thetennesseestar--2020-10-06--Harvard Center Hosts Virtual Seminar on How to Inject Race Issues Into Course Syllabi

The Harvard Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies hosted a webinar last Friday on “ integrating critical pedagogies of race ” into professors ’ course syllabi .
Titled “ Teaching Race and Racism : Your Syllabus 2.0 ” and sponsored by the Association for Slavic , Eurasian , and Eastern European Studies , it was part of the “ Race in Focus ” virtual series the goal of which is to show faculty how to utilize new course materials , “ shar [ e ] resources , ” and “ connect with scholars of color.
” According to The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Pittsburgh Center for Russian , East European , and Eurasian Studies Zsuzsánna Magdó said her field needs to “ engage with race as an academic lens ” and to “ confront institutional structures perpetuating systemic racism.
” She added more focus needs to be given to the research of scholars of color .
Howard University ’ s Amarilis Lugo de Fabritz and Sunnie Rucker-Chang ( pictured above ) of the University of Cincinnati discussed how race has “ informed historical processes and broader conceptions of Eastern European nationhood.
” The latter added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can offer a “ richness and perspective ” to their respective fields .
“ What I want our students to do is engage with these traditional texts of Balkan Studies , of Southeast Europe , through this new lens of race — talking about Blackness , talking about whiteness , and talking about why we can frame conversations about these texts through race , ” Rucker-Chang said .
… She also underlined the importance of studying race not merely in today ’ s socio-political climate but also as a broader analytical medium .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ simultaneously historical and contemporary , ” Banerjee said .
Rucker-Chang , in an interview , also emphasized the importance of making use of current interest to promote impactful and continued action .
“ It ’ s great that this is happening , but what do we do after this ?
” she said .
The “ Race in Focus ” series will continue to cover critical pedagogies , the experiences and successes of scholars of color , research on racial minorities , and the intersection between these fields and Black Lives Matter .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Focus ” will be a pilot for frequent future discussions on this topic .
If subjects like math aren ’ t safe from critical ( race ) theorists , certainly courses about Russia , East Europe , and Eurasia are fair game .
Photo “ Syllabus Webinar ” by Association for Slavic , East European , and Eurasian Studies Facebook .

by The College Fix
The Harvard Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies hosted a webinar last Friday on “integrating critical pedagogies of race” into professors’ course syllabi.
Titled “Teaching Race and Racism: Your Syllabus 2.0” and sponsored by the Association for Slavic, Eurasian, and Eastern European Studies, it was part of the “Race in Focus” virtual series the goal of which is to show faculty how to utilize new course materials, “shar[e] resources,” and “connect with scholars of color.”
According to The Crimson, Associate Director of the University of Pittsburgh Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies Zsuzsánna Magdó said her field needs to “engage with race as an academic lens” and to “confront institutional structures perpetuating systemic racism.”
She added more focus needs to be given to the research of scholars of color.
Howard University’s Amarilis Lugo de Fabritz and Sunnie Rucker-Chang (pictured above) of the University of Cincinnati discussed how race has “informed historical processes and broader conceptions of Eastern European nationhood.” The latter added that racial “frames of difference” can offer a “richness and perspective” to their respective fields.
From the story:
“What I want our students to do is engage with these traditional texts of Balkan Studies, of Southeast Europe, through this new lens of race — talking about Blackness, talking about whiteness, and talking about why we can frame conversations about these texts through race,” Rucker-Chang said. … She also underlined the importance of studying race not merely in today’s socio-political climate but also as a broader analytical medium. “The topic of race is always simultaneously historical and contemporary,” Banerjee said. Rucker-Chang, in an interview, also emphasized the importance of making use of current interest to promote impactful and continued action. “It’s great that this is happening, but what do we do after this?” she said. The “Race in Focus” series will continue to cover critical pedagogies, the experiences and successes of scholars of color, research on racial minorities, and the intersection between these fields and Black Lives Matter. Magdó ultimately hopes that “Race in Focus” will be a pilot for frequent future discussions on this topic.
If subjects like math aren’t safe from critical (race) theorists, certainly courses about Russia, East Europe, and Eurasia are fair game.
Read the article.
Watch the webinar:
– – –
Photo “Syllabus Webinar” by Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies Facebook.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-06--Commentary: If Everyone is Behind, then No One is Behind

In early September , researchers Corey DeAngelis and Christos Makridis released the results of a study they spearheaded , which found that “ school districts in places with stronger teachers ’ unions are much less likely to offer full-time , in-person instruction this fall.
” The authors stress that the results are remarkably consistent after controlling for differences in demographics , including age , race , population , political affiliation , household income , COVID-19 cases , deaths per capita , et al .
At the same time the unions dominate government schools , private schools , thankfully , are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As such , schools must be responsive to them .
So private schools are much more likely to be open for in-person instruction at this time .
Here in California , where the governor has shut down a great majority of schools—both public and private—the disparity is stark .
Individual schools can apply for waivers , and private schools are far more likely to do so by a wide margin .
Writing in CalMatters last week , Ricardo Cano reports that over 500 private schools have had waivers approved , “ compared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and charters comprising more than 120 campuses.
” The waiver applications cover a quarter of all private school students in the state , as opposed to just 1.6 percent of kids in California ’ s public schools .
Not surprisingly , the teachers ’ unions gloss over any damage done by the ongoing lockdown .
Perhaps they don ’ t know—or at least won ’ t acknowledge—that the loss of learning due to school closings is doing irreparable harm to children .
Actually , one union boss did tackle the learning-loss issue .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a TV interview ( at 29:00 here ) , “ Across the country everyone has missed certain learning .
So if everyone is ‘ behind , ’ I guess no one is behind .
.
.
.
” ( Hat tip : Liv Finne ) I guess Mr. Delaney would say to grieving parents after a plane crash killed their son , “ Don ’ t fret !
It wasn ’ t just your son .
Everyone who was on the plane died.
” Back in the real world , the American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away from school often results in social isolation , substance use , depression , and suicidal ideation .
The unnecessary lockdown will also have disastrous effects on students ’ future earning power .
Eric Hanushek and Ludwig Woessmann estimate that already accrued learning losses will amount to $ 14.2 trillion in current dollars .
The economists add that these losses will grow if schools don ’ t restart soon .
They also maintain that the losses are not evenly spread , and will affect disadvantaged students more .
The teachers ’ unions insistence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ science ” is nonsense .
England found that after a month of reopening its schools that very few COVID-19 cases were reported .
Also , as Harvard epidemiologist Martin Kulldorff notes , not one child in Sweden has died from COVID , and that Swedish teachers did not suffer unusually high rates of infection , “ even though the country never closed schools for those under 16 and didn ’ t force students to wear masks.
” The unions and so many others align themselves with the simpleminded philosophy put forth by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s radical lockdown in the spring .
The governor said , “ This is about saving lives and if everything we do saves just one life , I ’ ll be happy.
” Using that logic , we should lower the speed limit on all our roads to 10 miles an hour .
It would save over 38,000 lives , the number of people killed in their cars yearly .
( An additional 4.4 million are injured seriously enough to require medical attention . )
But there are innumerable downsides to doing that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along with our children , take the small risk of traveling at a higher speed .
As a result of COVID-19 and the responses to it , parents are quickly catching on to the public-private disparity .
Just last week , a RealClear Opinion Research survey showed a strong uptick in support for school choice since their last poll in May .
For parents with kids in public schools , there has been a 10-point jump in support for the concept of school choice , from 67 percent to 77 percent .
Notably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similarly high level across ethnicities and political affiliation .
It ’ s time to put parents , not unions , in charge of their children ’ s educational lives .
Parents focus on their kids , but the teachers ’ unions , however , have a very different agenda , where children ’ s needs are anything but front and center .
This article originally appeared at the California Policy Center .
Larry Sand , a former classroom teacher , is the president of the non-profit California Teachers Empowerment Network – a non-partisan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the general public with reliable and balanced information about professional affiliations and positions on educational issues .
Photo “ Home School ” by Nenad Stojkovic CC BY 2.0 .

