--Lawsuit Seeks Release of Detainees at Shelby County Jail After COVID-19 Outbreak

A new lawsuit seeks the release of inmates at the Shelby County Jail who are at “ high risk of severe injury or death from COVID-19.
” As of Friday afternoon , the jail reported 160 confirmed coronavirus cases among detainees , but 156 have already recovered , according to the Shelby County Sheriff ’ s Office .
Another 68 employees have tested positive for the virus , 46 of whom have recovered .
Only one current hospitalization was reported among both employees and detainees .
The lawsuit was filed Wednesday against the sheriff ’ s office in the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tennessee by the American Civil Liberties Union ( ACLU ) and Just City on behalf of two detainees in the jail .
According to a press release , the lawsuit asks for the “ identification of medically vulnerable individuals held at the jail and the immediate release of vulnerable people , most immediately those who are detained solely on the basis of their inability to satisfy a financial condition of pretrial release , or solely on the basis of a technical violation of probation or parole unless the county demonstrates that an individual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The complaint argues that the jail has “ failed to uphold constitutional and statutory minimum requirements , putting people behind bars at unacceptable risk of serious complications and death from COVID-19.
” “ It is especially cruel that most of the people at great risk of infection in the jail would not be there if they had financial resources , ” Josh Spickler , executive director at Just City , said in a statement .
“ Now is the time for Shelby County to end money bail , significantly reduce its jail population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community from this deadly virus.
” The lawsuit alleges that the Shelby County Sheriff ’ s Office is violating the Fourteenth Amendment , the Americans with Disabilities Act , and the Rehabilitation Act .
A March report from the Tennessee Department of Correction notes that 86 percent of detainees at the jail were there on pretrial holds .
“ As public health experts have consistently warned , jails are dangerous incubators for this disease – threatening the health of those who live and work behind bars as well as their surrounding communities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tennessee legal director .
“ Incarceration should not be a death sentence.
” An outbreak at the Trousdale Turner Correctional Facility remains the third largest coronavirus cluster in the nation .
Shelby County has had the second-highest number of coronavirus cases in Tennessee with 4,127 cumulative cases since the beginning of the pandemic , according to the Department of Health .
Davidson County has had the most cases with 4,396 cumulative positive results .
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Photo “ Shelby County Sheriff Jail Transport Van ” by Thomas R Machnitzki .
CC BY 3.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-24--Tennessee Businesses Need Legislators Back in Nashville to Assist Them with COVID-19 Aftermath, Loca

Tennessee Businesses Need Legislators Back in Nashville to Assist Them with COVID-19 Aftermath, Local GOP Leaders Say

Nearly 30 GOP officials from throughout Tennessee this week urged Gov .
Bill Lee to end all COVID-19-related restrictions , and they also urged that the state ’ s General Assembly members return from their current recess .
They submitted an open letter this week requesting just that .
In their letter , they told Lee that while he is Tennessee ’ s chief executive “ he is not the representative of the people.
” “ Throughout this process , the People have not had the benefit of their representatives in Nashville .
The Governor has been left to act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussion from those who might challenge him or , conversely , might support him .
And whether one agrees or disagrees with the decisions made by Governor Lee , no one can refute the conclusion that during the pendency of this pandemic the People ’ s voice has been silent , muffled , and altogether absent , ” the GOP officials wrote .
“ The General Assembly has been in recess since mid-March , 2020 – despite the fact that this period of time has likely been the most difficult crisis seen by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same time , other governing bodies have continued their business , meeting as needed .
Of all times , why be absent now ?
When viewed in this light , the recess of the General Assembly seems inexplicable.
” But to Tennessee ’ s top Republican legislators , the GOP officials who signed the letter warned : You might not realize what detriment your absence is likely causing .
Frankly , a full description of the impact is probably unknowable at this time .
But , as an example , it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of many restaurateurs and other businesses that a breakout of COVID-19 linked to their patrons could result in lawsuits .
Therefore , businesses that otherwise might open , have not .
Those who have , are overly cautious .
The otherwise robust economy is arguably smothered .
Protection from such lawsuits might be an answer – but businesses are simply left to hope – and wonder .
From their standpoint , at the present , there is no Legislature .
But our purpose is not to necessarily advocate for tort reform , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that discussion – and a discussion on a host of other unprecedented topics .
As it stands , there can be no dialog as you are not in business yourselves .
GOP chairman and chairwomen in Maury , Giles , Coffee , Wayne , Anderson , Lawrence , and Lincoln counties , among several others , signed the letter .
“ It is likely that there will be those among you who will say it ’ s simply too late , and that an ending of recess or a Special Session will make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from recess on June 1 .
We beg to differ on this point as well .
Much of this has to do with optics , ” the GOP officials wrote .
“ The People need to see that the General Assembly cares .
A move to bring the People ’ s representatives back as soon as possible will instill a sense of hope .
An attempt to fill the gaping hole caused by the Legislature ’ s absence will no doubt provide a substantial measure of relief to a citizenry which has largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the suspension of their fundamental rights .
Your effort alone in making this happen , even one day early , will send that good and needed message.
” Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]

The Tennessee Secretary of State’s office now lists 24 individuals as collecting petitions in the campaign for Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District.
There are 16 Republicans, four Democrats, and four Independents collecting qualifying petitions for the TN-5 race.
Candidates of all parties have until noon on April 7 to turn in their qualifying petitions, a deadline which is fast approaching. Candidates must collect 25 valid signatures from registered voters in the district. Those seeking the Republican nomination must be verified as bona fide Republicans by the Tennessee Republican Party in order to appear on the GOP primary ballot.
Challenges have been filed against the bona fide Republican statuses of the three carpetbaggers in the race, Morgan Ortagus, David Vitalli, and Robby Starbuck. Action will occur on those challenges after the April 7 filing deadline.
On the Republican side, Morgan Ortagus, former Speaker of the Tennessee House Beth Harwell of Nashville, businessman Baxter Lee of Nashville, Robby Starbuck of Franklin (listed as Robert Starbuck Newsom), Geni Batchelor of Lebanon, Natisha Brooks of Nashville, Timothy Bruce Lee of Nashville, Annabelle Lee of Madison, Alan Clement Sharp of Nashville, David Vitalli of Brentwood, Stewart Parks of Nashville, Richie Lee of Nashville, General Kurt Winstead of Franklin, Tres Wittum of Nashville, Jeff Beierlein of Nashville, and Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles are listed as collecting petitions.
Former Williamson County GOP Chair Omar Hamada of Franklin is still listed as collecting petitions but he dropped out of the race and endorsed Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles in the GOP primary.
On the Democrat side, Clay Faircloth, Richard H. Harris, Justicia Rizzo, and Joel Michael Hurbert, all from Nashville, are collecting petitions.
Derrick Brantley of Nashville, Patrick O. Halfacre of Hohenwald, Daniel J. Cooper of Spring Hill, and Richard A. Shannon of Franklin are the independents collecting petitions.
The Tennessee Secretary of State’s office has been updating its list on a weekly basis. This list is current as of Friday, April 1.
Reports are expected to be available for the January 1 through March 31, 2022 Federal Election Commission campaign finance first-quarter period in the coming days. Those reports are expected to shed significant light on which candidates are considered viable. The bulk of the field entered the race after the December 31, 2021 reporting deadline.
The primaries are scheduled for August 4, 2022.
The newly-redrawn 5th Congressional District consists of parts of Davidson, Williamson, and Wilson counties, as well as all of Maury, Marshall, and Lewis counties.
– – –
Aaron Gulbransen is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected] Follow Aaron on GETTR, Twitter, and Parler.
Photo “U.S. Capitol” by Andrew Can Huss.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-24--Sen. Lamar Alexander Predicts Kids Will Return to School This Fall, but Under New Conditions

Sen. Lamar Alexander ( R-TN ) predicted this week that public school students will return to their school buildings this fall , but he also said school officials would accommodate children in new ways because of COVID-19 .
Alexander said this on FOX News this week and posted video of his appearance on Twitter .
“ There are some health risks .
Dr. Fauci warned against cavalierly dismissing those , but we do know that COVID-19 has been less damaging to young people even though they may carry it to older people , ” Alexander told host Sandra Smith .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ most school boards are making plans to go back to school in August , because any teacher can tell you there are other risks — the risk of social , intellectual , and emotional damage to a child who might lose an entire school year .
We want to avoid that.
” But , as Alexander went on to say , children at school should practice social distancing and wear masks .
And school officials should plan for other changes , he said .
“ That means changing some schedules , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rules to give schools more flexibility in scheduling their classes‚ having smaller classrooms and staggering classes so that you might begin early .
The schedule might begin early .
Colleges are starting early in August and going home before Thanksgiving so they avoid the peak of the flu season , ” Alexander said .
“ Schools don ’ t have the same problem of kids going all the way home during Thanksgiving or going all the way home during Christmas .
They might consider that schedule change as well .
In addition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to flu shots and pneumonia shots and there should be , but it ’ s the usual thing .
Social distancing .
Wash your hands .
Stay apart from one another and then regular testing .
If you find a child in a classroom who is infected , he is or she is removed from the classroom .
You test all the other children in the classroom and make sure the school is safe.
” As The Tennessee Star reported earlier this month , Alexander said someone could potentially test themselves for COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lollipop .
Alexander chaired a hearing this month — “ Shark Tank : New Tests for COVID-19 ” —that featured testimony from Dr. Francis Collins of the National Institutes of Health and Dr. Gary Disbrow of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority .
They discussed efforts to create new technologies designed to produce tens of millions of COVID-19 tests .
Alexander worked with Senate Health Appropriations Committee Chairman Roy Blunt ( R-MO ) to include what he called a “ shark-tank ” — like effort in the Paycheck Protection Program and Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 25 billion for COVID-19 testing .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-05-24--Commentary: Conservatives and Liberals Are Responding to COVID-19 in Such Different Ways

