thetennesseestar--2020-06-24--Commentary: Establishment Conservatives Continue to Bend the Knee to the Left

The column , written in the heated aftermath of George Floyd ’ s killing , sounded like a typical anti-American screed published in the New York Times or posted on MSNBC .
“ Racism in America is a fatal wound , ” the author lamented .
“ Every time another incident occurs we put a Band-Aid on it , but the Band-Aid keeps falling off .
Band-Aids are not enough to ever stitch this country back together.
” She went on : “ Nothing can bring George Floyd back to life .
But if his horrific and needless death proves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans finally end the ugly racism that stains our nation ’ s history and afflicts us like a cancer of the soul , he will leave behind a legacy we sorely need.
” That inflammatory , crude condemnation of America—not to mention the glorification of Floyd , a man with a criminal record who was doped up on drugs and committing another crime when the fatal encounter occurred—was made by Kay Coles James , president of the Heritage Foundation .
James , the first woman and first African American to head the conservative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the performative Right , jumped on the Left ’ s latest anti-America crusade while betraying the constituency her organization purports to represent .
It is a reflex , unfortunately , that ’ s commonplace on the establishment Right , an infuriating capitulation to our country ’ s most insidious foes .
The Left intends to destroy the nation and use race as the carpet-bomb—and that approach is working even as blacks continue to make solid economic , occupational , and educational gains .
So , what was James ’ s point ?
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had anything to do with race .
One incident , or even a random handful , hardly proves her diagnosis that racism is a “ fatal wound ” to America .
The unfolding mayhem and chaos that followed Floyd ’ s death would have been a perfect opportunity for James to explain why conservatives , not radicals on the Left , have better solutions to improve the lives of all minorities .
James , after all , has a triumphant personal story of her own ; her success is a testament to our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of race and equality .
But at a pivotal moment , James instead chose to invoke the language of the Left .
And she wasn ’ t alone .
A few days after James ’ column was posted , Tucker Carlson detailed a marquee roster of “ conservative ” leaders who lined up to reprimand a racist America and , in effect , condone the Black Lives Matter insurgency .
The list included James , former U.N .
Ambassador Nikki Haley , and former Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina .
Carlson even called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s national security advisor for jumping on the time-for-soul-searching bandwagon .
Predictably , the same outlets and pundits that surface whenever the Left needs backup rushed to cover for the race-baiting “ conservatives.
” Carlson ’ s monologue was labeled a “ misleading attack on prominent conservatives , ” by Ramesh Ponnuru , an editor at National Review .
In a rebuke that was part strawman , part cherry-picking , and part rambling word salad , Ponnuru failed to make his case .
But no matter , Ponnuru—a visiting fellow for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think tank populated by NeverTrumpers—had achieved his goal of shivving Carlson while defending race-hustlers on the Right .
( Ponnuru , however , was filled with praise for Joe Biden ’ s response to the Floyd killing , cooing over Biden ’ s “ old-time liberalism ” and decency in the midst of crisis . )
Speaking of National Review , some of its editors and columnists continue to play footsie with the Left—unsurprising behavior considering NR contributors have been invaluable allies to Democrats in their crusade against Donald Trump .
Just consider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort to perpetuate the Russian collusion hoax ; bolster Special Counsel Robert Mueller ’ s probe into imaginary crimes ; warn about surges in “ white supremacy ” ; oppose the president ’ s emergency declaration to protect the southern border ; and back impeachment—to name a few .
Not even the Covington Catholic High School pro-life students were spared an immediate condemnation and thrashing from National Review ’ s “ conservatives.
” Confederate statues , argues the magazine ’ s editor-in-chief , should not be protected by conservatives .
People like us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oppose politically correct campaigns to destroy anything giving offense .
They fear where the slippery slope of woke iconoclasm will lead—first it ’ s Jefferson Davis , ultimately George Washington .
This impulse , though , is a mistake.
” That same day , vandals in Portland wrapped the head of a statue of George Washington in an American flag , set it on fire , and tore it down .
Statues of Francis Scott Key and Ulysses S. Grant were destroyed in San Francisco .
On Sunday , New York City ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would remove a statue of Theodore Roosevelt in an effort to erase a “ painful legacy of colonial expansion and racial discrimination.
” Like many Surrender Conservatives embarrassed over their impulse to assemble some sort of Leftist Lite alternative to defining political matters , Lowry later presented an unrealistic compromise .
“ The upshot is that we are going to have to fight like hell to keep Thomas Jefferson and George Washington regardless of what happens to the Robert E. Lee and J.E.B .
Stuart statues , ” he wrote .
Fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who—and how ?
What united front has establishment conservatism built over the past few decades with the exception of unified opposition to Donald Trump , and perhaps the pro-life movement ?
As I wrote last week , our current crisis speaks as much to the failure of the conservative movement as it confirms the victory of the Left .
It is they , not Trump , who have left conservatives nearly defenseless at this moment , yet they still pretend there ’ s a third way , that some parcel of imaginary common @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Over the weekend , American Greatness contributor Ned Ryun confronted a top Heritage staffer , demanding an explanation for how the elite organization prepared for this moment : “ [ W ] ay to waste that $ 1.25 BILLION you raised between 2001-2018 .
What are you gon na do to beat the Left ?
Swat them with your white papers ?
” No , these Surrender Cons will do what they always do : Pretend a debate about Confederate statues is actually about Confederate statues and not about the inexorable destruction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eventually leads straight to the Founders and the Constitution .
Placate the Left with meaningless canards about race and social justice that feed the flames of racial division the Left has been seeking to stoke in order to burn down the country .
Bend the rhetorical knee before Black Lives Matter for fear of being called a racist while hanging your own supporters out to dry .
Assign weakness to Donald Trump rather than own up to their own failures .
At what point will the benefactors of the Surrender Cons understand they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , better yet , when will the subscribers and regular donors catch on ?
James is right about one thing : Band-Aids won ’ t stitch this country back together if that ’ s even possible .
Joe Biden certainly won ’ t .
The only small hope is that freedom-loving , America-defending people on the Right unify to reject every single demand of the Left .
There is no compromise or common ground with people who hate the foundations of this country .
The slippery slope Lowry downplayed is already thoroughly greased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had its own statue , it would be one big slippery slope curving left and capped with a white flag .
The careerists in the establishment Right can surrender if they want ; that ’ s their prerogative .
Just don ’ t expect the rest of us to join in bending the knee .
Julie Kelly is a political commentator and senior contributor to American Greatness .
Photo “ Kay C.James ” by The Heritage Foundation .
Background Photo “ Heritage Foundation Building ” by Ser Amantio di Nicolao .
CC BY-SA @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-06-24--No Charges in NASCAR Noose Incident Involving Black Driver

The noose found hanging in Bubba Wallace ’ s garage stall at Talladega Superspeedway had been there since at least last October , federal authorities said Tuesday in announcing there will be no charges filed in an incident that rocked NASCAR and its only fulltime Black driver .
U.S. Attorney Jay Town and FBI Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp Jr. said an investigation determined “ although the noose is now known to have been in garage number 4 in 2019 , nobody could have known Mr. Wallace would be assigned to garage number 4 last week.
” A crew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noose Sunday at the Alabama race track .
NASCAR was alerted and contacted the FBI , which sent 15 agents to the track to investigate .
They determined no federal crime was committed .
The statement said the garage stall was assigned to Wallace last week in advance of the race scheduled for Sunday but held Monday because of rain .
Through video confirmed by NASCAR it was discovered the noose “ was in that garage as early as October 2019.
” The agencies said the evidence did not support federal charges .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ stall in the garage showed the one for Wallace ’ s car was the only one in which the pull down rope had been fashioned into a noose .
Wallace successfully pushed the stock car series to ban the Confederate flag at its venues less than two weeks ago .
There has been criticism of the ban by some longtime fans and security had been stepped up for Wallace , a 26-year-old Alabama native who has worn in the last month a shirt over his firesuit that read “ I Can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race in Virginia was Black Lives Matter .
NASCAR said in a statement that “ the FBI report concludes , and photographic evidence confirms , that the garage door pull rope fashioned like a noose had been positioned there since as early as last fall .
This was obviously well before the 43 team ’ s arrival and garage assignment.
” NASCAR President Steve Phelps said the series is continuing its own investigation to determine why a noose had been in that garage stall at all .
He added that it wasn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great conclusion for us ” but was adamant NASCAR would have conducted its investigation the same way even now knowing it wasn ’ t a hate crime .
“ We would have done the same investigation .
It was important for us to do , ” he said , stressing that Wallace ’ s race team had nothing to do with the incident .
“ The evidence was very clear that the noose that was in the garage was in there previously .
The last race we had in October , that noose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it was clear we needed to look into this.
” The Wood Brothers Racing team said one of its employees informed the team he recalled “ seeing a tied handle in the garage pull down rope from last fall , ” when NASCAR raced at Talladega in October .
The team said it immediately alerted NASCAR and assisted the investigation .
The discovery of the noose stunned the stock car series as it takes an active position in a push for inclusion while distancing itself from its rocky racial history .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flag five years ago but did nothing to enforce the order .
Wallace two weeks ago renewed the call for a ban and NASCAR answered , but it has yet to detail how it will stop the display .
Talladega marked the first race since the coronavirus pandemic that fans were permitted — 5,000 were allowed to purchase tickets — and some upset with the flag ban paraded past the main entrance with the Southern symbol .
A banner flew over the speedway Sunday of a Confederate flag that read “ Defund NASCAR.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been discovered and the industry rallied around Wallace .
All 39 of his rival drivers and their crews helped push Wallace ’ s car to the front of pit road before the national anthem and stood behind him in solidarity .
Wallace was joined by his team owner , Hall of Famer Richard Petty , who gently placed a hand on Wallace ’ s shoulder as he sobbed .
Wallace after the race went to the fencing along the grandstands and greeted supporters .
Many were Black and wearing “ I Can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s just been hectic , you know , carrying this weight , ” he said .
“ I ’ m proud to stand where I ’ m at and carry a new face .
Look at ( these fans ) .
Is this the first time you ’ re here ?
From Atlanta ?
That is so cool !
The sport is changing.
” Jenna Fryer is a reporter for The Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo : In this June 22 , 2020 , file photo , Bubba Wallace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other drivers who had pushed his car to the front in the pits at Talladega Superspeedway before the NASCAR Cup Series auto race in Talladega Ala. , Monday June 22 , 2020 .
The noose found hanging in Wallace ’ s garage stall at Talladega had been there since at least last October , federal authorities said Tuesday , June 23 , in announcing there will be no charges filed in an incident that rocked NASCAR and its only fulltime Black driver .
( AP Photo/John Bazemore , File )