by Larry Sand
In early September, researchers Corey DeAngelis and Christos Makridis released the results of a study they spearheaded, which found that “school districts in places with stronger teachers’ unions are much less likely to offer full-time, in-person instruction this fall.” The authors stress that the results are remarkably consistent after controlling for differences in demographics, including age, race, population, political affiliation, household income, COVID-19 cases, deaths per capita, et al.
At the same time the unions dominate government schools, private schools, thankfully, are most influenced by their customers: parents. As such, schools must be responsive to them. So private schools are much more likely to be open for in-person instruction at this time. Here in California, where the governor has shut down a great majority of schools—both public and private—the disparity is stark. Individual schools can apply for waivers, and private schools are far more likely to do so by a wide margin.
Writing in CalMatters last week, Ricardo Cano reports that over 500 private schools have had waivers approved, “compared with roughly four dozen public school districts and charters comprising more than 120 campuses.” The waiver applications cover a quarter of all private school students in the state, as opposed to just 1.6 percent of kids in California’s public schools.
Not surprisingly, the teachers’ unions gloss over any damage done by the ongoing lockdown. Perhaps they don’t know—or at least won’t acknowledge—that the loss of learning due to school closings is doing irreparable harm to children. Actually, one union boss did tackle the learning-loss issue. Washington Education Association President Larry Delaney said in a TV interview (at 29:00 here), “Across the country everyone has missed certain learning. So if everyone is ‘behind,’ I guess no one is behind . . . .” (Hat tip: Liv Finne)
I guess Mr. Delaney would say to grieving parents after a plane crash killed their son, “Don’t fret! It wasn’t just your son. Everyone who was on the plane died.”
Back in the real world, the American Academy of Pediatrics explains that lengthy time away from school often results in social isolation, substance use, depression, and suicidal ideation.
The unnecessary lockdown will also have disastrous effects on students’ future earning power. Eric Hanushek and Ludwig Woessmann estimate that already accrued learning losses will amount to $14.2 trillion in current dollars. The economists add that these losses will grow if schools don’t restart soon. They also maintain that the losses are not evenly spread, and will affect disadvantaged students more.
The teachers’ unions insistence that their reopening stance is guided by “science” is nonsense. England found that after a month of reopening its schools that very few COVID-19 cases were reported. Also, as Harvard epidemiologist Martin Kulldorff notes, not one child in Sweden has died from COVID, and that Swedish teachers did not suffer unusually high rates of infection, “even though the country never closed schools for those under 16 and didn’t force students to wear masks.”
The unions and so many others align themselves with the simpleminded philosophy put forth by Andrew Cuomo to justify New York’s radical lockdown in the spring. The governor said, “This is about saving lives and if everything we do saves just one life, I’ll be happy.”
Using that logic, we should lower the speed limit on all our roads to 10 miles an hour. It would save over 38,000 lives, the number of people killed in their cars yearly. (An additional 4.4 million are injured seriously enough to require medical attention.) But there are innumerable downsides to doing that, so we forge ahead and, along with our children, take the small risk of traveling at a higher speed.
As a result of COVID-19 and the responses to it, parents are quickly catching on to the public-private disparity. Just last week, a RealClear Opinion Research survey showed a strong uptick in support for school choice since their last poll in May. For parents with kids in public schools, there has been a 10-point jump in support for the concept of school choice, from 67 percent to 77 percent. Notably, support for choice is at a similarly high level across ethnicities and political affiliation.
It’s time to put parents, not unions, in charge of their children’s educational lives. Parents focus on their kids, but the teachers’ unions, however, have a very different agenda, where children’s needs are anything but front and center.
This article originally appeared at the California Policy Center.
– – –
Larry Sand, a former classroom teacher, is the president of the non-profit California Teachers Empowerment Network – a non-partisan, non-political group dedicated to providing teachers and the general public with reliable and balanced information about professional affiliations and positions on educational issues.
Photo “Home School” by Nenad Stojkovic CC BY 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-06--Trump Working on Declassification of Intel Documents From Hospital, Chief of Staff Says

President Donald Trump is working to declassify documents related to the Russia investigation while he recovers from coronavirus at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center , his chief of staff said Monday .
“ This morning we ’ ve already had a couple of discussions on items that he wants to get done , ” Mark Meadows , the chief of staff , said in an interview on “ Fox & Friends.
” “ Candidly , he ’ s already tasked me with getting declassification rolling in a follow up to some of the requests that Devin Nunes and others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reed on Friday after experiencing symptoms from coronavirus .
Meadows did not go into detail about the documents he is working to declassify or the timeline on which they will be released .
The White House did not respond to a request for comment .
Nunes , the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee , has called for the declassification of a variety of documents from the FBI and U.S. intelligence community related to the investigation of the Trump campaign ’ s possible links to Russia in 2016 .
In a Fox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two sets of documents he wants released to the American public .
He called for the release of memos from interviews that the FBI conducted with the primary source for dossier author Christopher Steele in January , February and May 2017 .
The Senate Judiciary Committee released memos of interviews that the FBI conducted with the source , Igor Danchenko , in January 2017 , but other interview transcripts have not been released .
An FBI memo declassified last month said that the bureau had investigated Danchenko in 2009 as a possible Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Steele dossier have tried to figure out whether it is the product of Russian disinformation , or if parts of it were fabricated by Steele and others .
The Clinton campaign and DNC hired Steele , a former MI6 officer , in June 2016 to investigate Trump ’ s possible links to Russia .
In the dossier , Steele alleged that the Kremlin had blackmail material on Trump and that the campaign was engaged in a “ well-developed conspiracy of cooperation ” with the Russian government to influence the election .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conspiracy claim in a report released in April 2019 .
Nunes also called for the release of intelligence underlying a memo that Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee last week .
The memo said that U.S. intelligence agencies in July 2016 “ obtained insight ” into “ Russian intelligence analysis ” that said that Hillary Clinton had approved a plan to link Trump to Russia ’ s election-related computer hacks .
The underlying intelligence remains classified .
Democrats have asserted that it has been debunked as Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Graham that the U.S. intelligence community has not determined if the intelligence is Russian disinformation .
Nunes , who was briefed by Ratcliffe last week along with other lawmakers , said the intelligence contained “ smoking guns ” that should be made public .
“ From what I understand , there ’ s even more underlying evidence that backs up what Director Ratcliffe put out , ” he said on Fox News .
“ We want every damn bit of evidence that every intelligence agency has or it ’ s maybe time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nunes said .
Chuck Ross is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photos “ Donald Trump ” by The White House , “ Mark Meadows ” by U.S. House of Representatives , “ Vladimir Putin ” by The Kremlin .
Background Photo “ Walter Reed Hospital ” by Tamara Keith Twitter .

by Chuck Ross
President Donald Trump is working to declassify documents related to the Russia investigation while he recovers from coronavirus at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, his chief of staff said Monday.
“This morning we’ve already had a couple of discussions on items that he wants to get done,” Mark Meadows, the chief of staff, said in an interview on “Fox & Friends.”
“Candidly, he’s already tasked me with getting declassification rolling in a follow up to some of the requests that Devin Nunes and others have made.”
Trump went to Walter Reed on Friday after experiencing symptoms from coronavirus.
Meadows did not go into detail about the documents he is working to declassify or the timeline on which they will be released. The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
Nunes, the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, has called for the declassification of a variety of documents from the FBI and U.S. intelligence community related to the investigation of the Trump campaign’s possible links to Russia in 2016.
In a Fox News interview on Sunday, Nunes discussed two sets of documents he wants released to the American public.
He called for the release of memos from interviews that the FBI conducted with the primary source for dossier author Christopher Steele in January, February and May 2017.
The Senate Judiciary Committee released memos of interviews that the FBI conducted with the source, Igor Danchenko, in January 2017, but other interview transcripts have not been released.
An FBI memo declassified last month said that the bureau had investigated Danchenko in 2009 as a possible Russian agent.
Republicans investigating the origins of the Steele dossier have tried to figure out whether it is the product of Russian disinformation, or if parts of it were fabricated by Steele and others. The Clinton campaign and DNC hired Steele, a former MI6 officer, in June 2016 to investigate Trump’s possible links to Russia.
In the dossier, Steele alleged that the Kremlin had blackmail material on Trump and that the campaign was engaged in a “well-developed conspiracy of cooperation” with the Russian government to influence the election. The special counsel’s office debunked the conspiracy claim in a report released in April 2019.
Nunes also called for the release of intelligence underlying a memo that Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee last week.
The memo said that U.S. intelligence agencies in July 2016 “obtained insight” into “Russian intelligence analysis” that said that Hillary Clinton had approved a plan to link Trump to Russia’s election-related computer hacks.
The underlying intelligence remains classified. Democrats have asserted that it has been debunked as Russian disinformation.
Ratcliffe said in his memo to Graham that the U.S. intelligence community has not determined if the intelligence is Russian disinformation.
Nunes, who was briefed by Ratcliffe last week along with other lawmakers, said the intelligence contained “smoking guns” that should be made public.
“From what I understand, there’s even more underlying evidence that backs up what Director Ratcliffe put out,” he said on Fox News.
“We want every damn bit of evidence that every intelligence agency has or it’s maybe time to shut those agencies down,” Nunes said.
– – –
Chuck Ross is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Photos “Donald Trump” by The White House, “Mark Meadows” by U.S. House of Representatives, “Vladimir Putin” by The Kremlin.
Background Photo “Walter Reed Hospital” by Tamara Keith Twitter.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-06--National Tribute to Law Enforcement Virtual Event Will Celebrate and Honor Police