In a 2008 TED Talk , psychologist Jonathan Haidt said the worst idea in psychology is the notion that humans are born as a “ blank slate.
” Like the cognitive psychologist Steven Pinker , Haidt was rejecting the notion that the human mind is a blank slate at birth , an idea that can be traced to thinkers from Aristotle , to John Locke , to B.F. Skinner and beyond .
“ Developmental psychology has shown that kids come into the world already knowing so much about the physical and social worlds and programmed to make it really easy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard to learn others , ” explained Haidt , a Professor of Ethical Leadership at NYU ’ s Stern School of Business .
Citing research from the brain scientist Gary Marcus , Haidt said the initial organization of the brain essentially comes with a “ first draft.
” Studying the anthropological and historical records , Haidt found that five pillars of morality exist across disciplines , cultures , and even species : What ’ s interesting is that these moral pillars differ sharply across ideological lines in America today .
Haidt found that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fairness/reciprocity values ( though liberals value these a little more than conservatives ) .
Things change , however , when examining the three remaining foundational values—loyalty/betrayal , authority/subversion , and sanctity/degradation .
While conservatives accept these moral values , liberal-minded people tend to reject them .
The difference is extraordinary , and it helps explain the different ways Republicans and Democrats are experiencing the coronavirus .
In May , a CNBC/Change Research survey found that while only 39 percent of Republicans said they had serious concerns about COVID-19 , 97 percent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While some of the divergence could stem from the fact that blue states have been hit harder by COVID-19 than red states , Haidt ’ s research would suggest that another reason Democrats are more concerned is because liberals have an intense appreciation of the care/harm moral pillar .
Indeed , the preeminence of the care/harm moral can be found in the rhetoric of many progressives .
“ I want to be able to say to the people of New York , ‘ I did everything we could do , ’ ” New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March .
“ And if everything we do saves just one life , I ’ ll be happy.
” The care/harm moral is even found in the latest social media emojis .
Last month , as USA Today reported in an exclusive story , Facebook rolled out its new “ care ” emoji .
“ The new Facebook reaction—an emoji hugging a heart—is intended as shorthand to show caring and solidarity when commenting on a status update , message , photo or video during the coronavirus crisis that allow users to express how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the paper reported .
Cuomo ’ s language ( and to a lesser extent Facebook ’ s emojis ) suggests that , for many , care for others is the preeminent virtue .
As such , efforts to protect people must be taken above lesser social considerations .
Understanding the different moral framework conservatives and liberals are using helps us understand why blue states have taken a much more aggressive approach in efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19 .
As The Atlantic explains , with a few exceptions , such as Ohio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reluctant to impose sweeping restrictions on their residents than states led by Democratic governors .
While governors in these states no doubt value care/harm , their moral framework likely gives them a heightened concern of other social considerations , particularly civil liberties .
The lockdowns , the Constitution Center explains , have threatened many of America ’ s most cherished civil liberties—the freedom to assemble , the right to purchase a firearm , the ability to freely travel , the freedom to attend church or visit a reproductive health facility .
They ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a path toward bankruptcy by prohibiting them from engaging in commerce .
These infringements tend to be viewed as reasonable to liberals , who emphasize the care/harm moral but are less likely to recognize the sanctity/degradation moral .
New Jersey Gov .
Phil Murphy , for example , said he never even considered the US Constitution—a document considered sacrosanct by many Americans—when he issued his lockdown order .
“ That ’ s above my pay grade , ” Murphy told Tucker Carlson in April .
“ I wasn ’ t thinking of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We went to all—first of all—we went to the scientists who said people have to stay away from each other.
” Similarly , Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer saw no problem in suspending the Freedom of Information Act to prevent outside groups from assessing the model state officials used to justify locking down the entire state .
Those who view civil liberties and constitutional rights as sacred , however , are less than comfortable with such an approach .
They will be less inclined to sacrifice sacred principles to support sweeping state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably more likely to see such efforts as counter-productive ) .
To be sure , some progressives do see civil liberties as sacred , and some of them have expressed dismay and bewilderment that so many progressives , in their enthusiasm for the care/harm moral , have abandoned civil liberties .
“ [ The COVID-19 crisis is ] raising serious civil liberties issues , from prisoners trapped in deadly conditions to profound questions about speech and assembly , the limits to surveillance and snitching , etc.
, ” the progressive journalist Matt Taibbi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If this disease is going to be in our lives for the foreseeable future , that makes it more urgent that we talk about what these rules will be , not less—yet the party I grew up supporting seems to have lost the ability to do so , and I don ’ t understand why.
” If Haidt ’ s theory is correct , the reason is liberals and conservatives are , generally speaking , approaching the COVID-19 pandemic through divergent moral frameworks .
After all , the argument isn ’ t whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any country , the disagreement isn ’ t over harm and fairness , ” Haidt says .
“ Everyone agrees that harm and fairness matter.
” The argument isn ’ t even over how to best balance the care/harm moral with other considerations .
The disagreement is over whether efforts to protect individuals from COVID-19 should be balanced against other considerations—including constitutional and economic ones—at all .
Jonathan Miltimore is the Managing Editor of FEE.org .
His writing/reporting has been the subject of articles in TIME magazine , The Wall Street Journal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Star Tribune .
Photo “ Lockdown Protests ” by GoToVan .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-24--Group Asks Mayor Cooper to Use Coronavirus Relief Funds to Provide Free Busing to Polls

A progressive group has called on Nashville Mayor John Cooper to use funds from the city ’ s share of the federal CARES Act to provide “ free bus fare ” to the polls .
Nashville is expected to receive $ 121 million from the coronavirus relief bill and Mayor Cooper convened an advisory group last week to discuss how the money should be used .
Charlane Oliver , a member of that advisory group , also serves as the co-executive director of The Equity Alliance , which sent a list of recommendations to Cooper ’ s office on how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focus on efforts to “ ensure Nashvillians can vote safely , ” including a call for “ free bus fare to Nashvillians without transportation to get a ride ” to polling locations .
The group would also like to see a mailer sent out to “ every registered voter on how to access an absentee ballot and understand new voting changes.
” Another recommendation asks Cooper to provide “ monthly payments ” to support working families who have experienced “ unexpected expenses due to coronavirus and the stay-at-home order.
” The list of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relief payments for unemployed and furloughed workers ” as well as “ resources to pay for funeral costs and healthcare costs of loved ones battling COVID-19.
” “ Provide a stipend to get a COVID-19 test ; purchase a temporary health care plan ; or to visit an outpatient clinic , ” states another proposal on the list .
Oliver said The Equity Alliance believes in “ putting resources directly in people ’ s hands who have been most impacted.
” “ Mayor Cooper has an opportunity to right some past wrongs of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be spent to ensure that black residents are neither disenfranchised from their civic right to vote nor left behind in the economic recovery , ” she said in a statement .
“ With black Nashvillians making up 28 percent of the city ’ s population , we expect the CARES Act funds to be equitably and proportionately distributed to us.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Metro Nashville Bus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-24--Judge Sanctions Trump Admin After Citizenship Question Lawsuit

An Obama-appointed federal judge sanctioned the Trump administration on Thursday , ruling that the White House did not provide sufficient documentation amid its failed attempt to add a citizenship question to the 2020 Census .
Jesse Furman , a federal judge for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York , ordered the Trump administration on Thursday to pay attorney fees as punishment .
The administration , Furman found , did not provide hundreds of relevant documents that should ’ ve been turned over when it was sued for trying to add a citizenship question on this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 , the administration waged a protracted courtroom battle to add a question to the 2020 decennial census questionnaire asking individuals whether they are citizens of the U.S .
The challenge was led by the American Civil Liberties Union , which has been behind a number of lawsuits targeting the Trump administration , particularly regarding its immigration agenda .
Furman , who initially ruled against the question being included in the census , followed up on the Supreme Court ’ s ruling a month later by issuing an order that permanently blocked the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After Furman ’ s order , the same progressive organizations that successfully blocked the question sought sanctions against the administration , arguing that they withheld evidence in order to conceal their true reasons for inserting the question .
The White House , the plaintiffs argued , sought to add the citizenship question for political reasons , not for their stated reasons of voting rights enforcement .
Furman on Thursday agreed that the defendants withheld pertinent documentation .
“ [ T ] he Court concludes that sanctions are justified with respect to Defendants ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of documents that should have been disclosed prior to trial — a failure that may well have been inadvertent , but is nevertheless unacceptable for any litigant , and particularly for the Department of Justice ( “ DOJ ” ) , ” the judge wrote .
“ To be sure , this was not DOJ ’ s finest hour , ” Furman wrote in a scathing assessment of the Justice Department .
“ In other words , Defendants ’ failure to produce the documents was caused by a lapse that would make a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the sanctions was rather limited in scope .
Furman ordered the administration must pay the attorney fees ACLU and other plaintiffs accumulated while arguing that the information should be handed over .
Jason Hopkins is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-24--Conservatives Ask Amazon to End SPLC’s Role as ‘Hate Group Sheriff’

