thetennesseestar--2020-12-15--Georgia Senate Republican Caucus Seats Sixteen Trump Electoral College Delegates in Case SCOTUS Rule

Georgia Senate Republican Caucus Seats Sixteen Trump Electoral College Delegates in Case SCOTUS Rules Out Biden Victory

The Georgia Senate Republican Caucus on Monday seated 16 electors for President Donald Trump , State Senator Brandon Beach ( R-GA-Cherokee ) told The Georgia Star News .
The seating of the electors is in the event that the U.S. Supreme Court does not certify Georgia for Joe Biden , Beach told The Star News .
John Fredericks , of the John Fredericks Radio Network , also reported on the seating of the Georgia Trump delegates .
He tweeted that he heard the news directly from David Shafer , chairman of the Georgia Republican Party .
Fredericks also is publisher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sister publication to The Star News , and he is a Trump 2020 delegate and the chairman of the Trump Virginia Delegation .
Fredericks tweeted , ” Breaking… @ GeorgiaStateGOP led by fearless @ DavidShafer has just seated 16 @ realDonaldTrump electors in case the SCOTUS rules out @ JoeBiden apparent victory and doesn ’ t let Presidential votes in GA be certified !
” The list of Georgia Trump delegates was certified and sent to Governor Brian Kemp , Beach said .
With Trump and his legal team still fighting election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is possible , so the Republican Caucus did not want to fail to meet the Electoral College deadline , which was Monday , Beach said .
“ We are still fighting ; the legal process is still moving forward , ” Beach said .
“ We do feel that there were definitely irregularities in this election.
” Beach pointed to video evidence of suitcases of ballots being counted after hours at State Farm Arena as an example of the election ’ s problems .
“ Whether there was fraud or not — which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the law , ” Beach said , adding they counted ballots without observers from either party , and no one from the Secretary of State ’ s Office or the media .
“ That leads me to believe there was mischief and shenanigans going on , which led to the fraud.
” Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes .
Photo “ Georgia GOP Chair ” by David Shafer .
John Fredericks is the publisher and editor-in-chief of The Virginia Star .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the chairman of the Trump Virginia Delegation .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-15--US Wants to Double COVID-19 Vaccine Order from Pfizer

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said on CNN Monday that the U.S. is seeking to double its COVID-19 vaccine order .
“ So far , we have an agreement with the U.S. Government to provide them 100 million doses and this is a fixed order and we will provide those 100 million doses starting from now by the end of the first quarter and we will honor this commitment , ” Bourla told CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta on “ New Day With Alisyn Camerota and John Berman.
” Trucks and cargo planes loaded with the beginning of almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out on Sunday throughout the U.S. , The New York Times reported .
In every state , hospitals were quickly setting up injection sites and their workers were monitoring the shipments every hour .
“ We are trying to — we can provide them the additional 100 million doses , but right now most of that we can provide in the third quarter .
The U.S. government wants them in the second quarter , ” Bourla said .
“ So we ’ re working very collaboratively with them to make sure that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allocate the doses in the second quarter as well .
But we haven ’ t signed this agreement yet , ” Bourla told Gupta .
The first vaccine was administered a little bit after 9:00 a.m on Monday morning at Long Island Jewish Medical Center located in Queens , New York , the NYT reported .
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) granted emergency authorization on Friday after a key panel approved the vaccine ’ s safety by a large margin .
Pfizer and BioNTech announced in November that their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their Phase Three clinical trial .
President Donald Trump tweeted at FDA Commissioner Dr. Steven M. Hahn to “ get the dam vaccines out NOW ” following the vaccine ’ s approval .

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


thetennesseestar--2020-12-15--Crom Carmichael Breaks Down the Decay of Democratic Cities Designed by Organized Government Crime

Live from Music Row Monday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed the original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael to the studio .
At the end of the second hour , Carmichael discussed the growing decay of democratically controlled cities and cited the need for tighter election laws that held strict penalties for fraud .
He later compared the Chines Communist Party politics to the United States billionaire class which acts as a protective run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Leahy : That ’ s a very good point by the President that Brian Kemp ’ s disappearing act and you know unwillingness to confront the cheating that went on in Georgia is hurting both Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue .
Because the consequence is , you know our John Frederick ’ s is down there with his radio program our partner with The George Star News says people are angry at the Republican party for not fighting stronger and that that may influence their turnout on January fifth .
Carmichael : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what I ’ m talking about .
You know I ’ ve said that the Democrat Party is the party of government .
And you know , we really probably should take it a little bit further .
It was a couple of weeks ago I was talking about how I ’ ve been watching this kind this old series that may be on the History Channel about mobsters and their effect on our society and Al Capone in particular in Chicago and he just took over .
He owned the judges .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he owned the police .
And in Chicago is still , I mean we ’ re talking about that was 90 years ago .
And Al Capone and Chicago is still controlled very much by organized crime or just government crime .
Leahy : They ’ ve become much more sophisticated at cheating and much more well-financed .
Carmichael : Yeah , but it ’ s through the government .
And the people and the people of that area elected them .
And so , you know you I don ’ t know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free society where people are free to elect crooks if they choose to .
And they ’ ve been electing Democrats for 100 years .
Maybe there are no Republicans who will run or even can run .
It ’ s now similar to New York .
And so when you look at New York , you look at Chicago , you look at Los Angeles and you look at San Francisco , those are examples of cities that are most likely in long-term decay now .
Leahy : Oh , yeah .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ And I don ’ t know what Illinois is going to do because the people of Illinois voted against it even though the side was pushing for taking the cap off of the income tax .
Under the constitution of Illinois , the state income tax must be a flat tax .
And Pritzker .
Carmichael : Democrat .
He is the governor that spent tens of millions of dollars trying to get a constitutional amendment passed that would allow for a graduated income tax .
The voters voted that down .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state of Illinois they understand the logic of keeping the tax the same on everybody because it makes it more difficult to raise taxes if you have to tax everybody at the same time .
In Tennessee , we don ’ t have a state income tax .
We have a sales tax .
Leahy : And the best way to do it in my view .
Carmichael : Yes , and that is the form of tax that that is most likely to constrain government .
In Tennessee , we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state level .
Nashville is not so well-governed .
Carmichael : We could argue that and I would not take the other side .
Unfortunately , Nashville has been a one-party city and I ’ ve been here since 1967 and it ’ s been run by Democrats for that entire time .
When Phil Bredesen was mayor he made some changes that were beneficial , but they were beneficial for the short term .
They didn ’ t last very long .
When Marvin Runyon was TVA he closed down a whole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TVA was engaged in and losing money all over the place .
Leahy : That was just kind of a payoff .
Carmichael : Yeah , and I asked him I said Marvin you ’ ve done just an incredible job of reforming TVA should we privatize it now ?
And he said no .
And I said why ?
And he said well because it operates better this way .
And I said , well it wasn ’ t operating well when you took over .
And I said what will keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was after you ’ re gone ?
And he didn ’ t have a good answer for that .
Carmichael : I don ’ t know .
I can tell you I do not know if it ’ s morphed back into a bureaucratic kind of nightmare .
But Nashville has some things that need to be done that aren ’ t being done .
And so when you look across the country now what you see is the Democrat Party being the party of government .
When you look at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of China allows its friends to be successful in China .
Carmichael : If you ’ re not connected to the Communist Chinese Party in China , then you can get by but you ’ re not going to live freely and you ’ re not going to have whatever opportunities you might be able to find .
And if you look at the billionaire class in the U.S. today it really is pushing a government that is protective .
Leahy : Counter to free markets and enterprise and what made America great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Chinese model .
And it will accelerate under Biden .
Carmichael : Yes .
And then the question is whether or not the people in the elections will change that and it ’ ll be up to the Republicans who control the legislators in the very states that we ’ re talking about to change their election laws .
To tighten them up and put enormous penalties on those who commit fraud at the smallest level .
I mean even at the smallest level those who commit fraud .
Carmichael : And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislators in those states .
Leahy : And it ’ s one that our listeners can help with I think going forward .
Carmichael : I think so .
In Tennessee , we are in good shape in terms of our election laws .
Listen to the full second hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-15--Commentary: Courts’ Inaction Tell Voters Democrat Election Fraud Is ‘Too Big to Fail’