Next Saturday , Be The People Project is hosting “ National Tribute to Law Enforcement , ” a virtual event to celebrate and honor police officers .
Civil rights activist Robert L. Woodson Sr. will serve as the keynote speaker .
The event will also feature speeches from active and retired law enforcement professionals Kenneth Harms , James Smallwood , Lt. Randy Sutton , and Republican Senate candidate Bill Hagerty .
One way the event will honor law enforcement is through a token of appreciation given to some of the officers who register for the event .
“ The idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a conversation I had with a colleague about the violent attacks on police officers and the need to show them how much we appreciate the tremendous job they do for us under the most trying circumstances , ” stated Be The People Founding Director Dr. Carol Swain .
“ We are giving away over 100 $ 50 gift certificates to law enforcement professionals that register for this event because we want to bless as many active duty officers with funds that will allow them to have a meal or go to a movie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Woodson Center , The Tennessee Star , Cooper Steel , and the 917 Society .
“ It breaks my heart that [ police officers ] are being so unjustly criticized and attacked , even by elected officials and the media ; it must be terribly demoralizing , ” stated event co-sponsor Lee Beaman .
“ I believe it ’ s time for the good people of this country to take a stand and defend our law enforcement to let them know we appreciate them.
” In an interview with The Star , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to support first responders .
“ This is an important way for people to honor police officers and show their respect .
One of the motivations was that the environment is so demoralizing for law enforcement .
When I was running for mayor , I noticed that the past two or three mayors – at least the past three – have neglected first responders , and I felt it was endangering the public .
They had severe [ staffing ] shortages , and I can only imagine that ’ s worsened , especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference itself is a national conference and I would like to encourage people to sign up , even if they ’ re not in law enforcement .
If you have friends and family in law enforcement , I ’ d encourage you to sign up , too.
” Be The People Project is a nonprofit educating individuals on America ’ s conservative Judeo-Christian values and principles .
“ This virtual event will help teach attendees to honor the law of the land and those responsible for upholding our laws and our Constitution , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the 917 Society , Joni Bryan .
“ Respect of our laws and law enforcement is vital if we are to survive as a nation.
” The online event is scheduled October 17th from 10 am – 12 pm CST .
Registration is open here .
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and the Star News Network .
Follow her latest on Twitter , or email tips to [ email protected ] .

Next Saturday, Be The People Project is hosting “National Tribute to Law Enforcement,” a virtual event to celebrate and honor police officers.
Civil rights activist Robert L. Woodson Sr. will serve as the keynote speaker. The event will also feature speeches from active and retired law enforcement professionals Kenneth Harms, James Smallwood, Lt. Randy Sutton, and Republican Senate candidate Bill Hagerty.
One way the event will honor law enforcement is through a token of appreciation given to some of the officers who register for the event.
“The idea for hosting a conference was inspired by a conversation I had with a colleague about the violent attacks on police officers and the need to show them how much we appreciate the tremendous job they do for us under the most trying circumstances,” stated Be The People Founding Director Dr. Carol Swain. “We are giving away over 100 $50 gift certificates to law enforcement professionals that register for this event because we want to bless as many active duty officers with funds that will allow them to have a meal or go to a movie at our expense.”
Event sponsors include The Woodson Center, The Tennessee Star, Cooper Steel, and the 917 Society.
“It breaks my heart that [police officers] are being so unjustly criticized and attacked, even by elected officials and the media; it must be terribly demoralizing,” stated event co-sponsor Lee Beaman. “I believe it’s time for the good people of this country to take a stand and defend our law enforcement to let them know we appreciate them.”
In an interview with The Star, Dr. Swain emphasized the need for people to support first responders.
“This is an important way for people to honor police officers and show their respect. One of the motivations was that the environment is so demoralizing for law enforcement. When I was running for mayor, I noticed that the past two or three mayors – at least the past three – have neglected first responders, and I felt it was endangering the public. They had severe [staffing] shortages, and I can only imagine that’s worsened, especially in today’s environment. The conference itself is a national conference and I would like to encourage people to sign up, even if they’re not in law enforcement. If you have friends and family in law enforcement, I’d encourage you to sign up, too.”
Be The People Project is a nonprofit educating individuals on America’s conservative Judeo-Christian values and principles.
“This virtual event will help teach attendees to honor the law of the land and those responsible for upholding our laws and our Constitution,” remarked event co-organizer and Executive Director of the 917 Society, Joni Bryan. “Respect of our laws and law enforcement is vital if we are to survive as a nation.”
The online event is scheduled October 17th from 10 am – 12 pm CST. Registration is open here.
– – –
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and the Star News Network. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to [email protected].


thetennesseestar--2020-10-06--New Website: Voters Must Recall Nashville Mayor John Cooper

A group with a new website asks Davidson County voters to recall Nashville Mayor John Cooper , and the group also wants volunteers to step forward to help .
Members of this group , Nashville Citizens for Fair & Transparent Government , said on the website RestoreNashville.org , that they advised Cooper “ to cut below costs before taxing Nashville citizens , and he did not.
” As The Tennessee Star reported , Nashville Citizens for Fair & Transparent Government fought Cooper ’ s 32 percent property tax increase in May .
Cooper , the website said , demonstrated poor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and young families , and destroyed businesses and jobs .
Among only some of the things Nashville Citizens for Fair & Transparent Government said of Cooper : • “ He promised to address Nashville ’ s long financial problems .
Yet as mayor , when it was time to create a budget , he made no cuts to the budget and plans to spend the unexpected sales tax revenue.
” • “ He then passed an exorbitant 34 percent ( 37 percent ) property tax increase .
Renters now pay an additional $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay an additional $ 750/yr on a $ 300k home.
” • “ He is now threatening to sue the Election Commission if they put the Tax Payer Protection Act on the ballot as 30,000 voters demanded .
Having no choice , the EC has now sued Nashville citizens.
” As for school closures , the website , quoting unidentified pediatricians , say schools should open .
“ We know COVID-19 is not a significant threat to our children .
If schools remain closed , however , data tells us students are at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ substance abuse , domestic violence , and long-term educational setbacks that destroy the foundation of a child ’ s future , ” the website says .
The website also says that “ thousands of people remain unemployed because Cooper placed restrictions on small businesses .
Many small businesses have closed their doors leaving people jobless with nowhere to turn.
” To help taxpayers , the website also recommends , among other things , furloughing city employees , pulling money out of arts and nonprofits , and cutting the Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cost is up.
” Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]

A group with a new website asks Davidson County voters to recall Nashville Mayor John Cooper, and the group also wants volunteers to step forward to help.
Members of this group, Nashville Citizens for Fair & Transparent Government, said on the website RestoreNashville.org, that they advised Cooper “to cut below costs before taxing Nashville citizens, and he did not.”
As The Tennessee Star reported, Nashville Citizens for Fair & Transparent Government fought Cooper’s 32 percent property tax increase in May.
Cooper, the website said, demonstrated poor fiscal stewardship, showed indifference to children and young families, and destroyed businesses and jobs.
Among only some of the things Nashville Citizens for Fair & Transparent Government said of Cooper:
• “He promised to address Nashville’s long financial problems. Yet as mayor, when it was time to create a budget, he made no cuts to the budget and plans to spend the unexpected sales tax revenue.”
• “He then passed an exorbitant 34 percent (37 percent) property tax increase. Renters now pay an additional $150/month ($1,800/yr) and homeowners pay an additional $750/yr on a $300k home.”
• “He is now threatening to sue the Election Commission if they put the Tax Payer Protection Act on the ballot as 30,000 voters demanded. Having no choice, the EC has now sued Nashville citizens.”
As for school closures, the website, quoting unidentified pediatricians, say schools should open.
“We know COVID-19 is not a significant threat to our children. If schools remain closed, however, data tells us students are at an alarmingly increased risk for suicide, substance abuse, domestic violence, and long-term educational setbacks that destroy the foundation of a child’s future,” the website says.
The website also says that “thousands of people remain unemployed because Cooper placed restrictions on small businesses. Many small businesses have closed their doors leaving people jobless with nowhere to turn.”
To help taxpayers, the website also recommends, among other things, furloughing city employees, pulling money out of arts and nonprofits, and cutting the Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority as “ridership is down” and “cost is up.”
– – –
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected]


thetennesseestar--2020-10-06--Cardinal Says Biden ‘Not a Catholic in Good Standing,’ Should not Receive Communion