A conservative free-market group hopes to convince Amazon , the world ’ s largest retailer , not to rely on the Southern Poverty Law Center as a gatekeeper for its philanthropic giving .
The scandal-plagued SPLC , a left-wing advocacy organization , routinely labels mainstream center-right organizations as “ hate groups ” on a list that includes actual hate groups such as the Ku Klux Klan or neo-Nazis .
“ Amazon likes to inoculate themselves from criticism .
That ’ s what our proposal is trying to do is pierce that inoculation , ” Justin Danhof , director of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Public Policy Research , told The Daily Signal in a phone interview .
At issue is the AmazonSmile program , in which online buyers may contribute a small percentage of purchase prices to the charity of their choice , whether it ’ s their church or a nonprofit such as the Red Cross .
To the chagrin of conservatives , Amazon allows the Southern Poverty Law Center to decide whether the chosen charity is appropriate .
“ Amazon can say , ‘ We ’ re not deciding that the Family Research Council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program .
Someone else does that .
Go yell at them , ’ ” Danhof said in the interview .
“ We are piercing that veil with our resolution , making it clear with the tens of thousands who have signed the petition to the [ Amazon ] board of directors and investor relations : We are holding you accountable for the SPLC being the gatekeeper because you gave them the keys to the gate to keep , ” added Danhof , also general counsel for the National Center for Public Policy Research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Research is leading a shareholder resolution on viewpoint discrimination to be voted on at the Amazon shareholder meeting next Wednesday .
“ Amazon ’ s implementation of viewpoint-discriminatory policies in the Smile Program itself stems from a reliance on viewpoint-discriminatory , partisan , and discredited sources , ” the shareholder resolution says , using a footnote on a news article about SPLC and adding : The shareholders should be aware of the extent to which discrimination against social , political , or religious views by Amazon in its partnerships , content policies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jeopardize Amazon ’ s current market-dominance and may negatively affect important social dynamics beyond Amazon ’ s immediate business impact .
… We therefore ask and recommend that the report called for include , among other issues at board and management discretion : 1 .
Risks associated with relying on a partisan and external source to determine eligibility for charitable support from third party customers .
2 .
Risks associated with regulating content on the platform based on its social , political , or religious viewpoint .
3 .
A full evaluation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Amazon is making balanced decisions and that it is acting consistent with its commitment to diversity .
AmazonSmile , the nonprofit charitable arm of Amazon , has relied on SPLC ’ s “ hate group ” list in dropping certain groups from eligibility for receiving donations , Danhof and other critics say .
Amazon ’ s board of directors has recommended that shareholders reject the resolution targeting the use of SPLC .
“ We serve diverse customer sets , operate in diverse communities , and rely on a diverse workforce , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to shareholders , adding : AmazonSmile has disallowed donations to SPLC-flagged conservative organizations such as Alliance Defending Freedom , a leading Christian legal aid group , and Family Research Council , which advocates traditional values .
At the same time , AmazonSmile allows giving to far-left organizations such as SPLC , Planned Parenthood , and the Freedom From Religion Foundation , according to the National Center for Public Policy Research .
The Southern Poverty Law Center has been besieged by scandal and resignations over the past year regarding allegations of racial and gender @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Critics say Amazon ’ s reputation is harmed among many consumers by its partnership with SPLC .
The Southern Poverty Law Center did not respond to phone and email inquiries for comment .
Amazon customers so far have donated more than $ 160 million to nonprofits through AmazonSmile , giving $ 44 million in fiscal year 2018 alone , according to the National Center for Public Policy Research .
Customers gave $ 37,739 to SPLC through AmazonSmile in fiscal 2018 .
Amazon also has removed content based on political concerns from its sales @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Pointing to Amazon ’ s stated leadership principles , the Christian legal organization notes that Amazon ’ s reliance on SPLC falls short of its goal to “ seek diverse perspectives and work to disconfirm their beliefs.
” As the 33rd-largest recipient of AmazonSmile funds , SPLC apparently has a conflict of interest in also being the gatekeeper determining what groups are eligible , Jeremy Tedesco , senior counsel and vice president of U.S. advocacy and administration for Alliance Defending Freedom , told The Daily Signal .
While his organization backs the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acknowledge that it won ’ t get enough votes to be adopted .
“ It ’ s almost impossible to get 51 % .
You don ’ t win your shareholder resolution .
What you do is raise awareness about an issue that the corporation should be paying attention to , ” Tedesco said in a phone interview .
“ We certainly want to raise awareness and make sure that shareholders of Amazon and the general public understand that they are irresponsibly outsourcing decisions over what charities can participate in the AmazonSmile program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organization that attempts to smear its ideological opponents.
” Fred Lucas is the White House correspondent for The Daily Signal and co-host of “ The Right Side of History ” podcast .
Lucas is also the author of “ Tainted by Suspicion : The Secret Deals and Electoral Chaos of Disputed Presidential Elections .
”


thetennesseestar--2020-05-24--Pew Report: Expect Increase in Debt Collection Lawsuits, Debt Collectors Seizing Stimulus Checks

A new report published by Pew Charitable Trusts suggests that with the increase of debt collection lawsuits , “ debt collectors may seize $ 1,200 coronavirus checks intended for household expenses.
” Before the coronavirus restrictions began , American household debt had already increased by $ 1.5 trillion between 2008 and 2019 .
As debt increased , so also did an aggressive approach made by creditors and third-party firms to use state civil courts to pursue collections through debt claims , Pew says .
“ As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to shutter businesses and disrupt the national economy , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to grow , ” said Erika Rickard , director of the civil legal system modernization project at Pew .
“ This coming wave presents a critical opportunity for court leaders and other policymakers to take action to ensure that all parties in state civil courts have the chance to be heard and receive a ruling based on the facts , ” Rickard adds .
In “ How Debt Collectors Are Transforming the Business of State Courts , ” researchers examined trends in debt collection lawsuits across state and local civil courts over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most common type of civil case in eight of the 12 states for which at least some court data were available – Alaska , Colorado , Missouri , Nevada , New Mexico , Texas , Utah and Virginia , the report found .
In a typical debt claim , a business or company that purchased delinquent debt from the original creditor sues an individual to collect debt generally under $ 5,000 .
The frequency of consumers losing in court to debt collectors has not been based on the facts of the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not there to plead their case or show up without an attorney , the report found .
Less than 10 percent of defendants in debt collection lawsuits studied from 2010 to 2019 had counsel , compared with nearly all plaintiffs .
Those with legal representation were more likely to win their case outright or reach a mutually agreed settlement with the plaintiff , Pew found .
Debt lawsuits frequently end in default judgment , indicating that many people do not respond when sued for a debt , the report found .
Within the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available in certain jurisdictions , courts resolved more than 70 percent of debt collection lawsuits with default judgments for the plaintiff .
“ Default judgments exact heavy tolls on consumers , ” Pew states .
“ Courts routinely order consumers to pay accrued interest as well as court fees , which together can exceed the original amount owed .
Other harmful consequences can include garnishment of wages or bank accounts , seizure of personal property , and even incarceration.
” Although 49 states and the District of Columbia provide public reports of civil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the District provide no details about the number of debt cases they handle .
Texas is the only state that reports on all types of cases , including outcomes , across all courts .
“ By having clear data on the number of debt claims in our courts , we ’ re able to see the rise of these cases across our state , ” Nathan Hecht , chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court and president of the Conference of Chief Justices , said in a Pew Charitable Trusts news release .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in civil courts requires us to look closely at the way we handle these cases.
” States can improve the way they handle debt cases by tracking data about debt claims , and review state policies , court rules , and common practices to identify procedures that can ensure that both sides in a debt collection case have an opportunity to effectively present their cases , Pew suggests .
From 2009 to 2019 , 12 states made policy changes , seven through state legislation and five through court rules .
Bethany Blankley is @ @ @ @ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-05-24--Philadelphia Election Official Pleads Guilty to Stuffing Ballots in Return for Bribes

