thetennesseestar--2020-06-13--Commentary: Without Exception, Republicans Must Actively Oppose the Anarchists Ruining the U.S.

Republicans are facing their biggest test in generations .
The mentality of a psychotic mob of radicals has taken control of the country and its institutions .
With remarkable speed , America ’ s mayors , governors , media , lawmakers , health experts , artists , sports leagues , generals and troops , powerful corporations , and the wealthiest men on the planet , have all loudly endorsed this mob , its hatred of America , and its demands for radical transformation .
The mob has been given blanket permission not just to riot and destroy America physically—to desecrate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revolution—but to define America , its history and its future , and its deserved punishment for what they call “ systemic racism , ” the existence of which is entirely uncontested by anyone in any position to resist it .
Wholly convinced of their rightfulness , wholly convinced of America ’ s evil , these radicals have taken the country hostage , and nobody is stopping them .
America ’ s elites , once decent and patriotic , have turned against their own people in a frenzy of destructive ideological lunacy .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
No one is protecting the silent majority .
No , not even the Republicans .
Republicans think that coming out against defunding the police will somehow distinguish them from the Left and reward them politically .
This is nonsense .
The Democrats have also pushed back on defunding the police , because they aren ’ t stupid .
As usual , the Republicans have simply rejected the most extreme demands of the Left while swallowing the substance of the Left ’ s criticism , which is that America is a racist country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have all but endorsed Black Lives Matter , the group ’ s ethnic chauvinism , and their murky grievances with America ’ s putative “ systemic racism.
” Here was Senator Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) the other day : If Republicans reject defunding the police , then logically they should reject Black Lives Matter , which advocates defunding the police .
They should do so loudly , vigorously , and articulately .
But they haven ’ t , and they won ’ t .
If the Republican Party won ’ t defend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ silent majority , and push back against calumnies against America and its people , then what are they there for ?
A recent investigation by the Claremont Institute ’ s Thomas Klingenstein is worth noting .
It ’ s a lengthy piece , but the essence of the argument is that Republicans don ’ t stand for anything .
Unlike the Left , they don ’ t argue from basic principles of justice ; all they have are cheap slogans .
“ Limited government !
Lower taxes !
Decentralization !
” You get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t operate with deliberation and purpose ; they ’ re shadowboxers .
That purpose ought to be preserving what Klingenstein calls “ the American way of life , ” which obviously is threatened at the moment .
One key point that Klingenstein raises concerns rhetoric : lawmakers aren ’ t just there to pass laws , but to edify the public and explain to them the threats to their way of life .
But unlike Democrats , Republicans don ’ t bother to explain the things they want or think we should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s argument to the present moment , it ’ s obvious what the Republican Party should be doing .
They should be standing up for law and order while explaining to the American people how Black Lives Matter , its anti-American slander , and its program of racial extremism is hostile to Americans , their institutions , and their welfare .
Instead of saying , “ Defund the police is crazy socialism , but some reforms are probably needed to address America ’ s painful history of genocide , ” they should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great country , not a racist country , and we will defend it to the very last day.
” While appearing to adopt contrary rhetoric , the Republicans have endorsed the Left ’ s principle , which means they have no argument against the Left ’ s demands .
They have surrendered to the narrative of anti-American hatred .
The Republican Party lacks either the intelligence or the courage to sense the big picture and engage accordingly .
This is not just about the police .
America is facing an elite uprising with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very core and punishing all dissenters .
It is a matter not just of political interest , but of duty , that president Trump and the Republicans forcefully oppose Black Lives Matter and the woke faction that is working with them to destroy the United States .
If they can ’ t do that , then there is no reason for the Republican Party to exist .
Matthew Boose is a Mt .
Vernon fellow of the Center for American Greatness and a staff writer and weekly columnist at the Conservative Institute .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daily Caller .
Follow him on Twitter @ matt_boose .
 Photo “ Mitch McConnell ” by Gage Skidmore .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-13--U.S. Senate Candidate Dr. Manny Sethi: We Need Republicans to Fight Democrats at the Local Level

Live from Music Row Friday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – Leahy was joined on the newsmakers line by Tennessee Republican U.S. Senate candidate Dr. Manny Sethi .
During the third hour , Sethi discussed his priorities in the wake of COVID and the death of George Floyd .
He disagreed with defunding the police and advocated to bring supply chains back to America .
He added that in order to defeat Democrats , Republicans need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Leahy : We are joined now by our very good friend Dr. Manny Sethi .
He is running for the Republican nomination for Senate here in Tennessee .
Good morning Dr. Sethi .
Sethi : Mike good morning brother !
Good to be with you !
Leahy : I ’ m here with Crom Carmichael and you have quite an interesting new set of commercials out their Dr. Manny .
Tell us about them .
Sethi : My heart breaks for what happened to George Floyd .
It ’ s a tragedy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen that video and peaceful protests are American but robbing is terrorism .
I just believe that the Radical Left and folks like Antifa are trying to rip this country apart and create a race war .
I don ’ t think we ’ re perfect but we ’ re always trying to create a more perfect union .
I have lived the American dream .
I believe America is the greatest country on earth .
My parents are immigrants and they came here with nothing .
And that ’ s why I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Senate because I think we have to take on these left-wing folks who are all about political correctness and bring us together as Americans .
I think that ’ s what we need at a time like this .
Carmichael : Manny , how are you doing ?
Sethi : Hey Crom , how are you doing ?
Carmichael : Doing good .
Doing good .
That ’ s a great message .
And at a time like this , that ’ s a message that you and Republicans as an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have .
And then have the ideas to then back it up .
What are the policy changes that if you get to Washington , what are the policy changes that you would push ?
Sethi : First of all with issues like this … I just think right now we need to support our police force .
We need to support our cops across this country .
Look , 99 % of police are really good people .
They put their lives on the line .
I have seen them take bullets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Everyone .
We just have to really appreciate them .
So I would stand directly against anybody trying to defund the police in places like Nashville or Minneapolis or wherever they are trying to do this .
And then I just think its really important to protect our law enforcement .
If I ’ m your new U.S .
Senator that ’ s what I ’ ll do .
Carmichael : Now , you are a trauma surgeon ?
Carmichael : So when you say you ’ ve seen them take bullets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Yes .
Yes , I literally mean it .
( Carmichael chuckles ) Sethi : I have taken care of multiple people .
One gentleman comes to mind .
He ran into a motel and there was a drug deal and someone in the next room an innocent bystander an African American gentleman and he put his body between a drug dealer and that gentleman and saved his life by taking a bullet into his leg which landed about five millimeters from his iliac vein .
Which if it wouldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sethi : He had a young baby who was five or six months if I recall and a young wife .
And this Crom is what police officers do across this country every single day .
Sethi : And it just frustrates me when I hear these things .
Look , everybody , who ’ s listening to this show you ’ ve all seen a bad doctor here or there .
That doesn ’ t mean all doctors are bad .
And just because one police officer does something that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 99.9 % of these folks are not good people .
And we have to stand with them now .
And what we also have to do is we have to stand against this political correctness machine .
Opening your business back up is a crime ?
But burning your business is not ?
Going to church is wrong ?
The protesting is not ?
I mean what is going on in our country ?
Carmichael : What about education ?
What would you do to try and improve the opportunities for black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe first of all education is a local issue .
Common core kind of showed you the failure of government when they get between teachers and the kids and when they fund local school boards .
I believe in school choice but it should be decided at the local county level and not by the state or federal government .
My wife is involved with a national charter school company called Rocketship .
And what they do is they go into schools across the country to compete if a public school is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what we need to do .
That ’ s number one .
You ’ re exactly right .
You realize that if a child can not read by third grade their risk of incarceration and going to jail goes way up .
And so what we have to do is we have to improve local education .
But that ’ s a local issue .
Carmichael : Manny I love you , but I want to pushback on this .
Carmichael : If you get a Democrat-controlled city with Democrat aldermen or Democrat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unions ’ money then they will fight every step of the way to change education to help young black children .
And if it ’ s part of the national government ’ s role to try to fix the small small number of problems in police departments and they are very very small , the problems in education at the local community are multiple times larger .
Education is the civil rights issue of our time .
If you are just as you said if you are black and in the inner city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ read by the time you are three your chances of having a good life are greatly prohibited .
Why shouldn ’ t that be something the Republican Party as a party nationally try to fix ?
Sethi : First of all I agree with the sentiment of what you are saying .
We have to make it a national issue that we focus on .
But Crom I just don ’ t believe honestly that the federal government has the power to do that .
Look , education issues in Shelby County where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence work with kids in high-risk schools are different than the challenges in schools like Davidson County or in Washington County or Sullivan County .
What I believe is that yes , you can have some overarching goals and themes in ways the federal government can help .
But at the end of the day , we ’ ve got to fight those Democrats at the school board level .
Like they are doing in Chattanooga right now .
There is a gentleman named Tom DeCasimo who ’ s running for the school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are talking about right now .
He ’ s a Republican just taking on all these Democrats .
But that ’ s what we ’ ve got to do .
We ’ ve got to fight them at the local level .
I believe that nothing will happen and nothing will change with an overarching large federal bureaucracy .
Leahy : We ’ ve asked you before the pandemic and before the George Floyd riots what your number one priority would be if you went into Washington , D.C. , and you were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what you would do .
Here is my question for you .
Has anything changed in terms of your priorities of the first thing you would do based upon the pandemic and the riots and all of the difficulties in the past three months ?
Sethi : Yes .
Absolutely .
And the number one thing that we have to do is we have to de-couple ourselves from the Communist Chinese and figure out our supply chain issues .
I was on the front lines of this COVID stuff .
Taking care of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of our gowns , gloves , and masks and 20 of our medications are all made in China .
We are entirely reliant on our Communist Chinese enemy for these supply chains .
And we have to have what I call a second industrial revolution and bring that back to America .
We just announced a 95 county six-week swing and we ’ re through about half of these counties .
This is what I ’ m talking about everywhere I go because I think it ’ s really really important .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a second wave , we need to be able to make PPE here in America .
PPE here in Tennessee .
It ’ s really important .
Carmichael : Yes .
Communist China is an enemy or adversary for sure .
So I think that that is your top priority .
That ’ s a good one .
No question about that .
Are you able now as you go across the state , are you able to now that we are kind of post-COVID , are people coming out and listening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : We are doing these town halls across the state .
We had about 150 people in Coffey County yesterday and East Tennessee .
In Sevier County we had about 80 people .
Crowds are growing to the point where yesterday we had to literally change the rooms that we were in because the room was so small .
Everywhere we go people are sick and tired of the same old same old .
They want someone outside of the government .
They want someone they can trust .
Someone they can believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Carmichael : I ’ m glad your crowds are good because that ’ s good for Democracy .
We wish you well .
And as far as I ’ m concerned when you want to come back on the show and give us updates that would be fantastic .
Leahy : An open invitation to come on anytime Dr. Manny .
Sethi : Well , thank you so much .
Things are great and we ’ re across the state in all 95 counties .
drmannyforsenate.com .
I need your help and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Manny Sethi , thanks so much for joining us .
Listen to the full third hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ Manny Sethi ” by Manny Sethi .