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


thetennesseestar--2020-06-24--Americans to Get Second Stimulus Check in August, Trump Says

Congress is preparing another coronavirus relief package , President Donald Trump said , which includes another direct cash payment to Americans .
“ Yeah , we are … We will be doing another stimulus package .
It ’ ll be very good , it ’ ll be very generous , ” Trump told a Scripps reporter Monday .
“ I think over the next , I think it ’ s going to be bi-partisan , I think it ’ s going to be over the couple of weeks , probably.
” The first round of stimulus checks went to qualifying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ direct cash payments of $ 1,200 per individual adult , $ 2,400 for married couples , and $ 500 for each child under the age of 17 .
The $ 2.2 trillion CARES Act passed in March included other measures to offset financial losses caused by state economic shutdowns due to the president declaring a national emergency over the coronavirus .
It also added $ 600 a week in unemployment pay for workers shuttered because of coronavirus restrictions .
The $ 3 trillion House bill passed last month , which included numerous regulations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was dead on arrival , Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said .
An alternative proposal put forward by Ways and Means Leader Kevin Brady , R-Texas , the “ Reopening America by Supporting Workers and Businesses Act of 2020 , ” would transform unemployment benefits into a back-to-work bonus by allowing workers to keep up to two weeks of additional federal unemployment benefits after they accept a job offer .
“ Concerns have been raised that the additional $ 600/week in [ Unemployment Insurance ] benefits could mean some workers receive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creating a disincentive to work , ” Brady said in a statement .
“ As more businesses re-open across the country , employers shouldn ’ t have to compete with unemployment to bring workers back.
” Brady ’ s proposal also includes the same direct cash payment as the CARES Act of $ 1,200 for individuals and $ 2,400 for families .
“ For us to rebuild our economy , we must make sure Americans can get back to work in a safe , healthy environment , ” Brady said .
“ Unless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Main Street businesses soon , that business may no longer be there .
This proposal is an important part in preventing a prolonged recession.
” Democratic U.S. Sens .
Edward J. Markey , Kamala Harris and Bernie Sanders cosponsored the Monthly Economic Crisis Support Act , which would provide recurring monthly direct cash payments to everyone in the U.S. who earns less than $ 120,000 a year .
“ Simply put , $ 1,200 was not nearly enough to keep families on their feet during this crisis , ” Markey wrote in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ single check is not sufficient for the millions of households that are struggling with the health and economic crisis we face .
Americans need more than just one payment.
” Markey ’ s bill authorizes the federal government to send nearly $ 600 billion worth of payments to every household in the U.S. in the form of a direct cash payment of $ 2,000 per month to individuals with an income below $ 120,000 for at least three months after the coronavirus shutdown ends .
It also provides $ 2,000 for each child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , regardless of their age .
Similar to the HEROES Act passed by Congress last month , every U.S. resident , regardless of citizenship status , would receive a payment , according to Markey ’ s bill .
Markey argues that providing recurring monthly payments “ is the most direct and efficient mechanism for delivering economic relief to those most vulnerable in this crisis , particularly low-income families , immigrant communities , and our gig and service workers.
” Congress is expected to debate the second wave of stimulus bills in July .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , checks could be sent out in late August .
“ We don ’ t want to rush into that because we want to be both careful at this point in seeing how the money is in the economy , ” U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin recently told the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship .
“ A lot of the money is still not in it , ” he said .
Roughly $ 130 billion allocated through the Paycheck Protection Program is unclaimed and nearly 35 million stimulus checks haven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bethany Blankley is a contributor to The Center Square .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-24--Billion-Dollar Investment Firm Flees Seattle Citing Civil Unrest

A Seattle-based investment firm announced Monday that it will leave the city because of civil unrest and move south , taking billions with it .
Smead Capital Management President and CEO Cole Smead , told KSTAR NEWS , that “ the unrest that has taken place in the city of Seattle… there really is not a downtown community today.
” Office buildings in the downtown are emptying out , according to Smead .
“ We ’ re hearing rumors of 40-story buildings that will be only 20-percent occupied by October , ” he said .
Seattle ’ s Capitol Hill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hill Autonomous Zone or CHAZ , spans several blocks and has caused a disturbance to downtown life .
Multiple shootings , rapes , robberies and a death have been reported within CHOP , according to Seattle police chief , and law enforcement had not been able to respond .
A signs reads “ Capitol Hill Occupied Protest ” in area that has been referred to by protesters by that name as well as “ Capitol Hill Organized Protest , or CHOP , on June 14 , 2020 in Seattle , Washington .
( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lower taxes , Phoenix , Arizona , where the new headquarters will be located , offers easier candidate recruitment and substantial lower cost of living , Smead said .
“ My colleagues can pick the socio-economic rung of life that they want to live their lives , build their households and have a family if they ’ d like… Where we ’ re coming from just wasn ’ t like that , ” Smead said .
Smead Capital Management manages over $ 1.3 billion dollars , according to the company ’ s 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ CHOP ” by Derek Simone .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-24--Dave Ramsey Expands Headquarters in Williamson County, Adds New Jobs

Ramsey Solutions CEO Dave Ramsey announced this week that the Williamson County-based Ramsey Solutions will invest $ 52 million to expand its corporate headquarters in Franklin and create 600 jobs .
Ramsey announced this in a press release on the Tennessee Department of Community and Economic Development ’ s website .
Ramsey announced this with Tennessee Gov .
Bill Lee and ECD Commissioner Bob Rolfe .
“ Ramsey Solutions will build a second office building , totaling nearly 192,000 square feet and six stories , on its corporate campus in Williamson County , ” according to the press release .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ continued expansion , which started in 2015 when the company closed on 47 acres of land in the Berry Farms development.
” As The Tennessee Star reported last year , Ramsey held a grand opening ceremony for his new corporate headquarters .
Ramsey , a financial coach , continues to host his nationally-syndicated radio talk show , this time from the new building in Franklin .
Ramsey told a crowd of several hundred people at the time that the new building is not about him or his business .
According to Ramsey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wife once had to declare bankruptcy .
Ramsey went on to say that if you help enough people in life then you don ’ t have to worry about money .
Ramsey spokeswoman Megan McConnell told The Star last year that the Ramsey Solutions team was scattered in four different buildings in Cool Springs .
In a speech last year , Ramsey praised Tennessee for having a no-income tax and a business-friendly attitude .
“ Businesses hire people , and people work at businesses to make money that allow people to feed their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their kids to college , ” Ramsey said .
“ The state of Tennessee is an unusual place .
There are states that don ’ t understand that businesses are where people get to live their dreams , because businesses create jobs .
Governments don ’ t .
And our state and county realize that.
” Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Dave Ramsey ” by Dave Ramsey .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-24--Gov. Lee Will End Use of Electronic Governmental Meetings After June 30