A former Philadelphia judge of elections pleaded guilty in federal court to stuffing ballots in return for bribes during primary elections between 2014 and 2016 .
Domenick Demuro , 73 , admitted during a sealed proceeding in March to using his position as an elections judge , which granted him the responsibility of overseeing the entire election process in his jurisdiction , to add fraudulent votes for politicians supported by an unidentified political consultant who had paid him bribes ranging from $ 300 to $ 5,000 per election .
After stuffing ballots , Demuro then used his authority as an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results , according to his indictment , which was unsealed Thursday .
Demuro “ served as a Committee Person for the Democratic Party and the Democratic Chairman of Ward 39a in the City of Philadelphia , ” according to the indictment .
“ Demuro fraudulently stuffed the ballot box by literally standing in a voting booth and voting over and over , as fast as he could , while he thought the coast was clear .
This is utterly reprehensible conduct , ” U.S. Attorney William McSwain said in a Justice Department press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conspiring to deprive persons of civil rights and using interstate facilities in aid of bribery .
McSwain said an investigation into Demuro ’ s election fraud is “ active and ongoing.
” During a May 2014 primary election , Demuro added 27 fraudulent ballots for candidates running for judicial positions on Pennsylvania ’ s court of common pleas , according to the indictment .
Demuro received a total of $ 2,500 in bribes to add 40 fraudulent ballots for three judicial candidates during a May 2015 primary election , the indictment shows .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Demuro added 46 fraudulent ballots for candidates running for federal , state and local offices , according to the indictment .
“ Domenick Demuro put a thumb on the scale for certain candidates , in exchange for bribes , ” FBI special agent Michael Driscoll said Thursday .
“ As public trust in the electoral process is vital , the FBI ’ s message today is clear : election interference of any kind , by hostile foreign actors or dishonest local officials , won ’ t be tolerated.
” Demuro is scheduled to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kerr is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-24--Rubio Calls for SBA to Investigate $80 Million in Coronavirus Funding to Planned Parenthood

Republican Florida Sen. Marco Rubio called Friday for the Small Business Administration to investigate how 37 Planned Parenthood affiliates received $ 80 million in coronavirus stimulus loans .
In a letter to SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza , Rubio told Carranza that “ the application for and receipt of loans through the program suggests unlawful conduct , ” noting that “ the application for a loan through the program would have required a Planned Parenthood affiliate to list the national organization as an affiliate organization.
” The letter , signed by 33 senators , including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 94 House representatives , called for prosecution of any wrongdoing associated with how Planned Parenthood received the Paycheck Protection Program ( PPP ) loans .
“ These circumstances require a full investigation in order to determine whether there was wrongdoing , and we urge that any such misconduct be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law , ” the letter said .
Planned Parenthood Federation of America said in a statement that their affiliates met the requirements to receive the funds .
“ We urge that the SBA promptly open an investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear violation of the applicable affiliation rules and if Planned Parenthood , relevant lenders , or staff at the SBA knowingly violated the law , and that appropriate legal action be taken if so , ” the lawmaker ’ s letter said .
The nation ’ s largest abortion provider came under fire after Fox News ’ Tucker Carlson reported Tuesday that the Planned Parenthood affiliates received millions of dollars in coronavirus funding .
A Wednesday statement from Planned Parenthood Federation of America confirmed that “ some independent Planned Parenthood 501 ( c @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and were awarded loans under the eligibility rules established by the CARES Act and the Small Business Administration ( SBA ) , which they met.
” Planned Parenthood ’ s claim that the affiliates were awarded loans under the CARES Act and SBA eligibility rules clashed with a Thursday letter from Republican senators to the Department of Justice accusing Planned Parenthood of applying for and receiving the loans despite knowing the organization was ineligible .
The senators said there are caps on the number of employees organizations with a governance and affiliation structure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be eligible for Paycheck Protection Program loans .
Planned Parenthood exceeds those caps , the senators said .
“ Trump administration officials were also quoted in public reports , explicitly clarifying that the SBA ’ s interim final rule ensured that no funds from the Paycheck Protection Program could go to Planned Parenthood , ” the letter added .
The senators asked Attorney General William Barr to open an investigation into the matter .
“ We have received and are reviewing the letter , ” a DOJ spokesperson told the DCNF .
Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 27 senators who signed the letter , told the DCNF Thursday that Planned Parenthood is not eligible for the PPP and that “ the funds they wrongfully took must be returned.
” “ We need an investigation to get to the bottom of this and hold Planned Parenthood accountable , ” Daines told the DCNF .
“ These critical relief funds are meant for supporting our struggling small business owners and workers not the nation ’ s largest abortion business , which sits on almost $ 2 billion in assets.
” Mary Margaret @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Caller News Foundation .
Background Photo “ Planned Parenthood Building ” by Fibonacci Blue .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-24--Commentary: The Delusional Premises of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Welcome to yet another example of the nexus between climate change alarmism and a socialist redistribution agenda fueled by racial resentment .
That may be old news to those of us paying attention , but thanks to birdbrained stooges like U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-NY-14 ) the blatant race-baiting rhetoric is being turned up a notch .
And why not ?
If you ’ re a socialist , or a globalist , there is only upside to tagging nations of European heritage with guilt for the problems facing their “ communities of color , ” or the problems in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It would be far too painful to consider the alternative explanation , which is that socialism , in all of its antecedents and derivatives , is the primary cause of the societal afflictions that plague “ people of color ” both in America and abroad .
Deconstructing Ocasio-Cortez ’ s convoluted logic isn ’ t hard intellectually , but the implications are hard indeed , at least for anyone who shares her delusional worldview .
Her arguments rest on three premises that build upon one another , and all of them are easily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are : 1 ) White racism is pervasive and explains income inequality ; 2 ) climate change is an ongoing catastrophe that primarily harms “ people of color ” ; 3 ) and socialism is the solution .
To get the most obviously flawed premise out of the way first , examine the plight of “ communities of color ” both locally and globally .
The immediate fact that destroys this premise is the “ communities of color ” that are prosperous and thriving .
Most of East Asia falls into that category @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Singapore comes to mind .
Sitting just one degree north of the equator , it is a sun-drenched , monsoon-swept city , situated in the absolute heart of the tropics .
Singapore ’ s success comes despite it being a multicultural nation overwhelmingly populated by “ people of color , ” coping with a supposedly hideous legacy of colonial oppression ; its territory is a steaming jungle with no natural resources .
Yet it is one of the wealthiest nations on Earth .
You can look to communities within America and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a 2018 Pew Research study , the richest ethnic group in the United States is Indian Americans , with a median household income of just over $ 100,000 a year .
And U.S. Census Bureau data show “ the median income for households led by someone of Nigerian ancestry .
.
.
was $ 68,658 in 2018 , compared with $ 61,937 for U.S. households overall.
” Why do some “ communities of color ” thrive , outpacing whites in education and income , while others do not ?
Could it be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not victims of racism ?
After all , if that were true , why in America are people of Asian , East Indian , and Nigerian descent , along with many other “ communities of color , ” evidently exempt from the impact of racism ?
Could it be that socialism , or its antecedents – welfare , unionized public education , affirmative action , leftist indoctrination , a victim mentality , and the pure , venal corruption that plagues big American cities run by Democrats – have combined to all but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Destroyed their families .
Destroyed their work ethic .
Destroyed their faith in themselves , their faith in their community , their faith in America itself ?
There is no “ racism ” in any of that .
Or to put it more precisely : in all these policies promoted by or associated with Democrats , there is none of the white , conservative , Republican sort of racism that seems to concern Ocasio-Cortez .
Ocasio-Cortez may look at her reflection in the mirror , and believe herself to be a crusader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new deal , ” but in fact she is becoming part of a rich , grasping , intergenerational gang of parasites who build their careers and their bureaucratic empires by spouting racist , quasi-Marxist trash to keep down the people they claim to care about .
Ocasio- Cortez ’ s predecessors not only have created the poverty they claim they ’ re fighting , but they also need that poverty the way a virus needs a host .
The other flawed premise , fundamental to the socialist goal of global redistribution of wealth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once known as global warming .
The “ climate crisis ” is the boogeyman that Ocasio-Cortez hopes to ride into the White House with President-elect Joe Biden .
Heading up his “ climate task force , ” she has made demagogic fear mongering in the name of the planet a big part of her act .
But the act is wearing thin .
Unlike the far more convenient threat of imminent death from a global pandemic ( however overhyped that may or may not be ) , anyone with an IQ north of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ climate apocalypse deadlines have come and gone , and come and gone , and come and gone .
Why don ’ t conservatives challenge the scientific theory that anthropogenic CO2 is causing catastrophic climate change ?
Because the “ science is settled ” and “ science ” is sacred ?
“ Science ” has become so sacred , in fact , it ’ s become like an Aztec god that must be appeased .
Cut a beating human heart out on the altar of Huītzilōpōchtli .
Or throw a human sacrifice into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone ’ s skull and bury them in a Polynesian pit .
The God of Science must never be questioned , and Alexandria Ocasio- Cortez is a high priestess .
This preposterous paradox remains more or less unexamined , that “ science ” has become weaponized by a gang of green theocrats .
But science is no longer science when it is “ settled ” and is instead used to stifle scientific inquiry , debate , and healthy skepticism .
Just as “ racism ” does not explain disparate outcomes for people of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not conclusively demonstrated to be associated with the burning of fossil fuel , and what climate change we do observe is not demonstrated to be catastrophic .
In fact , the net effect of increased concentrations of CO2 may be mostly positive both for humans and ecosystems .
Climate change policies , misguided and misanthropic , have lowered the credibility of environmentalists at the same time as they have flattened the trajectory of solutions to genuine environmental challenges .
Clean up the filthy air in New Delhi , for example .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with CO2 , and everything to do with high-sulfur fuel and inadequate exhaust controls .
Quit incinerating rainforests to monocrop ethanol from sugar cane and diesel fuel from palm oil .
Quit asphyxiating women across the global south who have to cook with wood because natural gas is not “ carbon neutral.
” Quit pouring finite resources into crony green corporate boondoggles .
Finally , to shatter the core premise of the Left : socialism obviously is not the cure for racism , nor is it the cure for economic inequality .
Ocasio-Cortez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ society , today or throughout history , where socialism delivered freedom , prosperity and social justice .
She ’ ll find instead a hideous legacy of tyranny , poverty , and murder .
Those wonderful Scandinavian economies , held up as examples , do not qualify .
They are mixed capitalist economies with ( until recently ) culturally homogeneous populations .
They don ’ t count .
They ’ re not socialist .
Capitalism , despite its flaws , and requiring judicious regulation , is the only system that can provide anything like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide equal outcomes , nor should it .
Because without private property , which is guaranteed in a capitalist system , nobody tries , nobody cares , competence doesn ’ t matter , effort and ability don ’ t matter ; all that matters is who you know and who you bribe .
Socialism , at its core , nurtures resentment , cynicism , corruption , dissipation , decay , despair , and despotism .
It is a seductive illusion , promising everything in exchange for nothing .
Its adherents are a perilous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Alexandria Ocasio Cortez is not evil .
She is an ignorant , mostly unwitting demagogue , and she is a puppet .
The premises that underlie the world view she promotes – pertaining to racism , socialism , and climate “ science ” —are dangerous deceptions .
They will deliver the most harm to the people their rhetoric says they aim to help the most .
All three of these premises must be challenged without apology , without rest , without quarter .
Edward Ring is a senior fellow of the Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California Policy Center , which he co-founded in 2013 .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-24--Ohio Minority Health Strike Force Unveils Recommendations to Address Impact of Coronavirus on State’