by Scott McClallen
About $13.5 million in taxpayer grants from the Going PRO Talent Fund will help train 8,500 workers across nearly 300 Michigan businesses to earn industry-recognized credentials and strong wages.
“The Going PRO Talent Fund is an investment in our state’s greatest asset – our people – helping them develop the skills they need to advance their careers and ‘make it’ in Michigan,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement. “These grants help us put thousands of Michiganders on paths to good-paying jobs and empower hundreds of Michigan businesses across the state develop the talent they need to compete in the global economy.”
The program launched in 2014. Since then, more than 6,000 Michigan businesses have received Going PRO Talent Fund awards to train 175,000 new and existing workers.
More than 60% of the employers receiving funds are small businesses with fewer than 100 employees. Training must fill a demonstrated talent need experienced by the employer and result in the employee acquiring a credential for a transferable skill recognized by the industry.
Susan Corbin, the director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, said these grants keep Michigan businesses competitive globally.
“Programs like the Going PRO Talent Fund help businesses throughout Michigan train the talent they need in order to stay competitive in the global economy,” Corbin said in a statement. “Investments like these help us connect individuals and business leaders with tailored opportunities and unique resources they need to prosper. Together, we are creating a competitive and innovative environment that improves the quality of life for people who live, work and do business in Michigan.”
The average training cost per worker is $1,250. According to 2021 data, average hourly wages for Going PRO Talent Fund participants increased by $5.71 six months after completing training.
“The Going PRO Talent Fund has continued to help Michigan employers retain their workers by providing the necessary support for them to help upskill their workforce,” LEO’s Office of Employment and Training director Stephanie Beckhorn said in a statement. “These trainings have also provided an opportunity for employees to gain industry-recognized credentials they need to grow and thrive in these in-demand careers.”
LEO makes Going PRO Talent Fund awards to employers through Michigan Works! Agencies. Participating employers play an integral role in defining their crucial training needs, then work with their local MWAs and other partners to develop strategic training plans.
David Worthams, director of Employment Policy for the Michigan Manufacturers Association, said the talent fund is “arguably the best talent development program the state of Michigan has to offer.”
“As we get into the next cycle of grants, employers and their employees will see huge strides in new skills that we need as we move into the future of manufacturing in the state, Worthams said in a statement. “This is another reason why Michigan is one of the best states to do business in.”
– – –
Scott McClallen is a staff writer covering Michigan and Minnesota for The Center Square. A graduate of Hillsdale College, his work has appeared on Forbes.com and FEE.org. Previously, he worked as a financial analyst at Pepsi. In 2021, he published a book on technology and privacy. He co-hosts the weekly Michigan in Focus podcast.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-13--Trump Will Accept GOP Nomination in Jacksonville, Not Charlotte

It ’ s official : President Donald Trump will accept the Republican Party ’ s nomination for a second term in Jacksonville , Fla. , after the GOP pulled out of Charlotte , N.C. “ We are thrilled to celebrate this momentous occasion in the great city of Jacksonville , ” Republican National Convention Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said in a statement .
“ Not only does Florida hold a special place in President Trump ’ s heart as his home state , but it is crucial in the path to victory in 2020 .
We look forward to bringing this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunshine State in just a few short months.
” Because of contract obligations , the business of the convention will remain in Charlotte .
North Carolina Gov .
Roy Cooper had told RNC organizers it was “ unlikely ” North Carolina would be able to accommodate the 19,000 delegates , alternate delegates , staff , volunteers , elected officials and guests who plan to attend the Aug. 24-27 convention amid the COVID-19 outbreak .
“ What city would take on the Republican National Convention with just 75 days to pull it off ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lenny Curry said in a video released on Twitter .
“ But Jacksonville isn ’ t just any city .
Here in the river city , we do things big and bold , and we ’ ll be ready.
” Jason Schaumburg is an award-winning , veteran editor who has been a journalist for more than 20 years .
He spent a decade as the top editor in three northern Illinois newsrooms for Shaw Media and Pioneer Press .
Schaumburg is a regional editor for The Center Square .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-13--Commentary: Democrat Campaign to Delegitimize 2020 Election Intensifies

Former Vice President Joe Biden , the Democrats ’ likely nominee for president , said Wednesday he worries President Donald Trump will try to “ steal ” the November election .
“ It ’ s my greatest concern , my single greatest concern : This president is going to try to steal this election , ” Biden said in an interview broadcast late on Wednesday on Comedy Central ’ s “ The Daily Show.
” Biden also said he is confident soldiers , whom his party and their Far-Left allies have spent years vilifying , would escort Trump from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t recognize the result .
That Biden says this and keeps saying it without any evidence is no joke , even if he did make the comment on The Daily Show .
The only way Trump can win is if he cheats and the military will have to pry him out of the White House are two key information warfare themes that Democrats and their Far Left allies have been pushing hard since the election season started in earnest and they see them as key elements of their strategy to get the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the margin of chaos.
” Bill Gertz , reporting for the Washington Times wrote that activists of the far-left Antifa movement began planning to foment a nationwide anti-government insurgency as early as November as the U.S. presidential campaign season kicked off in earnest , according to a law enforcement official with access to intelligence behind the shadowy group .
Mr. Gertz reported , that while law enforcement officials would not speak on the record about Antifa ’ s plans as the election season heats up , longtime analysts of the group say such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Antifa ’ s actions represent a hard break with the long tradition of a peaceful political process in the United States , ” said former National Security Council staff member Rich Higgins .
“ Their Marxist ideology seeks not only to influence elections in the short term but to destroy the use of elections as the determining factor in political legitimacy.
” Added Joe Myers , a former Defense Intelligence Agency official and counterinsurgency expert , “ President Trump ’ s election and revitalization of America are a threat to Antifa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fomenting this violence to create havoc , despair and to target the Trump campaign for defeat in 2020.
” .
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Mr. Myers argued that Antifa clearly meets the criteria for being labeled a terrorist and insurgent movement .
“ It is employing organized violence for political ends : destruction of the constitutional order , ” he said .
( You can read the entire article through this link to Unconstrained Analytics . )
The object of these well-coordinated activities is to create a state of chaos in which the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chaos is the sea in which the revolutionary swims unimpeded and the media in which the revolution can be brewed .
And the ultimate object of this chaos strategy is to bring the conduct and results of the 2020 election inside the “ margin of chaos , ” where means other than counting legally cast votes , attributable to legal voters , will determine the outcome .
Crucial to this strategy is to fundamentally change the way American elections are conducted by eliminating in-person , ID checked voting and substituting unverifiable mail ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have included a demand for universal mail-in voting in their various coronavirus relief bills , which would mandate a national requirement of 15 days of early voting , no-excuse absentee voting , and mailing ballots to all registered voters – a proven formula for election fraud .
With Republicans in Congress reluctant to agree to their own political execution , Democrat Governors have simply mandated universal vote by mail through Executive Orders , even where they lack any statutory authority to do so .
In California , Michigan , New Mexico and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underway to clarify this , but the closer the election gets , the further into the margin of chaos the 2020 election creeps .
Democrats recognize that they can ’ t win by running on a platform of raising taxes , giving benefits to illegal aliens , opening the borders , taking away constitutional rights , such as religious liberty and the right to keep and bear arms and increasing regulations on businesses and the lives of American citizens .
So , they are not even going to try .
And a crucial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chaos strategy is to prospectively cast doubt on the outcome if the election is close , as it was in 2000 where it hung on 537 votes in Florida and a subsequent Supreme Court decision .
Thus , we have the Far Left arguing , without any evidence , that Donald Trump will simply refuse to leave office .
Far from wanting a clean election , with a clear Election Day decision , what Democrats and their Leftist allies are working hard to create is Election Day chaos , where the result will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judges and “ found ” ballots harvested by Leftwing political operatives , not legally registered citizen voters , will decide the election , or cast such doubt upon its legitimacy that the second term of Donald Trump will mired in further revolutionary street battles , and Joe Biden ’ s continued claims that President Trump is “ going to try to steal this election ” is a key information warfare theme of their plan .
Photo “ Joe Biden-Trevor Noah Interview ” by The Daily Show with Trevor Noah .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-13--Nashville Symphony Postpones All Events Through July 2021, Citing $8M Losses From Coronavirus Shutdo