One hallmark for the pandemic scare in Tennessee has been the heavy governmental use of electronic meetings , facilitated by Gov .
Bill Lee signing executive orders allowing them .
The meetings often were on Zoom or a similar format , and as the state began reopening , sometimes meetings would have participants both in person and participating electronically .
That all ends after Tuesday , June 30 .
The Tennessean reported that Gov .
Bill Lee will allow electronic meetings to end after June 30 .
The newspaper cited a memo that Comptroller Justin Wilson sent to officials making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which allowed the electronic meetings , is here .
It went into effect on March 20 and in May was extended to June 30 .
The Tennessee Coalition for Open Government ( TCOG ) conducted an informal survey on the use of electronic meetings .
The survey , available on the TCOG website , was open to anyone who wanted to share their experience .
A majority of the 71 responses were from interested citizens and journalists , although some were from government officials who participated in the meetings .
Each person was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about a single meeting and report how the meeting was held , its availability to the public , if public comment was allowed and if a recording was available afterward .
Each respondent was also asked to rate audibility of the meeting and access to meeting materials such as agendas and board packets , and if they thought members of governing bodies should be allowed to continue to meet electronically when the pandemic threat lessened .
When asked whether governing bodies should be allowed to continue to meet electronically when the COVID-19 pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said no .
But 19 said “ maybe ” and 13 said “ yes.
” Some people thought the issue depended on the virus ’ status , while others thought vulnerable people should be allowed to meet electronically .
Others , however , worried about lack of public oversight or technical issues .
Indeed , TCOG joined in an open meetings lawsuit with media companies against the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance .
On April 1 , the board took an email vote in secret to reduce by $ 44,100 the fines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D-Memphis ) , TCOG said .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-24--Bill Hagerty Calls Out Facebook for Flagging and Deleting Conservative Posts

U.S. Senate candidate Bill Hagerty slammed Facebook officials on Tuesday after an undercover video revealed that officials at the social media company flagged and deleted posts that supported President Donald Trump .
In a statement on his campaign ’ s website , Hagerty said Facebook officials did this to undermine Trump ’ s 2020 presidential re-election campaign .
Hagerty said in the statement that Facebook officials were pushing their political bias over free speech .
He demanded answers .
“ This blatant attack on conservatives ’ free speech proves what we ’ ve known all along – liberals will stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ silence his supporters , ” Hagerty said .
“ We ’ ve now learned Facebook had teams of employees flagging and deleting posts in support of President Trump – that is unacceptable .
No social media platform should be the arbiter of what ’ s true and what ’ s not .
In the Senate , I will continue to stand with President Trump and Senator Marsha Blackburn to ensure conservatives ’ voices are protected from biased social media platforms.
” Members of Project Veritas reported the investigation on their website Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ moderator if she deleted every Republican item that appeared on her queue .
The woman said : “ Yes !
I don ’ t give no f*cks , I ’ ll delete it.
” The same moderator said she does not take down anti-Trump content , even if it did violate policy .
Another content moderator , Lara Kontakos , said if she saw someone wearing a Make America Great Again hat then she would delete that person “ for terrorism.
” According to Project Veritas ’ investigation , Steve Grimmett , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was Facebook ’ s culture to target the president and his supporters.
” Facebook insider Zach McElroy said he will testify before Congress about what he called Facebook ’ s bias against Trump supporters and conservative causes , according to Project Veritas .
As reported this week , Sen. Marsha Blackburn ( R-TN ) said Google and its parent company , Alphabet , pose a “ threat to a free and fair press in America ” in a letter sent Sunday to U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr .
The Department of Justice is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but a recent report from The Daily Caller found that investigators do not appear to be examining claims of bias in the company ’ s search engine .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-06-24--Thales Academy-Franklin’s Parent Information Meeting to be Held June 30 at Franklin Mercantile Deli

Live from Music Row Tuesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed Thales Academy-Franklin Principal Rachael Bradley to the newsmakers line .
During their conversation , Leahy and Bradley discussed the upcoming school year and Thales Academy-Franklin ’ s parent information meeting next week .
Leahy : We are joined now by our very good friend Rachael Bradley who is the principal of Thales Academy-Franklin .
The new affordable private school opening up in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Good morning Rachael .
Bradley : Good morning Mike how are you ?
Leahy : Well I am great .
I shared with you an article the other day from The Wall Street Journal and I thought it was quite important and I ’ d love to get your reaction to it .
They ’ ve looked at the results of all of this online learning… Leahy : That ’ s happened since the schools have shut down .
And they said it ’ s been a disaster in terms of what kids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working well at all because kids need in-person engagement .
Tell us about your reaction and what you ’ ve seen from the parents that have come to you in the past couple of months .
Bradley : I wholeheartedly agree with that Mike .
I ’ ve seen it first hand .
I ’ ve seen it as a parent with my own child as a rising third grader .
And I ’ ve seen it with the children that I ’ ve met who are applying for our school to join @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have them .
But what I am seeing is there is a very clear deficit .
It ’ s evident that these kids essentially only got three quarters of a school year .
Leahy : Yes .
With kids I guess , you ’ ve been teaching and using particularly this methodology called direct instruction .
Leahy : It ’ s been the most successful way to teach reading and writing and arithmetic for about 50 years .
Not widely used for political reasons really .
But very very effective .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you don ’ t want learning to go stale right ?
Bradley : Right .
We at Thales Academy were able to roll out online learning for our fourth quarter for our students at our North Carolina campuses .
The teachers did a phenomenal job .
They pre-recorded every lesson in the same format .
But that being said it ’ s just still not as effective as having kids in classrooms engaged with teachers and classmates .
The whole premise of direct instruction is high time on task and maximizing student @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do that with a child sitting at a computer screen .
Leahy : I read another story that there is an education group called T74 .
It had been founded years ago by Campbell Brown who is now with Facebook .
She ’ s like a pro-charter school person .
In that , it said look there were some letters from moms that had been trying to teach their elementary school kids , and what they found is that it was hard to keep the kids focused and engaged with a computer .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
The computer just doesn ’ t keep them engaged .
Bradley : Oh my word .
You are talking to somebody who taught elementary school for 15 years before I became the principal and all I can think is that maybe everybody is realizing how important and essential teachers are !
( Chuckles ) Leahy : Absolutely .
I think it ’ s that in-person engagement right ?
Leahy : When you look at direct instruction the way you do it at Thales Academy .
The teacher I wouldn ’ t say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ riveting experience for the kids where they are just voluntarily on task and paying attention .
That ’ s what it looks like to me .
Bradley : You are right .
You are exactly right .
It ’ s also just about creating a learning environment in which we have an ideal learning environment at Thales Academy that lends itself to ensuring that kids are on task and focused with minimal distractions .
That ’ s really hard to do in your home environment unless you ’ ve locked your child in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you as a parent have the time to dedicate to sit there right beside them and ensure they are on task the whole time .
Let ’ s be honest , that ’ s just not realistic .
Especially if you are a family with multiple kids .
Or mom and or dad are working .
That ’ s not feasible .
Leahy : So I ’ m going to ask you the question that I ’ m sure many of the parents you talked to are asking .
Are you really going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on July 20 ?
And are you really going to have kids available to be taught by teachers in person and the kids aren ’ t going to have to wear masks ?
Is that really going to happen ?
Bradley : That is really going to happen .
We are opening .
Another mom told me she ’ s got July 20 circled on her calendar .
So that ’ s my little running joke .
Yes , circle it on your calendar .
Send those kids back to school .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You can ’ t find a better learning environment , curriculum , and education than Thales Academy .
Leahy : By the way , go to thalesacademy.org and sign up there .
Or go to the tennesseestar.com and click on the blue banner which will take you to the Facebook page and you can sign up for this .
Do you have an event on June 30 ?
Leahy : That ’ s a week from today !
When and where will it be for parents that want to learn about this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ host it at the Franklin Mercantile Deli on Fourth Street in Franklin .
It ’ s a charming little place .
Our building is currently under a full renovation getting ready for July 20 so it ’ s not really conducive to holding a meeting at this point .
The Mercantile is going to be a great spot .
They are going to provide us their signature fruit tea which everybody loves by the way .
Leahy : Delicious by the way .
Bradley : It is delicious .
We ’ ll have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to do it a little earlier in the day to work with their schedule .
It will be from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Leahy : 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. next Tuesday .
I ’ ll be there .
It ’ s right across the street from Fourth Avenue Church of Christ .
It ’ s an easy place to remember .
Nice little place .
I ’ m hearing that there ’ s a lot of momentum of people wanting to get on board .
When last we talked you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Are there places still available ?
Bradley : There are still potentially a few seats in kindergarten .
We have quite a few applications in the queue being processed .
So it just depends on if those children are accepted and enroll and complete the process essentially .
We have a handful of seats in kindergarten .
We still also have space in first , second , and third .
You are right .
Momentum has picked up .
Parents are concerned about what is going to be available to them and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to look like in the upcoming school year .
They are looking around .
I have a mother that has said we are so thankful that we found you .
And that ’ s a really good feeling .
Leahy : And its not that expensive compared to other private schools .
What ’ s the cost of a year of tuition there ?
Bradley : The full year is only $ 5,300 .
Mike .
That ’ s less than daycare for a high-quality education .
Leahy : And they actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : You are doing an excellent job there .
If I had an elementary school kid I would want them to have you as their principal .
This is a great person and a great leader and a great teacher .
Leahy : And I ’ ve met also your teachers .
They ’ re great !
They are high energy , engaged , and very committed .
Bradley : Yes .
All of the things that I was looking for .
We have a great staff that is ready to go .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ they will be ready for July .
Leahy : Run us through a typical morning .
How is that going to work ?
We have 30 seconds .
Bradley : 30 seconds .
You drop your children off via carpool and then there ’ s about a 10-minute homeroom window and then we get started with math first thing in the morning .
Math , reading , language arts , spelling , vocabulary , handwriting , science , and history .
It is a full day of learning .
Listen to the full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 “ Rachael Bradley ” and Background Photo “ Thales Academy School ” by Thales Academy .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-24--Senator Kerry Roberts Talks About the Sudden Passing of the Fetal Heartbeat Bill and the Issue with