Cardinal Raymond Burke said Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , who describes himself as a “ devout Catholic , ” is “ not a Catholic in good standing ” and “ should not approach to receive Holy Communion.
” In an interview with Catholic Action for Faith and Family released last week , Burke said he doesn ’ t intend to endorse any political candidate , but simply wants to state that “ a Catholic may not support abortion in any shape or form because it is one of the most grievous sins against human life , and has always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ therefore to in any way support the act is a mortal sin.
” “ And the person in question [ Biden ] has not only been actively supporting procured abortion in our country , but has announced publicly in his campaign that he intends to make the practice of procured abortion available to everyone in the widest possible form , and to repeal the restrictions on this practice which have been put in place , ” said Burke , a canon lawyer and former prefect of the Catholic Church ’ s highest court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I would tell him not to approach Holy Communion out of charity toward him , because that would be a sacrilege , and a danger to the salvation of his own soul , ” Burke continued .
“ But also he should not approach to receive Holy Communion because he gives scandal to everyone .
Because if someone says ‘ well , I ’ m a devout Catholic ’ and at the same time is promoting abortion , it gives the impression to others that it ’ s acceptable for a Catholic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of course it ’ s absolutely not acceptable .
It never has been , it never will be.
” Burke said he can not understand why Catholics “ who are involved in politics can ’ t get this straight in their heads.
” “ We simply have to get this straight , ” Burke stated .
“ This is a most fundamental way in which the Catholic Church can serve the whole of our society by restoring the respect for human life , while , on the other hand , Catholics going around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being 100 percent in favor of abortion or being in favor of abortion in any way , give a great scandal.
” Burke defined scandal as leading others into “ wrong thinking and wrong acting by your example.
” “ In other words , if people were perhaps questioning in their mind about abortion and they see this man who announces himself to be a devout Catholic and he ’ s promoting abortion in the strongest possible way , this leads people into error , thinking , well , it must be morally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s been approached by many non-Catholic politicians who believe the Church has changed its teaching on abortion and same-sex marriage .
“ I can ’ t imagine that any Catholic wouldn ’ t know that abortion is a grievous sin , but if they don ’ t , once they ’ ve been told , then they either have to cease to support abortion or accept the fact they are not a Catholic in good standing and therefore should not present themselves for Holy Communion , ” Burke said later in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Alpha News .
He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform , and reported for The Daily Caller .
Photo “ Cardinal Burke ” by Catholic Action for Faith and Family Vimeo

by Anthony Gockowski
Cardinal Raymond Burke said Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, who describes himself as a “devout Catholic,” is “not a Catholic in good standing” and “should not approach to receive Holy Communion.”
In an interview with Catholic Action for Faith and Family released last week, Burke said he doesn’t intend to endorse any political candidate, but simply wants to state that “a Catholic may not support abortion in any shape or form because it is one of the most grievous sins against human life, and has always been considered to be intrinsically evil and therefore to in any way support the act is a mortal sin.”
“And the person in question [Biden] has not only been actively supporting procured abortion in our country, but has announced publicly in his campaign that he intends to make the practice of procured abortion available to everyone in the widest possible form, and to repeal the restrictions on this practice which have been put in place,” said Burke, a canon lawyer and former prefect of the Catholic Church’s highest court.
“So, first of all, I would tell him not to approach Holy Communion out of charity toward him, because that would be a sacrilege, and a danger to the salvation of his own soul,” Burke continued.
“But also he should not approach to receive Holy Communion because he gives scandal to everyone. Because if someone says ‘well, I’m a devout Catholic’ and at the same time is promoting abortion, it gives the impression to others that it’s acceptable for a Catholic to be in favor of abortion and of course it’s absolutely not acceptable. It never has been, it never will be.”
Burke said he cannot understand why Catholics “who are involved in politics can’t get this straight in their heads.”
“We simply have to get this straight,” Burke stated. “This is a most fundamental way in which the Catholic Church can serve the whole of our society by restoring the respect for human life, while, on the other hand, Catholics going around announcing themselves as pious Catholics and then being 100 percent in favor of abortion or being in favor of abortion in any way, give a great scandal.”
Burke defined scandal as leading others into “wrong thinking and wrong acting by your example.”
“In other words, if people were perhaps questioning in their mind about abortion and they see this man who announces himself to be a devout Catholic and he’s promoting abortion in the strongest possible way, this leads people into error, thinking, well, it must be morally acceptable to commit abortions.”
Burke said he’s been approached by many non-Catholic politicians who believe the Church has changed its teaching on abortion and same-sex marriage.
“I can’t imagine that any Catholic wouldn’t know that abortion is a grievous sin, but if they don’t, once they’ve been told, then they either have to cease to support abortion or accept the fact they are not a Catholic in good standing and therefore should not present themselves for Holy Communion,” Burke said later in the interview.
– – –
Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News. He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform, and reported for The Daily Caller.
Photo “Cardinal Burke” by Catholic Action for Faith and Family Vimeo


thetennesseestar--2020-10-06--Breitbart Economic Reporter John Carney Talks the End of New York City and How the Coronavirus Guara

Breitbart Economic Reporter John Carney Talks the End of New York City and How the Coronavirus Guaranteed That You would Have a Recession Everywhere