Nashville Symphony Postpones All Events Through July 2021, Citing $8M Losses From Coronavirus Shutdown

The COVID-19 shutdown has silenced the Nashville Symphony all the way through July 31 , 2021 , as the organization reports it lost nearly 30 percent of its annual income .
The symphony sent members an emailed announcement Friday before making the news public .
Then , they posted the news online here .
They canceled or rescheduled over 65 concerts and events to a loss of $ 8 million , representing nearly 30 percent of their income , they said , calling it a threat to their existence .
A total of 79 musicians and 49 full-time workers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April , the symphony cut staff and musician pay by 25 percent before receiving CARES Act funding that allowed them to restore pay to normal rates , WPLN reported .
Health experts have said it could take one to two years to be safe to perform live concerts in front of large audiences .
Their statement to members also said : Since March , the Nashville Symphony ’ s management has been exploring every available option to ensure the long-term sustainability of the institution .
In light of our current challenges , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the best course of action to ensure that the Symphony can continue serving our community in the long run .
We realize this news must be terribly disappointing to you .
And we want you to know that we are working hard to support our musicians and staff through this difficult transition .
Without the ability to perform for the public , we are unable to generate essential operating revenue .
And without that revenue , the Nashville Symphony faces a threat to its very existence .
Until we have certainty that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that audiences are ready and able to return to large public gatherings , attempting to restart concert activity poses significant risks to our institution .
We have based our decision on four key factors : • We are dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of our patrons , musicians , staff and volunteers , along with the entire community .
That means doing everything we can to prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
• Our projected losses caused by the pandemic now total $ 8 million , or 30 % of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with our high operating costs , have placed us in a very vulnerable financial position .
• As our community continues to reopen , concert venues will be required to maintain social distancing for an unspecified amount of time .
Because of our high operational costs – which total $ 2.3 million each month – we can not sustainably operate with social distancing , due to the loss of revenue associated with reduced audience capacity .
• Postponing the concert season we had originally planned provides us with what we hope will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its course , and for the Nashville Symphony to conserve its limited resources until we have reasonable assurance that we can safely resume concerts and welcome the community back to our concert hall .
We are currently working to reschedule all 2020/21 concerts to the 2021/22 season , and we pledge to keep you informed of our progress along the way .
If you are a ticket holder , our staff will contact you no later than July 15 , 2020 , to let you know about your options .
At that time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your tickets back to help support our Symphony ; keep your tickets for your rescheduled concert ( s ) ; receive a flexible ticket credit ; or request a refund .
Please note , we can only honor ticket requests once we open the Ticket Option Window on or before July 15 .
Thank you for your patience as our reduced staff will be working to provide you with the best possible service .
As new epidemiological information becomes available , along with new data from our own ongoing revenue studies and audience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether the orchestra and the Schermerhorn may be able to resume activity sooner .
Our lives may have taken a dramatic turn in the span of just a few months , but some things remain constant , and one of them is the life-affirming power of music .
Our orchestra has experienced many challenges over the years , including the Great Recession of 2008 , the catastrophic Nashville flood of 2010 and a subsequent restructuring in 2013 .
What enabled us to emerge whole from each of our challenges , and what will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our unwavering dedication to our mission and our vision , along with your generous and enthusiastic support .
While we are unable to perform concerts , we intend to engage in dialogue with the community to re-envision what the Symphony can be for Nashville , so that when we re-emerge , we can return that investment with an orchestra and an institution wholly committed to reflecting and serving this remarkable community better than ever before .
Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-06-13--Stocks Bounce Higher on Wall Street a Day After Big Rout

Stocks moved higher on Wall Street in afternoon trading Friday , recouping some of their losses a day after the market had its biggest rout since mid-March .
The S & P 500 was up 0.7 % a day after dropping 5.9 % .
The benchmark index is still headed for a weekly loss following three weeks of solid gains .
Small-company stocks and bond yields moved broadly higher , signs that pessimism about the economy was easing .
Gains by technology , financial and real estate stocks outweighed losses in utilities and companies that rely on consumer spending .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday were big gainers , including airlines and cruise lines .
The rebound for stocks is a reversal for the market , which sold off for three days in a row as a rise in COVID-19 cases in the U.S. and a discouraging economic outlook from the Federal Reserve dashed investor optimism for a quick economic recovery as states lift stay-at-home orders and businesses reopen .
“ Yesterday was the market taking a needed breath and saying ’ OK , this is probably going to take more time than we were expecting , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Baird .
“ Today , it ’ s ‘ maybe we overreacted yesterday.
’ ” Optimism that the reopening of the economy would be relatively quick once the restrictions put in place to stem the spread of the outbreak eased helped power the stock market ’ s red-hot comeback since late March .
However , it ’ s unclear if Thursday ’ s market sell-off reflected a fundamental reassessment of the economic outlook or a one-off drop as traders cashed in on the market ’ s recent gains .
“ We will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as there is plenty of uncertainty on what the reopening of the U.S. economy looks like , ” said Julie Fox , northeast private wealth market head at UBS Financial Services .
The comeback rally lost some of its early strength as the day went on .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 192 points , or 0.8 % , to 25,335 .
It had been up more than 800 points in the early going .
The Nasdaq , which climbed above 10,000 points for the first time on Wednesday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2000 index of smaller companies was up 4 % .
European markets closed mostly higher .
Asian markets ended broadly lower .
Bond yields headed broadly higher , a sign that pessimism about the economy was ebbing .
The yield on the 10-year Treasury yield rose to 0.69 % from 0.65 % late Thursday .
Investors have been balancing optimism about the reopening of the economy against the possibility that the relaxing of restrictions will lead to a surge in new coronavirus infections and fatalities .
Cases are climbing in nearly half the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analysis , a worrying trend that could intensify as people return to work and venture out during the summer .
Despite the uncertainty , stocks have mounted a historic comeback the past couple of months , with the S & P 500 rallying 44.5 % between late March and Monday , erasing most of its losses tied to the pandemic .
The swiftness and strength of the market ’ s recovery set the stage for the three-day run of selling for stocks this week , said Barry Bannister , head of institutional equity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ itself was like a fever and yesterday ’ s break was like a fever breaking , ” he said .
Bannister said investors should wait for more certainty about the economic recovery , rather than “ chasing this rally.
” Oil prices ended mixed .
Benchmark U.S. crude oil for July delivery fell 8 cents to settle at $ 36.26 a barrel .
Brent crude oil for August delivery rose 18 cents to close at $ 38.73 a barrel .
France ’ s CAC 40 in Paris rose 0.5 % , while Germany @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fell 0.2 % .
Britain ’ s FTSE 100 gained 0.5 % , recovering from early losses on news that the British economy contracted by 20.4 % in April , wiping out nearly two decades worth of growth .
Alex Vega and Damian J. Troise report for The Associated Press .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-13--Trump Administration Proposes Sweeping Asylum Restrictions

SAN DIEGO , California ( AP ) — The Trump administration on Wednesday proposed sweeping restrictions on asylum , seeking to align a legal framework with the president ’ s efforts to limit immigration to the United States .
The moves are only the latest in a series of measures that Trump has taken to limit asylum — this time aimed at changing complicated guidelines and procedures governing immigration courts .
The changes , outlined in 150 pages of legalese , aim to redefine how people qualify for asylum and similar forms of protection to prevent them from being persecuted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be allowed to dismiss cases without court hearings if supporting evidence is determined to be too weak .
Rules will define when a claim may be declared “ frivolous ” and raise the threshold for initial screenings under the United Nations Convention Against Torture .
The administration will propose new definitions for some ways people qualify for asylum , specifically “ political opinion ” and membership in a “ particular social group.
” Asylum is for people who face persecution for their race , religion , nationality , political opinion or membership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ category that may include victims of gang or domestic violence .
Narrowing those ways to qualify would mean more rejected claims .
The Justice and Homeland Security departments said asylum-seekers who clear initial screenings will have claims heard by an immigration judge in “ streamlined proceedings , ” according to a brief press release , replacing longstanding rules in immigration law .
Since the U.S. became the world ’ s top destination for asylum-seekers in 2017 , the Trump administration has made multiple attempts to make it harder to get , asserting that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Justice and Homeland Security departments said the changes would bring more efficiency to a system with an immigration court backlog of more than 1.1 million cases .
The rules will “ more effectively separate baseless claims from meritorious ones , ” the departments said .
“ This would better ensure groundless claims do not delay or divert resources from deserving claims.
” Critics swiftly condemned the measure .
Aaron Reichlin-Melnick , policy counsel for the American Immigration Council , said it was much more far-reaching than Trump ’ s previous attempts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the denial of virtually every claim except a lucky few.
” “ The proposed changes would represent the end of the asylum system as we know it , ” he said .
Details are expected to be published in the Federal Register on Monday with 30 days for public comment before they take effect .
Lawsuits may delay or derail the effort .
The administration effectively put asylum out of reach for many people at the Canadian and Mexican borders in March under a 1944 public health law aimed at preventing spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ described as temporary .
It allows the government to immediately expel people from Mexico and Central America to Mexico without claiming asylum , usually within two hours .
Elliot Spagat reports for The Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo : President Donald Trump speaks during a roundtable discussion with African-American supporters in the Cabinet Room of the White House , Wednesday , June 10 , 2020 , in Washington .
( AP Photo/Patrick Semansky )


thetennesseestar--2020-06-13--Dem Candidate On Looting: ‘So What? Burn It To The Ground If That’s What It Takes’