Senator Kerry Roberts Talks About the Sudden Passing of the Fetal Heartbeat Bill and the Issue with the COVID-19 Liability Bill

Live from Music Row Tuesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed Tennessee state Senator Kerry Roberts ( R-Springfield ) .
During the third hour , Roberts weighed in on the recent Fetal Heartbeat Bill surprisingly passed at midnight in the Tennessee General Assembly this week .
Roberts discussed the issues with the constitutionality of the COVID-19 Liability bill which would hold businesses harmless should anyone contract the virus after a visit to their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by our good friend state Senator Kerry Roberts .
Good morning Kerry .
Roberts : Good morning .
How are you this morning ?
Leahy : You have been busy .
Leahy : So now the Fetal Heartbeat Bill , you ’ ve got to bring us in on this .
Roberts : Sometimes you have pleasant surprises .
Leahy : Let me just come back .
Perhaps Kerry Roberts , perhaps this is the morning for you to take a victory lap on this .
Now look , I gave you a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard time as a matter of fact because a similar bill was sent to summer study .
Remember that ?
Roberts : Yes .
And we actually had a summer study , didn ’ t we ?
( Chuckles ) Leahy : Ok. Then out of the blue one of the very last acts of the Tennessee General Assembly was the passage of the Fetal Heartbeat Bill .
Leahy : How did this happen ?
Roberts : It ’ s infuriated liberals since it was done after midnight .
Leahy : Yes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the governor signed it ?
Roberts : I doubt he signed it yet .
Leahy : Oh , it has to go through the process .
Leahy : There are a whole series of procedures you go through right ?
After the Tennessee General Assembly passes it before the legal document arrives on the governor ’ s desk for signature .
Right ?
Roberts : Right .
And I don ’ t know how quickly that can be done .
Leahy : But he said he ’ s going to sign it ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s his bill .
Well , he originated it .
Leahy : After just giving you a hard time all the time on multiple programs .
What are they doing ?
What are they doing in summer study ?
It will never happen !
Kerry Roberts , you ’ re just doing summer study and you are not doing anything !
This was last year .
A year ago .
You remember it well .
I ’ m giving you a victory lap here .
( Laughs ) Leahy : I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed , was this a bill that included content that you developed from your summer study last year ?
Roberts : I would say yes .
My opinion would be yes .
Leahy : This is victory lap time for Kerry Roberts .
( Chuckles ) Roberts : It is .
Sometimes nobody has a patent on good ideas right ?
And the way you want to go about doing something is you take your input from various sources .
In the case of the summer study , I would like to think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussed and talked about helped go into what the governor proposed .
Every legislative session , the governor has what ’ s called a legislative package .
The things that are important to the governor thy pull together as a bill and they give it to the majority leader in the House .
They give it to the majority leader in the Senate .
So Jack Johnson in the Senate .
William Lambuth in the House .
And they become the sponsors of the bill .
Even though the governor can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In other words , it was his team that drafted the bill in consultation to some extent with the House and the Senate .
In this particular bill , it was probably done more independently of the House and Senate than maybe some other bills .
They had some very clear ideas about how they wanted to proceed .
I ’ d like to think that some of what we discussed in summer study came into play there .
But I don ’ t know that for a fact .
I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : I will .
You don ’ t have to misspeak .
But I ’ m going to give you some credit for this .
Roberts : I really don ’ t deserve any credit for this .
Leahy : I think your summer study played a role in the final bill .
Roberts : My takeaway from the summer study was this , is that I ’ ve said this before .
It ’ s amazing to me how people could invoke the name of Jesus to support abortion .
Leahy : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left did and does .
Roberts : I ’ ve said this on this program before .
I pulled the governor aside early on .
When liberals start quoting scripture than you need to really pay attention to what ’ s going on .
( Chuckles ) They are not doing it out of the goodness of their heart .
It ’ s a manipulative type thing .
Leahy : State Senator Kerry Roberts , it ’ s just you and me here .
How did this happen ?
This was out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that this would happen .
It passed 23 to five in the State Senate and like 70 to 20 in the House ?
Roberts : In the session , it was pretty clear that Speaker McNally ’ s position was that he wanted to get in and get out .
Leahy : Now when you say , Speaker McNally… Roberts : Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the Senate .
Leahy : The state Senate .
As opposed to the Speaker of the House… Roberts : Speaker of the House .
It was pretty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war going on between the Speakers of both chambers .
The Senate wanted to get in and modify the budget as needed and deal with COVID-19 bills and leave .
And the House wanted to stay and do the full legislative package .
There were arguments for both sides .
My position on it was that I thought we should stay and work on things but only if the public is there .
I didn ’ t agree with our meeting and the public not being there .
I was fine with getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Heartbeat Bill , because it was a controversial bill and because it would be one of those bills that would benefit from testimony and what not .
It didn ’ t make the initial list of bills that were going to be heard .
Now it had already gone through committee .
So it had been heard in committee .
Sometimes late in the session , you have some give and take which is another word for negotiation .
Leahy : Where was the give and take happening ?
Did you know what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 bill and the budget bill it looked like we were at an impasse between the House and the Senate .
My guess is that the Heartbeat Bill got introduced as a way to overcome an impasse .
As you ’ re saying , well I tell you what I want this .
Well , you can ’ t have that !
Well , how about if I give you this ?
That ’ s kind of the thing .
Where the whole thing fell off the rails though was in the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Heartbeat Bill was to overcome some objection to the COVID-19 bill or potentially some of the stuff in the budget .
Now I don ’ t know .
Leahy : Such a bill did not pass .
Roberts : It did not pass .
It got bogged down .
Roberts : It got bogged down in the House over issues of constitutionality .
There is an argument as to why it ’ s not constitutional .
There ’ s an argument of why it is .
At the end of the day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this .
You have experts disagreeing .
Leahy : So the COVID-19 Liability bill is important for the governor .
Tell our listeners why that bill is important to the governor and others .
Roberts : If I leave here to go to McDonald ’ s to get an Egg McMuffin and then a few days later I test positive for COVID-19 and I think who has got the deepest pockets that I can blame this on ?
Roberts : People say why are the restaurant lobbies not open ?
I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the phase that they are in .
When you go to the outlying counties there aren ’ t under these restrictions why are their lobbies open ?
Well if you are a Nashville chain and you have a drive-thru , why in the world would you want to open the lobby and open that exposure to yourself ?
On the one hand , you ’ ve got the trial lawyers saying we want to be able to sue if something is wrong here .
On the other hand , you have businesses saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choice in what we did .
So the question is , who are you trying to protect from lawsuits here .
You are basically trying to protect the people from suing saying I got COVID-19 because of you .
What I definitely think is , if you got put out of business because Mayor Cooper shut you down , you ought to be able to file a lawsuit I think .
What do you think ?
Leahy : If the government has shut you down you ought to be able to file a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s sort of like the Trump rally .
Roberts : If you go to the Trump rally and you get COVID-19 you ’ re not able to sue Trump .
Leahy : Well this is why they required the signing of the waiver .
Leahy : I think the legal scenario would be that there should be an implied waiver .
Roberts : But if my business was deemed non-essential put me out of business where do I get relief ?
Leahy : Here ’ s the takeaway .
Will there bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roberts : There ’ s definitely rumor of it and that there might be a special session .
But I don ’ t know how and when .
Trying to get everybody back together to do something .
Leahy : Get the old gang back together ?
( Chuckles ) Roberts : And quite honestly , they ’ ve got to overcome the objection that the bill in its retroactive nature is not unconstitutional .
Roberts : That ’ s where it got bogged down in the House .
You had Republicans jump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that its unconstitutional and people buy into it .
And he made a very good argument .
Leahy : The problem also is that it ’ s something like that you can ’ t really figure that out in a week .
Roberts : That ’ s right .
You need a summer study .
Let ’ s have a summer study .
( Leahy laughs ) Leahy : Let ’ s have a summer study !
I like that idea .
Listen to the second hour here : Tune in weekdays from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ Tennessee Capitol ” by FaceMePls .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-24--Trump Says He’ll Issue Executive Order to Protect Monuments