The courts have spoken , one after another .
Some 74 million Americans have been denied our day in court .
The Democrats ’ crime of stealing a presidential election is too big to fail .
Our play-it-safe judges don ’ t want to venture into these enormous seas , full of sharks , without precedent .
They want to say in the safe spaces of the familiar .
Stealing an election for city council is familiar enough to be overturned by law .
Stealing a presidential election by wholesale fraud is above the law .
One might think that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to catch the whale of Democrat fraud in the election , but for one thing : the declarations from the bench that it is unthinkable to “ upend an election.
” Our judges tell us that ruling fraudulent ballots invalid would “ disenfranchise ” millions of voters .
These are political statements .
They are pusillanimous statements .
They are not legal statements .
Upending an election has no precedent , we are told .
But stealing a presidential election on this scale has no precedent , either .
The courts are saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they require a politically consequential act to be redressed , then no redress is allowed .
We are told there is no redress because the problem is political .
Yes , stealing an election is political .
It is also illegal .
It is also unconstitutional .
The judges ’ angry rebukes of the Republican plaintiffs are bogus by the very terms they use .
If our judges are not willing to “ disenfranchise ” fraudulent and illegal votes , then they are disenfranchising the entire country .
We are not getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the Supreme Court tells us our state attorneys have no standing to protect our votes .
The evidence will not be heard in court .
We can not see the evidence formally submitted , discovery allowed , or 500 sworn testimonies of wrongdoing examined .
Because none of us have the legal right to protest this heinous crime .
Because we should have gone to court before the crime was committed , not after .
Now is too late .
This is a failure of our justice system on a massive scale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wrong place or the wrong person to be heard .
But the evidence is still there .
When those charged with defense of our laws will not defend them , the fraud will become institutionalized .
There will be no remedy after the fact .
Democrat-controlled states will be safe havens for election rules that bake in the outcome .
Chinese corruption and cyberwarfare in our election system will be hardened , not corrected .
We will not have another fair election in our country .
There is no “ next time.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Corps in West Africa , was a clinical social worker and psychotherapist , and is now a writer and regular contributor to American Thinker and American Greatness .
Photo “ Inside SCOTUS ” by Phil Roeder CC2.0


thetennesseestar--2020-12-15--Commentary: Will America’s Politically Disenfranchised Unite Against the Corporate Elites Bend on Ru

Commentary: Will America’s Politically Disenfranchised Unite Against the Corporate Elites Bend on Ruling Them?

By now most America First conservatives have recognized the common agenda of libertarians and progressives .
These two groups have significant differences , of course .
For example , progressives are pro-union while libertarians prefer employee choice .
But on most of the biggest issues , their agendas now align .
The alliance is a mismatch , however , for two reasons .
First , because progressives have far more money and institutional power , and second , because progressives are serious , whereas libertarians tend to favor symbolic gestures .
The result of this is a one-sided alliance where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their policy agenda move from theory to reality is when it also serves the interests of progressives .
For example , libertarians : • Support “ free movement of peoples ” but can ’ t prevent expensive welfare programs that attract economic migrants .
• Support “ free trade ” but are indifferent to the impact that cheap foreign labor and foreign subsidies have on eliminating manufacturing jobs for Americans .
• Support the right to be a homeless drug addict , but can ’ t prevent government hand-outs that attract more homeless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give them free housing .
• Support “ upzoning ” residential neighborhoods but don ’ t prevent developer subsidies or greenbelts that strangle the growth of cities .
• Oppose government-funded infrastructure , which stops new freeway construction or projects to increase the water supply , but can ’ t prevent subsidized rail transit projects or water rationing .
• Support the right of big tech platforms to censor free speech , with no apparent recognition that these companies have built monopolies and are manipulating public opinion .
The common thread in all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to recognize that when governments only adopt half of a principle they support , it only makes matters worse .
The other half of the principle of open borders is no welfare state .
The other half of the principle of free trade is fair trade .
The other half of the principle of personal freedom is personal responsibility .
The principle of reducing zoning restrictions inside cities also requires us to reduce them outside of cities .
And so on .
Libertarians support the progressives where their principles supposedly align , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two .
Progressives are using libertarians , and the libertarians still haven ’ t caught on .
You will now find progressive “ thought leaders ” welcomed at conferences funded by libertarian billionaires .
These progressives sit on panels where they proclaim the virtues of open borders , free trade , urban planning , sentencing reform , and “ free market ” solutions to climate change .
Libertarian attendees fill the conference rooms – at least they used to , before life in the age of COVID-19 , and they will again – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have found “ common ground ” with the cool kids .
And when libertarians get their turns to speak at these events , expect them , for example , to expound on the ability for anyone in America to build one ’ s own search engine , internet service provider , alternative internet backbone , and cell phone manufacturing plant , because that ’ s how we overcome censorship .
Throughout this foray into fantasyland , progressives nod indulgently , thinking to themselves , why rock the boat ?
Of course , Big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t normally like monopolies .
But Big Tech isn ’ t censoring us , they ’ re censoring them .
The negative consequences of libertarian naïveté should be obvious .
As noted , their think tanks and lobbyists skew policies in critical areas towards outcomes that favor the progressive agenda .
And their candidates for office often spoil the prospects for Republican candidates , most recently in Georgia on November 3 , where U.S. Senate candidate David Perdue , a Republican , fell 0.3 percent short of a majority because Libertarian Shane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote .
Anyone who thinks Perdue wouldn ’ t have picked up one in seven of the Hazel voters if Hazel had not been in the race is probably .
.
.
a libertarian .
To properly understand what America First conservatives are up against , it ’ s important to follow the money .
Progressives , collectively , have trillions at their disposal .
Just the top 10 richest individuals in America – before the COVID-19 shutdown made them even wealthier – had a cumulative net worth of $ 974 billion .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Buffet , Ellison , Ballmer , Musk , Page , Brin , and three Waltons .
Anyone there who isn ’ t a progressive ?
Maybe Musk .
Maybe the Waltons—then again , maybe not .
What about the biggest companies in America ?
Microsoft , Apple , Amazon , Google , Facebook , Walmart , Johnson & Johnson , JP Morgan Chase , Visa , Procter & Gamble .
How might the political leanings of these conglomerates be characterized ?
Hint – click on their names to have a look at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Rarely have search results appeared so fast , or so consistently at the top .
Where there is money , there is also the urge to spend it : Think of Mark Zuckerberg laying down $ 400 million to “ get out the vote ” – the Biden vote – in select cities in swing states .
Zuckerberg can spend $ 400 million the way most of us buy a cup of coffee .
And then there are George Soros , Michael Bloomberg , Tom Steyer , and dozens of others willing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hundreds of millions , to steer public policy according to their will .
If the progressives now control trillion dollar chunks of American wealth , and they do , libertarians control billions .
The libertarians who immediately come to mind are Charles Koch and his late brother David , whose support of “ right-wing ” organizations earned them years of enmity from progressives .
But the Kochs , and the organizations they funded , were never devoted to America First conservative ideology .
They were devoted to globalism and libertarianism , in that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Koch network withheld support for three Republican U.S. Senate candidates in 2018 .
One of them , Dean Heller , who was the incumbent U.S .
Senator in Nevada , subsequently lost to Democrat Jacky Rosen , endangering the GOP ’ s razor thin majority .
More recently , Charles Koch told the Wall Street Journal , “ partisanship was a mistake.
” That ’ s because the common ground libertarians have with progressives is now in the open .
But the Koch money , and libertarian money in general , was never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wealth .
Last of all in line for money are the America First conservatives .
As candidates , they will face progressives who will use their trillions to destroy them , as libertarians withhold their billions and , at best , stand on the sidelines .
If these America First candidates are lucky , they ’ ll raise a few million , mostly from small individual donors .
Very few wealthy individuals have been willing to step up .
If it weren ’ t for the personal magnetism and powerful message of Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ignited , there wouldn ’ t be an America First movement .
It would lack critical mass .
It would be irrelevant .
Before Donald Trump was president , before there was MAGA , and before Americans realized their national sovereignty was at risk , it was easier for the elites to maintain the illusion of competition between Republicans and Democrats .
Libertarians and progressives , for that matter , and especially at the grassroots , were far more focused on the issues where they disagreed .
But then in came Trump , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negotiations , withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accords , increasing border security , approving the Keystone and Dakota Access pipelines , demanding trade reciprocity , pressuring NATO allies to pull their weight , and standing up to China .
These actions threatened wealth .
They threatened every trillion-dollar and billion-dollar interest group in America .
They served notice , for the first time in decades , that the American people mattered more than America ’ s super rich .
And with this , the progressive trillions and the libertarian billions found the ultimate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ globalism .
But they may have grossly miscalculated .
Even if their preferred candidate , Joe Biden , takes office in January , his announced cabinet choices may finally have awakened the progressive grassroots .
His appointees are a combination of Wall Street kingpins and Obama Administration military interventionists—uniparty neocons wearing blue .
His administration may be expected to resume exporting jobs , importing welfare recipients , and starting wars .
Meanwhile his progressive policies on the environment will make housing and energy unaffordable across the nation , and his progressive policies on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racial tension while solving absolutely nothing .
There is a possibility that a Biden presidency will split the progressive grassroots .
Many of them will start to realize that Trump might not have been so bad after all .
Some will look at Biden ’ s unabashedly corporate , globalist , interventionist cabinet and have a Red Pill moment .
They will realize that corporations are taking over the world and the privilege of American citizenship is not something to discard lightly .
Others – and we are already seeing this – will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recognize that Biden ’ s globalism is a bigger threat to their upward mobility than Donald Trump ’ s MAGA movement , and they will join the growing number of Hispanics and blacks who are already a big part of the America First grassroots .
Their defection will realign America , and the America First wing of the Republican Party will retake control of Congress in 2022 and Trump , or his handpicked successor , will win the presidential election in 2024 .
This is the most benign of scenarios if Biden and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and it is not unlikely .
But there are other possible outcomes .
What is extremely unlikely is that the progressives in America unanimously accept a Biden presidency .
It is possible the most toxic among them , the communists , the anarchists , and the hardcore BLM and Antifa militants , will reject the Biden regime as illegitimate , and intensify their violence with a clarified target – all corporate wealth , all federal power .
And there is a possibility that the most hardcore among the American Right , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others , will align with these progressive militants in an alliance against a common foe .
The corporate elites that circled the wagons and did everything they could to destroy Bernie Sanders in the primaries and Donald Trump in the general election have installed a president who is a transparent sham .
They have shown everyone who is really in charge .
That may be a miscalculation with historic consequences .
Edward Ring is a senior fellow of the Center for American Greatness and co-founder in 2013 of the California Policy Center .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-15--After Examining Michigan’s Antrim County Voting Machines, ASOG Concludes Dominion ‘Intentionally Des