A Democratic congressional candidate downplayed looting and arson during a digital campaign event on Tuesday .
Responding to a questioner who said she was concerned about the left-wing push to abolish the police , Democratic Texas candidate Kim Olson argued that police departments are overfunded , before pivoting to downplaying looting and arson .
Calls for abolishing or defunding the police have come in the wake of protests over George Floyd , who died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes , video showed .
Olson took issue with what she said were snipers on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which in 2016 was the site of a mass shooting targeting police officers during a protest .
“ What the hell you got snipers on the roof for in a peaceful march ?
Even if people loot , so what ?
” Olson said in a video that was first reported by The Washington Examiner .
“ Burn it to the ground , you know , if that ’ s what it ’ s going to take to fix our nation .
I know people don ’ t want me to say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying.
” Olson is in a runoff for the Democratic primary for Texas ’ s 24th Congressional District .
Rachel Perry , Olson ’ s campaign manager , said the candidate ’ s words were “ taken out of context.
” “ This quote is being taken out of context , ” Perry told the Examiner .
“ As a combat vet , Colonel Olson knows first hand the human heartbreak of violence .
She knows we can not use force to fix a systemic problem of undue violence and discrimination perpetrated by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serve.
” She added : “ We have to rebuild from the ground up a color-blind public safety institution across America.
” Peter Hasson is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Kim Olson ” by Kim Olson .
Background Photo “ Looter Damage ” by Tony Webster .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-13--Nashville Boutique Venues Owner Dan Cook Discusses Governor Lee’s Executive Order 38

Live from Music Row Friday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed the owner of Nashville Boutique Venues Dan Cook to the newsmakers line .
During the third hour , Cook weighed in on the phase two opening stall in Davidson County , which is putting his business in serious jeopardy along with 20,00 private industry professionals .
He noted that Governor Lee ’ s Executive Order 38 may come into play making the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : We are joined now on the line by our good friend Dan Cook the owner of a couple of fabulous private venues in Nashville , Ruby and Clementine .
Good morning Dan .
Cook : Good morning guys .
How are you ?
Leahy : Well , I saw a news conference yesterday where Mayor Cooper is not moving beyond phase two because of supposedly some slight uptick in cases in the southeastern part of Nashville .
What impact does that have on your businesses and the livelihoods of 20,000 Nashvillians who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : ( Sighs ) It ’ s devastating obviously .
The purgatory continues .
He extended the phase two lockdown last Thursday and again yesterday .
Not only can we not restart but the ambiguity around when we can has really locked down our business .
Yes .
It couldn ’ t be any worse .
Leahy : Is he trying to put you out of business Dan and everybody else in the private venue business here ?
Cook : Well if I said yes it would seem very conspiratorial but I will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mayor promulgated have been updated this week .
And anyone can go online and look at those but as it relates to the event business our numbers are the only industry that is in a to be determined category .
What I mean by that in phase three and phase four we don ’ t even know how we will be allowed to reopen .
Every other industry has a percentage of occupancy or numbers ascribed to it .
But our industry is apparently still unknown .
And we are the only ones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know what conclusions I come to .
Leahy : Does the mayor have the legal authority to limit your economic freedom as a private business owner ?
Cook : ( Chuckles ) You know what ?
I wish I knew the answer to that .
That ’ s a question beyond me .
Carmichael : Dan , question .
Have you gone to the governor ’ s office or to Republican state senators or Republican state legislators ?
Because I do know that if the legislature decides to override and if legislation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Cooper ’ s right to discriminate as he is doing against certain businesses and in favor of other businesses .
Have you gone to the state ?
Have you tried to go to the state route ?
When Karl Dean was the mayor , he promulgated some really dumb ideas that got passed in the city council and he signed them and the state legislature convened and then just passed a law that negated his stupidity .
Have you tried to go that route ?
Cook : I have gotten to that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say it was yesterday or perhaps Wednesday .
I put a call into Steve Dickerson ’ s office and I ’ ve not heard back from his office yet but I ’ m hopeful .
I ’ m literally like a drowning man reaching out in every direction right now .
Carmichael : You are a drowning man who represents 20,000 people .
I would try and get more of those people involved and if there are other state senators in the surrounding counties .
This is an issue even though it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of legislation statewide to overturn Karl Dean ’ s bad ideas .
So it will take more than a state Senator .
Any state senator or representative can pick up your cause and offer a bill .
Cook : That ’ s great advice .
But I can tell you we are the only private event venues locked down in at least this part of the state .
Anybody wishing to have a wedding ceremony , reception , or private corporate event , all they have to do is leave Davidson County .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ open .
Carmichael : I understand .
But Karl Dean ’ s bad ideas only affected people inside Davidson County but the state Republican Party thought they were so stupid that they passed legislation that wiped out the bad ideas .
I think what our mayor is doing makes no sense unless you look at the political side of it which then makes it really really bad .
As long as he sticks to a position that venues , in general , can ’ t be opened then that means that political rallies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Well that ’ s exactly right .
Cynically I thought that after the Republican National Convention went to Florida this week .
I thought that that might lead to an easing of phase three .
But no such luck .
But I think Crom your point is well taken and I ’ m certainly going to make those calls this week .
Carmichael : I hope you do and I wish you luck for you and the 20,000 hard-working people that are being affected .
Leahy : Now you said Dan that your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Is that right ?
Cook : Absolutely .
Almost every wedding has a religious component of course .
Leahy : I ’ ve looked at the Constitution and it guarantees freedom of religion .
Carmichael : Yes .
But you have to go through the courts for that .
The faster way is to go to the state .
Leahy : But still , people who want to have religious weddings in Davidson County at the private venues should have that right .
Carmichael : He ’ d have to go to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You got to the state .
Leahy : Well , he might beat the mayor in terms of the mayor ’ s movement .
( Cook laughs ) What do you think Dan of the timelines ?
Cook : I think you are right on that .
I think our governor has recognized that .
Executive Order 38 I ’ ve mentioned in weeks passed .
The governor has linked wedding ceremonies and receptions to freedom of religion .
That seemingly trumps anything Mayor Cooper mandates locally .
But to put that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , would mean litigation and who knows how long that would take .
But I can tell you and this is maybe something I shouldn ’ t say on the radio , but all the big venues in town are opening this weekend for weddings .
And they are all relying on executive order 38 .
This is definitely a big moment .
But all the venues certainly starting this weekend and into next week and the following weekend will be full tilt .
Carmichael : What was the executive order that you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Order 38 which links funerals , weddings , ceremonies , and receptions to the right of religious gatherings .
Carmichael : And this was Governor Lee ?
Cook : Correct .
He issued that I believe on May 22 .
Carmichael : So these are in the city of Nashville where these weddings are going forward ?
Cook : Yes .
That ’ s exactly right .
Of course , most weddings were pushed out for several months .
The pipeline is now trickling and the first big weddings will be happening this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at other various large venues around town .
Carmichael : Dan , what I would do also is call the governor ’ s office and try to get an interpretation of that executive order as it applies to venues in Davidson County and just be sure you get an email back from them so that you ’ ve got it .
So that when you take it to the state reps and state senators .
What Mayor Cooper is doing is just wrong .
There is no science behind it .
There ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like saying we ’ re going to close down venues because there ’ s an uptick in traffic accidents .
Venues cause people to drive to venues so we ’ re going to limit venues because of traffic accidents .
COVID cases , that ’ s not a problem .
COVID deaths may be a problem , but they are not even a problem .
They never have been in Davidson County .
Leahy : They are a little over 400 across the state and it ’ s nothing compared to any of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have 30 seconds .
What ’ s your final thought for us today ?
Cook : Crom , your point is well taken .
I ’ ve certainly put a couple of calls into the governor ’ s office and I ’ ve not been able to get that clarification to call back .
I wish I could .
Leahy : Come back next Friday Dan and tell us what ’ s happened .
Listen to the full third hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ The Clementine ” by Nashville Boutique Venues .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-13--Fifth Correctional Officer Pleads Guilty in Beating of Tennessee Inmate, Covering Up Incident

A fifth former correctional officer pleaded guilty this week to using unlawful force on an inmate and then conspiring to cover it up while working as an officer for the Tennessee Department of Correction .
Jonathan York , 33 , faces up to 10 years in prison for the civil rights offense of using unlawful force and up to five years for the conspiracy offense .
“ Correctional officers must abide by and adhere to the same laws they take an oath to uphold and enforce , ” U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of serving and protecting the public , this officer used unlawful and excessive physical force to violate the civil rights of an individual by repeatedly punching and injuring him .
As a result , he will now be held accountable , vividly illustrating that no one is above the law , ” he added .
During the February 1 incident , York and other correctional officers entered the cell of an inmate identified in court documents as R.T. , who was being held in the mental health unit at the Northwest County Correctional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the guilty plea , York admitted to asking a fellow officer to cover the surveillance camera in the cell while he began punching R.T. in retaliation for “ R.T .
spitting earlier.
” “ York punched R.T. in the neck , face , back , and chest .
York admitted to punching R.T. around 30 times .
York ’ s punches caused visible injury to R.T. and caused him to bleed , ” said the statement from the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office .
Two other correctional officers then punched R.T. while York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stood by and watched .
After the assault , York and his colleagues spoke with the supervisory officer about the incident and were told to claim that R.T. ’ s injuries were self-inflicted .
“ When York spoke to other staff members immediately after the incident , he did not provide complete information about what happened inside R.T. ’ s cell .
In the days after the assault , York spoke to a correctional officer who had also been in R.T. ’ s cell .
They agreed to falsely claim that R.T. injured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Former correctional officers Nathaniel Griffin , Tanner Penwell , Carl Spurlin , Jr. , and Cadie McAlister previously entered guilty pleas for criminal offenses arising out of the assault of R.T. “ The Justice Department does not tolerate assault by correctional officers of the people they are charged with protecting , ” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division .
“ We work tirelessly to protect the civil rights of all citizens.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-13--Crom Carmichael: Racial Reform Begins with Education in the Black Community