Ohio Minority Health Strike Force Unveils Recommendations to Address Impact of Coronavirus on State’s Black Community, Mentions Nothing About Vitamin D Deficiency

Gov .
Mike DeWine announced this week the recommendations that the Minority Health Strike Force established to address the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Ohio ’ s black community .
According to DeWine ’ s press release , African-Americans make up “ 14 percent of Ohio ’ s population , but represent 26 percent of positive COVID-19 cases , 31 percent of COVID-19 hospitalizations , and 17 percent of COVID-19 deaths in Ohio.
” “ I am deeply concerned about this data .
I am the Governor of all of Ohio , and when I see something disproportionately affecting some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsibility to do something , ” the governor said .
“ To augment on the work that we are currently doing on health equity and to address the immediate threats posed by COVID-19 to our minority communities we intend to move forward with the strike force ’ s recommendations , and we have several additional efforts that are ready to get underway , ” he added .
The recommendations the strike force came up with included : • Establishing culturally appropriate and accessible COVID-19 exposure notification services for communities of color .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and high-risk populations .
• Using data to prioritize resources in the communities that have the highest need .
• Developing and launching a statewide , culturally-sensitive outreach campaign that educates African Americans and communities of color on COVID-19 , health disparities , and social determinants of health .
Furthermore , the Ohio Department of Health is going to create a position that deals with “ social determinants of health and opportunity.
” This new job will also create ways to respond to “ health inequity by working directly with local communities on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s response to COVID-19.
” As the task force ’ s recommendations focused on mostly outreach , cultural sensitivity and health inequity , a key part not mentioned is how people ’ s diet , specifically vitamin D , can affect people with the coronavirus .
A recent May study done by Northwestern University “ discovered a strong correlation between severe vitamin D deficiency and mortality rates , ” according to the school ’ s press release .
Northwestern researchers made a “ statistical analysis of data from hospitals and clinics across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Iran , South Korea , Spain , Switzerland , the United Kingdom ( UK ) and the United States.
” The study found that in places with high mortality rates like Italy , Spain and Britain , they had lower vitamin D levels compared to patients in countries who were not severy affected , according to the Northwestern press release .
People who had lower levels of vitamin D were two times more likely to deal with severe complications , including death from the coronavirus , the study found .
Vadim Backman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this project , and his team found a “ strong correlation between vitamin D levels and cytokine storm.
” “ Cytokine storm can severely damage lungs and lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome and death in patients , ” Ali Daneshkhah , who is a postdoctoral research associate in Backman ’ s laboratory , said .
“ This is what seems to kill a majority of COVID-19 patients , not the destruction of the lungs by the virus itself .
It is the complications from the misdirected fire from the immune system.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to know , but especially for the black community .
A 2019 study done by the Cooper Institute , which is an institute that promotes “ life-long health and wellness through research and education , ” found that 40 percent of American adults are vitamin D deficient .
However , for adults in the black community , the number could be as high as 76 percent .
“ Some of the health disparities that we see in African-American Adults may be partially due to the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PhD , lead researcher on the study and senior investigator for the Cooper Institute .
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--2020-05-24--Minnesota to ‘Allow’ Churches to Reopen After Faith Leaders Defy Governor’s Orders

Gov .
Tim Walz announced Saturday that he would lift his restrictions on religious services and allow all places of worship to open for larger groups beginning Wednesday .
The announcement comes after Catholic and Lutheran leaders in the state said they would reopen their churches this week , with or without the governor ’ s blessing .
The governor recently issued guidelines allowing bars and restaurants to host up to 50 people for outdoor dining , but made no mention of religious services .
An updated order from the governor issued Saturday lifts the 10-person cap on church services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of worship are required to limit occupancy to 25 percent “ of the normal occupant capacity as determined by the fire marshal , with a maximum of 250 people in a single self-contained space.
” “ We are grateful that Gov .
Walz entered into respectful dialogue with us , recognized the spiritual needs of our faithful , and agreed that it is possible to resume worship services safely and responsibly , ” Archbishop Bernard Hebda of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis ( pictured above ) said in a press release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Becket Fund for Religious Liberty , a legal non-profit , in their plans to reopen .
With Saturday ’ s announcement , Becket said only eight states “ continue to impose facially unequal treatment on religious worship during the reopening process.
” “ Hopefully , our experience of constructive dialogue can serve as a roadmap for churches across the country suffering from similar inequities , whether intended or unintended , in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic .
We are grateful that Becket and Sidley Austin LLP helped us to guard our first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Catholics can receive the Eucharist and be strengthened in their response to the challenges of this trying time , ” Hebda added .
Walz ’ s Saturday announcement was issued a day after President Donald Trump declared all places of worship “ essential ” and threatened to override governors who don ’ t comply .
“ Good things happen when people of faith stand up for their rights , ” said Eric Rassbach , vice president and senior counsel at Becket .
“ Gov .
Walz is to be commended for seeing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by recognizing the importance of giving equal treatment to churches and other houses of worship , and that worship services can be conducted safely , cooperatively , and responsibly .
Other closed-church states are on notice.
” Becket said the governor returned to the negotiating table Wednesday after faith leaders announced their plans to act in defiance of his executive orders .
Prior to Wednesday , Hebda said Walz had not “ engaged in dialogue ” on a plan for reopening churches .
“ We are so pleased that Minnesota decided to reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal action .
We will remain prayerful and watchful , so that this agreement is just the beginning of a return to full , in-person worship , ” said Rev .
Dr. Lucas Woodford , president of the Minnesota South District of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod .
The governor ’ s full Saturday press conference can be watched below : Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-24--Minnesota Reports 8.1 Percent Unemployment Rate for April

Minnesota ’ s unemployment rate increased to 8.1 percent in April , the first full month impacted by coronavirus restrictions .
Between March and April , the state ’ s unemployment rate jumped from 2.9 percent to 8.1 percent .
Nationally , the unemployment rate rose from 4.4 percent in March to 14.7 percent in April .
According to the Department of Employment and Economic Development ( DEED ) , the number of unemployed Minnesotans increased by 160,627 to a total of 249,453 between March and April .
That number is significantly lower than the 695,156 unemployment applications that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the pandemic .
DEED Commissioner Steve Grove explained that the number of people applying for unemployment insurance and the share of the labor force represented by those applying for insurance is not the same as the official number of people who are unemployed or the monthly unemployment rate .
“ Unemployment Insurance applicant data does not match unemployment data for several reasons .
One key reason is that workers can apply for and receive unemployment benefits if their hours have been cut but they are still working .
Such workers would not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unemployment rate .
In the official rate , if a person works even one hour a week they are counted as employed , not unemployed , ” his office said in a press release .
Minnesota ’ s labor force numbers fell by 31,594 individuals in April .
As a result , Minnesota ’ s labor force participation rate declined to 68.8 percent in April from 69.1 percent in March , and 70.2 percent in February .
“ We were one of the first states in the nation to fully implement all three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get benefits out the door to as many people as possible .
While the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged our state in many ways , we continue to work closely with our state agency partners and health , business and labor leaders to reopen Minnesota businesses , safely return more people to work , and stem the tide of COVID-19 on our economy , ” Grove said in a statement .
A report released Thursday by the U.S. Department of Labor showed an additional 2.44 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits in the week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of unemployment claims since the beginning of the pandemic to more than 38 million .
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-24--Owosso Barber Granted Legal Reprieve from Governor’s Lockdown Order