WASHINGTON , D.C. ( AP ) — President Donald Trump said Tuesday he ’ ll issue an executive order to protect monuments that are coming under new scrutiny as America wrestles with racism during the unrest sparked by the police killing of George Floyd .
Trump has been clear that he opposes the removal of monuments of leaders of the Confederacy or other distasteful aspects of American history .
Commenting as he departed the White House for a trip to Arizona , Trump said , “ I will have an executive order very shortly , and all it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s already there , but in a more uniform way.
” At a time of nationwide protests over racial injustice and inequality , Trump has aligned himself squarely on the side of those who argue that the pendulum has swung too far in the direction of eliminating reminders of hated aspects of American history .
Trump had tweeted late Monday that those who tried to topple a statue of President Andrew Jackson in Lafayette Park across the street from the White House faced 10 years in prison under the Veterans Memorial Preservation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s favorite presidents .
The federal statute Trump cites subjects anyone who willfully injures or destroys , or attempts to injure or destroy , any structure , plaque , statue or other monument on public property commemorating the service of any person or persons in the armed forces of the United States to fines , up to 10 years imprisonment or both .
Darlene Superville is a reporter for The Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo : President Donald Trump speaks with reporters before departing on Marine One on the South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , June 23 , 2020 , in Washington .
( AP Photo/Alex Brandon )


thetennesseestar--2020-06-24--Media Focus on Driver Who Hit Agitator During Louisville ‘Protest’ That Led to 17 Arrests

A small but chaotic protest in Louisville , Kentucky , last Wednesday led to seventeen arrests , five cars towed , and one confiscated gun , but for some reason , the local media initially focused like a laser beam on a panicked woman in a car that struck a “ protester.
” Louisville has seen unrest since May 28 over the shooting of 26-year-old Breonna Taylor , a unarmed black woman killed by police during a shootout in her apartment .
The incident happened during a no-knock raid for drugs in her apartment on March 13 .
During a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old black woman plowed into an agitator with her car after it was mobbed by violent rioters .
The activist is seen on video getting up and walking away after being hit .
Viral headlines blared the message that the police were hot on the trail of the driver who hit one of the “ protesters ” blocking the street , as if she was the one who had acted unlawfully .
The woman quickly turned herself in , telling police that she had seen one person with a handgun and “ was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the incident report , she told police that the rioters had reached into her car and assaulted her , pulling out a dreadlock .
They also scratched her window , she said .
The video shows her backing up as the altercation heats up , and then pulling forward and speeding away as agitators swarmed her car .
Another recording shows a protester pointing a gun at the car as it sped away .
Eventually , police showed up in riot gear and fired pepper balls at the agitators who were unlawfully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also parked their cars in the street to act as additional obstacles .
Louisville Metro Police spokesman Lamont Washington said police arrested 17 people for offenses that include “ inciting a riot , second-degree disorderly conduct , obstructing a highway , harassment with contact , second-degree fleeing and third-degree assault.
” “ Again , we have repeatedly asked protesters not to block intersections , which is what prompted police action this morning , ” Washington said in a statement .
Like police in other Democrat-controlled cities , Louisville cops having been operating under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , a retired Louisville police officer led a protest to express frustration with city and police officials for “ inadequate ” leadership amid the unrest .
More than 100 off-duty and retired officers stood behind George Rodman , a 2017 retiree and father of a fallen officer , at Central Park in Old Louisville .
“ ( Officers ) are mentally and physically exhausted , ” Rodman said .
“ Unappreciated by the mayor and elected officials .
Bewildered , frustrated , hesitant , abandoned , and most of all , judged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers are being abused by protesters and their families threatened on a daily basis , Rodman said .
They ’ re hit with glass bottles filled with urine or gas , feces , bricks and homemade explosives .
Some are verbally berated , physically assaulted and shot at , he said .
Following the altercation last Wednesday , Louisville police arrested Darius Anderson for pointing a gun at the driver .
The detective said Anderson passed it off to Brionna Richards , “ who then hid the gun in a vehicle.
” Police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the arrest citation .
Both Anderson and Richards were charged with “ rioting , tampering with physical evidence , disorderly conduct and obstructing a highway.
” Additionally , Anderson was charged with “ wanton endangerment and third-degree criminal mischief.
” The driver of the vehicle was not charged .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-24--Kerry Roberts and Clint Brewer Weigh in on John Bolton’s Gripe with Trump and Question the Loyalty o

Kerry Roberts and Clint Brewer Weigh in on John Bolton’s Gripe with Trump and Question the Loyalty of Previous Administration Picks

Live from Music Row Tuesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy and state Senator Kerry Roberts welcomed public affairs strategist Clint Brewer to the studio .
During the third hour , Roberts and Brewer gave their take on John Bolton ’ s new book and discussed his discontent with the way that Trump would “ wing ” decision making .
They both agreed that Trump has had a pattern of hiring and firing but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to establish any loyalty from many of his key administration .
Leahy : Book deal Bolton guys .
John Bolton .
The book is available now .
The judge said it could be .
It was out there already .
Attorney General Barr told John Bolton , well you know , you didn ’ t follow the procedure .
There is a procedure we have here , John .
If you are a former government official , you have to submit anything to the White House Counsel for review to see if they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And under the law , John , if you don ’ t do that then the government gets the proceeds of your book .
I don ’ t know .
What ’ s your take on this Clint ?
What do you think of old John Bolton ?
Brewer : John ’ s always been a little too hawkish for me .
I think even Trump made the quip that John Bolton never met a country he didn ’ t want to blow up .
Brewer : For all of their collective histrionics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for each other .
( Leahy chuckles ) I always thought that was a bad appointment .
It ’ s a time-honored tradition .
You roll out of the White House and you write a book .
It ’ s part of the D.C. two-step .
It is certainly not a surprise .
I ’ m not going to read it , let ’ s put it that way .
I think it ’ s just Bolton being Bolton .
This is pretty deformed for him .
Roberts : As somebody said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ book is The Room Where it Happened .
And somebody said why were they even in the same room in the first place ?
They were a mismatch from the start .
Leahy : That ’ s Clint ’ s point .
I think a lot of people would tend to agree with that .
Of course , the problem that the president has is he keeps selecting people that end up hating his guts .
Go ahead , Kerry .
Roberts : And of course what critics hope is that at some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it with this guy because everybody he ’ s associated with ends up not liking him ?
And you know what ?
I ’ d just say that was not true in business .
Coming into the presidency you had a long line of people who have been with him loyally for years .
It might just signal the fact that the corruption runs deep in Washington .
And when you try to hire people who ’ ve got Washington experience they may have an agenda that ’ s not yours .
Leahy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who have been hired by the president to run the government that have turned on him , it ’ s pretty long .
Rex Tillerson who I never understood why he selected him to be Secretary of State .
The former Exxon CEO .
He was kind of an imperial Secretary of State .
He wouldn ’ t implement the president ’ s agenda .
The president fired him .
But the president hired him .
Former secretary of defense James Mattis who apparently was hired wouldn ’ t implement the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public disagreement .
Put his hand up for virtue-signaling sainthood and left and then criticized the president .
Former Chief of Staff General John Kelly criticized the president .
We have a bit of a pattern here .
Brewer : Yes , it ’ s a pattern .
The problem I ’ ve got with it is everything you said is true .
They are all really qualified people though .
That ’ s my problem with it .
I would like to see a White House that can bring in people like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , heck , at Exxon he had his own foreign policy they were so big .
It ’ s not like he was new to the situation .
Mattis , you ’ re not going to find a guy with a better service record .
And Kelly , I think he hung in there pretty long before he got fed up .
I would just like to see and I think a lot of Americans would like to see just a little more harmony .
( Leahy laughs ) A little more working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in somebody that ’ s a step below that quality of person so that they don ’ t have at center put so much of their own agenda .
I mean , you might have reached the laws of diminishing returns with the resumes of some of those folks .
Leahy : I ’ ll take a little different view than you on Tillerson and Mattis and Kelly to a degree .
I think they did not ultimately recognize the constitutional authority of the President and his authority to pursue his own agenda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pursue their agenda but to pursue his .
I think Tillerson had that problem .
Mattis definitely had that problem .
I ’ ve talked to a lot of people in the military particularly our own Neil McCabe who said that guy was a bad hire from the beginning .
Brewer : When you are building an administration or really any government office , loyalty is the only true currency .
Right ?
If you have people who are loyal to you then you can get a lot done .
If you don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump coming from outside of politics he had generations of high-level operatives or public servants around to draw from .
He had to start from scratch .
To his credit , he went out there to try and get the best and brightest .
They weren ’ t people that were terribly loyal to his personal agenda .
Leahy : Not even a scintilla of loyalty from what I can tell .
But maybe not .
Brewer : No .
When you look at past administrations when George W. Bush came in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his father ’ s past administration staffing the first two years so the government runs correctly .
You saw that .
Leahy : It ’ s kind of interesting you use that phrase .
So the government runs correctly .
Brewer : I mean you keep the trains running on time .
Running the West Wing is quite an operation .
Leahy : Have you been to the East Wing ?
Brewer : It ’ s been some time .
But yes I have .
Leahy : State Senator Kerry Roberts , have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roberts : It depends on whether you consider or not extending across the parking lot into the executive office building .
I ’ ve been in the executive office building .
I ’ ve been in the parking lot .
( Leahy laughs ) Leahy : I went on a tour many many years ago .
I ’ d not been in the West Wing .
That ’ s a pretty heavy experience to be there , isn ’ t it ?
Brewer : I didn ’ t quite get the full tour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that you ’ ve got to look at how people get appointed and why .
And the president didn ’ t have that pool of people to pull from .
Leahy : No , not at all .
Brewer : And to Senator Roberts comments about his business and how he had an extensive business network .
I think he relied on that network .
And I think CEO ’ s in general like generals .
They like to hire generals .
That ’ s a thing .
You see a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corporate settings .
I just don ’ t think he picked well .
Leahy : I completely agree with that .
I don ’ t think he picked well at all .
Question for state Senator Kerry Roberts .
Kerry , was that a reflection of the fact that he just didn ’ t have the connections or just didn ’ t have the vetting ?
That ’ s part one .
Part two .
If he ’ s re-elected , will he pick better in the second term ?
Roberts : Wow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question .
Of course part of Bolton ’ s point in his book is that Trump wings it .
Leahy : Let me just stop for a minute .
Clint , would agree that Trump wings a lot ?
Leahy : I think everybody would .
His instincts are pretty good .
Roberts : Yes .
And of course , that ’ s Bolton ’ s big criticism is that he doesn ’ t have a plan .
He just shoots from the hip and he cites his comment from Art of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having a plan is a bit of a plan .
In other words , being tactical and reacting in real-time to events out there .
That ’ s what he ’ s doing .
Roberts : It can be both a blessing and a curse .
You ’ ve got the ability to react to things as they unfold .
You can think quickly on your feet .
You can move and you ’ re not bogged down .
But on the other hand , there are some things that require continuity and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s point is that that is foreign policy .
Foreign policy is a place where you need consistency .
So that ’ s why Bolton will get some traction but not among the people who love Trump .
Leahy : 30 seconds .
Clint , what happens to John Bolton ’ s career ?
Brewer : I think he goes back into the pool of former officials like he was before and probably teaches somewhere and does a bunch of media and everybody forgets about him .
Leahy : I think everybody forgets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
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 “ Donald Trump ” and “ John Bolton ” by Gage Skidmore .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-24--SCOTUS Abortion Case May Be in The Hands of Chief Justice Roberts