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 Breitbart ’ s leader on economic reporting John Carney to the newsmakers line .
During the third hour , Carney discussed economics due to COVID and the decline of New York City citing that the city may come back in another 40 years due to the increase in violence .
He dispelled the narrative that Trump had caused the current unemployment numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simultaneously .
Leahy : And we ’ re joined on the news maker line by my good friend and colleague at Breitbart , leader on economic reporting , John Carney .
Good morning , John .
Carney : Good morning !
Thanks for having me .
Leahy : It ’ s a delight to have you on .
We ’ ve worked together at Breitbart for several years now ?
When did you join Breitbart John ?
Carney : Actually almost exactly four years ago .
It was right after the 2016 election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve worked together that for that long , and we have not worked in the same specific area .
I ’ m more in the political Arena , but you are the man reporting on the economy .
If you listen to Joe Biden , the economy has collapsed .
It ’ s all Donald Trump ’ s fault , but you ’ re reporting suggest something quite different .
Carney : That ’ s right .
Look the economy has suffered mightily and there ’ s no doubt about it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever unemployment rates that Americans have ever seen to the highest because we shut down the economy .
We locked down businesses and told them that they couldn ’ t be open .
So of course the economy has suffered mightily .
The thing that Joe Biden has done that makes no sense at all is that he accused this of being President Trump ’ s fault .
He said he literally said during the last debate , I mean it ’ s unbelievable when I write it down or say them out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe somebody would be this dishonest .
But he literally said that Donald Trump caused the recession .
The easiest way to disprove that notion is to just notice that there ’ s a recession in Germany .
There ’ s a recession in France .
There ’ s a recession in the UK in and in Spain and in Italy and in Japan .
Now , I understand the Democrats don ’ t like Donald Trump , but there ’ s no way he caused a session in each of those countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus guaranteed that you would have a recession everywhere .
Leahy : And that was I think John wasn ’ t that based on the actions of governors .
Many blue state governors who have kind of put these Draconian shutdown efforts together ‘ based on the science.
’ But it looks like it ’ s based upon their desire to tell people what to do .
In Michigan , the Michigan Supreme Court said Governor Gretchen Whitmer you ’ ve put on too many unconstitutional and illegal controls .
You can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do you make of that John ?
Carney : Yeah , I think that ’ s right .
I think that now I get it .
Back in March and April and even in the beginning of may we didn ’ t know very much about the virus .
We learned either China didn ’ t share very much information at all .
SI can kind of understand the Draconian shutdown in the beginning .
Remember when we were all afraid to touch things because we thought we were going to get coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that .
What does science say about touching things ?
( Carney chuckles ) Carney : Right .
Well , we don ’ t get it from touching things .
There is very there ’ s very little evidence that anybody gets it from , you know , touching a box that somebody touched yesterday .
remember there were people who didn ’ t want to bring things into their house for three days .
So very early on we didn ’ t know a lot and there ’ s a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things were working .
What I would say is we now know you ’ re not going to get it by touching things in general .
Sure , if somebody just sneezed on a place you put your hand in their sneeze you can get it .
And then you put your hand in your mouth after you put it in there sneeze .
But that ’ s a series of events that don ’ t touch your face thing is not really going to be how it ’ s transmitted .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we shut down the economy and social distanced didn ’ t really make much sense .
But again , I will say , you know , that ’ s only in retrospect .
We didn ’ t know .
So people thought that there were a lot of things we need to do that we don ’ t need to do .
Now we know for instance that keeping the schools closed is mostly insane .
That there ’ s very little evidence of any transmission internationally from children to adults .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be super-spreaders and give it to you both contract coronavirus from each other and then spread it to adults was way overblown .
And in fact , children are not major sources of what the scientists call community spread .
So probably we could have the schools opened .
Other than in New York City where we are open two days a week for most kids there is no major school system in the United States that is open for children to go to school .
Leahy : You know , you mentioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live in New York City .
Leahy : New York City is perhaps the poster child of the very worst Draconian shutdowns .
Not only by Governor Cuomo but by your Your Mayor de Blasio up there who ’ s got to be the worst .
One of the worst mayors in the country .
Is New York City ever going to come back ?
Carney : I think it will come back but in 40 years .
So New York City is a resilient place .
New York in one form or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , going back 400 years .
So yeah , it ’ ll come back .
but New York takes 40 to 50-year breaks in which it ’ s a terrible place to live .
And I think New York is really setting up for being a pretty bad place .
Both with the defunded but which they are defunding the police here in New York , But also demoralized police .
Spiking crime rates .
You have murder shooting up to twice shootings that are four hundred percent higher than they were a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of the things that people want to live in New York City for or even visit the city aren ’ t operational .
So you have no restaurants .
No bars , no museums , and no theaters .
Leahy : It sounds like a pretty miserable place to be raising a family these days .
Carney : It is .
And the value proposition right where you say Yeah , you ’ re not going to get as much space .
You ’ re going to live in a tiny apartment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get to do all this cool stuff is gone .
It ’ s a wonder and you look at what ’ s happening .
The other factor is that there were a lot of good jobs people can get in New York City .
Those jobs still mostly exist .
But you don ’ t have to go into New York City to do them anymore .
So a lot there ’ s a lot of remote working .
So one thing that means is that all of the businesses set up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carts to lunch spots and to the salad chop salad place .
Those are all ruined businesses .
They ’ re shutting down in there may never come back .
But also a lot of people are deciding , you know , if I ’ m going to work from home three to four days a week ?
Why would I live here ?
Maybe I could live an hour outside of New York City .
It makes the commute easier to handle if you only have to do it a couple of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I don ’ t know if you followed this news but last month our friend Ben Shapiro used to be with us at Breitbart now runs is involved with the Daily Wire .
They are based in Los Angeles with 75 employees .
They announced that they ’ re moving .
They ’ re leaving Los Angeles and guess where they ’ re coming .
They are coming to Nashville .
How about that ?
Carney : I really want them to set up .
I always thought this would be super @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daily Wire and I was moving to Nashville I ’ d set up a live show each night out on the street there .
You know , like just you Daily Wire and let everybody come out and see Ben Shapiro live nightly .
Leahy : The only problem with that John .
Is that our city ?
The man Nashville is run by the de Blasio of the South John Cooper who has That ’ s not my line originally , but it came from John Rich of Big & Rich .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and he ’ s shut down the restaurants to 50 percent capacity .
Even though get this , only 146 of the 25,000 cases of coronavirus in Davidson County are traceable to bars and restaurants .
We have one minute left John .
What ’ s the bottom line ?
What ’ s going to happen in this election ?
Who ’ s going to win ?
Carney : So here ’ s the thing .
I think if Donald Trump comes back from the virus and can come roaring back and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through .
I ’ m healthy and I ’ m going to help America make it through this .
I think he can win .
Remember last October in 2016 people were desperate .
They thought we were done and Donald Trump came back .
That said , if he can ’ t campaign and if he ’ s sick for the next four weeks I don ’ t think he can win .
Listen to the full third hour here :

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 Breitbart’s leader on economic reporting John Carney to the newsmakers line.
During the third hour, Carney discussed economics due to COVID and the decline of New York City citing that the city may come back in another 40 years due to the increase in violence. He dispelled the narrative that Trump had caused the current unemployment numbers and recession when it was happening internationally simultaneously.
Leahy: And we’re joined on the news maker line by my good friend and colleague at Breitbart, leader on economic reporting, John Carney. Good morning, John.
Carney: Good morning! Thanks for having me.
Leahy: It’s a delight to have you on. We’ve worked together at Breitbart for several years now? When did you join Breitbart John?
Carney: Actually almost exactly four years ago. It was right after the 2016 election.
Leahy: Great. So we’ve worked together that for that long, and we have not worked in the same specific area. I’m more in the political Arena, but you are the man reporting on the economy. If you listen to Joe Biden, the economy has collapsed. It’s all Donald Trump’s fault, but you’re reporting suggest something quite different.
Carney: That’s right. Look the economy has suffered mightily and there’s no doubt about it. We went from one of the lowest ever unemployment rates that Americans have ever seen to the highest because we shut down the economy. We locked down businesses and told them that they couldn’t be open. So of course the economy has suffered mightily. The thing that Joe Biden has done that makes no sense at all is that he accused this of being President Trump’s fault.
He said he literally said during the last debate, I mean it’s unbelievable when I write it down or say them out loud. I almost can’t believe somebody would be this dishonest. But he literally said that Donald Trump caused the recession. The easiest way to disprove that notion is to just notice that there’s a recession in Germany.
There’s a recession in France. There’s a recession in the UK in and in Spain and in Italy and in Japan. Now, I understand the Democrats don’t like Donald Trump, but there’s no way he caused a session in each of those countries as well. The fact is that the coronavirus guaranteed that you would have a recession everywhere.
Leahy: And that was I think John wasn’t that based on the actions of governors. Many blue state governors who have kind of put these Draconian shutdown efforts together ‘based on the science.’ But it looks like it’s based upon their desire to tell people what to do. In Michigan, the Michigan Supreme Court said Governor Gretchen Whitmer you’ve put on too many unconstitutional and illegal controls. You can’t do it anymore. What do you make of that John?
Carney: Yeah, I think that’s right. I think that now I get it. Back in March and April and even in the beginning of may we didn’t know very much about the virus. We learned either China didn’t share very much information at all. SI can kind of understand the Draconian shutdown in the beginning. Remember when we were all afraid to touch things because we thought we were going to get coronavirus?
Leahy: Yes. I remember that. What does science say about touching things? (Carney chuckles)
Carney: Right. Well, we don’t get it from touching things. There is very there’s very little evidence that anybody gets it from, you know, touching a box that somebody touched yesterday. remember there were people who didn’t want to bring things into their house for three days. So very early on we didn’t know a lot and there’s a lot of kind of panicky thoughts about the way things were working. What I would say is we now know you’re not going to get it by touching things in general.
Sure, if somebody just sneezed on a place you put your hand in their sneeze you can get it. And then you put your hand in your mouth after you put it in there sneeze. But that’s a series of events that don’t touch your face thing is not really going to be how it’s transmitted. And so a lot of the early ways we shut down the economy and social distanced didn’t really make much sense. But again, I will say, you know, that’s only in retrospect.
We didn’t know. So people thought that there were a lot of things we need to do that we don’t need to do. Now we know for instance that keeping the schools closed is mostly insane. That there’s very little evidence of any transmission internationally from children to adults. That the fear that children were going to be super-spreaders and give it to you both contract coronavirus from each other and then spread it to adults was way overblown. And in fact, children are not major sources of what the scientists call community spread. So probably we could have the schools opened. Other than in New York City where we are open two days a week for most kids there is no major school system in the United States that is open for children to go to school.
Leahy: You know, you mentioned New York City. I think you live in New York City.
Carney: I do.
Leahy: New York City is perhaps the poster child of the very worst Draconian shutdowns. Not only by Governor Cuomo but by your Your Mayor de Blasio up there who’s got to be the worst. One of the worst mayors in the country. Is New York City ever going to come back?
Carney: I think it will come back but in 40 years. So New York City is a resilient place. New York in one form or another ever since it was New Amsterdam, going back 400 years. So yeah, it’ll come back. but New York takes 40 to 50-year breaks in which it’s a terrible place to live. And I think New York is really setting up for being a pretty bad place.
Both with the defunded but which they are defunding the police here in New York, But also demoralized police. Spiking crime rates. You have murder shooting up to twice shootings that are four hundred percent higher than they were a year ago. And frankly, a lot of the things that people want to live in New York City for or even visit the city aren’t operational. So you have no restaurants. No bars, no museums, and no theaters.
Leahy: It sounds like a pretty miserable place to be raising a family these days.
Carney: It is. And the value proposition right where you say Yeah, you’re not going to get as much space. You’re going to live in a tiny apartment, but you’re going to get to do all this cool stuff is gone. It’s a wonder and you look at what’s happening. The other factor is that there were a lot of good jobs people can get in New York City. Those jobs still mostly exist. But you don’t have to go into New York City to do them anymore. So a lot there’s a lot of remote working.
So one thing that means is that all of the businesses set up to serve those people from you know food carts to lunch spots and to the salad chop salad place. Those are all ruined businesses. They’re shutting down in there may never come back. But also a lot of people are deciding, you know, if I’m going to work from home three to four days a week? Why would I live here? Maybe I could live an hour outside of New York City. It makes the commute easier to handle if you only have to do it a couple of days a week.
Leahy: John, I don’t know if you followed this news but last month our friend Ben Shapiro used to be with us at Breitbart now runs is involved with the Daily Wire. They are based in Los Angeles with 75 employees. They announced that they’re moving. They’re leaving Los Angeles and guess where they’re coming. They are coming to Nashville. How about that?
Carney: I really want them to set up. I always thought this would be super cool. If I was running the Daily Wire and I was moving to Nashville I’d set up a live show each night out on the street there. You know, like just you Daily Wire and let everybody come out and see Ben Shapiro live nightly.
Leahy: The only problem with that John. Is that our city? The man Nashville is run by the de Blasio of the South John Cooper who has That’s not my line originally, but it came from John Rich of Big & Rich. But it’s a great line, and he’s shut down the restaurants to 50 percent capacity. Even though get this, only 146 of the 25,000 cases of coronavirus in Davidson County are traceable to bars and restaurants. We have one minute left John. What’s the bottom line? What’s going to happen in this election? Who’s going to win?
Carney: So here’s the thing. I think if Donald Trump comes back from the virus and can come roaring back and tell people, look I made it through. I’m healthy and I’m going to help America make it through this. I think he can win. Remember last October in 2016 people were desperate. They thought we were done and Donald Trump came back. That said, if he can’t campaign and if he’s sick for the next four weeks I don’t think he can win.
Listen to the full third hour here:


thetennesseestar--2020-10-06--Ohio Elections Chief Okay’s Drop Boxes Inside, Outside Boards

COLUMBUS , Ohio ( AP ) — Ohio ’ s secretary of state adjusted his one-box-per-county restriction Monday to say counties may collect absentee ballots both at their buildings and at locations outside , an update to an order that has landed him in both state and federal court .
Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose characterized his revised order as a “ clarification ” in a case that has highlighted the interest in access to ballot drop boxes amid coronavirus concerns , cuts at the U.S .
Postal Service and President Donald Trump ’ s baseless assertions that mail-in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order always allowed Ohio ’ s 88 county boards to collect ballots at various locations around their own property — though that is not how Democrats and voting rights groups who sued had interpreted it .
It is often the more urban , Democrat-heavy counties that lean toward drop boxes .
The new directive requires Ohio ’ s 88 county boards of elections to accept absentee ballots around the clock at secure receptacles at their central offices and also clears them to set up “ convenient drive-through ballot drop offs ” outside .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ but LaRose ’ s office said it means on the board ’ s property .
The order does not mention the word “ property , ” however , which may ultimately cause some confusion .
In Cuyahoga County , for example , LaRose gave special approval to a second drive-thru drop box that ’ s located across the street from the board , on property owned by Cleveland State University .
Another board , in Athens County , said it needed special permission from his office just to offer drop boxes at both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper accused LaRose of not keeping his word to allow counties to spread out their drop-off locations , a convenience for voters amid the coronavirus pandemic .
“ Frank LaRose pledged publicly that he would allow expanded drop box locations if he were allowed under Ohio law , ” Pepper said in a statement .
“ We proved our case , and he lost , showing that drop boxes are permitted in multiple locations in Ohio counties .
Now he ’ s going back on his word with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appellate court made clear Friday that LaRose was free under Ohio law to rescind his earlier order and issue a new one .
In its decision , the 10th District Court of Appeals found that if LaRose wanted to expand the number of ballot drop boxes beyond a single location per county , he was within his authority , but that it wasn ’ t appropriate for a court to order him to .
The three-judge panel agreed with a lower judge that LaRose ’ s directive was not reasonable , a victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenge .
A separate challenge to the one-drop-box-per-county directive was filed in federal court in Cleveland .
However , they also said the order didn ’ t violate state law and so did not deserve to be blocked — a victory for LaRose and Republican groups , including the Trump campaign , that supported the limitation .
LaRose pledged to work with the Legislature to clarify the law — but not before this year ’ s election , for which voting begins Tuesday .
The decision to simply clarify the order was in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close to the election , LaRose said .
State Republican Chairman Jane Timken commended LaRose for a move she said will protect the integrity of the election .
“ With just 29 days standing between now and Election Day , Ohio Democrats want to cause confusion amongst voters and chaos at our boards of elections , ” she said in a statement .
Elections officials in Hamilton County , which includes Cincinnati , on Monday showed off a new , expanded voting center as they prepared for early voting to begin Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than double the usual center ’ s space in Norwood , Ohio .
“ We feel that we are well prepared , ” Sherry Poland , elections director , told journalists .
Voters will be greeted by a sanitizing station that includes masks if they don ’ t have them , and then will be directed to lines with markings 6 feet apart .
Officials are encouraging early voting ahead of Election Day on Nov. 3 and are urging people who are voting by mail not to wait until the final days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time to get counted .
Poland said strong turnout is expected , although she pointed out there is no history of what voting is like during a pandemic .
Julie Carr Smyth is a reporter for The Associated Press .
Associated Press writer Dan Sewell in Cincinnati contributed to this report .
Photo “ Ballot Drop Box ” by Cindy Shebley CC BY 2.0 .