Live from Music Row Friday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed in-studio all-star panelist Crom Carmichael .
During the second hour , Carmichael discussed how true racism in America stems from the Democrats who support the very unions that keep black children from getting a good educational opportunity .
Leahy : We are the beacon of hope in a world that ’ s gone a little bit insane .
We are joined by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all-star panelist , the man who builds the edifice of logic brick by brick Crom Carmichael .
Good morning , Crom .
Carmichael : Good morning Michael .
How are you , sir ?
Leahy : I ’ m in need of someone who can build an edifice of logic this morning Crom .
Carmichael : I don ’ t think what ’ s going on here is random .
And I don ’ t even think it is what you would describe as spontaneous .
I think that this is highly organized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simply waiting for something they could use as a spark .
I read something interesting , the Communist Chinese Party has 200,000 Twitter accounts .
And there is no question but that the Communist Chinese Party would rather have Democrats in charge than Trump .
In particular , Trump .
So I think that a lot of the funding , I ’ m applying logic here .
You look at it all across the country and how the media has reacted to it literally claiming that the rioting and the looting happenings aren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what ’ s going on in Seattle right now .
There is no other way to describe what ’ s going on in Seattle other than anarchy .
There are people who live in that seven-block area .
There are businesses that are there .
And the authorities that are sworn to protect the individuals and the property have just decided that they are going to ignore their oath .
Leahy : Actually , not just ignore their oath .
The mayor , Jenny Durkan , the mayor of Seattle is praising those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and kicked the police out of the precinct .
Carmichael : That ’ s more accurate .
You are right .
And this is true across the country .
The rioters and the looters and the Democrat Party and you have to say it ’ s the Democrat Party because I ’ ve not heard a single Democrat who has said that rioting and looting are bad and should be stopped .
They will give lip service to it and then there ’ s always a but .
Carmichael : So what you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said this for quite a while that the purpose of all of this and the purpose of the coronavirus shut down and everything is to keep Trump from holding his protest rallies .
Carmichael : And these are protests against the swamp .
So that ’ s really how they ought to be described as peaceful protests .
Carmichael : Then of course then the media would then be put in a position that we don ’ t support peaceful protests we only support riots .
And they know what they ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that I think when CNN ’ s headquarters were “ attacked ” in Atlanta , I ’ m putting attacked in quotes .
Logic tells me that that “ attack ” was planned and the amount of damage that was done was minimal .
I think it was so CNN could claim that the mayor of Atlanta who is apparently on Biden ’ s shortlist stood up for the property rights .
Now she has fired two black police officers .
And they have sued to get their jobs back .
This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not be frightening if it were spontaneous .
Leahy : Yes .
It is I believe that when we get all the evidence we ’ ll see that it is organized .
You are talking Crom about how the mainstream media are praising the looters and the rioters .
There is a guy in town we ’ ve talked about before , Jon Meacham .
Leahy : Jon Meacham is now living in Nashville .
He is a well-respected historian .
He ’ s written about several presidents .
And we for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve not met .
We ’ ve sort of changed our view on that .
Carmichael : What has he said recently ?
Leahy : He was Morning Joe the other day and here ’ s what he said .
Leahy : So there ’ s Jon Meacham .
It ’ s been 400 years and not eight minutes .
He ’ s a big fan of Al Sharpton .
You know the guy who promoted the Tawana Brawley fraud .
Carmichael : He ’ s a con-artist .
He shakes down companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and doesn ’ t pay his bills .
So that ’ s the guy that Jon Meacham is lifting up .
400 years ?
What ’ s he talking about here ?
He ’ s talking about when the British brought slavery to the United States .
So Meacham has fallen into The Project 1619 project .
How convenient that is and how false that is as a matter of history .
Here is a historian who is being dishonest about who brought slavery to the United States .
He probably even would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Klu Klux Klan which of course we all know is false .
Institutional racism which is government-sponsored and government-directed and edict racism is all over the hands of the Democrat Party .
The very party that Jon Meacham seems to think can fix things when they are the ones who have institutionalized all the problems .
Now let ’ s look at what he said though about Biden .
He said he ’ s offering the language .
So here we go .
Jim Mattis .
He ’ s going to pretend .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 40 years .
He was vice president for eight years .
The legislation that he authored or co-sponsored was terrible for black Americans .
Especially when it comes to prison reform .
Trump is the one who un-did it .
So let ’ s be clear about the history of it .
It ’ s easy to just pull it up and read it .
In 1986 Biden co-sponsored drug reform that made small amounts of drugs , crime and sent a disproportionate percentage of black people to prison in 1994 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ planks was ?
He would put 100,000 police on the street .
Carmichael : And he did that .
He put 100,000 extra police on the street and Joe Biden co-authored the so-called prison reform bill at that time that incarcerated black people in large numbers for very long times .
And it is Trump who has fixed that .
So what would real reform look like ?
Real reform would focus on the real problems in the black community .
And it begins with education .
It begins with the teacher unions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apparently Jon Meacham think it is absolutely terrible that we have police departments where there are individual police officers who are bad .
And everybody agrees with that .
But of the 800,000 police officers across the country , I ’ ve not heard anyone claim that there are more than one percent bad police officers .
That would be 8,000 police officers .
But how many teachers do we have ?
How many bureaucrats do we have that are in education ?
How many millions of black children are getting inferior education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that keep the black children to use Joe Biden ’ s expression “ to keep them in chains.
” To keep them in slavery .
This is what Joe Biden is about .
This is Joe Biden ’ s history .
The support of union thugs and the government .
By the way , Jack Kennedy through an executive order in 1961 allowed government employees to unionize .
There is no more nefarious group of people in this country than the teacher union thugs , not the teachers , and the Democrats who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the true racists in this country .
And it ’ s one thing to be a racist because of what you say .
It ’ s much worse when you are a racist for what you do .
And what the teacher union thugs do , I ’ ve concluded to it intentionally they want to keep the black population as uneducated as they possibly can .
By the way , that goes true here in Nashville , Tennessee .
And the data supports it .
Leahy : It ’ s particularly true @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : No .
It ’ s also true here in Nashville , Tennessee .
Leahy : Also true .
Not as bad as the rest of the country .
Listen to the full second hour : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-13--Ken Blackwell Commentary: Black Americans Can Trust Trump to Fight for Justice

The mainstream press may never admit it , but President Trump is exactly the type of leader that Black Americans can trust to fix our criminal justice system and ensure that George Floyd did not die in vain .
For the past three and a half years , the Trump administration has blazed a path forward on criminal justice reform , spearheading several historic initiatives to reduce discrimination in our nation ’ s courtrooms and prisons .
In 2018 , the President signed the FIRST STEP Act , a comprehensive overhaul of the criminal justice system that addressed countless failed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ targeted minorities .
The groundbreaking legislation eliminated the so-called “ three strikes ” life sentencing provision for some offenses , giving judges greater flexibility when sentencing individuals convicted of non-violent crimes , and also created a variety of new rehabilitation and job-training programs for non-violent criminals and expanded early release for those who exhibit good behavior .
Notably , over 90 percent of the inmates who have received sentencing reductions as a result of the FIRST STEP Act are black — meaning the legislation is helping minorities , just as intended .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those involved in our criminal justice system , the more clear it became that unfair sentencing rules were contributing to the cycle of poverty and crime like really nothing else before , ” the President explained last year .
“ It was time to fix this broken system — and it ’ s a system of the past — and to improve the lives of so many people.
” The FIRST STEP Act , however , is only part of President Trump ’ s broader strategy for improving the lives of Black Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he rebooted Project Safe Neighborhoods to reduce violent crime in some of the most dangerous communities in our country .
The project proved to be a huge success — after a worrying rise during the final years of the Obama administration , violent crime and murder rates in America have fallen for two consecutive years .
In 2018 , the President signed an executive order establishing the Federal Interagency Crime Prevention and Improving Reentry Council , which is designed to help former inmates reintegrate into society .
Last year , the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Enforcement and the Administration of Justice , a body that develops strategies to improve community relations with law enforcement .
These sorts of life-changing initiatives have been a hallmark of the Trump administration from the very beginning , but the liberal press and Democrats have done their absolute best to ignore these momentous strides toward correcting the systemic injustice that led to the killing of George Floyd .
“ All Americans were rightly sickened and revolted by the brutal death of George Floyd , ” he said during a recent national address .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for George and his family , justice will be served .
He will not have died in vain.
” Coming from a typical establishment politician , that would be nothing more than an election-year platitude .
President Trump , however , has proven that he ’ s sincere about resolving the problems facing the Black community .
Ken Blackwell served as the mayor of Cincinnati , Ohio , the Ohio State Treasurer , and Ohio Secretary of State .
He currently serves on the board of directors for Club for Growth and @ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-06-13--Steve Bannon Presents: Descent Into Hell