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts may play a pivotal role in a the first major SCOTUS abortion place to occur during President Donald Trump ’ s administration .
Both Roberts and Justice Neil Gorsuch joined the court ’ s four liberal judges in a landmark decision June 15 that federal law protects LGBT employees from discrimination , while Roberts joined the liberal justices in a ruling announced Thursday that the Trump Administration could not terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals ( DACA ) program .
The tie-breaking vote in June Medical Services v. Russo may be left to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the liberal justices in recent cases have sparked anxieties that he may have also joined them on June Medical Services v. Russo — a case in which an abortion provider challenges a 2014 Louisiana state law .
The Unsafe Abortion Protection Act , or Act 620 , requires abortion providers to have admitting privileges in a hospital within 30 miles of the abortion facility .
These admitting privileges would allow a woman to go directly to the hospital if she were to need urgent care .
Opponents say the Unsafe Abortion Protection Act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Louisiana .
Advocates said the law protects women from unsafe or unhygienic abortion clinic practices .
June Medical Services v. Russo differs from other recent SCOTUS decisions , The Hill reports : while the LGBT and DACA cases allowed justices to interpret federal law , this abortion case will have the supreme court justices draw on rulings they have made on abortion in the past .
When the Supreme Court ruled on the 2016 abortion case , Whole Women ’ s Health v. Hellerstedt , Roberts dissented from the SCOTUS decision to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctors to be required to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals , the publication reports .
Whole Women ’ s Health v. Hellerstedt and June Medical Services v. Russo are strikingly similar cases , and should SCOTUS use the Louisiana abortion case to overturn the previous 2016 ruling , many may see this as a political move on Robert ’ s part .
“ Roberts has as much if not more of an interest than anyone in the public face and integrity of the court , ” Steven Schwinn , a law professor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told The Hill .
“ He is acutely aware that if the court were to take dramatic actions in the Louisiana case , like overturning Hellerstedt , it would widely be seen as a sheer political move.
” The abortion case at hand is already fraught with emotion : when the Supreme Court took up the case in March , both pro-life and pro-abortion protestors gathered in the cold outside the court as figures like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer spoke out in support of abortion access .
“ I want to tell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rally outside the Supreme Court , video from the event shows , “ and I want to tell you Kavanaugh .
You have released the whirlwind , and you will pay the price .
You won ’ t know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions.
” A spokesman for Schumer told the DCNF at the time that Schumer was referencing the political price Republicans “ will pay for putting them on the court , ” and that his remarks were “ a warning that the justices will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of reproductive rights against the decision.
” In a rare response , Roberts condemned Schumer ’ s remarks , saying : “ Justices know that criticism comes with the territory , but threatening statements of this sort from the highest levels of government are not only inappropriate , they are dangerous.
” “ All members of the Court will continue to do their job , without fear or favor , from whatever quarter , ” Roberts added .
Attorneys for the Center for Reproductive Rights , which filed June Medical Services v. Gee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only two abortion providers who have admitting privileges in the state and that there is “ no medical justification ” for these admitting privileges since abortion is “ extremely safe.
” Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has maintained that the law does not force clinic closures , citing the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals finding that “ there is no evidence that any of the clinics will close as a result of the Act.
” Louisiana abortion providers will be able to obtain admitting privileges if they are providing competent care , Landry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Landry expressed hope about the ruling to the DCNF in June , emphasizing that “ Louisiana abortion providers have a record of non-compliance with basic safety regulations , and now they want a special exemption from generally-accepted medical standards that apply to similar surgical procedures in our State.
” “ Women seeking abortions deserve better than that ; they should have the same assurance of prompt and proper care in the event of complications , ” he said .
The decision could come as early as Monday , the Hill reports .
Louisiana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the Daily Caller News Foundation in June that the organization , which introduced the law with Democratic Louisiana state Sen. Katrina Jackson , was “ anxiously awaiting ” the decision , warning that “ the Louisiana abortion industry , with its long history of health and safety violations , can not speak for Louisiana women.
” Mary Margaret Olohan is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-24--A Third Shooting Reported in Seattle’s CHAZ as Mayor Moves to End the Police-Free ‘Occupation’