After Examining Michigan’s Antrim County Voting Machines, ASOG Concludes Dominion ‘Intentionally Designed’ to ‘Create Systemic Fraud’

The cyber-security firm that conducted a forensic examination of 22 Dominion Voting tabulators in Michigan has determined that “ Dominion Voting System is intentionally and purposefully designed ” to “ create systemic fraud , ” and that election results of Antrim County should not have been certified .
Allied Security Operations Group ( ASOG ) said in a report published Monday morning that it observed an error rate of 68.05 percent in the fatally flawed machines .
Earlier Monday morning , Michigan state judge Kevin Elensheimer ordered the release of the the Dominion voting machines audit in Antrim County , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were flipped to Joe Biden .
Last week , Judge Elensheimer issued a protective order allowing Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson to temporarily block the results of the audit .
During a hearing conducted by ZOOM and streamed live on YouTube , Elensheimer this morning removed that order , clearing the way for the results to go public with some redactions .
Elensheimer issued an order on Dec. 6 granting a local man , William Baily , permission to have the county ’ s 22 Dominion tabulators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigators from Allied Security Operations Group examined the voting machines for about eight hours on Dec. 6 .
ASOG is a cyber security firm from Texas .
We conclude that the Dominion Voting System is intentionally and purposefully designed with inherent errors to create systemic fraud and influence election results .
The system intentionally generates an enormously high number of ballot errors .
The electronic ballots are then transferred for adjudication .
The intentional errors lead to bulk adjudication of ballots with no oversight , no transparency , and no audit trail .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Based on our study , we conclude that The Dominion Voting System should not be used in Michigan .
We further conclude that the results of Antrim County should not have been certified .
The Antrim County Clerk and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson have stated that the election night error ( detailed above by the vote “ flip ” from Trump to Biden , was the result of human error caused by the failure to update the Mancelona Township tabulator prior to election night for a down ballot race .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occurred because of machine error built into the voting software designed to create error .
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson ’ s statement on November 6 , 2020 that “ the correct results always were and continue to be reflected on the tabulator totals tape .
.
.
.
” was false .
The allowable election error rate established by the Federal Election Commission guidelines is of 1 in 250,000 ballots ( .0008 % ) .
We observed an error rate of 68.05 % .
This demonstrated a significant and fatal error in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Antrim County 2020 election are not certifiable .
This is a result of machine and/or software error , not human error .
The tabulation log for the forensic examination of the server for Antrim County from December 6 , 2020consists of 15,676 individual events , of which 10,667 or 68.05 % of the events were recorded errors .
These errors resulted in overall tabulation errors or ballots being sent to adjudication .
This high error rates proves the Dominion Voting System is flawed and does not meet state or federal election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Antrim County Clerk provided a re-provisioned CF card with uploaded software for the Central Lake Precinct on November 6 , 2020 .
This means the statement by Secretary Benson was false .
The Dominion Voting System produced systemic errors and high error rates both prior to the update and after the update ; meaning the update ( or lack of update ) is not the cause of errors .
Bailey had filed a complaint on Nov. 23 , arguing that there was election fraud in the Republican-leaning Antrim County .
In his lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first people to notice a vote reporting error that incorrectly gave 6,000 votes to Biden in the Republican-leaning county .
The Sec .
of State ’ s office claimed the snafu in Antrim County was the the result of human error .
“ The issue with Antrim County ’ s presidential results occurred after county Clerk Sheryl Guy failed to update Election Source software on all tabulators after performing an update to two of them , ” the Detroit News reported .
“ The failure caused the machines to transpose results as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s main software.
” Guy , however , reportedly told DePerno in the days following the election that there was “ no way for human error to occur with what she did with the voting machines , Dominion software or the results of the election.
” She allegedly changed her story due to “ tremendous pressure from others in the county and at the state level as well.
” The case will now move to the discovery phase and could go to trial by April of 2021 .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-15--Action 24/7’s Local Tennessee Sportsbook President Tina Hodges Talks About the New Online Sports Bet

Action 24/7’s Local Tennessee Sportsbook President Tina Hodges Talks About the New Online Sports Betting App