An all new LIVE STREAM of Descent Into Hell : The Crisis in Hong Kong starts at 9 a.m. Central Time on Saturday .
The two-hour special takes a closer look at the life of everyday Chinese citizens under the Chinese Communist Party and will air live on the John Fredericks Radio Network , America ’ s Voice Network , Dish TV Channel 219 , The Epoch Times , ND TV , GTV and GNews in Mandarin .
John Fredericks said , “ A longtime China hawk and global leader in the fight for freedom of the Chinese people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in the world to accurately predict and call attention to the coronavirus pandemic outbreak .
This show will be groundbreaking in detailed strategy and the latest firsthand news from the world ’ s experts on the Chinese Communist Party.
” Previously , Bannon hosted a series of three , two-hour long special programs titled Descent into Hell : The Chinese People Confront the CCP .
The show ’ s broadcast partners are America ’ s Voice News , the John Fredericks Radio Network , Salem Media Group , and Newsmax TV and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spotify , Stitcher , SoundCloud , and Google Play .
The former White House Chief Strategist began the daily War Room : Pandemic radio show and podcast on January 25 , when news of the virus was just beginning to leak out of China around the Lunar New Year .
Bannon and co-hosts bring listeners exclusive analysis and breaking updates from top medical , public health , economic , national security , supply chain and geopolitical experts weekdays from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon ET .
You can watch past episodes here .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WarRoomPandemic .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-13--Bill Hagerty Gets Tom Cotton Endorsement and Releases New TV Ad

U.S. Senate candidate Bill Hagerty this week released a new television ad highlighting his business record , and that ad will run statewide .
“ Now more than ever , we need business-minded leaders in the Senate to help get our economy going again and create more jobs for Americans .
Just like President Trump , I have a proven track record of creating jobs , helping businesses expand and growing Tennessee ’ s economy to one of the strongest in the country , ” Hagerty said in a press release .
“ That ’ s why President Trump personally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ board to help rebuild our economy .
In the Senate , I will continue to work with President Trump to bring our supply chains – especially manufacturing and medical supplies – back from China , eliminate burdensome regulations and cut taxes for our small businesses and workers .
President Trump has given me his ‘ complete and total endorsement ’ because he needs more business-minded allies in the Senate.
” Also , in a separate press release , Hagerty announced that U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton ( R-AR ) had endorsed his candidacy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader , and there are a lot of issues we see eye-to-eye on : namely , China , ” Hagerty said in the press release .
“ Senator Cotton has been leading the way on calling out the Communist Chinese Party for what it is – an authoritarian regime that has lied repeatedly to the world about the Wuhan virus .
I ’ m honored and humbled to have Senator Cotton ’ s support , and I look forward to working with him to protect our conservative values in the Senate.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump in endorsing Bill Hagerty for U.S. Senate .
Bill is a strong conservative who will take on China , support law enforcement and stand up for our military .
He ’ s a leader we need in the Senate.
” As The Tennessee Star reported this week , Hagerty announced the Law Enforcement For Hagerty coalition , which includes over 30 members of Tennessee law enforcement who fully support Team Hagerty .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cotton ” by Michael Vadon .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-13--Fed Says ‘Full Range of Tools’ in Play to Counter Pandemic

WASHINGTON , D.C. ( AP ) — The Federal Reserve is promising to use its “ full range of tools ” to pull the country out of a recession brought on by a global pandemic , signaling that it would keep interest rates low through 2022 .
In its semi-annual monetary policy report to Congress , the central bank said Friday that the COVID-19 outbreak was causing “ tremendous human and economic hardship across the United States and around the world.
” In response , the Fed said it ’ s “ committed to using its full range of tools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenging time.
” The Fed ’ s report comes two days after a policy meeting where the central bank kept it benchmark interest rate at a record low of zero to 0.25 % and signaled that it planned to keep it there through 2022 .
The Fed said it would continue to buy billions of dollars of Treasury and mortgage-backed securities to support the financial market .
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell will testify before congressional committees for two days next week , starting Tuesday , on the new report .
Lawmakers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the central bank plans to further support the economy during what is expected to be the steepest economic downturn in the last 70 years .
Powell predicted this week that the recovery will likely be slow with Americans “ well into the millions ” unable to get their old jobs back .
Powell ’ s downbeat assessment of how long it could take labor market to recover along with other renewed fears about the pandemic ’ s impact on the economy helped trigger a huge selloff in the market on Thursday with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or 6.9 % .
After the market plunge , President Donald Trump sent out a tweet criticizing the Fed ’ s views that a full economic recovery could take a long time .
“ The Federal Reserve is wrong so often , ” Trump tweeted .
“ I see the numbers also , and do MUCH better than they do .
We will have a very good Third Quarter , a great Fourth Quarter , and one of our best ever years in 2021.
” The report submitted to Congress this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top Fed officials .
They showed that Fed officials expect a steep drop in economic growth of 6.4 % this year with unemployment remaining at a sharply elevated 9.3 % through this year .
A recently as February , unemployment was at a half-century low of 3.5 % , The economic projections showed that the Fed ’ s key interest rate , which the central bank cut in March to a record low near zero , is expected to remain at that level through the end of 2022 with only two of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than zero by late 2022 .
The Fed did not announce any new policy initiatives at its meeting this week , but financial analysts believe that those could be unveiled later this year , depending on how the economy performs in the second half .
The Fed noted a sharp deterioration in the labor market with nearly 20 million jobs lost since February , “ reversing almost 10 years of job gains.
” “ The most severe job losses have been sustained by the socioeconomic groups that are disproportionately represented among low-wage jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Fed on Friday also summarized a series of events that it has been holding since last year aimed at getting public input into improvements the central bank can make in its monetary policy work .
That included an event in May in which it sought to determine how the coronavirus was impacting people ’ s lives .
“ People have put their lives and livelihoods on hold during this public health emergency , ” Powell wrote in an introductory note .
“ While all of us have been affected , the burdens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to carry them.
” The Fed , Powell said , remains focused on laying the foundation for a return to the strong labor market the country was experiencing last year .
Martin Crutsinger reports for the Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo : In this March 3 , 2020 file photo , Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference to discuss an announcement from the Federal Open Market Committee , in Washington .
The Federal Reserve will issue the first loans under its groundbreaking Main Street Lending program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Powell said Friday , May 29 .
( AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin )


thetennesseestar--2020-06-13--Marriott to Lay off Almost 3,000 Employees

Marriott Hotel Service , Inc. announced it is laying off almost 3,000 workers as a result of the coronavirus , according to The Nashville Business Journal .
As a whole , Nashville has been one of the hardest-hit metro areas in the country as a result of the coronavirus pandemic .
Music City had the “ steepest drop in consumer spending of any major metropolitan area ” due to COVID-19 .
Consumer spending in Nashville dropped 46 percent , The Tennessee Star reported .
Across the country , hotels have been greatly affected by the coronavirus .
According to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , as of June 10 sixty percent of American hotel rooms are empty .
Also , since mid-February hotels in America have lost over $ 33 billion in revenue .
The AHLA reported that Tennessee has lost almost 73,000 hotel industry jobs .
Here is a list of Marriotts affected by layoffs , compiled by The Business Journal : Company : Marriott Hotel Services Inc. dba The Inn at Opryland Sector : Hospitality Affected workers : 107 County : Davidson Address : 2401 Music Valley Drive , Nashville Effective date : March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This layoff was initially intended to be temporary .
The company now states , ‘ It is reasonably foreseeable that these temporary actions may extend beyond six months.
’ ” Company : Marriott Hotel Services Inc. dba Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center and Gaylord Springs Golf Links Sector : Hospitality Affected workers : 2,325 County : Davidson Address : 2800 Opryland Drive , Nashville Effective date : March 21 Layoff type : Temporary — “ This layoff was initially intended to be temporary .
The company now states , ‘ It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extend beyond six months.
’ ” Company : Marriott Hotel Services Inc. dba Wildhorse Saloon Sector : Food service Affected workers : 123 County : Davidson Address : 120 2nd Ave. North , Nashville Effective date : March 21 Layoff type : Temporary — “ This layoff was initially intended to be temporary .
The company now states , ‘ It is reasonably foreseeable that these temporary actions may extend beyond six months.
’ ” Company : Marriott Hotel Services Inc. dba General Jackson Showboat Sector : Arts and entertainment Affected workers : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Opryland Drive , Nashville Effective date : March 21 Layoff type : Temporary — “ This layoff was initially intended to be temporary .
The company now states , ‘ It is reasonably foreseeable that these temporary actions may extend beyond six months.
’ ” Company : Akebono Brake Corporation Sector : Manufacturing Affected workers : 257 County : Montgomery Address : 780 International Blvd.
, Clarksville Effective date : Aug. 1 Layoff type : Permanent — “ The layoffs at this location will begin on August 1 , 2020 and continue until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020.
” Company : Marriott Hotel Services Inc. dba Marriott Nashville Airport Sector : Hospitality Affected workers : 240 County : Davidson Address : 600 Marriott Drive , Nashville Effective date : March 21 Layoff type : Temporary — “ This layoff was initially intended to be temporary .
The company now states , ‘ It is reasonably foreseeable that these temporary actions may extend beyond six months.
’ ” Company : LAZ Parking LLC Sector : Parking Affected workers : 196 County : Davidson Address : 501 Union St. , Nashville Effective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Temporary — “ The layoff is intended to be temporary , but can not be guaranteed at this time.
” 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 .
Photo “ Opryland Hotel ” by Ken Lund .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-13--Lorain County Commission Candidate Sues to Overturn Primary Results, Saying Thousands of Republican

Lorain County Commission Candidate Sues to Overturn Primary Results, Saying Thousands of Republican Voters Were Disenfranchised