Seattle Police Tuesday morning reported the third shooting in Seattle ’ s Capitol Hill “ autonomous zone ” since Saturday .
In all , four people have been shot in CHAZ , including one victim who died .
The shooting was reported just before 5:00 a.m. just outside of Cal Anderson Park on the edge of the zone , also known as the Capitol Hill Organized Protest ( CHOP ) .
According to the SPD Blotter , people began calling 911 at 4:37 am Tuesday to report a man in his 30s had been shot .
Officers and Seattle Fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victim outside the area known as the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest ( CHOP ) .
The victim refused to provide any information about the circumstances surrounding the shooting or a suspect description to officers .
Medics transported the victim to Harborview Medical Center for treatment of a gunshot wound to the calf .
There were additional reports of shots fired in the CHOP around the same time , but no additional victims were confirmed .
Over the weekend there were two other shootings within CHAZ—one early Saturday that left a 19-year-old man dead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one Sunday night that left a 17-year-old wounded .
After a weekend of violence , Mayor Jenny Durkan vowed on Monday to dismantle the police-free occupation and send officers in to restore order .
According to the New York Post , Seattle Police were stopped from responding to the deadly shooting Saturday by “ a human chain of protesters.
” Q13Fox reported that the 17-year-old victim was shot in the arm Sunday night , and refused to speak with police detectives .
Since June 8 , when Seattle police abandoned the East Precinct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have reportedly surged inside and just outside the zone .
Police Chief Carmen Best has stated that police response times to 911 calls in the surrounding area have “ more than tripled ” because the force is down a station.
“ Emergency calls , which often means somebody ’ s being assaulted , sometimes it ’ s a rape , sometimes it ’ s a robbery , but something bad is happening if it ’ s a top priority call , and we ’ re not able to get there , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team for the CHAZ includes members of the Puget Sound John Brown Gun Club , a far-left militia-type organization , according to independent journalist Andy Ngo , who spent “ five terrifying days ” in the autonomous zone .
Additionally , an armed rapper known as Raz Simone took it upon himself to patrol the area with an armed entourage .
Simone has an arrest record for child cruelty and other charges , Ngo reported .
As American Greatness previously reported , the so-called “ warlord ” was seen handing another man a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a livestream Facebook video .
Mayor Durkan , who initially celebrated the lawless occupation—calling it a “ summer of love ” —reversed course on Monday in the wake of the two shootings over the weekend .
Durkan said the city would move to dismantle the police-free zone because the violence was distracting from the message of the “ peaceful protesters.
” “ The cumulative impacts of the gatherings and protests and the nighttime atmosphere and violence has led to increasingly difficult circumstances for our businesses and residents , ” Durkan said at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have increased and the safety has decreased.
” “ There should be no place in Seattle that the Seattle Fire Department and the Seattle Police Department can ’ t go , ” she added .
Debra Heine reports for American Greatness .
Photo “ CHAZ Seattle ” by Derek Simeone .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-24--Cuomo: Statues Coming Down Is a ‘Healthy Expression’

Democratic Gov .
Andrew Cuomo of New York said he supports tearing down statues Tuesday , noting that it is a powerful statement about equality and anti-racism .
“ People are making a statement about equality , about community , to be against racism , against slavery .
I think those are good statements , ” Cuomo said Tuesday on “ Today.
” “ It ’ s a healthy expression of people saying , ‘ Let ’ s get some priorities here , and let ’ s remember the sin and mistake that this nation made and let ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added .
Cuomo ’ s comments came a day after he publicly supported the removal of the Theodore Roosevelt statue , located outside the American Museum of Natural History in New York City .
The museum requested the removal of the city-owned statue on Sunday in a statement .
The depictions of a Native American and African person walking along Roosevelt ’ s horse are racist , according to the museum ’ s statement .
“ While the Statue is owned by the City , the Museum recognizes the importance of taking a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Statue should no longer remain and have requested that it be moved , ” the statement reads .
Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio granted the museum ’ s request Monday , according to The New York Times .
“ The statue has representations that clearly do not represent today ’ s values , ” de Blasio said at a press conference Monday .
“ The statue clearly presents a white man as superior to people of color .
And that ’ s just not acceptable in this day and age.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the country in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd .
Floyd died in Minneapolis police custody on May 25 after an officer knelt on his neck , video showed .
Rioters attempted to tear down the monument of former President Andrew Jackson monument outside the White House on Monday night .
Protesters toppled a Christopher Columbus statue Richmond , Virginia , and beheaded a Columbus statue in Boston on June 9 .
The Columbus statue outside Minnesota ’ s Capitol was torn down on June 10 .
The statue of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a former President George Washington statue in Chicago and a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee in Montgomery , Alabama , have also been attacked in the weeks following Floyd ’ s death .
“ Can you overdo it ?
Of course you can , ” Cuomo said Tuesday morning .
Cuomo has come out in support of keeping the Columbus monument in New York City because of its importance to the Italian-American community in New York , NPR reported earlier in June .
Thomas Catenacci is a reporter for the Daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cuomo ” by Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-24--‘Absolute Lie’: DFL Chairman Falsely Claims Jason Lewis ‘Denouncing Need for Police Reform’

Minnesota DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin falsely claimed that Republican Senate candidate Jason Lewis is “ denouncing the need for police reform.
” Lewis , a former congressman who ’ s running against Sen. Tina Smith ( D-MN ) , hosted a press conference Monday outside the Minneapolis Police Department ’ s Third Precinct to express his support for the “ good men and women of law enforcement , ” and condemn Democratic efforts to abolish the police .
In a statement released Monday , seemingly before Lewis even began his press conference , Martin falsely accused the Republican of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ Lewis set to denounce police reform in front of Minneapolis Third Precinct Police Headquarters , ” said a press release from the DFL .
“ Once again , Jason Lewis proves he ’ s not interested in finding solutions to problems we face , but rather exploits them for his own partisan gain , ” Martin said in the press release .
“ He denies any wrongdoing in our systems , and ignores Minnesotans ’ demands for reform.
” But Lewis explicitly stated during his press conference that he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and announced his support for Sen. Tim Scott ’ s ( R-SC ) JUSTICE Act .
“ We ’ re all on board .
I fought hard for opportunity zones in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act .
We all want progress and that ’ s part of it – some of this criminal justice reform – but it is not the abolishment of criminal justice , especially for violent offenders , ” Lewis said during the press conference .
He criticized Democrats for “ holding up ” Scott ’ s bill in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they “ don ’ t really want reform.
” “ They want a political issue , ” Lewis said , noting that he authored the Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 2018 and coauthored the SAFE Justice Act with Rep. Bobby Scott ( D-VA-03 ) .
“ Not only at the press conference did I endorse Tim Scott ’ s bill , and say Democrats are holding it up deliberately so they have an issue , which was explicit in our announcement , so there ’ s police reform right there , ” Lewis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 115th [ Congress ] I was the author of the juvenile justice reform bill that was passed , signed into law .
And then I cosponsored another one with a liberal Democrat from Virginia , Bobby Scott , the SAFE Justice Act , which was further criminal justice reform .
It didn ’ t make it.
” “ It ’ s an absolute lie , ” Lewis said of Martin ’ s statement .
“ It is kind of bizarre , but that ’ s what Democrats do and they get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four cameras ” from various news outlets were present at his Monday conference , but “ not one of them ” ran the story , except for The Star Tribune .
“ That ’ s not the first time this has happened .
The Metro media is clearly spiking us , ” he told The Sun .
“ The other takeaway , and why we did the conference , is we ’ re just not going to throw every cop under the bus .
This is a do-or-die moment for Minnesota .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are going to wake up and say , ‘ Who lost Minnesota ?
’ And it ’ s going to be the people who voted for Frey and Walz and Smith.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Ken Martin ” by Ken Martin .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-24--Judge Declines to Pause Order Reopening Gyms, Despite Whitmer Request

A federal judge refused on Monday to pause an order to reopen indoor gyms in Michigan , despite Gov .
Gretchen Whiter filing an appeal in a higher court .
U.S. District Court Judge Paul Maloney ruled on Friday that indoor gyms could reopen on June 25 .
Gyms are not explicitly permitted in the MI Safe Start plan , which denotes when certain industries can reopen in Michigan .
Maloney said in his opinion that gyms would be held to the same standard as other workplaces .
Whitmer ’ s administration asked Maloney to pause the order , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was not convinced “ that the injunction harms the public interest.
” “ The focus must be on the prevention of injury , not merely preservation of the status quo , ” Maloney said , according to the outlet .
Maloney ’ s original ruling was in response to a lawsuit filed against the state n May by a coalition of gyms which claimed the executive orders keeping gyms closed were “ broad and overreaching.
” “ Unfortunately , on the record before it , the court has not been presented with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the continued closure of indoor gyms and the preservation of public health , ” Maloney said , according to The Detroit News .
Whitmer and Robert Gordon , the director for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services , requested the 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals “ immediately ” suspend Maloney ’ s order , The Detroit News reported .
“ The last thing that anyone wishes to see is a second wave of the pandemic that may require a return of limitations that have already been relaxed , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The success of the Governor ’ s efforts has placed Michigan in a small category of states in which the pandemic is significantly receding , and this ruling creates the risk of reversing this trend.
” Michigan has more than 68,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and more than 6,000 deaths , according to data from MDHHS .
Nearly 50,000 cases are considered recovered .
Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Michigan Star .
Follow her on Twitter at @ JordynPair .
Email her at [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-06-24--Republican Pete Stauber, Former Law Enforcement Officer, Carries Police Reform Bill in the House