Live from Music Row Monday 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 Action 24/7 ’ s President Tina Hodges , to the newsmakers line .
During the third hour , Hodges explained the dynamics of Action 24/7 ’ s new local sportsbook app which would allow users to download it directly to their Android or iPhone enabling them to bet on anything from football to cricket .
She explained the excitement she has received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to provide a locally operated and service focused experience to her customers .
Hodges believes , ‘ if you win today , you should get paid today.
’ Leahy : In the studio with me Crom Carmichael .
And on our newsmaker line a good friend of the program .
And by the way full disclosure , Action 24/7 is a sponsor of both the Tennessee Star Report and a Tennessee Star advertiser on the Tennessee Star.com .
Also , they are sponsors of Dr. K ’ s Friday football picks .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President of Action 24/7 Tina Hodges .
Good morning , Tina .
Hodges : Good morning !
How are you ?
Leahy : We are great .
And you know , it ’ s been very interesting .
Back in November first online sports betting became legal in Tennessee .
And as far as I can tell there are a couple of sort of international big-time players in this field , but there ’ s only one Tennessee owned and operated sportsbook and that ’ s action 24/7 .
Hodges : That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tennessee owned and operated sportsbook .
And we are having a great response from folks .
a lot of people still don ’ t know that sports gambling is legal .
We ’ ve been out and about doing various tailgates that different locally owned and operated bars and grills .
And a lot of people still don ’ t know and they ’ re very excited to know that there is a local option for them to place their bets .
So it ’ s been really fun .
Leahy : Yeah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This was passed by the Tennessee general assembly and became legal on November first .
What I find interesting is this .
Action 24/7 is scrappy and it ’ s local .
It ’ s not like the big boys out there that are just , you know , flooding the airwaves with advertisements .
You ’ re locally owned and locally operated .
And you have to try a little bit harder I think it seems to me to get attention out there .
Hodges : Yeah , that ’ s for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of money .
A lot of money that these international and out-of-state guys are putting into our market .
I have some other companies and our family of companies have been advertising on TV and radio for years .
And the price increases that we saw this year mostly due to I mean there was a little bit of election fluctuation in there as there is in every election .
But the increase in TV buys has just been tremendous because every other commercial is one of our competitors .
But you know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Every time I walk up to someone and say did you know sports gaming was legal in Tennessee ?
And did you know you are talking to the first licensee bookie in the United States ?
Their face just lights up and they email and say tell me how I can download tell me how I can support this local book .
Leahy : And by the way , you know , Dr. K. does football picks here on the Tennessee Star Report .
And we had to move him to Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be a sponsor .
He did not like being on Tuesdays because you know things change right between Tuesday and say and Friday .
And he is so delighted that you came on to sponsor his football picks .
Now we can do it on Friday .
And actually , his record has improved since he ’ s moved from Tuesday to Friday .
Hodges : Well , I ’ m sure you know , one of the interesting things about COVID and about the whole pandemic is how it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But sports has been really unique because you ’ re waiting right up until I mean kids have in college always had fevers .
But you know , if the kid maybe had strep they would just let him play .
They wouldn ’ t make a college player stay home if he had an ear infection or just these other sorts of things college kids get .
But now it is very strict .
As it should be .
And you don ’ t know until the day or two sometimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s going to play and who ’ s going to start and that makes it very hard to set the lines in advance and for them to be stable .
So we ’ ve seen a lot more fluctuation in that regard .
And in some ways it ’ s been great for players and in some ways , it ’ s not .
Leahy : Now you grew up here in Nashville .
I think you ’ re from the Bellevue area .
You ’ ve been a sports participant and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I know .
Hodges : Yes , that ’ s true .
I grew up here in Bellevue .
Went to Bellevue Middle School and Hillwood High School .
And my dad bought season tickets in Knoxville before I was born , actually , I think before I was born .
But it was when they closed the end zone of Neyland Stadium .
That ’ s how long ago it was and they were trying to raise money to pay to close the end zone .
And he actually lived in Neyland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ single room there at the bottom of the stadium .
Hodges : Yeah , and so I ’ ve been going to games in Knoxville with my dad and my granddad and my aunt and uncle since I was a kid .
Leahy : Tina , can you walk me through how if somebody , you know , here , that lives in Tennessee and is in our listening audience , how do they go about placing a bet ?
And then what happens after the process begins ?
Hodges : So yeah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
From your cell phone , a laptop , or home computer tablet anywhere you can access the internet .
Just go to Action247.com .
And when you get to that main page , they ’ ll get a green button in the middle that says sportsbook .
You click on that .
And if you are on a mobile device , it ’ ll detect what type of device you ’ re on .
So if you ’ re on an Android it will automatically give you a download through your Android @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an Apple device , it will automatically give you a download for iPhone .
And so you put that app on your phone .
Pick a name for yourself .
I like to call those people ’ s handle .
They just like to pick and find names .
I ’ ve seen lots of lots of Nash this and Nash that and lots of people with Hillsboro in their names .
They tend to pick names of where they ’ re from or a combination of their last name .
I mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name for themselves .
So you just enter and register yourself and make a deposit .
You can either make a deposit to fund your account and you can do it electronically right there on your device .
Or you can do it in cash .
That ’ s one of the unique things about Action 24/7 is we have a partnership with over 100 retail locations in Tennessee where you could go in and make your deposit in cash .
So if you don ’ t want to link it to your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We understand that .
You can do it in cash .
And then you ’ re ready to go .
You just pick the teams and the game you want .
And the menu is very easy to use .
We realize that sports gambling is new in the United States .
And if you haven ’ t been flying back and forth to Las Vegas , you haven ’ t seen an app like this .
You don ’ t know what these games are supposed to look like .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for people to understand and especially first-time betters .
Carmichael : Can you only bet on sports or can you bet on the Georgia Senate race ?
Hodges : Oh gosh – you know I ’ d like to put some money on that myself !
But we can only bet on sanctioned sporting activity here in Tennessee .
And that was part of our legislature that put that in .
And then there are a few regulations there .
They could only be sanctioned sports in college games .
There are no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t bet on an individual player to do an individual thing .
Like I think this player will fumble in the third quarter .
Because they ’ re just too high of a risk that somebody could get to those college players and influence them .
And so we can do that in pro , but we can ’ t do it in college .
And then as far as horse races or dog races , there are no live animal bets .
Rodeo is different because you ’ re betting on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ betting on the animal .
So it ’ s really interesting .
I ’ ve learned a lot .
Leahy : That is interesting .
So typically you could bet on football games , NFL , and college .
Basketball games , baseball games , and rodeo .
What else can you bet on ?
Hodges : We ’ ve had a lot of soccer bets .
You know Nashville is very international and we ’ re seeing some cricket action .
Hodges : Yes .
You know we forget that everybody has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own favorites sports .
So obviously there is football , basketball , and baseball .
But now there ’ s a generation of kids that all grew up playing soccer .
And so 20 years ago soccer was sweeping all across little leagues .
So now all of those kids have grown up now and they ’ re over 21 in Tennessee and enjoying soccer with the new Nashville Soccer Club .
People are enjoying that .
And like I said cricket and there is a little tennis out there .
Golf .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks ago .
So people are excited and they are spreading it around .
Carmichael : When you bet on something like soccer since that game is so low scoring , how do they do the spread on the soccer game ?
Hodges : You know , I think people tend to bet but you ’ re right it is low-scoring but there are other bets in the soccer game .
Like those prop bets that I was talking about and so people bet those .
Leahy : Is football the most popular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Oh by far .
NFL and college right now are by far the most popular .
And of course , in Tennessee , we ’ re getting the most action on the Tennessee Vols games and the Titans games .
But you know , we have huge Alabama groups here and huge Auburn fans .
Al the SEC schools draw students from Tennessee .
So then they become lifelong fans and they like to gamble on there .
And the alumni like to gamble on their college .
So we will get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leahy : Very interesting .
And now so let ’ s say you want to bet on a game , when do you lock that in ?
Like if the game is on Saturday and if it ’ s a college game on Sunday , when do you have to place the bet ?
Hodges : Well , you can place your bed as early as the lines come out .
But you could place it up today for Saturday .
A lot of people may say I like the line on this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I expect to happen .
Or I ’ m not going to bet on that .
I don ’ t like the lines yet .
And so , you know people think that as it gets closer to the event the lines may move closer to what ’ s actually going to happen .
So some people wait .
But as long as you place your bet before the event starts , that is the key .
Hodges : I used to go to Vegas a lot and people are running up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get their bets in .
But with the app , it ’ s so easy .
You just click the activation event .
And we ’ ve been to where I ’ ve been out signing people up .
And they say do I still have time to bet ?
The game is going to start in , you know , three minutes .
All right .
Sure .
It ’ s just one two three .
So they just click click click straight through the app .
It ’ s so easy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We ’ re matching your first $ 100 .
a deposit .
If you deposit $ 100 .
we ’ ll match you $ 100 .
And they say wow .
Now I have $ 200 .
And boom .
They bet and it ’ s so easy .
Leahy : And so okay .
So now the game ’ s over and let ’ s say you want it .
And I don ’ t know you ’ re going to make 50 bucks on it .
When does that money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : We pay immediately .
Same day pay .
That ’ s the big thing that we have found is very popular with our players and to our knowledge , there is no one else in the industry doing it .
It ’ s a very common practice .
But I think because the industry was unlicensed for so long .
I ’ ll call them unlicensed online folks that just hold your money .
I think that they think if they hold your money longer you ’ ll bet more and then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money back .
But we don ’ t believe in that .
We say if you win today , you should get paid today .
And so you can cash your money out today .
Leahy : That seems to be kind of a scrappy , you know , startup local idea that makes an awful lot of sense , and yet the I guess the big boys that you ’ re competing with don ’ t do that .
Hodges : Well , it makes sense to us .
I ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m not competing with people and price wars .
I ’ m not going to go out and try to buy as much media as you or spend as much on billboards as you and all those things .
I prefer to compete in service wars which I will win every time .
I will provide the best service to my customers .
And I ’ ll outdo everyone .
And one of the major complaints of this industry is that you can ’ t get your money when you win .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I mean you won the bet and you should get the money today .
And so like I mentioned earlier you can get it in cash .
If you would like you can visit one of our cash outlets and get the cash .
You just walk up to the window with your photo ID and present all of you know , the information required to get your money in cash .
Or you can just put it straight to your bank account if you want .
Carmichael : Now if I want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game and there ’ s a spread and I bet $ 10 .
and I win and I ’ m assuming that that is $ 10 .
against $ 10. ?
Meaning if I win I get $ 20 .
How does that work ?
Hodges : Well every game is different in that regard .
And so your most typical would be you know , that that you ’ re going to win 10 percent so you would bet $ 10 and when you would win 11 but you would still get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But you know every game is different .
Carmichael : In other words , I ’ m not betting the odds so that I will win a game .
There are spreads involved in each game also correct ?
Hodges : Yes .
I ’ m looking at the site .
I wish I could show them to you .
You can see the numbers right there on the site .
So you have for instance a game and you ’ ll see the spread .
The total points over and under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll see all that right there in front of you .
If you bet $ 100 .
you ’ ll win .
You are betting $ 100 .
to win or whatever .
We tried to make it so clean so everyone can see if they want to bet the over and under or the money line .
It ’ s very clean .
Leahy : Tina Hodges , President of Action 24/7 .
We salute a scrappy based Tennessee startup that ’ s taking on the big boys .
Listen to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-15--Virginia State Rep. Wittman: No Budget No Pay