A Lorain County commission candidate who lost his race is suing to have the results from Dr. Amy Acton ’ s delayed primary election set aside , citing about 90 violations of state election law and the Ohio Constitution .
The candidate , Gerald W. Phillips , filed the election contest complaint in the Court of Common Pleas for Lorain County .
The story was reported by Jack Windsor of WMFD .
Gov .
Mike DeWine and Acton , as health commissioner , declared a Health Emergency and ordered the polls closed for the primary election , originally scheduled March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time .
Phillips , who said he is an election law attorney , ran in the Republican primary for county commission against Michelle Hung .
In the legal filing , Phillips is the contestor and Hung is the contestee .
Phillips alleged a number of failures by local election officials as well as DeWine and Acton on the new election day and notice that people who had asked for absentee ballots could vote in person if they had not received the ballots.WMFD reports that Phillips alleges that Acton failed to honor a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was deceptive data on the lethality of the virus .
The complaint could result in impeachment hearings for the governor and Acton , the report says .
According to his complaint : The Recount Results show Hung the winner in the Hung-Phillips primary race ; In the Republican Primary for the Hung-Phillips as reflected by the 5-28-20 Recount , 14,912 votes were cast , but 18,054 Republicans requested ballots to vote in the Republican Primary including the Hung-Phillips leaving at least 3,142 Republican registered electors who were disenfranchised and illegally unlawfully and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to vote ; There are more than 3,142 registered Republican registered electors who were disenfranchised and illegally unlawfully and unconstitutionally excluded from exercising their constitutional right to vote as clearly evidenced by the Specific Violations Section ; Among other reliefs , Phillips is asking for : • Judgment that the Presidential Primary Election is null and void and no further force and effect • Judgment setting aside the Hung-Phillips primary race and invalidating such Hung- Phillips primary race • Judgment ordering a new primary race for the Hung-Phillips primary race • A cancellation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Contestee Hung for the Hung-Phillips primary race Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-13--Edina Realty Fires Agent for Taking Down Black Lives Matter Signs Outside Apartment

Edina Realty fired one of its agents last week after she posted on Facebook about removing Black Lives Matter signs from light poles outside her apartment building .
The real estate agency was informed via a Facebook comment that Babette Gillet Bean , a longtime employee of the company , had “ actively participated in the removal of BLM signs that have been posted in her neighborhood.
” “ As a realtor , she holds power in our community to provide opportunities to Edina residents , and also the power to deny opportunities to those she deems unworthy .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and often unnoticed form of racism , ” a person wrote on Edina Realty ’ s Facebook page on June 3 .
The company was also provided with screenshots of Bean ’ s Facebook account , where she posted about taking down Black Lives Matter signs .
“ Thank you for bringing this to our attention .
As of this afternoon , Babette Bean is no longer with Edina Realty , ” the agency said in a Facebook reply .
After her termination , Bean told The Star Tribune that she “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to light poles on [ her ] apartment complex property.
” “ I did not do so as some kind of political or racist act , but because any postings – regardless of content – on light poles are prohibited by city ordinance .
I regularly remove garage sale , for sale and all kinds of other signs posted [ on ] the poles and have done so for years , ” she said .
“ I fully support the public outcry for long overdue change in our police departments that all too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans and other minorities.
” Edina Realty confirmed with The Star Tribune that it terminated Bean after it was made aware of her Facebook posts .
Greg Mason , CEO of Edina Realty , announced in a recent press release that the company has “ signed a statement with 50 other Minnesota companies to stand united against acts of racism and violence.
” “ We pledge : change has to start today , and it needs to start with us , ” said Mason .
“ So , as a company , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can do better in serving diverse communities by promoting inclusion and equality , but also by helping to identify – and remove – historical barriers .
We know there is work to do .
We ’ re listening and we ’ re here for it.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Black Lives Matter Sign ” by Elvert Barnes .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-13--Overnight Camps To Reopen June 15, Whitmer Announces

Overnight summer camps will now be allowed to meet beginning June 15 , according to an executive order signed by Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer on Friday .
Day camps were allowed to open on June 8 per an order from Whitmer handed down on June 1 .
The most recent order comes as the state continues to open various services and businesses , including restaurants , gyms , and salons .
“ As we ’ ve worked together to bend the curve and protect our families from COVID-19 , our kids have lost time in the classroom and missed out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Whitmer said in a statement .
“ That ’ s why I ’ m glad they ’ ll have an opportunity to spend a week or weekend away at camp.
” The order requires camps to follow regulations issued by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affair , which Whitmer said would be released in the coming days .
Guidelines for day camps have already been published by LARA .
The order also allows certain K-12 school sports activities and other in-person extracurricular school activities to resume , provided rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are followed .
“ This is another significant milestone for Michigan as we continue to slowly and safely reopen our economy , and I want to thank Michiganders for doing their part to flatten the curve , ” Whitmer said .
“ While this is good news , there ’ s still more work to do to protect Michigan families from the spread of this virus , avoid a second wave , and protect the heroes on the front lines .
We will get through this together.
” Michigan currently has nearly 60,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services .
The death toll in the state is 5,745 .
There are more than 42,000 confirmed cases that are considered recovered .
Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Michigan Star .
Follow her on Twitter at @ JordynPair .
Email her at [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-06-13--Ohio House Unanimously Passes Bill Trying to Make Changes to the State’s Unemployment Compensation S

Ohio House Unanimously Passes Bill Trying to Make Changes to the State’s Unemployment Compensation System

The Ohio House unanimously passed House Bill 614 on Thursday , which seeks to reform the state ’ s unemployment compensation system .
In the bill proposed by state Reps. Mark Fraizer ( R-Newark ) and Tracy Richardson ( R-Marysville ) , it looks to modernize a system that was not prepared for the onslaught of unemployment claims this year .
Since mid-March , Ohio has seen over 1.3 million people file for unemployment benefits .
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services ( ODJFS ) has only sent money to 686,000 people , which represents roughly 52 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistance , according to News5Cleveland .
The bill tries to fix Ohio ’ s unemployment system in four ways , according to Frazier ’ s press release .
1 .
The Modernization and Improvement Council will be created to meet bimonthly and evaluate the claim filing process and technological infrastructure .
The bipartisan council will also examine ways to maximize the responsiveness for individual applicants and employers .
An initial report will be created within the first six months of meeting and the council will review the report every six months for potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is required to create a written strategic staffing plan for employees who handle inquiries and a referral system for members of the General Assembly to report issues directly to ODJFS representatives in order to compile all information in one place .
3 .
ODJFS is required to have a complaint form in order to streamline the complaint process for constituents .
4 .
The Auditor of State is required to make recommendations on the efficiency of the claims process by examining specific metrics and reporting to the Modernization and Improvement Council .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in addressing constituents ’ concerns heard by all State Representatives , regardless of party , ” Fraizer said .
“ I look forward to working with interested parties to make sure the system never fails our constituents ever again.
” When ODJFS Director Kimberly Hall testified in front of the Ohio Ways and Means Committee on May 27 , she detailed the struggle with fulfilling people ’ s claims .
During her testimony , Hall said she was not here to offer excuses , and added that the wave of unemployment claims “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have ever witnessed.
” Hall said Ohio ’ s low unemployment claims before the coronavirus led to the agency cutting staff members in an effort to save state resources .
“ When this emergency began , only 553 people worked in unemployment , and our call center was comprised of only 40 full-time agents , ” she said .
“ To put that in perspective , in 2009 , during the last recession , 1,422 people worked in our unemployment office.
” Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ email Zachery at [ email protected ] Follow Zachery on Twitter @ zacheryschmidt2 .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-13--DFL Lawmaker Wants Portrait of Lincoln Removed from Minnesota House Chamber

A DFL lawmaker revealed on Twitter this week that she ’ s “ tried a bunch of times ” to get a portrait of President Abraham Lincoln removed from the Minnesota House chamber .
State Rep. Mary Kunesh-Podein ( DFL-New Brighton ) said it ’ s “ hard to look at ” House Speaker Melissa Hortman ( DFL-Brooklyn Park ) when she ’ s “ standing in front of Lincoln.
” “ He signed the death sentence for 38+2 Dakota men hung [ sic ] because they tried to feed their families days after signing the Declaration of Independence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that switched out , ” she said .
Kunesh-Podein later deleted her initial tweet because she mistakenly claimed that President Lincoln signed the Declaration of Independence .
She had the Emancipation Proclamation in mind , she clarified .
In both tweets , Kunesh-Podein said she “ better call AIM , ” which stands for the American Indian Movement , the group that was responsible for tearing down a statue of Christopher Columbus outside the Minnesota Capitol Wednesday .
The Democratic lawmaker was responding to a tweet from Rep. Sydney Jordan ( DFL-Minneapolis ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is full of monuments to genocide.
” “ From my seat on the House floor I stare at a statue that reinforces white supremacy by proclaiming ‘ The Trail of the Pioneers Bore the Footprints of Liberty.
’ This sentence is a lie , ” said Jordan .
Apart from serving as a state representative , Kunesh-Podein works as a library media specialist at Robbinsdale Middle School .
The portrait of Lincoln was completed in 1931 by artist Edward Brewer and placed in the House chamber in 1932 , according to the Minnesota @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country have been vandalized and destroyed in recent days , including a Columbus statue in Virginia that was set on fire and thrown in a lake , and another in Boston that was decapitated .
A century-old statue of Confederate President Jefferson Davis was toppled over and splattered with paint in Richmond , Virginia .
In response to the destruction of the Columbus statue in St. Paul , Lt. Gov .
Peggy Flanagan welcomed its removal .
“ I can ’ t say I ’ m sad the statue of Christopher Columbus is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she said .
“ The arrival of Christopher Columbus to what is now the Americas set in motion centuries of violence and genocide against the Indigenous people who already lived here.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Abraham Lincoln Portrait ” by Jonathunder .
CC BY-SA 3.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-13--Protestors Take Over Legislative Plaza, Refuse to Leave Until They Hear from Bill Lee