Rep. Pete Stauber ( R-MN-08 ) , a former law enforcement officer of more than 20 years , announced last week that he will carry police reform legislation in the U.S. House .
Sen. Tim Scott ( R-SC ) introduced on Wednesday the Just and Unifying Solutions to Invigorate Communities Everywhere ( JUSTICE ) Act , a Republican-backed police reform bill that was set in motion after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Stauber , who introduced the House companion of the JUSTICE Act on Thursday , said he “ was devastated watching the video of George Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police officer.
” “ The cruel and inhumane actions perpetrated by those officers go against everything I stood for during my time in law enforcement , ” Stauber said in a statement .
“ George Floyd ’ s life mattered , and the best way to honor his memory is by enacting change within police departments nationwide .
That ’ s why I am proud to introduce the JUSTICE Act , which offers pragmatic solutions to improve policing.
” The bill aims to improve law enforcement transparency by requiring annual reports from police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , serious bodily injury , or the discharge of a firearm .
Under the legislation , agencies would be required to maintain and share disciplinary records with one another and review those records before making a hiring decision .
Additionally , the bill would provide $ 500 million to state and local law enforcement agencies to equip all officers with body cameras .
Another provision in the bill would increase criminal penalties for any individual who knowingly falsifies a police report .
In regards to improving officer performance , the bill would withhold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that has not implemented a chokehold ban .
If passed , the U.S. Attorney General and Department of Justice would be asked to develop training curricula on de-escalation techniques , interacting with mentally ill individuals , and duty to intervene requirements .
“ In order to truly make progress on public safety , and unite this nation , it is imperative to rebuild trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve .
The JUSTICE Act will do just that by implementing community policing best practices , creating transparency when it comes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holding officers and departments alike accountable for their actions , ” Stauber said .
“ Delivering lasting reform should not be a partisan issue , and I am looking forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on this important issue .
Our nation is calling for change , and I am confident that we will rise to the occasion.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-24--Gov. DeWine Endorses Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and Dayton Area Being the New Permanent Home fo

Gov. DeWine Endorses Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and Dayton Area Being the New Permanent Home for the Space Force

Gov .
Mike DeWine backed the idea of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base ( WPAFB ) and the surrounding Dayton region being the new headquarters for the United States Space Command .
“ Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the Dayton region would be excellent hosts for the U.S. Space Command ’ s new headquarters , ” he said .
“ This area is already home to the National Air and Space Intelligence Center , Air Force Research Laboratory , Air Force Life Cycle Management Center , and Air Force Material Command .
It ’ s a powerful combination and a synergy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ else.
” Last month , the Department of Air Force and the Office of the Secretary of Defense said it would accept self-nominations if a base met specific criteria .
Some of the criteria include : • Have a population base that is within the top 150 largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas in the United States • Have a Livability Index score of 50 points out of 100 or higher as determined by the American Association of Retired Persons Public Policy Institute .
In a letter sent to Assistant Secretary of the Air Force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nomination submitted by Beavercreek Mayor Bob Stone .
In Stone ’ s letter , he says the Beavercreek would be an ideal spot for the new Space Force headquarters because the town ’ s community meets all minimum eligibility requirements and would earn a competitive score based on the evaluation criteria .
Furthermore , 22 WPAFB area mayors and two county commissioners signed a letter supporting the nomination of WPAFB to be the next Space Force headquarters .
“ The Dayton Region and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base are ideally positioned to host the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offers an extensive trained and educated workforce in space-related fields supported by on-base organizations , contractors , and world-class academic institutions , ” the letter says .
If the Space Force were to be relocated to Ohio , it would bring the state 1,400 new jobs , according to the governor ’ s press release .
Space Force ’ s current headquarters are temporarily based at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs , Colorado .
President Donald Trump established the Space Force in December 2019 as America ’ s sixth military branch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ developing military space professionals , acquiring military space systems , maturing the military doctrine for space power , and organizing space forces to present to our Combatant Commands , ” according to its about page .
Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media .
If you have any tips , email Zachery at [ email protected ] Follow Zachery on Twitter @ zacheryschmidt2 .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-24--Lamar Alexander Wants Congress to Prepare for Next Pandemic

Senate Health Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander ( R-TN ) said Tuesday that Congress should act this year on “ needed changes ” to prepare for the next pandemic .
This , according to a press release that Alexander posted on his official website .
Alexander made his remarks during a Senate Health Committee hearing where former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist testified about his calls 15 years ago for Congress to prepare for a pandemic .
Witnesses testified as to how the federal government , states , hospitals , and health care providers should prepare for another wave of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on lessons learned from COVID-19 and the past 20 years of pandemic planning , according to the press release .
“ While the nation is in the midst of responding to COVID-19 , the United States Congress should take stock now of what parts of the local , state , and federal response worked , what could work better and how , and be prepared to pass legislation this year to better prepare for the next pandemic , which will surely come , ” Alexander said .
Earlier this month Alexander released “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a white paper outlining five recommendations for Congress to prepare Americans for the next pandemic .
Those recommendations include the following : • Stockpiles , Distribution , and Surges – Rebuild and Maintain Federal and State Stockpiles and Improve Medical Supply Surge Capacity and Distribution • Who is on the Flagpole ?
– Improve Coordination of Federal Agencies During a Public Health Emergency Alexander has invited people to comment , respond , and offer any additional recommendations on the white paper by Friday for the Senate Committee on Health , Education , Labor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at lessons learned from the COVID-19 crisis thus far , many of the challenges Congress has worked to address during the last 20 years still remain , ” Alexander said .
“ Additionally , COVID-19 has exposed some gaps that had not been previously identified .
These include unanticipated shortages of testing supplies and sedative drugs , which are necessary to use ventilators for COVID-19 patients.
” Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Lamar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-24--Appeals Court Orders Dismissal of Michael Flynn Prosecution

WASHINGTON , D.C. ( AP ) — A federal appeals court on Wednesday ordered the dismissal of the criminal case against President Donald Trump ’ s former national security adviser Michael Flynn .
The U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia said in a 2-1 ruling that the Justice Department ’ s decision to abandon the case against Flynn settles the matter , even though Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to prosecutors in special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s Russia investigation .
U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan had declined to immediately dismiss the case , seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department ’ s unusual dismissal request .
About the Headline Photo : In this Dec. 18 , 2018 , file photo , President Donald Trump ’ s former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn arrives at federal court in Washington .
A former federal judge appointed to review the Justice Department ’ s motion to dismiss criminal charges against ex-national security Michael Flynn has found that the government ’ s request should be denied because there is “ clear evidence of a gross abuse of prosecutorial power.
” Former U.S. District Judge John Gleeson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government “ has engaged in highly irregular conduct to benefit a political ally of the President.
” ( AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster , File )


thetennesseestar--2020-06-25--Lamar Alexander, Defending Andrew Jackson Statue, Begs People Not to Erase History

U.S .
Senator Lamar Alexander ( R-TN ) this week took to the floor of the Senate to plead with people to “ not try to erase our history , ” especially as it pertains to former U.S. President Andrew Jackson ’ s statue in Lafayette Square .
During his lifetime , Jackson resided in Tennessee .
According to a press release , Alexander said this in response to other people ’ s efforts to tear the statue down .
“ Presidential historians almost without exception put Andrew Jackson in the top 10 of America ’ s presidents .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subtle political actor who without his devotion to the union , against his own local political interests , the union might well have fallen apart in 1832 or 1833 .
Jackson wasn ’ t born rich .
He wasn ’ t born to privilege .
He fought for everything he had , and he rose to our government ’ s highest office through the sheer force of personality and political courage .
That is the case for Andrew Jackson , ” Alexander said .
“ Now , let us also recognize that Andrew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he was at the center of the two original sins of this country – slavery and the treatment of Native Americans .
But if we ’ re looking for perfection , we ’ re not likely to find it in American history or the history of almost any country or in human nature.
” Alexander then asked what do we do about Thomas Jefferson “ who only freed those slaves that he fathered with his slave mistress ?
” “ What we do about George Washington and Mount Vernon , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we do about Abraham Lincoln , who some people say was slow to act on emancipation ?
What about Franklin D. Roosevelt and his internment of Japanese-Americans in camps during World War Two ?
” Alexander asked .
In additional to the executive branch , Alexander went on to question whether we should judge other members of other branches of government .
“ What are we going to do about Congress — the senators and the members of the House ?
They approved the Trail of Tears – Andrew Jackson ’ s removal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alexander said .
“ And they approved the laws requiring segregation .
And what about the people who elected them to Congress ?
What are we going to do about us , the people of the United States ?
” Alexander suggested that we recognize that it ’ s always appropriate to review the places that we have named or the monuments that we ’ ve put up in the context of today ’ s times .
“ With a history that includes mistakes we today abhor , we should try to learn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future , ” Alexander said .
WUSA-TV in Washington reported that police used pepper spray to move protesters out of Lafayette Square .
Videos posted on social media showed that the protesters had climbed on the statue and tied ropes around it , then tried to pull it off its pedestal .
The statue shows Jackson in a military uniform , riding a horse that is rearing on its hind legs .
The Jackson statue remained on its pedestal Monday night .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to [ email protected ] .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .
Photo “ Andrew Jackson ” by Cliff .
CC BY 2.0 .

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