As Congressional budget talks continue , Congressman Rob Wittman ( R-VA-01 ) is again calling for passage of a bill that would withhold congressional paychecks if budget talks aren ’ t concluded by the end of the fiscal year in September .
Wittman originally introduced the Inaction Has Consequences Act on January , 29 2019 , but it stalled in the House Administration Committee .
In an email newsletter Saturday , Wittman said , “ Members of Congress should be held accountable for their inaction .
That is why I believe we should immediately pass my legislation called the Inaction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t complete appropriations bills by the end of the fiscal year , they don ’ t get a paycheck .
If my legislation were to become law , we would not find ourselves in these shutdown or stop-gap funding scenarios.
” Most U.S .
Representatives earn a $ 174,000 yearly salary , while the Speaker of the House earns $ 223,500 and the House Majority and Minority Leaders each earn $ 193,400 , according to a Congressional Research Service report .
Wittman introduced his bill in the immediate aftermath of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 35-day shutdown from December 2018 into January 2019 that saw federal employees required to work without getting paid .
Many senators and representatives eventually declared they would not accept their congressional paychecks until the shutdown was ended , according to The Roll Call .
After the shutdown ended , the federal employees were paid , but they are now suing for damages related to the delayed paychecks , according to Politico .
In 2019 , Wittman said shutdowns are avoidable and criticized stopgap measure called continuing resolutions ( CR ) that Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ triggering a shutdown .
He said , “ If Members of Congress can not get their most basic responsibility of funding our government done , we must be held accountable .
There are serious consequences to this crisis budgeting .
Even when Congress manages to avoid a shutdown and pass stop-gap continuing resolutions ( CRs ) , the American people suffer .
Under a CR , all spending remains the same ; our military and federal agencies can ’ t fund new programs , cut outdated ones , or plan for the future.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticized the CR that was passed last Friday .
He said , “ This simply means that rather than buckling down and getting the work of the people done , [ Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi ’ s ( D-CA-12 ) ] irresponsible legislating continues to hold the American people hostage .
The American people do not want to be fretting about government funding a few days before Christmas – they need tangible relief , a clear path forward into 2021 , a guidepost on the road to recovery.
” “ While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it only serves as a Band-Aid on a broken leg , ” Wittman said .
“ Congress should feel the same pressure our federal employees have felt.
” Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Rep Rob Whittman ” by Rep .
Rob Whittman .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-15--No Updated Voter Registration from Georgia Secretary of State as Early Voting Begins

A week after the new voter registration deadline , Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger hasn ’ t issued an updated version of Georgia ’ s voter registration list .
It ’ s been one week since the voter registration deadline passed and the Secretary of State has failed to compile and release a final list of newly registered voters .
This is totally unacceptable – the deadline for new voter registration was December 7 , 2020 .
In-person early voting starts today , and the public remains without a full accounting of who is registered and who may attempt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This lack of transparency needs to be rectified immediately , or the integrity of our elections will remain threatened .
Georgians demand transparency , accountability , and accuracy in our elections process – and the Secretary of State is failing to provide it in a timely manner .
A spokesperson from the secretary of state ’ s office told The Georgia Star that the 30 day registration deadline in conjunction with the multiple recounts and December 1st election has delayed counties from updating their voter registration lists .
The secretary of state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a press release that counties are responsible for managing voter registration .
Their office also noted that counties require , at minimum , 3 to 4 weeks for processing before individuals should contact their county about precinct cards .
Additionally , the spokesperson stated that the post-election review of the voting results signifies that the election runoff will be secure .
“ We ’ ve had two recounts that verified that the election was accurate .
We ’ ve had extensive investigations – anytime that anybody has offered any evidence , we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to our investigators .
We ’ ve said repeatedly that there ’ s no evidence of widespread election irregularities .
If we find evidence , then those people are prosecuted .
Now , it ’ s not only us saying this , but every court that any of this [ evidence ] has come before has said the same thing.
” There are four voter registration organizations currently under investigation for voter fraud by the secretary of state ’ s office .
One of the organizations , New Georgia Project , was founded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chaired by Loeffler ’ s Democratic opponent Raphael Warnock .
At this time , the office informed The Star that there isn ’ t a projected date for completing its investigation .
Early voting for the runoff election began on Monday .
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Georgia Star News and the Star News Network .
Follow her latest on Twitter , or email tips to [ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-15--Conservatives to Northam: We Earned Freedom of Religion 244 Years Ago

When Governor Ralph Northam outlined his latest COVID-19 restrictions and a curfew last week , he had a message specifically for religious leaders .
“ This year we need to think about what is truly the most important thing .
Is it the worship or the building ?
For me , God is wherever you are .
You don ’ t have to sit in the church pew for God to hear your prayers , ” the governor said .
“ Worship with a mask on is still worship.
” “ Worship outside or worship online is still worship , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we know that a lot of the spread is coming from this because these individuals that are in a place of worship and contract the virus then go out to their place of work or to the grocery store or the convenience store or wherever and that ’ s how this is spread.
” Northam ’ s 10-person group size limit doesn ’ t apply to churches , but the other provisions of his executive orders do .
Conservative voices slammed the governor in response .
“ That is my Governor who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The Federalist Senior Editor Mollie Hemingway said on Fox News .
Hemingway said that Northam had espoused an actual theological concept that was rejected by many Christians .
“ He has overstepped his role by claiming to be a teacher in the church and it is particularly problematic because he is teaching something false , ” she said .
“ It actually is essential to be gathered to receive the means of grace , the Lord ’ s Supper , which is a communal thing , so Northam is just flat-out wrong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who can instruct people on how they should be worshiping , ” she said .
Family Research Council President Tony Perkins wrote , “ Liberals , who constantly accuse President Trump of making baseless claims , are doing exactly that here !
Most churches who ’ ve opened in a reasonable manner haven ’ t witnessed a single case — let alone an outbreak .
Maybe Northam , who wants to make infanticide a choice between “ a woman and her doctor , ” ought to leave worship between a pastor and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tree of Life Ministries Pastor Mike Dodson said , “ It ’ s more than just a building .
The building is a place where it ’ s got a name on it , but it ’ s the fellowship .
The fellowship is very important.
” A November Gallup telephone poll with 1,018 respondents shows a decline in Americans ’ mental health over the past year .
In 2019 , 85 percent rated their mental health as excellent or good , while in 2020 , only 76 percent said they had good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and frequent church attendees show the least change in their mental health ratings , ” Gallup stated in its findings .
Churches facing decreased attendance are also impacted financially and have had to develop survival strategies over the past year .
Presbyterian Foundation Senior Ministry Relations Officer Robert Hay , Jr. said in March , “ Many churches operate on a very thin margin and have little to no reserves .
Most churches are still heavily dependent on gifts that are made in an offering plate when people are physically in church.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Study of Congregations ’ Economic Practices , 78 % of gifts are given during a worship service.
” Hudson Institute Senior Fellow Rebecca Heinrichs highlighted a recent case in favor of Washington , D. C. -based Capitol Hill Baptist Church that allowed the church to have more than 100 people in outdoor services .
“ From the court ruling that ruled in favor of my church : “ It is for the Church , not the District or this Court , to define for itself the meaning of “ not forsaking the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Someone pass it along to Northam , ” Heinrichs tweeted .
Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Midnight Mass at Christmas ” by Patrick Sweeney CC2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-15--Georgia’s GOP Calls Out Secretary of State Raffensperger’s Failure to Update, Secure the Voter Regis

Georgia’s GOP Calls Out Secretary of State Raffensperger’s Failure to Update, Secure the Voter Registration List

As of the first day of early voting for the closely contested runoff election , Georgians haven ’ t received an updated voter registration list .
The Republican Party of Georgia issued a press release posing seven questions about the list pertaining to the upcoming runoff election – stating the “ Secretary of State has failed to answer basic questions ” about the status of the current voter registration rolls : 1 .
How many total new voters have registered to vote between November 4th and December 7th ?
2 .
Can you ensure that all 159 counties have submitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote in the runoff and that number is not subject to change ?
3 .
If not , can you confirm by a certain date when each of the 159 counties will have submitted all of their new registrants eligible to vote in the runoff ?
4 .
What safeguards have you put in place to ensure that only eligible new registrants are casting ballots for the runoffs now that early voting has begun ?
5 .
What is your process to ensure that both Republicans and Democrats are receiving the same information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from your office ?
6 .
How many new registrants have already requested or returned their absentee ballot ?
7 .
Have you notified voters who have been purged from the permanent absentee list that they will no longer be receiving an absentee ballot ?
According to the secretary of state ’ s office , counties are responsible for updating voter registration .
The voter registration list hasn ’ t been updated with new voters who registered for the runoff election by the time of press .
Without the list , there exists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Incumbent Republican Senators Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue released a joint statement on Monday asking Raffensperger for the updated voter registration list .
Raffensperger has written multiple opinion pieces in defense of his work as secretary of state .
In each piece , he reiterated that Georgia ’ s elections are safer and more secure than ever before .
“ By all accounts , Georgia had a wildly successful and smooth election , ” wrote Raffensperger in USA Today .
“ We finally defeated voting lines and put behind us Fulton County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections .
This should be something for Georgians to celebrate , whether their favored presidential candidate won or lost.
” Fulton County was criticized in the post-election fallout for issues necessitating rescans for thousands of ballots , a server crash , a longtime photographer for Kamala Harris who served as their Dominion Voting Systems representative , and been the subject of affidavits alleging voting irregularities .
Most recently , the county came under scrutiny after Trump ’ s legal team showed a video depicting absentee ballots being retrieved from suitcases stowed under tables @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stated in the opinion pieces that his office had strengthened absentee ballot signature matching , outlawed ballot harvesting , and implemented a new voting system with printed paper ballots .
However , on Monday afternoon , Raffensperger announced that his office would be partnering with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to conduct a signature match audit in Cobb County after discovering evidence of inadequate signature matching .
“ We will also be working with an accredited university on a third-party signature match statewide audit study .
Together , we will restore faith , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the day that the Electoral College votes were to be submitted .
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Georgia Star News and the Star News Network .
Follow her latest on Twitter or email tips to [ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-15--Virginia’s Power Dems Line Up Behind McAuliffe