Perhaps 100 to 150 or so protestors claimed Friday night that they had taken control of Nashville ’ s Legislative Plaza .
They renamed it Ida B .
Wells Plaza and draped a black tarp with the civil rights ’ journalist ’ s name over a post visible to almost the entire surrounding area .
And then the protestors pitched their tents and said they weren ’ t going anywhere .
As of press time Friday , no law enforcement officers were rounding the protestors up to arrest them , even though such acts , if one is indeed guilty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misdemeanors .
A Tennessee Highway Patrol officer told The Tennessee Star around 8 p.m. that no one had instructed him to arrest people as of yet .
Other than what they said in their speech , none of the protestors had made any move— such as laying their heads down on pillows — to indicate they would stay the night .
Gov .
Bill Lee ’ s office did not return requests for comment on the matter Friday night .
“ The governor seemed a little scared today because we said we were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meant that , because this is stolen land .
This is our land and that we have been marching for weeks now .
There has been no change from those in this building .
And so we are holding this space .
We will set these tents out here .
We intend to stay until Governor Lee comes out and talks to people about why we are out here , ” Jones said .
“ We saw Marsha Blackburn today call us anarchists .
We saw Speaker [ Cameron ] Sexton today say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will try and raise the penalty to a felony .
The real criminals , though , work in this building .
The real criminals work on the Metro Nashville Police Department .
The real criminals work in the legislature .
So we are here to reclaim this space .
We encourage you to tell other people to come out today .
We intend to stay here .
We are a non-violent protest.
” As The Star reported Friday , Lee said Friday afternoon that state officials will not entertain any criminal behavior at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government officials to defund and demilitarize the police , remove what they call racist statues , and fire Nashville Police Chief Steve Anderson .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-06-13--Trump Honors Request from Black Supporters, Reschedules Tulsa Campaign Rally to June 20

WASHINGTON , D.C. ( AP ) — President Donald Trump said Friday that he is rescheduling his first campaign rally in months to a day later so it won ’ t conflict with the Juneteenth observance of the end of slavery in the United States .
Trump had scheduled the rally — his first since early March — for June 19 in Tulsa , Oklahoma .
Black leaders said it was offensive for Trump to pick that day and that place , a city that in 1921 was the site of a fiery and orchestrated white-on-black attack .
We had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tulsa , Oklahoma , for June 19th – a big deal .
Unfortunately , however , this would fall on the Juneteenth Holiday .
Many of my African American friends and supporters have reached out to suggest that we consider changing the date out … of respect for this Holiday , and in observance of this important occasion and all that it represents .
I have therefore decided to move our rally to Saturday , June 20th , in order to honor their requests … We have already had ticket requests in excess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to seeing everyone in Oklahoma !
He said he is moving the rally to June 20 “ to honor their requests.
” Trump ’ s signature rallies often draw tens of thousands of people but have been on hiatus since March 2 because of the coronavirus pandemic , which has now killed more than 110,000 people in the U.S. About the Headline Photo : President Donald Trump arrives to speak at a roundtable discussion about “ Transition to Greatness : Restoring , Rebuilding , and Renewing , ” at Gateway Church Dallas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Dallas .
( AP Photo/Alex Brandon )


thetennesseestar--2020-06-13--Gov. Bill Lee Fails to Remove Anarchist Protesters from Legislative Plaza, Who Camped There Overnigh

Gov. Bill Lee Fails to Remove Anarchist Protesters from Legislative Plaza, Who Camped There Overnight

Tennessee Gov .
Bill Lee failed to enforce state law Friday night and allowed left-wing activist Justin Jones and a handful of his fellow protesters to camp out in Legislative Plaza , pitching tents and sitting on the steps of the plaza throughout the night and into the morning .
“ By setting up tents and other equipment , this group is breaking the post-Occupy law @ GovBillLee said he would enforce .
It ’ s now midnight and there have been no arrests and no real conflict with the small group of troopers , ” Nashville Post and Nashville @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Plaza as Friday night turned into Saturday morning : A 2012 state law , “ The Equal Access to Public Property Act of 2012 , ” clearly states that people may not use state-owned property for camping if it ’ s not a specifically designated camping area .
Violation of the law is a Class A misdemeanor .
The Act , which legislators passed and became law in response to the 2012 Occupy Wall Street and Occupy Nashville movement , allows state officials to physically remove items such as tents blankets , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ subject to seizure and forfeiture.
” The law , as written , states the following : SECTION 1 .
Tennessee Code Annotated , Title 39 , Chapter 14 , Part 4 is amended by adding the following as a new section : • This section shall be known and may be cited as the “ Equal Access to Public Property Act of 2012.
” • As used in this section “ camping ” means the erection or use of temporary structures such as tents , tarps , and other temporary structures for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or making preparations to sleep .
• “ Camping ” shall include , but not be limited to , the laying down of bedding for the purpose of sleeping , storing personal belongings , making any fire , doing any digging , or earth breaking or carrying on cooking activities whether by fire or use of artificial means such as a propane stove or other heat-producing portable cooking equipment .
• An area of state-owned land may be designated as a camping area by the department , agency , official or officials responsible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the property in question .
The area ’ s designation as a camping area may be accomplished by means of signage , advertisement or other notice designed to make known its availability for the activity of camping .
• It is an offense for a person to engage in the activity of camping on property owned by the state knowing that the area on which the camping occurs is not specifically designated for use as a camping area by the department or agency responsible for such land .
• Any items associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including tents , portable toilets , sleeping bags , tarps , stakes , ropes , blankets , propane heaters , cooking equipment and generators shall be subject to seizure and forfeiture by the appropriate state officials authorized to maintain and protect the land on which the camping equipment is found or other officials whose duties include enforcement of this section .
• Violation of this section is a Class A misdemeanor .
• Nothing in this section shall be construed as preempting or preventing a state department or agency with responsibility for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawful and reasonable rules , regulations , or statutes , that concern the use of and access to state property .
However , if any such rule , regulation or statute is in conflict with this section , it is the intent that this section shall prevail and the prohibition against camping on state property in areas not designated as camping areas be a uniform one .
Nashville Scene and Nashville Post reporter Stephen Elliott later tweeted , “ one protestor who stayed through the night says troopers searched the tents for sleeping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conflict.
” As The Star reported Saturday , perhaps 100 to 150 or so protestors claimed Friday night that they had taken control of Nashville ’ s Legislative Plaza .
They renamed it Ida B .
Wells Plaza and draped a black tarp with the civil rights ’ journalist ’ s name over a post visible to almost the entire surrounding area .
And then the protestors pitched their tents and said they weren ’ t going anywhere .
A Tennessee Highway Patrol officer told The Tennessee Star around 8 p.m. that no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as of yet .
Other than what they said in their speech , none of the protestors had made any move— such as laying their heads down on pillows — to indicate they would stay the night .
“ The governor seemed a little scared today because we said we were going to spend the night and we meant that , because this is stolen land .
This is our land and that we have been marching for weeks now .
There has been no change from those in this building .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We will set these tents out here .
We intend to stay until Governor Lee comes out and talks to people about why we are out here , ” Jones said .
“ We saw Marsha Blackburn today call us anarchists .
We saw Speaker [ Cameron ] Sexton today say that if we stay out here they will try and raise the penalty to a felony .
The real criminals , though , work in this building .
The real criminals work on the Metro Nashville Police Department .
The real criminals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are here to reclaim this space .
We encourage you to tell other people to come out today .
We intend to stay here .
We are a non-violent protest.
” As The Star reported Friday , Lee said Friday afternoon that state officials will not entertain any criminal behavior at the demonstration .
For his part , Jones took to social media and flaunted the fact that he and his fellow activists had camped out overnight on state-owned property .
“ We ’ ve been out here for 12 hours now .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a.m. , ” Jones said in a video he posted on his Twitter feed Saturday .
Jones then asked an unidentified woman how she was feeling .
“ Feeling wonderful .
Feeling a sense of community and accomplishment , ” the woman told Jones .
“ Empowerment and , at the same time , humility .
Thanks to God , the universe , whatever you want to call it , the Great Spirit , for keeping us safe throughout the night.
” In the video another woman is lying down with her head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clearly used as a pillow .
Jones had his legs covered with a blanket .
Jones asked for more people to show up to relieve the ones who were out all night as part of their “ ongoing resistance to white supremacy and police brutality.
” Members of Gov .
Lee ’ s staff did not return The Tennessee Star ’ s request for comment Saturday morning .
Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security spokesman Wes Moster had little to say in an email late Friday night .
“ We are monitoring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your inquiry , ” Moster said .
“ However we simply do not discuss what our tactics or procedures may or may not be.
” Jones posted one video on his Facebook page overnight showing activists chanting loudly at around 3 a.m .
In another video , Jones bragged the following : “ Tennessee State troopers have changed shifts 6 times since we ’ ve been out here .
Young people , respond chanting : ‘ Shift change .
Shift change .
We still gon na say they name.
’ Still holding space.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stephen Elliott has posted several additional tweets from Legislative Plaza Saturday morning : Another protest by the same group is scheduled at Legislative Plaza this evening from 5 pm to 7 pm .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]