The ongoing saga of Owosso barber Karl Manke ’ s battle against Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ’ s executive order to shutter businesses during the coronavirus pandemic turned another page on Thursday .
Shiawassee County Circuit Judge Matthew J. Stewart determined state attorneys failed to convince him Manke ’ s refusal to comply with the governor ’ s order posed an imminent threat to the public .
As a result , Manke ’ s shop on Owosso ’ s Main Street will remain open and the 77-year-old barber will be cutting hair for the foreseeable future .
The legal battle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State Police served Manke notice he was violating the governor ’ s shutdown orders , imposed beginning March 24 .
The standoff between Manke and the state , including Attorney General Dana Nessel , quickly escalated into a public battle with alternate sides either praising Manke or condemning him .
Manke reopened his shop on May 4 , but received a notice to shut down on May 5 .
His refusal to comply resulted in the attorney general suspending his barber ’ s license on May 13 .
On Wednesday , Manke participated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Lansing during which he practiced his trade on fellow protestors .
Wednesday ’ s event was the most recent of several protests held in Lansing to register disapproval of the governor ’ s edicts issued to close what she termed “ nonessential ” businesses .
Stewart ’ s ruling on Thursday coincided with announcements during Whitmer ’ s news conference wherein she revealed her plans to allow opening automotive dealerships and retail shops for customers by appointment , beginning Tuesday , May 26 .
The governor also stated she would allow hospitals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , May 29 .
Whitmer also said she was relaxing her executive order limiting the size of gatherings .
Groups of 10 people or less are now acceptable .
She further pronounced the new rule effective immediately .
“ Because of every person who did their part to slow the spread of # COVID19 , the data shows that Michigan is ready for this step , ” the governor said on her Facebook account .
“ Stay smart , stay safe , and continue to do your part to protect our communities .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Additionally , Whitmer announced earlier this week she would allow counties in the Upper Peninsula and Region 6 of the northern portion of the Lower Peninsula to operate restaurants and bars at 50 percent occupancy , starting Friday , May 22 .
However , overnight camping on state-owned land is prohibited until May 28 in nondesignated areas , “ at least ” until June 9 for state forest campgrounds , and June 21 for state campgrounds and recreational areas .
Whitmer , however , has been steadfast in her refusal to allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services and massage therapy locations to open despite the expiration of her extended lockdown order on Thursday , May 28 .
Bruce Walker is a regional editor at The Center Square .
He previously worked as editor at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy ’ s MichiganScience magazine and The Heartland Institute ’ s InfoTech & Telecom News .
Photo “ Karl Manke Speaking ” by Dana Howard .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-25--Rep. Phil Roe and GOP Doctors Ask Pelosi to Resume In-Person Work

U.S. Rep. Phil Roe ( R-TN-01 ) and his colleagues in the House Republican Doctors Caucus recently sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asking her to resume “ in-person legislative business.
” Dr. Roe said in a statement that the House has the resources available to “ resume committee meetings , in-person debate and voting.
” The House has been working remotely since late April and recently approved a plan allowing for proxy voting , meaning members can designate a colleague to vote in their place if they can ’ t return .
Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legitimacy of the vote by proxy rule after the Kentucky Republican suggested the Senate could refuse to take up legislation passed under the procedure .
House Republicans are reportedly considering a legal challenge to the rule .
“ Remote voting by proxy is fully consistent with the Constitution and more than a century of legal precedent , including Supreme Court cases , that make clear that the House can determine its own rules , ” Pelosi said in a statement .
“ Leader McConnell ’ s comments are deliberately misleading , as proxy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committees .
Simply and sadly , he is trying to find every excuse not to meet the needs of the American people.
” An Associated Press report claimed the Capitol physician has privately warned lawmakers that it could be a year before Congress can return to work .
But Roe and his colleagues said “ there is no reason the House [ should ] continue to work remotely.
” “ We look around the country and see the efforts of people in so many professions .
Agricultural workers are ensuring we have an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are providing critically-needed care .
Sanitation workers are picking up trash .
Delivery workers are enabling millions of Americans to stay at home .
Public safety officials are working hard to ensure our communities are safe .
Congress is essential to our country , just like these professionals , ” said the letter .
“ Caution can and should be taken ; however , returning to work in person is both possible and prudent at this time , ” it concluded .
“ If essential workers across the country are expected to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be expected to uphold its constitutional duty of considering legislation.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .

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


thetennesseestar--2020-05-25--Judge Michael Warren Commentary: Remembering What Memorial Day Actually Means During COVID-19 Times

With much of the nation shutdown due to COVID-19 , one might not even remember that May 25 , 2020 is a Monday – or , more importantly , Memorial Day .
The customary Memorial Day festivities of barbecues , beer , wearing white , traveling , and shopping will be truncated , if not arrested .
But perhaps this is a sublime unintended consequence of social distancing and sheltering at home orders .
If it settles our minds and let us focus on first things first – actually giving Memorial Day its due .
Although there are many competing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is clear that Memorial Day began as “ Decoration Day ” near the end of the Civil War .
Dedicated women and men would decorate the graves of the war ’ s fallen soldiers .
The strewing of flowers on their tombs were almost compulsory , spontaneous affairs scattered throughout the country .
No laws , resolutions , or executive orders spurred the adorners to action .
Then , women and men were inspired by the each other to give solemn homage to the dead .
However , one can not cabin a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the broader society .
Major General John A. Logan was the leader of the Grand Army of the Republic – an organization of former Union soldiers .
He ordered that on May 30 , 1868 , the fallen be commemorated and their graves be decorated .
The day was celebrated in 27 states .
That year included the first Decoration Day at Arlington National Cemetary .
Former Union General , current Congressman , and future President John Garfield was the keynote speaker .
Garfield reflected that the fallen had “ summed up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the highest virtues of men and citizens .
For love of country they accepted death , and .
.
.
made immortal their patriotism and their virtue.
” He also remarked that our history had made our “ people unfit for despotism , ” and the war dead sacrificed for freedom : “ They must save their Government or miserably perish.
” Logan ’ s order , the commemorations across the country , and Garfield ’ s stirring words created a strong foundation to firmly establish Decoration Day as an annual celebration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michigan leading the way , Decoration Day became a state holiday across the nation .
Why May 30 ?
Southern Decoration Days were tied to some key event of the Confederacy , but Logan yielded to a much stronger power – Mother Nature .
The flowers would be in full bloom .
With the fading of the Civil War generation , the intervention of other conflicts , and World War I , Decoration Day expanded to include all war dead .
By World War II , it was commonly referred to as Memorial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bright idea to create a three day weekend , uprooting nearly a century of tradition , by shifting the date to the fourth Monday of May .
With that change , much of the “ memorial ” was lost , and the travel season and other festivities began .
Frederick Douglass declared on Decoration Day in 1871 that if “ our country has before it a long and glorious career of justice , liberty , and civilization , we are indebted to the unselfish devotion of the noble army who rest in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nothing could be more true today .
This Memorial Day , enjoy yourself .
But also honor our dead – through a prayer , moment of silence , flying the flag , attending a ceremony ( if legal ) , or other meaningful reflection .
Be worthy of the sacrifices of the fallen by rededicating yourself to American freedom and liberty .
They – and you – deserve it .
Hon .
Michael Warren is an Oakland County Circuit Court Judge , co-creator of Patriot Week ( www.PatriotWeek.org ) , and author of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-25--Democrat Senators Support Resolution Calling ‘Chinese Virus’ Racist

A former Democratic presidential candidate has introduced a resolution condemning the phrase “ Chinese Virus ” as racist .
Sen. Kamala Harris ( D-Calif. ) ran unsuccessfully for president and has since endorsed presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden .
Harris introduced Wednesday in the U.S. Senate a resolution , which states , “ whereas the use of anti-Asian terminology and rhetoric related to COVID–19 , such as the ‘ ’ Chinese Virus , ’ ‘ Wuhan Virus , ’ and ‘ ’ Kung-flu , ’ have perpetuated anti-Asian stigma.
” The senators suggested the use of such phrases encourages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Two dozen other Democratic senators supported the resolution , including Sen. Mazie Hirono ( Hawaii ) , Sen. Dick Durbin ( Ill. ) , Sen. Amy Klobuchar ( Minn. ) , Sen. Diane Feinstein ( Calif. ) , Sen. Bernie Sanders ( Vt ) , Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( Mass . )
, and Sen. Corey Booker ( N.J. ) .
Citing how “ the World Health Organization ( WHO ) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) recognize that naming COVID–19 by its geographic location or linking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the resolution “ calls on federal law enforcement officials , working with State and local officials—to expeditiously investigate and document all credible reports of hate crimes , incidents , and threats against the Asian American and Pacific Islander community in the United States.
” The resolution further “ condemns all manifestations or expressions of racism , xenophobia , discrimination , anti-Asian sentiment , scapegoating , and ethnic or religious intolerance.
” The resolution does not acknowledge that other diseases have been named for the areas in which they originated , such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Middle East Respiratory Syndrome ( MERS ) , West Nile Virus , Zika Virus , Ebola , Hantan Virus , and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever .
The resolution comes as colleges nationwide have made similar attempts to keep students from saying “ Chinese Virus.
” Among the most egregious examples occurred in Harris ’ home state of California , where the University of California System issued “ guidance , ” stating , “ do not use terms such as ‘ Chinese Virus ’ …and do not allow the use of these terms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Neily , president of Speech First , weighed in on the topic , writing in a recent Campus Reform opinion editorial , “ Encouraging certain language is one thing ( although , to be fair , even ‘ guidance ’ from schools like the University of California is unlikely to feel particularly voluntary , given the power that administrators have over students ’ lives ) .
But unfortunately , far too many schools have crossed over into coercion , urging students to report the speech of others to the appropriate authorities for punishment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Campus Reform .
Six years ago , Jon cut his reporting teeth fresh out of college as an intern at Media Research Center ’ s CNSNews.com , where he interviewed multiple members of Congress and former presidential candidates .
From there , he went on to complete a stint at Watchdog.org , where his exclusive , investigative work was picked up or cited by the New York Times , Washington Post , Fox News , National Review , and the Drudge Report , among others .
More recently , Jon spent three years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In his free time , Jon enjoys trying new coffeehouses around the Washington , D.C. metropolitan area and traveling back to his home state of Missouri to spend time with his family .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-25--College Republicans Ask Trump To Roll Back Employment Programs For Foreign Nationals Amid Economic D