by Julie Carr Smyth
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio’s secretary of state adjusted his one-box-per-county restriction Monday to say counties may collect absentee ballots both at their buildings and at locations outside, an update to an order that has landed him in both state and federal court.
Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose characterized his revised order as a “clarification” in a case that has highlighted the interest in access to ballot drop boxes amid coronavirus concerns, cuts at the U.S. Postal Service and President Donald Trump’s baseless assertions that mail-in voting is rigged.
LaRose said his order always allowed Ohio’s 88 county boards to collect ballots at various locations around their own property — though that is not how Democrats and voting rights groups who sued had interpreted it. It is often the more urban, Democrat-heavy counties that lean toward drop boxes.
The new directive requires Ohio’s 88 county boards of elections to accept absentee ballots around the clock at secure receptacles at their central offices and also clears them to set up “convenient drive-through ballot drop offs” outside.
“Outside” is not defined, but LaRose’s office said it means on the board’s property. The order does not mention the word “property,” however, which may ultimately cause some confusion. In Cuyahoga County, for example, LaRose gave special approval to a second drive-thru drop box that’s located across the street from the board, on property owned by Cleveland State University.
Another board, in Athens County, said it needed special permission from his office just to offer drop boxes at both its front and back entrances.
Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper accused LaRose of not keeping his word to allow counties to spread out their drop-off locations, a convenience for voters amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“Frank LaRose pledged publicly that he would allow expanded drop box locations if he were allowed under Ohio law,” Pepper said in a statement. “We proved our case, and he lost, showing that drop boxes are permitted in multiple locations in Ohio counties. Now he’s going back on his word with a transparent, cynical ploy.”
A state appellate court made clear Friday that LaRose was free under Ohio law to rescind his earlier order and issue a new one.
In its decision, the 10th District Court of Appeals found that if LaRose wanted to expand the number of ballot drop boxes beyond a single location per county, he was within his authority, but that it wasn’t appropriate for a court to order him to.
The three-judge panel agreed with a lower judge that LaRose’s directive was not reasonable, a victory for Democrats who had brought the legal challenge. A separate challenge to the one-drop-box-per-county directive was filed in federal court in Cleveland.
However, they also said the order didn’t violate state law and so did not deserve to be blocked — a victory for LaRose and Republican groups, including the Trump campaign, that supported the limitation.
LaRose pledged to work with the Legislature to clarify the law — but not before this year’s election, for which voting begins Tuesday.
The decision to simply clarify the order was in the spirit of not causing chaos so close to the election, LaRose said.
State Republican Chairman Jane Timken commended LaRose for a move she said will protect the integrity of the election.
“With just 29 days standing between now and Election Day, Ohio Democrats want to cause confusion amongst voters and chaos at our boards of elections,” she said in a statement.
Elections officials in Hamilton County, which includes Cincinnati, on Monday showed off a new, expanded voting center as they prepared for early voting to begin Tuesday. They leased a neighboring 15,000-square-foot space, more than double the usual center’s space in Norwood, Ohio.
“We feel that we are well prepared,” Sherry Poland, elections director, told journalists.
Voters will be greeted by a sanitizing station that includes masks if they don’t have them, and then will be directed to lines with markings 6 feet apart.
Officials are encouraging early voting ahead of Election Day on Nov. 3 and are urging people who are voting by mail not to wait until the final days and risk their votes not arriving in time to get counted.
Poland said strong turnout is expected, although she pointed out there is no history of what voting is like during a pandemic.
– – –
Julie Carr Smyth is a reporter for The Associated Press. Associated Press writer Dan Sewell in Cincinnati contributed to this report.
Photo “Ballot Drop Box” by Cindy Shebley CC BY 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-06--Crom Carmichael Poses the Question, Would FDR Have Been a Great President Had it Not Been for Hitler

Crom Carmichael Poses the Question, Would FDR Have Been a Great President Had it Not Been for Hitler?

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 .
During the third hour , Carmichael discussed the parallels between the Great Depression and the current recession and questions whether or not FDR would have been considered a great president had it not been for Adolph Hitler .
Leahy : We are 29 days away from the big election on November 3rd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump .
You know , I ’ m looking at this crime and it seems to me that the current Democratic party is not your grandfather ’ s Democratic party .
The Democrats became a sort of the party the little guy supposedly .
But this back end , you know Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the era of the New Deal who served as president from 1933 to 1945 and led the country through most of World War II , you know , he died .
He was only 63 years old when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like a young man .
But now we have 77-year-old Joe Biden leading the Democratic Party .
He said on the debate he is the Democratic party .
It seems to me that there ’ s a big difference , but maybe you could advise me a little bit more about this between those Democratic parties .
Carmichael : A great question is for me is would FDR been a great president had it not been for Hitler ?
And the answer is he would not have been a great president .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And I think it ’ s very important that our audience understand why .
By the way , here ’ s a great trivia question .
This is a little bit like I ask people who claim to have been Yankee fans back in 1960 .
I was a huge Yankees fan .
Mickey Mantle was my guy Carmichael : Yeah , and so it might my question is to anybody who says they were Yankee fan when mantle and Maris had all those home runs .
The question is who played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was center .
Carmichael : No .
No , he was he did play somebody wasn ’ t the starter a Lopez and he was a Hector Lopez .
Leahy : Hector Lopez , very good .
Not bad .
Well , I got the substitute .
Carmichael : Here ’ s an even bigger trivial question .
Who was Franklin Delano Roosevelt ’ s vice president before Truman ?
Leahy : John Nance Garner was actually his first vice president .
Carmichael : Well , this was during the time period that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you ’ re right , Leahy : You know his famous saying John Nance Garner .
He was a former Speaker of the House in Texas .
He said the vice presidency isn ’ t worth a warm bucket of blank .
Carmichael : Well spit .
Thank you .
Leahy : That was the sanitized version of it .
( Chuckles ) Carmichael : Well Gardner also said , Gardener .
So said we have got to come we have got to confiscate the wealth .
He said that in 1918 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s important to understand about Roosevelt .
He took over in 1933 at the bottom of the depression .
It reminds me a little bit about Obama .
Obama took over and at the bottom of a terrible recession .
In 1936 the top personal tax rate had been raised to 79 percent from 25 .
When Roosevelt took office , the top marginal tax rate was 25 percent .
In four years he had raised it to 79 percent with a 70 percent maximum estate tax .
The federal corporate tax was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wealthy people do ?
They formed corporations .
Carmichael : Just like Joe Biden who put all his money in a sub-S-corporation to avoid taxes .
Leahy : Oh , yeah .
Really wealthy people and the super-rich formed corporations so that all of their income would go into the corporations .
And then the corporations would own their homes .
Own their cars and pay for all their stuff .
Wealthy people are not stupid because they know how to use the tax code to their advantage .
Carmichael : Yes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s one of the two .
One of the two .
There are loopholes in it or they will leave .
Now , but here ’ s what happened .
The economic pain from all this was very swift .
the Dow Jones average crashed from 114 on November 24th , 1937 .
It crashed to 114 from 190 .
In three months it went from 190 to 114 .
That is a huge 40 percent decline .
Gross domestic product fell more than 5 percent .
Leahy : This was eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1929 .
This was the beginning of Roosevelt ’ s second term .
Carmichael : Yes , exactly .
And the gross domestic product fell five percent .
And that ’ s a huge drop by the way from 1937 to 1938 .
Unemployment roughly 12 percent in May of ’ 37 climb to 20.7 percent in April of ’ 39 .
Industrial production tumbled 33 percent .
Now here ’ s what ’ s interesting about that .
It is that the only reason that the economy ultimately recovered was war production @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s why I started the segment by asking if it weren ’ t for Hitler would Roosevelt had been a would he have been a great president ?
And I stipulate that based on his record on the economy is that he would have been a terrible president .
He would have been listed as a terrible president .
Because here ’ s where I disagree with your opening remark about Roosevelt .
He was not the guy for the little man .
He was the guy for the government .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ one who accelerated it .
Under Roosevelt , all of these agencies with all these letters there .
That ’ s where it all started .
The bureaucratic state started under Franklin D. Roosevelt .
Leahy : Interesting .
As you saw I did an analysis and my book 10 years ago in The Covenant of Liberty and the Ideological Origins of the Tea Party Movement .
I looked at this stat of the percentage of the GDP spent by the federal government , right ?
So before FDR in 1932 , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of his term it had jumped up to like , you know , well before the beginning of World War II it was up to like , you know , it was up to like 19 percent .
At the end of World War II it was like 40 percent in a dip back down .
Right now it ’ s around 20 to 23 percent .
Carmichael : That ’ s why you have a deficit .
Carmichael : Yeah , so If you and so if you then look at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And the reason that this man I mean is that Biden is talking about dramatically raising taxes .
just as Roosevelt did .
if you combine the state and federal taxes that Biden wants to impose you get up into the 55 to 60 percent category .
If you then add the regulations on top of that and if you add the taxes that Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren want to impose you will be up to 70 Percent federal taxes on the highest income earners .
Now if they live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way , New York and California are two of the states that are the most oppressive to its citizens during COVID .
They ’ re also raising their marginal tax rates .
So so here you have the states and they ’ re doing the opposite of what you should do in order to stimulate the economy .
And the economy doesn ’ t grow because the government throws money out there .
The economy grows when private citizens work hard to create goods and services and innovate .
Leahy : And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their job growth is .
Leahy : And small businesses are the ones hurt mouth most by these Draconian .
Well , governmental regulations .
Carmichael : Under Trump a person who had no high school education .
They ’ re averaging income Was up 9 percent in 3 years .
Obama that same group of people in eight years was up 1.7 percent in eight years .
With a high school education , your income was up six percent if you were under 35 under in the three years 17 18 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 13.4 percent on average .
If you ’ re under 35 .
Under Obama in eight years .
It was up five points .
Leahy : And the irony here is if you look at voting behavior for those under 35 , it ’ s about you know , 65 percent for Biden and 35 percent for Trump .
Carmichael : The voting in the polling may end up being very different .
And so and so we ’ ll see but this election is going to be in my opinion done and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we go back to where we were previously with COVID with the policies of pre-COVID that we ’ re generating a tremendous increase in income for the bottom half of our income earners ?
They were doing extremely well under Trump ’ s policies or do you want to go back to frankly not just the policies of Obama , but even worse .
But go back and look at FDR and what he did and how his policies created a second Great Depression in 1937 and 1938 .
And the only thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of FDR ’ s Depression was the second World War .
Hence , my question is , would FDR been a great president were it not for Hitler ?
Leahy : Well , the other part about that is this .
Not only will Joe Biden raise taxes crushing the economy .
He said if there ’ s even a little uptick in cases , not hospitalizations of death He ’ ll shut everything down or have the and force everybody to wear these masks .
Carmichael : And he is on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that nationally .
Leahy : He doesn ’ t have the authority to do .
Carmichael : Well , he ’ ll he may if he packs the court .
Listen to the full third hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ FDR ” by FDR Presidential Library & Museum CC BY 2.0 .