Now that the 2020 elections are over and the field for Virginia ’ s 2021 gubernatorial election has taken shape , it is the prime time for candidates to receive endorsements from former and current politicians , community leaders and other elected officials .
For some of the Democratic candidates , endorsements seem to be occurring every other day .
The most recent endorsement comes from House of Delegates Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn ( D-Fairfax County ) , who announced her support for former governor Terry McAuliffe on Monday .
“ With his bold vision , Terry McAuliffe is the right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s next Governor , ” Filler-Corn wrote on Twitter .
“ I am proud to support his campaign and look forward to working with him to deliver results for Virginia families.
” McAuliffe , who announced his entrance into the race last week , has racked up endorsements from almost every Democratic legislative leader – including Senate Majority Leader Richard Saslaw ( D-Fairfax County ) , Senate President Pro Tempore Louise Lucas ( D-Portsmouth ) and House Majority Leader Charniele Herring ( D-Alexandria ) .
Delegates Delores McQuinn ( D-Richmond City ) and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced their support for McAuliffe .
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney did the same and will even co-chair McAuliffe ’ s campaign alongside Herring and Lucas .
Other candidates fighting for the Democratic nomination are Sen. Jennifer McClellan ( D-Richmond City ) , former Delegate Jennifer Carroll Foy and current Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax ( D ) .
During her campaign so far , McClellan has garnered a number of endorsements from legislators and other elected officials .
Senators Jennifer Boysko ( D-Fairfax County ) , Ghazala Hashmi ( D-Chesterfield ) , Mamie Locke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D-Williamsburg ) and Delegates Jeff Bourne ( D-Richmond City ) , Rodney Willett ( R-Henrico ) , Kathy Tran ( D-Fairfax County ) , among others , are supporting McClellan .
Carroll Foy , who resigned from the House last week to focus her attention on the governor ’ s race , has also received a fair share of endorsements from former colleagues and local elected officials , such as Delegates Dawn Adams ( D-Chesterfield ) , Joshua Cole ( D-Stafford ) , Danica Roem ( D-Manassas ) and Kelly Convirs-Fowler ( D-Virginia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fairfax has not gotten any official endorsements from lawmakers .
“ The collective judgement of the people of Virginia is the only endorsement that matters regarding who will lead the Commonwealth into the future , ” a spokesperson for Fairfax told The Virginia Star .
However , the lieutenant governor did receive an endorsement from Nicholas Fairfax , 14th Lord Fairfax of Cameron and a member of the House of Lords of the United Kingdom , because the two families share an interesting story that dates back hundreds of years .
As the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inches closer , more state legislators and elected officials from around the Commonwealth will continue to pick candidates to support .
Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Follow Jacob on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-12-15--Defiant: Minnesota Businesses Plan Mass Reopening

More than 150 businesses plan to reopen this week in defiance of Minnesota Gov .
Tim Walz ’ s coronavirus shutdown .
The businesses have organized as the Reopen Minnesota Coalition .
This group has created a Facebook page and GoFundMe to raise awareness and money for business owners who will likely face legal consequences for their actions .
Rural businesses involved in the effort plan to open Wednesday , Dec. 16 , while metro businesses will open two days later on Friday .
Walz ’ s current shutdown order is set to expire on Friday , but an extension @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participate in the statewide reopening effort are encouraged to indicate their intent and sign up with the Reopen Minnesota Coalition to receive publicity and support .
At least three Minnesota businesses were sued in recent weeks by Attorney General Keith Ellison after they reopened .
Already , the coalition has raised over $ 3,000 to support business owners and their employees should legal action against them occur .
The group ’ s founder , Darius Teichroew , assured listeners of this recently on the radio show Justice & Drew .
On the show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a grassroots coalition ” to “ get businesses back on their feet.
” While he expressed concern for business owners during the interview , his top concern seemed to be with unemployed workers .
“ They ’ ve got bills to pay , children to feed , presents to gift and they ’ re going to lose their homes , ” he said of employees who are presently without wages .
He also shared his frustration that Minnesota is “ going further and further into the lockdown with less and less data to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Facebook page posted comparisons of Minnesota and South Dakota COVID-19 data , apparently showing little effect from the shutdowns .
Both Minnesota and her western neighbor have seen a similar number of cases , but South Dakota Gov .
Kristi Noem has kept the economy open .
“ Minnesota is largely behind these [ business ] owners , ” Teichroew said .
What remains to be seen is if the governor will extend his order and if Attorney General Ellison will choose to prosecute those who return to business as usual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause , we appeal to your sense of justice and mercy , which we hope you have , ” the group said in a recent Facebook post .
“ These businesses represent not some money-hungry owners looking to swim in pools of gold , but rather people who have spent their lives risking so much to accomplish their dreams , employees struggling to put food on the table and a roof over their heads just as Christmas arrives , and so many other suffering Minnesotans .
So we ask you simply and gently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the editor-in-chief of AlphaNewsMN.com .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-15--Ohio Group: End, Not Delay, Consumer Fees, Government Subsidies for Power Companies

While the Ohio General Assembly works on a bill to delay new consumer fees on electric bills , one state representative is getting support for his plan to end the charges completely .
State Rep. Mark Romanchuk ( R-Ontario ) introduced House Bill 772 that he says focuses on the “ harmful policy to Ohioans ” created by House Bill 6 , a controversial nuclear bailout law that led to the indictments and arrests of five people , including former Speaker of the House Larry Householder , in a $ 60 million bribery and racketeering scheme .
“ The $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was never needed to sustain the operation of the two Ohio nuclear plants .
Evidence was provided by witnesses during the House Bill 6 debate that financial instability was likely untrue , ” Romanchuk said .
Romanchuk introduced his plan in late September , and it made its way to the Select Committee on Energy Policy and Oversight in mid-November .
It ’ s had one hearing , with only Romanchuk testifying , despite support from The Buckeye Institute , AARP , the Office of the Ohio Consumers ’ Council , the Ohio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chemistry Technology Council , the Ohio Manufacturers ’ Association , the Ohio Cast Metals Association , the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council and the Northwest Ohio Aggregation Coalition .
Romanchuk ’ s legislation does not stop with bailouts for nuclear power plants .
It also would stop subsidies for two coal-fired plants – including one in Indiana – and require refunds to consumers .
“ If the standard is to save our constituents money on their electric bills , House Bill 772 is the only repeal bill that will save Ohioans money , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attached LSC fiscal note , Ohioans will save a total of $ 2.93 billion as a result of passing House Bill 772 .
It ’ s time to put our constituents first and leave this money where it belongs , in their pockets.
” Those savings drew the attention of The Buckeye Institute , an Ohio think tank based in Columbus , and research fellow Greg Lawson , who called Romanchuk ’ s proposal the best policy for Ohioans .
“ In the wake of the scandal surrounding the passage of House Bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now considering delaying the new charges , which were imposed to subsidize several nuclear and coal power plants in Ohio and Indiana , ” Lawson wrote for The Buckeye Institute .
“ However , Ohioans deserve more than a delay , they deserve an end to taxpayer-funded subsidies , entirely.
” He said the elimination of taxpayer-funded subsidies should be a Christmas gift from the legislature to all Ohioans .
“ Taxpayer-funded subsidies not only take money from the public and give it to privately owned companies , they increase the costs of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capitalism corrupts good government and corrodes public trust , ” Lawson wrote .
“ It is time for Ohio policymakers to get out of the business of giving businesses taxpayer-funded subsidies .
The gift they need to give every Bob and Betty Buckeye this holiday season is the end of the energy subsidies for nuclear , coal , natural gas and renewables .
Representative Romanchuk has offered a policy that does just that.
” Currently , the select committee is focused on House Bill 798 , introduced by committee chair Jim Hoops ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the consumer fee , along with the subsidies .
That bill has had three hearings since its introduction in early December .
An Ohio native , J.D .
Davidson is a veteran journalist with more than 30 years of experience in newspapers in Ohio , Georgia , Alabama and Texas .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-15--Commentary: Georgia’s Senate Runoff Elections Will Determine Immigration Policy