College Republicans Ask Trump To Roll Back Employment Programs For Foreign Nationals Amid Economic Downturn

In the face of an unprecedented economic downturn caused by the coronavirus , leaders of College Republican groups across the U.S. have asked President Donald Trump to roll back two temporary worker programs for foreign nationals .
In a letter delivered to the White House Friday , College Republican leaders from several universities urged Trump to suspend the country ’ s H-1B program and abolish the Optional Practical Training program ( OPT ) — two programs that temporarily employ foreign workers .
“ [ W ] e ask you to immediately take action to rescind the work authorization of hundreds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guest workers in order to ease the economic suffering of American college students and recent graduates looking for meaningful employment in these trying times , ” said the letter , which was obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation .
The letter was signed by more than 25 College Republican and Young Republican chapters across the U.S. Their request comes at a time when the U.S. economy has cratered under coronavirus-induced lockdown orders .
The Department of Labor on Thursday announced that 2.4 million new jobless claims were filed over the previous week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 249,000 from the previous week ’ s figures , but bring the total number of jobless claims filed during the coronavirus pandemic to roughly 39 million .
“ Mr .
President , the coronavirus crisis has created the worst job market for graduating students since the Great Depression , ” the GOP college leaders noted , adding that unemployment stood at 14.7 in April — skyrocketing more than 11 percentage points since the second semester at most universities began in January .
The college leaders say these dire predicaments are compounded by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the job market with low-wage foreign workers who are on nonimmigrant visas .
The Optional Practical Training ( OPT ) program , launched during the George W. Bush administration , authorizes foreign students on an F-1 visa to work in the U.S. for up to 12 months before the completion of their academic studies .
H-1B visas are another nonimmigrant visa , given to foreign nationals working temporarily in the country , typically in high-skilled industries .
“ These guest workers — and especially those in the OPT and H- 1B programs — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the average for their positions .
This is because employers can easily pay these guest workers less than they pay Americans , ” the letter said .
“ This is not right , ” the letter said , adding that the H-1B program is “ one of the biggest threats ” currently facing American college graduates .
The students asked the Trump administration to not only suspend the H-1B program , but also to end the Bush-era OPT program altogether .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-25--Students Sue Harvard Citing ‘Subpar Online Learning Options’ During Coronavirus Pandemic

On Wednesday , students sued Harvard University for not refunding tuition and fees after the coronavirus pandemic forced classes online .
This makes Harvard at least the fourth Ivy League school to be targeted for failing to reimburse educational costs , following Brown , Columbia , and Cornell .
The school is facing a $ 5 million federal class-action lawsuit .
Students chose to pursue legal action as a result of not having “ received the benefit of in-person instruction or equivalent access to university facilities and services.
” “ The online learning options being offered to Harvard students are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shadow of what they once were , including the lack of facilities , materials , and access to faculty , ” the lawsuit reads .
“ Students have been deprived of the opportunity for collaborative learning and in-person dialogue , feedback , and critique.
” Harvard confirmed awareness of the suit in a statement to Campus Reform , although the university had no further comment on the situation .
Harvard ’ s use of its finances has already been called into question with regard to its handling of the coronavirus shutdown .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the allocation of CARES Act funds , which it eventually turned down , expressing in a press release concern “ that the intense focus by politicians and others on Harvard in connection with this program may undermine participation in a relief effort that Congress created and the President signed into law for the purpose of helping students and institutions whose financial challenges in the coming months may be most severe.
” The move to decline funding followed public pressure from lawmakers ; initially , Harvard had announced that it would accept the money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it “ remains fully committed to providing the financial support that it has promised to its students.
” Maria Copeland is Virginia Campus Correspondent for CampusReform.org .
Follow maria on Twitter at @ mariatcopeland .
Photo “ Harvard University ” by Samuel Fisch .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-25--Nearly 13,000 Tennessee Residents Have Recovered from COVID-19 as of Sunday

As of press time Sunday , exactly 20,145 Tennesseans tested positive for COVID-19 .
The virus had hospitalized 1,583 state residents and claimed the lives of 336 Tennesseans .
Conversely , 363,431 Tennessee residents had tested negative for COVID-19 .
Exactly 12,837 people in the state had recovered from the virus , according to The Covid Tracking Project .
The Tennessee Department of Health ’ s website , meanwhile , reported that Davidson and Shelby counties continued to have , by far , the state ’ s highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Sunday night .
TDH numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ county : The COVID Tracking Project obtains , organizes , and publishes high-quality data required to understand and respond to the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States , its website , said .
On their website , members of The COVID Tracking Project said they will continue to work until official national sources take over and publish comprehensive testing and outcomes data .
They said all of their information comes from public health authorities—or , occasionally , from news reports , official press conferences , or , occasionally , tweets or Facebook updates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-05-25--President Trump Reportedly Considering Forming Panel to Review Anti-Conservative Bias in Big Tech

President Donald Trump is considering forming a commission to review anti-conservative bias on social media platforms , The Wall Street Journal reported , citing people familiar with the idea .
A potential White House-created commission would examine allegations of online bias and censorship , according to the report .
The administration will also encourage the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Election Commission to conduct similar reviews , the sources told the WSJ .
“ Left-wing bias in the tech world is a concern that definitely needs to be addressed from our vantage point , and at least exposed [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about what we ’ re dealing with , ” a White House official told the paper .
The president told his Twitter followers in a May 16 tweet that his administration is pursuing ways to mitigate alleged conservative bias at Facebook , Twitter , and Google .
“ The Radical Left is in total command & control of Facebook , Instagram , Twitter and Google , ” Trump wrote , adding : “ working to remedy this illegal situation.
” “ People on both sides of the aisle disagree with some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we remain committed to seeking outside perspectives and communicating clearly about why we make the decisions we do , ” the company said in a press statement .
Twitter also pushed back , as did Google and the Internet Association ( IA ) .
“ We enforce the Twitter Rules impartially for all users , regardless of their background or political affiliation , ” Twitter said in a statement to the WSJ .
Google builds its products with care and “ safeguards to be a trustworthy source of information for everyone , without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a spokeswoman for Google said in a statement addressing the report .
“ Online platforms do not have a political bias , and offer more people a chance to have their voice heard than at any point in history , ” Jon Berroya , interim president of IA , a trade group , told the WSJ .
Trump routinely addresses what he believes is Google and Facebook ’ s bias .
His administration orchestrated a White House social media summit in 2019 , inviting many popular conservative social media influencers to discuss ways @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harassing them .
“ Somebody said he ’ s controversial , ” the president said of activist James O ’ Keefe , who published several reports that year detailing what some conservatives believe is Google ’ s bias .
“ He ’ s truthful.
” Trump has skewered Silicon Valley in the past , telling his Twitter followers in March 2019 that he is looking into accusations that Facebook is suppressing content .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-25--Commentary: An Open Letter to the D.C. ‘Right’