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.
During the third hour, Carmichael discussed the parallels between the Great Depression and the current recession and questions whether or not FDR would have been considered a great president had it not been for Adolph Hitler.
Leahy: We are 29 days away from the big election on November 3rd pitting Joe Biden against incumbent President Donald Trump. You know, I’m looking at this crime and it seems to me that the current Democratic party is not your grandfather’s Democratic party. The Democrats became a sort of the party the little guy supposedly.
But this back end, you know Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the era of the New Deal who served as president from 1933 to 1945 and led the country through most of World War II, you know, he died. He was only 63 years old when he died in 1945. It seems like a young man. But now we have 77-year-old Joe Biden leading the Democratic Party. He said on the debate he is the Democratic party. It seems to me that there’s a big difference, but maybe you could advise me a little bit more about this between those Democratic parties.
Carmichael: A great question is for me is would FDR been a great president had it not been for Hitler? And the answer is he would not have been a great president. He would have been a very flawed president. And I think it’s very important that our audience understand why. By the way, here’s a great trivia question. This is a little bit like I ask people who claim to have been Yankee fans back in 1960. I was a huge Yankees fan. Mickey Mantle was my guy
Leahy: Mickey Mantle.
Carmichael: Yeah, and so it might my question is to anybody who says they were Yankee fan when mantle and Maris had all those home runs. The question is who played left field for the Yankees when Mannis was center.
Leahy: John Blanchard.
Carmichael: No. No, he was he did play somebody wasn’t the starter a Lopez and he was a Hector Lopez.
Leahy: Hector Lopez, very good. Not bad. Well, I got the substitute.
Carmichael: Here’s an even bigger trivial question. Who was Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s vice president before Truman?
Leahy: Harry Wallace.
Carmichael: John Nance Garner.
Leahy: John Nance Garner was actually his first vice president.
Carmichael: Well, this was during the time period that matters. So I’m sorry, you’re right,
Leahy: You know his famous saying John Nance Garner. He was a former Speaker of the House in Texas. He said the vice presidency isn’t worth a warm bucket of blank.
Carmichael: Well spit. Thank you.
Leahy: That was the sanitized version of it. (Chuckles)
Carmichael: Well Gardner also said, Gardener. So said we have got to come we have got to confiscate the wealth. He said that in 1918. Now here’s what’s important to understand about Roosevelt. He took over in 1933 at the bottom of the depression. It reminds me a little bit about Obama. Obama took over and at the bottom of a terrible recession.
In 1936 the top personal tax rate had been raised to 79 percent from 25. When Roosevelt took office, the top marginal tax rate was 25 percent. In four years he had raised it to 79 percent with a 70 percent maximum estate tax. The federal corporate tax was only 15 percent. So what did wealthy people do? They formed corporations.
Leahy: Yes.
Carmichael: Just like Joe Biden who put all his money in a sub-S-corporation to avoid taxes.
Leahy: Oh, yeah. Really wealthy people and the super-rich formed corporations so that all of their income would go into the corporations. And then the corporations would own their homes. Own their cars and pay for all their stuff. Wealthy people are not stupid because they know how to use the tax code to their advantage.
Carmichael: Yes, or they’ll leave. It’s one of the two. One of the two. There are loopholes in it or they will leave. Now, but here’s what happened. The economic pain from all this was very swift. the Dow Jones average crashed from 114 on November 24th, 1937. It crashed to 114 from 190. In three months it went from 190 to 114. That is a huge 40 percent decline. Gross domestic product fell more than 5 percent.
Leahy: This was eight years after the stock market crash of 1929. This was the beginning of Roosevelt’s second term.
Carmichael: Yes, exactly. And the gross domestic product fell five percent. And that’s a huge drop by the way from 1937 to 1938. Unemployment roughly 12 percent in May of ’37 climb to 20.7 percent in April of ’39. Industrial production tumbled 33 percent. Now here’s what’s interesting about that. It is that the only reason that the economy ultimately recovered was war production for the second world war.
So that’s why I started the segment by asking if it weren’t for Hitler would Roosevelt had been a would he have been a great president? And I stipulate that based on his record on the economy is that he would have been a terrible president. He would have been listed as a terrible president. Because here’s where I disagree with your opening remark about Roosevelt. He was not the guy for the little man. He was the guy for the government. He is the beginning. He is one who accelerated it. Under Roosevelt, all of these agencies with all these letters there. That’s where it all started. The bureaucratic state started under Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Leahy: Interesting. As you saw I did an analysis and my book 10 years ago in The Covenant of Liberty and the Ideological Origins of the Tea Party Movement. I looked at this stat of the percentage of the GDP spent by the federal government, right? So before FDR in 1932, it was about nine percent. By the end of his term it had jumped up to like, you know, well before the beginning of World War II it was up to like, you know, it was up to like 19 percent. At the end of World War II it was like 40 percent in a dip back down. Right now it’s around 20 to 23 percent.
Carmichael: That’s why you have a deficit.
Leahy: A percentage of spending. GDP spending.
Carmichael: Yeah, so If you and so if you then look at let’s fast-forward to Biden. And the reason that this man I mean is that Biden is talking about dramatically raising taxes. just as Roosevelt did. if you combine the state and federal taxes that Biden wants to impose you get up into the 55 to 60 percent category. If you then add the regulations on top of that and if you add the taxes that Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren want to impose you will be up to 70 Percent federal taxes on the highest income earners.
Now if they live in New York or California and by the way, New York and California are two of the states that are the most oppressive to its citizens during COVID. They’re also raising their marginal tax rates. So so here you have the states and they’re doing the opposite of what you should do in order to stimulate the economy. And the economy doesn’t grow because the government throws money out there. The economy grows when private citizens work hard to create goods and services and innovate.
Leahy: And usually with small businesses where most of their job growth is.
Carmichael: Yes
Leahy: And small businesses are the ones hurt mouth most by these Draconian. Well, governmental regulations.
Carmichael: Under Trump a person who had no high school education. They’re averaging income Was up 9 percent in 3 years. Obama that same group of people in eight years was up 1.7 percent in eight years. With a high school education, your income was up six percent if you were under 35 under in the three years 17 18, and 19, your income was up 13.4 percent on average. If you’re under 35. Under Obama in eight years. It was up five points.
Leahy: And the irony here is if you look at voting behavior for those under 35, it’s about you know, 65 percent for Biden and 35 percent for Trump.
Carmichael: The voting in the polling may end up being very different. And so and so we’ll see but this election is going to be in my opinion done and we want to have an election where we go back to where we were previously with COVID with the policies of pre-COVID that we’re generating a tremendous increase in income for the bottom half of our income earners?
They were doing extremely well under Trump’s policies or do you want to go back to frankly not just the policies of Obama, but even worse. But go back and look at FDR and what he did and how his policies created a second Great Depression in 1937 and 1938. And the only thing thing that brought us out of the out of FDR’s Depression was the second World War. Hence, my question is, would FDR been a great president were it not for Hitler?
Leahy: Well, the other part about that is this. Not only will Joe Biden raise taxes crushing the economy. He said if there’s even a little uptick in cases, not hospitalizations of death He’ll shut everything down or have the and force everybody to wear these masks.
Carmichael: And he is on the record saying they’ll do that nationally.
Leahy: He doesn’t have the authority to do.
Carmichael: Well, he’ll he may if he packs the court.
Leahy: Oh my goodness.
Listen to the full third hour here:
– – –
Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510. Listen online at iHeart Radio.
Photo “FDR” by FDR Presidential Library & Museum CC BY 2.0.