Georgia ’ s two runoff Senate elections will determine the future of U.S. immigration policy .
Joe Biden wants to amnesty 11 million illegal aliens and massively expand legal immigration and guestworker programs .
If Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock win , a Democrat-controlled Senate would happily go along with that plan .
Georgians overwhelmingly oppose amnesty .
And only a GOP-controlled Senate can thwart Biden ’ s radical plan .
As long as Republican incumbents Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue campaign hard on immigration and ensure the issue remains front-of-mind for voters , they stand an excellent chance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most important issues for Republicans .
A Harvard/Harris poll reveals that 79 percent of GOP voters want to reduce legal immigration to 500,000 or less annually , down from the typical annual level of 1.1 million .
And 93 percent say it ’ s important to have secure borders .
Georgia Republicans are no exception .
For instance , 82 percent say that a candidate ’ s stance towards illegal immigration is either “ important ” or “ very important ” in determining their vote .
It ’ s easy to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent of Georgia ’ s population .
Only six other states have a higher proportion of illegal immigrants .
High levels of immigration , both illegal and legal , make life difficult for Georgia ’ s workers by putting downward pressure on wages .
That ’ s one reason why wage growth recently slowed in Georgia , even as the state ’ s pre-COVID unemployment rates dropped to record lows .
And now , as Georgians struggle to navigate the COVID-induced recession , reducing both legal and illegal immigration is more important than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , incumbent Perdue has a solid track record of prioritizing immigration reform .
He cosponsored the Reforming American Immigration for a Strong Economy Act in 2019 .
The RAISE Act would reduce total legal immigration by about 50 percent by preventing recent immigrants from sponsoring extended family members for green cards , though they could still bring over their spouses and young children .
Currently , legal immigrants can sponsor even distant relatives for green cards .
This process , known as “ chain migration , ” has caused immigration levels to skyrocket @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RAISE Act would also eliminate the diversity visa lottery , which currently distributes 50,000 green cards a year to foreigners at random , regardless of their skill level .
Loeffler is still at the start of her political career , but she has already proven her conservative bona fides by signing onto the RAISE Act and cosponsoring legislation to end sanctuary cities .
Perdue and Loeffler ’ s challengers offer a radically different agenda .
Ossoff backed Nancy Pelosi ’ s efforts to give taxpayer-funded stimulus payments to illegal immigrants .
Warnock , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progressive wing of the Democratic party , would surely support suspending deportations during Biden ’ s first 100 days in office , giving amnesty to 11 million illegal immigrants , and increasing overall legal immigration limits .
Georgians already have two senators that put American workers first .
As long as Loeffler and Perdue run on their strong records , they ’ ll likely triumph in January .
Stone Washington is a member of the National Center for Public Policy Research ’ s Project 21 black leadership network and is currently studying in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University Law School in Atlanta .
He previously served as a journalism fellow at The Daily Caller and is an alumnus of the Heritage Foundation Young Leaders Program .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-15--Commentary: We Must Renew Our Covenant with One Another Because Pretending Things Are Fine Won’t Cut

Commentary: We Must Renew Our Covenant with One Another Because Pretending Things Are Fine Won’t Cut It

As the Supreme Court and others struggle with legal claims about this election , it ’ s worth considering just what precedes law and gives it validity .
Over three millennia ago , a new people formed out of a motley assortment of tribes and hebraoi , herders on the edges of the rigid , hierarchical Bronze Age city states .
What made them a people was not their coming together per se – tribal groups had aligned , and then clashed or drifted apart , many times before .
Nor was it simply the result of sharing cultural practices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal code .
What made them a people was commitment to a covenant .
When Moses came down from the mount , this people ’ s central history tells us , he brought concrete evidence that YHWH would bind himself to this new people , if they bound themselves to him and to one another .
Not through force or power , as with many deities , nor as a transient agreement for the moment , but as the core of who they were and were to be .
Every aspect of that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interactions with one another rested on a mutual sacred commitment .
Laws and daily practices derived from it and had no standing otherwise .
It ’ s hard for us to fully appreciate how very different that was from every people then around them .
It truly set them apart in a unique way .
A little over two centuries ago another new people again bound themselves to one another in a covenant , pledging their sacred honor to a framework that would form the principles under which power would be constrained and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a government of imperfect people covenanting with one another directly , rather than through a holy source , they established basic mechanisms aimed at balance of powers across different branches of government , constraints on the use of official powers by individual officials , and participation of the people in judging innocence or guilt when offenses were charged .
It was an ambitious undertaking and one deeply dependent on that shared covenant .
Without such a covenant , without that commitment to one another , John Adams told the Massachusetts Militia in 1798 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but even “ Galantry ” – the equivalent today of a desire to nobly advance others while accruing virtue points – could , Adams warned , destroy the bond that ties us together as a new people .
Important as written laws are , it is not enough to obey the letter of those laws , nor even to search for ( or invent ) a spirit behind the law .
When the difficult cases arise , it is the covenant , the chosen binding of us into a people given shape in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work .
If we can speak of the tree of liberty that shelters us all , then allowing non-citizens to vote , deliberately removing election integrity mechanisms and turning a blind eye to fraud , allowing the families of officials to peddle influence – these are poison injected into that tree ’ s very roots .
Voting is the place where our covenant with one another plays out in long lasting ways .
To debase the voting process is to debase the covenant between us , and thereby corrode our identity as one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our liberty as a result .
The poison that kills us as a people can seem sweet at first .
Adams went on to warn : There ’ s a whole lotta simulation goin ’ on right now , including calls for comity and ignoring election fraud .
Calls to “ move on.
” But pretending things are basically fine and making nice won ’ t cut it .
Either we renew our covenant with one another or the American people can no longer be said to exist and we dissolve into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during most of history .
What comes after that will be painful and slow to resolve .
Robin Burk started her career wearing bell bottom jeans in the basement of the Pentagon , where she had the challenging privilege of interacting with computing legend Grace Hopper , and in Silicon Valley , where she wrote one of the first commercially deployed Internet protocol software stacks .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-15--Trump-Train Organizer Mike Dickinson Announces Campaign for Virginia’s 68th House of Delegates Distr

Trump-Train Organizer Mike Dickinson Announces Campaign for Virginia’s 68th House of Delegates District

Mike Dickinson mobilized big turnout to Trump Trains that traveled through the heart of Richmond in October .
Dickinson ’ s grassroots events energized local Trump supporters even as mainstream GOP events in the area struggled .
At the time , Dickinson was running for Richmond ’ s 1st City Council District ; he came in third with 1,842 votes .
Now , he has again set his sights on the 68th House of Delegates district , currently held by Dawn Adams ( D ) .
In his Monday announcement for the Republican primary , Dickinson said , “ After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign in igniting unprecedented interest throughout the region in fighting for great American values I have decided to run for Virginia ’ s House of Delegates 68th District ( which encompasses parts of Richmond City , Chesterfield , and Henrico ) .
” So far , Dickinson is the only Republican candidate for the seat .
The district is a swing district ; in 2017 Adams took the district from Manoli Loupassi ( R ) with just 50.44 percent of the vote , according to Ballotpedia .
Adams ’ 2019 challenger Garrison Coward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the vote .
Dickinson has come a long way since 2014 , when he ran as a Democrat for Virginia ’ s 7th congressional district , according to Ballotpedia .
He appeared on Fox News , where he told Sean Hannity , “ You tell lies there , you distort the truth , you promote hate.
” In 2015 , Dickinson ran for the 68th district as an independent , losing with 484 votes and 1.9 percent of the vote .
Dickinson said he ’ s not the same politician he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacking leading Virginia Democrats .
“ My opponent Delegate Dawn Adams has sat idly by as the General Assembly has been hijacked by criminals like State Senator Louise Lucas [ ( D-Portsmouth ) ] , outlandish morons like [ Delegate Lee Carter ( D-Manassass ) ] , and extremist America haters like Jennifer Carroll Foy [ ( D ) ] , ” Dickinson said in his Monday announcement .
Dickinson gives President Trump and God the credit for his change .
In 2016 , he was attracted to Trump ’ s campaign messaging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strip club owner , sees a lot of similarities with himself and Trump , who had his own transition from Democrat to Republican .
“ President Trump definitely showed that people that have different ideas and different beliefs can be accepted in the Republican Party .
Trump led a life like I did.
’ Dickinson added , “ He did a lot of crazy things and he was surrounded by a crazy world , a world of businessmen , not a world of politicians , ” he told The Virginia Star .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the old thing holds true that everyone is a Democrat until they ’ re paying taxes on their own business , and then they become a Republican pretty fast.
” In 2017 , he converted to the Church of Latter-Day Saints .
“ I met a missionary in late 2016 , 2017 , and she really helped me find my bearings as far as faith goes , ” he said .
Dickinson said if Republicans have any doubt about his bona fides , they should look at his work over the past year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ten months in the City of Richmond and in the Richmond region , you would be hard pressed to find somebody that ’ s been out there fighting on the front lines as much as I have , ” Dickinson said .
“ I think that anybody that has questions about my past can see that I ’ ve worked hard for almost the last year now to redeem myself.
” In September , Dickinson ’ s application for a “ Baby Lives Matter ” mural coincided with cancelled plans for a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s also criticized Richmond Public Schools for their political stances , and spoken out in favor of gun rights and law enforcement .
But with his extensive political background , he risks being viewed as a local Harold Stassen — a perennial candidate .
“ This is an unparalleled time in America and Virginia as we are under attack from terrorists and criminals like BLM and Antifa .
The Democratic Party of Virginia has turned against law-abiding Americans and now favors criminals , ” Dickinson said in his campaign statement .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sorry sight Monument Avenue in Richmond has become .
Filth , criminals , and vandalism everywhere .
That is what Democrats have turned Richmond into.
” He said , “ It is not coronavirus that is killing Virginia businesses — it is Democrat rule .
Between the higher taxes we all now pay — highest gas price in the South — and farcical mask curfews ( Coronavirus must be the vampire virus , it only comes out after midnight ) , Virginia is quickly losing its luster as a great place to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change that.
” Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Mike Dickinson ” by Mike Dickinson .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-15--First Vaccines Arrive in Ohio, Gov. DeWine Announces