I ’ m addressing this to several of you whom I know in Washington , D.C. Not all of you , but some of you .
I ’ ve known you for decades .
You ’ re think-tankers , government officials , political journalists , and pundits .
Some of you have been all these things .
For a long while , I thought you were the good guys .
You talked about individual liberty .
Some of you identified as conservatives , others as libertarians , still others as classical liberals .
None of you are outright leftists .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ you were my friends .
You cheered my books on gay rights .
( Many of you are gay . )
But when I started writing critically about Islam , you went mum .
All of you .
You didn ’ t attack me in public , but you didn ’ t express support , either .
But that was OK. Then Donald Trump came along .
He spoke of liberty and of putting America First .
Your public rage at him – and his supporters – was instantaneous .
It was visceral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t remember any of you getting that worked up about Barack Obama .
Ever .
For a moment , at the very beginning , I didn ’ t quite get it .
Then I got it .
Of course .
It was obvious .
Trump represented an existential threat to everything you had – your job security , your social status , your sumptuous lives in places like Chevy Chase , Falls Church , and Georgetown .
You knew – somehow all of you could tell instinctively – that when Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But you ?
However much you talked about liberty , at bottom you weren ’ t really about liberty at all – at least not the individual liberty of ordinary Americans .
What were you about ?
Well , for one thing , you were about the “ liberty ” of giant American corporations to move their factories abroad , even to Communist countries , without penalty .
For those of you who work at think tanks , this position was understandable : owners of giant corporations paid your hefty salaries .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a result of policies you advocated , countless working Americans lost their jobs to workers in other countries – some of them children , some of them literally slaves , all of them paid little or nothing .
Such losses , you asserted , were regrettable , but in the end everybody would benefit .
Well , look who ’ s benefited : The Chinese Communist Party .
Carlos Slim .
The Silicon Valley Billionaire Boys ’ Club .
And , of course , you .
Because nobody was exporting your jobs to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you about ?
You were about the “ liberty ” of any and all foreigners to move to the United States at will , hence driving down wages .
In short , open borders .
One of the problems with this position was that millions of those foreigners subscribed to a religion that taught them to hate America and its values and to applaud armed jihad .
But instead of acknowledging the unique dangers of Islam and adjusting your policy prescriptions accordingly , those of you who are think tankers established ( or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) “ Islam programs ” and “ Islam projects ” and hired “ Islam experts ” to run them .
Uniformly , these “ experts ” supported – and some of them had even helped formulate – the Obama Administration ’ s stratagem of scrubbing the basic facts about the roots of jihad from intelligence briefings , military manuals , and the like .
With the help of these “ experts , ” your think tanks produced reports , articles , colloquia , etc.
, that whitewashed the Quran , argued that Islam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and maintained that the Islamic world is growing more secular .
To make these ridiculous claims sound even remotely credible , you and your colleagues consistently had to ignore mountains of evidence to the contrary .
Your readiness to go along with this mendacity made clear your devotion , not to truth , but to the cause of allaying Americans ’ fears of mass Muslim immigration .
You claimed to be against “ big government.
” In fact , you ’ re all cogs in a sprawling Washington establishment that extends way beyond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Supreme Court to include agencies , think tanks , lobbying groups , news organizations , and so on , that work together to shape government policies – policies that might or might not accord with the wishes or best interests of most Americans beyond the Beltway .
Anyway , as I say , Trump came along .
He made promises .
And he kept them .
He took on Chinese tariffs .
You screamed about free trade , as if grotesquely lopsided one-way tariff arrangements could be called fair .
He took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more .
And the economy boomed .
Jobs came back .
Americans began to prosper as never before .
And you hated every minute of it .
You made that clear in your articles and TV appearances and social media posts .
When the Democrats tried to sell the patently phony Russian-collusion narrative and impeachment case , some of you joined in the pile-on .
Some didn ’ t : such matters weren ’ t in your wheelhouse .
Besides , at least some of you had to have realized early on that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of you blew the whistle on it .
The Obama people were trying to overturn the 2016 election – a reprehensible betrayal of constitutional principles that put the United States through years of hell .
And what did you do ?
Even if you didn ’ t explicitly parrot Rachel Maddow , you nonetheless aided and abetted this coup attempt by staying silent about it while continuing to slam Trump over the trivial outrage du jour .
Yet I didn ’ t take you on personally .
I wanted to think we could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But as the deep state persisted in its unscrupulous mischief – e.g.
, perp-walking Roger Stone from his home while tipped-off CNN hacks looked on – it became harder to see things that way .
In recent days , I ’ ve reached an apotheosis .
It was triggered by a thread on one of your Facebook pages .
Some of the commenters were fellow D.C. insiders .
But others ( I easily discovered ) were big machers in Hollywood and on Wall Street .
As it happened , the comments on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Michael Flynn stuff exploded and it was established that Obama himself was almost certainly behind the effort to frame and dethrone Trump .
But what was striking was that the thread wasn ’ t about that .
There wasn ’ t a word about Obama ’ s perfidy or Trump ’ s innocence .
Yes , Obama had been unmasked as a felon , a traitor .
But you and your pals in the corridors of power in New York , Washington , and Los Angeles just kept on with the usual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s crimes had been placed in front of all of you , and you all swept it aside without a moment ’ s hesitation .
The Patrician Class Defends Its Own I found myself taken aback .
I shouldn ’ t have been , but I was .
None of you cared that Obama and his people were crooks .
You didn ’ t care that this was about the fundamental principles of the American constitutional republic .
You were just that cynical .
I felt almost as if I was seeing all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first time .
And in that moment I realized I could no longer view any of this simply as a matter of having different politics .
In the next couple of days , I monitored your social media to see if any of you would respond in any way to all the staggering revelations about the plot against Trump .
Nope .
On the contrary , as if nothing whatever had happened , a bunch of you sniped at him about the tone of one of his more insignificant tweets .
One of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Obama isn ’ t a narcissist ? )
Another said that this single tweet made Trump “ unfit for any office of trust.
” One of you – a longtime friend of mine – even addressed Trump voters directly , telling us that we should be ashamed to have voted for him and ordering us not to do it again .
Sorry , but as a lifelong freelancer who ’ s never had to write a word at odds with my own conscience , I don ’ t like taking orders from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to parrot their paymasters ’ opinions .
The sheer refusal to engage with reality was breathtaking .
Get this straight : I ’ m not angry at you for hating Trump .
Hate him all you want .
That ’ s not the point .
I ’ m angry because you apparently feel no duty whatsoever to the national institutions of which , by virtue of your jobs , you are , for better or worse , the guardians .
But so it is .
You ’ ve shrugged off Obama ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ ve set yourself against liberty and justice .
You ’ ve accepted perfidy and treason at the highest levels as part of the rules of the road .
What ’ s at the core of your being , I see now , is not a sense of principles but your identity as part of the Washington establishment .
You ’ ve posed as people who take seriously your responsibility to the American republic .
In reality , your loyalty has been to the increasingly sprawling D.C. bureaucracy , and its tentacles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can shrug off the transgressions of Obama and his courtiers so blithely , it ’ s because you ’ re all fellow members of the same establishment as Obama , Biden , Brennan , Comey , Clapper , and the Clintons , with the same values and priorities .
Guilt and innocence ?
Right and wrong ?
Right and Left ?
Who cares about such things ?
That ’ s for rubes in Flyover Country .
What matters is preserving your privileges as members of the patrician class .
What matters is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” – intact .
For a long time , I didn ’ t realize – or couldn ’ t realize , or perhaps even chose not to realize – that this was what I was looking at when I looked at you .
No more .
The scales have fallen from my eyes , and the sight before me is a sorry thing indeed .
Bruce Bawer is the author of While Europe Slept , Surrender , and The Victims ’ Revolution .
His novel The Alhambra was published in 2017 .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-25--National Security Adviser ‘Wouldn’t Be Surprised’ if China Steals US Coronavirus Vaccine

White House National Security Adviser Robert O ’ Brien on Sunday suggested that the Chinese Community Party would very likely try to steal American developments on a coronavirus vaccine .
During an appearance on CBS ’ s “ Face the Nation , ” O ’ Brien predicted that the United States would be the first country to develop a vaccine for the novel coronavirus .
But he added that the Chinese government has been working diligently to steal the U.S. government ’ s coronavirus vaccine research — and he “ wouldn ’ t be surprised ” if their espionage efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re going to develop a vaccine first , ” the president ’ s adviser said on Sunday .
“ Now , there ’ s a chance , and it has been reported that the Chinese have been engaged in espionage to try and find the research and the technologies that we ’ re working on — both for a vaccine and a therapy.
” “ Look , they ’ ve got a many , many year history of stealing American intellectual property and knocking off American technology , and I wouldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vaccines , ” O ’ Brien said .
The comments come as the U.S. begins to open back up its economy and as state governments unwind their quarantine orders .
Meanwhile , health professionals across the country are working on a vaccine for the coronavirus .
President Donald Trump has assembled leaders to head up the Manhattan Project-style “ Operation Warp Speed , ” with the goal of developing a vaccine by the fall of this year .
Initial projections in January predicted that vaccine wouldn ’ t be developed for 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House ’ s project seeks to reduce that time by as much as eight months .
The Trump administration has already publicly accused the Chinese government of attempting to steal U.S. research into COVID-19 .
Internet hackers linked to Beijing have attempted to pilfer U.S. research into vaccines and treatment , the FBI said earlier this month .
Nevertheless , O ’ Brien on Sunday reiterated the Trump administration ’ s position that , when a vaccine is developed by U.S. officials , it would be shared with the international community .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , if we have a vaccine , we ’ re going to share it with the whole world , ” the top White House adviser said .
“ This is a virus unleashed by China , ” he added , accusing the Chinese government of exacerbating the spread of the disease by attempting to cover it up during the outbreak ’ s early stages in Wuhan .
“ The Chinese knew this was happening in November , December , January , and were getting false information to the [ World Health Organization @ @ @