Vaccines for the novel coronavirus have arrived and are being administered in Ohio , Gov .
Mike DeWine announced on Monday .
The vaccine was first delivered to the Ohio State University ’ s Wexner Medical Center , where it was administered to healthcare workers .
It was also delivered to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center .
Each hospital received 975 doses .
“ Today is the day that we have been waiting for , ” DeWine said in a press conference .
“ Healthcare workers put all they have into caring for their fellow Ohioans who have beens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own health at risk to care for others , and today we start the process of vaccinating them against this terrible disease.
” The governor said additional vaccine doses will be delivered to eight hospitals across the state on Tuesday .
The vaccine , created by pharmaceutical company Pfizer , is the first to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and was cleared for use last week .
It is expected that the Moderna vaccine will also be approved soon .
DeWine warned that the arrival of the vaccine does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course of the pandemic .
“ But , of course , until the vaccine is widely available to Ohioans to be vaccinated , we need to continue to use all available tools to prevent the spread of the virus , ” the governor said .
DeWine also announced that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention invited Ohio nursing homes to participate in an early scale launch of the vaccine .
Nursing homes were originally slated to begin receiving the vaccine on December 21 and will now expect to see the vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nursing homes will receive the early launch of the vaccine , although officials are still “ working out the details , ” DeWine said , adding that was a matter of scheduling .
“ Nursing homes are all at the same priority , ” DeWine said .
The governor said that the arrival of the vaccine was a “ moment of hope.
” “ It is the first day of the process that will continue over the months ahead as Ohioans have their opportunity to receive the vaccine , ” DeWine said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Ohio.
” Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Ohio Star .
Follow her on Twitter at @ JordynPair .
Image “ Coronavirus Vaccinations ” by Gov .
Mike DeWine .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-15--Central Virginia Law Enforcement Agencies Won’t Pull Over Cars Violating New Curfew

Several law enforcement agencies in Central Virginia as well as the Virginia State Police say they will not be pulling over drivers as a method of enforcing Governor Ralph Northam ’ s new midnight to 5 a.m. statewide curfew .
“ We will NOT be conducting traffic stops on people otherwise lawfully operating a motor vehicle during these times , ” Chesterfield County Police Chief Colonel Jeffrey S. Katz wrote on Facebook .
“ The law requires officers to have reasonable suspicion to stop a driver .
There are completely lawful reasons for people to be out and about during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a motor vehicle does not remotely meet the legal burden necessary to justify a lawful stop.
” Katz said he wanted to speak directly on how Chesterfield police will handle enforcement because he had received a number of questions from the public on the subject .
The overnight curfew imposed by the governor is just one part of the new COVID-19 restrictions that were announced last week .
“ As a reminder , you should stay home whenever you can during the rest of the day , but from midnight to 5 a.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northam said during a press briefing on Thursday .
“ If you don ’ t need to go out , go home .
This is just plain common sense.
” On Monday morning the measures , including the modified stay-at-home order , officially became effective .
Hanover County plans to treat curfew enforcement just like Chesterfield , according to Sheriff David R. Hines .
“ The Hanover County Sheriff ’ s Office will not be conducting traffic stops on individuals solely for driving between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. simply for being on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement provided to The Virginia Star .
“ For an officer to initiate a traffic stop , they are required to have articulate reasonable suspicion .
Simply operating a motor vehicle between the hours of the curfew listed in Executive Order # 72 does not rise to that level.
” Lieutenant Matthew Pecka said Henrico County police will be doing the same and that officers will still need a valid reason to execute a traffic stop , even if it is during curfew hours .
The Star contacted the Richmond Police Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement of people violating the curfew , but did not get a response before press time .
A Virginia State Police public relations officer confirmed that troopers also will not be pulling over drivers .
Additionally , while encouraging Virginians to do their part and help stop the spread of the virus , the state police noted that the curfew does not carry a specific penalty , civil or criminal .
Northam ’ s executive order does in fact make no mention of any penalty for those in violation of the curfew and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can leave their homes between midnight and 5 a.m. • Taking care of other individuals or animals • Traveling required by court order or to facilitate child custody , visitation , or child care • Traveling to and from one ’ s residence , place of worship , or work • Traveling to and from an educational institution • Volunteering with organizations that provide charitable or social services • Leaving one ’ s residence due to a reasonable fear for health or safety , at the direction of law enforcement , or at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overview of the restrictions can be found here and , as previously mentioned , they are now in effect statewide starting Monday .
Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Follow Jacob on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-12-15--No Chain of Custody Documents in Georgia for 465,000 Drop Box Absentee Ballots Six Weeks After Novem

No Chain of Custody Documents in Georgia for 465,000 Drop Box Absentee Ballots Six Weeks After November 3 Election

With Georgia ’ s U.S. runoff election just three weeks from now , there are still no publicly available chain of custody documents 465,000 drop box absentee ballots counted six weeks ago in the state ’ s November 3 general election .
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger certified that Democrat Joe Biden received slightly less than 12,000 more votes than Donald Trump in that election .
As a result of that certification , Biden received all 16 votes cast by Democrat electors when the Electoral College convened in the 50 state capitals on Monday .
In the five days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no chain of custody documents were publicly available for 500,000 drop box absentee ballots counted in the November 3 general election , the 159 counties in the state have made little progress in narrowing that statewide drop box absentee ballot chain of custody gap , and the Secretary of State has shown no interest in providing any assistance in narrowing that gap .
As The Star News reported last week : As previously reported , the office of Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger told Breitbart News two weeks after the November 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many of the 1.3 million absentee ballots cast in the 2020 general election ( out of 5 million total ) were delivered by mail vs. drop box , but the counties should know .
Last week , 26 percent of respondents to a poll conducted of likely voters in Georgia by John McLaughlin and Associates said that they voted by absentee ballot – 14 percent by mail and 12 percent by depositing their absentee ballots in drop boxes .
Twelve percent of the 5 million votes cast equals 600,000 absentee ballots deposited in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Election Code Emergency Rule approved by State Election Board on July 1 , 2020 , every county is responsible for documenting the transfer of every batch of absentee ballots picked up at drop boxes and delivered to the county election offices with ballot transfer forms , signed , dated , with time of pick up by the collection team upon pick up , and then signed , dated , with time of delivery by the registrar or designee upon receipt and accepted .
From December 1 to December 13 , The Star News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forms to all of Georgia ’ s 159 counties .
• 22 counties have responded with records of the ballot transfer forms .
• 25 counties – Appling , Atkinson , Burke , Candler , Charlton , Chattooga , Dade , Effingham , Emanual , Glascock , Haralson , Heard , Jenkins , Macon , Meriwether , Miller , Randolph , Stewart , Talliaferro , Treutlen , Twiggs , Warren , Webster , Wilcox and Wilkinson – responded and said they do not have any drop box locations .
• 3 counties–Fulton , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they don ’ t know if they have documents responsive to the Open Records Request , but will provide an answer to that question at some time in the near future .
In the case of Fulton County , that time in the near future could be as late as January 19 , 2021 .
• 109 counties have not responded to the request .
With 22 counties out of 159 in the state responding to The Star News Open Records Requests , chain of custody documents are now publicly available for just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in drop boxes during the November 3 , election , a mere 22 percent .
A total of 78 percent of these absentee ballots , or 465,529 , have no publicly available chain of custody documents .
Here are the total absentee ballot drop box numbers accounted for by the ballot transfer forms made public in the 22 responding counties : At present there is no indication that either Secretary of State Raffensperger or the State Election Board plan on taking any action that will provide more timely public availability of the chain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in drop boxes during the January 5 U.S. Senate runoff elections .
Tiffany Morgan is a reporter at The Georgia Star News and the Star News Network .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Absentee Drop Box ” by Georgia Voter Guide .