thetennesseestar--2020-06-17--Nearly Half a Million Dollars of COVID-19 Relief Money to Fund the Arts in Tennessee

The National Endowment for the Arts has awarded The Tennessee Arts Commission with $ 474,000 in COVID-19 relief money to , according to a press release , to “ save jobs in the nonprofit arts sector.
” The COVID-19 relief money comes courtesy of the federal CARES Act .
The Arts Commission will also receive another $ 60,000 in federal CARES Act funds from South Arts , the regional arts agency for Southern states , the press release said .
“ The Commission will re-grant 100 percent of the federal CARES funds totaling $ 534,000 to approximately 190 arts organizations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arts focus across the state .
These federal CARES funds are intended to be distributed as broadly as possible to help save jobs in the nonprofit arts sector and keep the doors open to arts organizations that add value to Tennessee ’ s economy and the creative life of our communities , ” according to the press release .
“ In an effort to expedite federal CARES funding and to ensure proper management of federal dollars , these funds will be re-granted directly , without separate application , to Tennessee organizations meeting all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the press release , those eligibility requirements include the following : • Nonprofit arts organizations or local government entities with a distinct arts focus as defined by the Commission • They have applied for and will receive a competitive Annual grant award in FY2021 • They have received Commission awards within one or more of the past three years ( FY 2018 , 2019 and/or 2020 ) As The Tennessee Star reported last week , Nashville Mayor John Cooper directed $ 24 million in funding from the federal CARES Act to provide every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a laptop .
And students who need internet connectivity will get it .
This , according to the city ’ s COVID-19 website .
“ This investment is sufficient for Dell Computers to provide Metro Nashville with up to 90,000 laptops for the projected 84,740 students who will be enrolled in traditional and charter schools in the upcoming school year , ” according to the website .
“ The cost of each computer will be just above $ 200 per device , a significant reduction from their list price.
” Earlier this summer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many families had access to the Internet .
Fifteen percent of families who responded to the survey reported that they did not have internet access .
Adjusting for no respondents , MNPS has estimated that 20 percent of their families lack internet access , the website said .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-06-17--Used for Decades to Treat Cushing’s Syndrome, Dexamethasone Shows Promise Preventing Deadly COVID-19

Used for Decades to Treat Cushing’s Syndrome, Dexamethasone Shows Promise Preventing Deadly COVID-19 Symptoms

Researchers in England say they have the first evidence that a drug can improve COVID-19 survival : A cheap , widely available steroid reduced deaths by up to one third in severely ill hospitalized patients .
The results were announced Tuesday and the British government immediately authorized the drug ’ s use across the United Kingdom for coronavirus patients like those who did well in the study .
Researchers said they would publish results soon in a medical journal , and several independent experts said it ’ s important to see details to know how much of a difference the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for whom .
But “ bottom line is , good news , ” said the United States ’ top infectious disease expert , Dr. Anthony Fauci .
“ This is a significant improvement in the available therapeutic options that we have.
” The coronavirus outbreak has killed more than 438,000 people worldwide since it began late last year in China .
The study , led by the University of Oxford , was a large , strict test that randomly assigned 2,104 patients to get the drug and compared them with 4,321 patients getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given either orally or through an IV for 10 days .
After four weeks , it had reduced deaths by 35 % in patients who needed treatment with breathing machines and by 20 % in those only needing supplemental oxygen .
It did not appear to help less ill patients .
Researchers estimated that the drug would prevent one death for every eight patients treated while on breathing machines and one for every 25 patients on extra oxygen alone .
“ Those are big effects , ” said one study leader , Dr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not a cure , but it ’ s certainly a long way forward.
” It ’ s especially good news that the drug “ is remarkably cheap , perhaps $ 20 or $ 30 for an entire course of treatment , ” he added .
Steroid drugs reduce inflammation , which sometimes develops in COVID-19 patients as the immune system overreacts to fight the infection .
This overreaction damages the lungs and can prove fatal .
The World Health Organization and others advise against using steroids earlier in the course of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus .
“ Early on , you ’ re fighting the virus and you want your immune system to be as intact as possible , ” Fauci explained .
But in the advanced stage of COVID-19 , the battle against the virus causes so much inflammation that it “ is hurting you more than helping you , ” he said .
The results seen in the Oxford study make “ perfect sense ” with that notion , he said .
Many hospitals and doctors have been trying steroids to quell the immune system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence from high-quality studies that it helps for COVID-19 .
Although the Oxford researchers talked only about dexamethasone , the detailed plans for the study say that participating hospitals could use two other steroids — prednisolone or hydrocortisone — and there ’ s no reason to think any particular one works better than another , said Dr. Francisco Marty , an infectious disease specialist at Brigham and Women ’ s Hospital in Boston .
“ I assume the majority of people used dexamethasone , but it ’ s not the only one that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ It will be great to see the data to see if there ’ s a class effect.
” Steroids are known to help fight certain fungal and bacterial infections such as meningitis , and a type of pneumonia common in HIV patients , but they have not proved useful against flu or some other viral diseases , he said .
The Oxford results would persuade him to try them for COVID-19 patients needing extra oxygen , he said .
Until now , the only drug shown to help fight COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gilead Sciences that blocks an enzyme the virus uses to copy its genetic material .
Remdesivir shortened the time to recovery for severely ill hospitalized patients to 11 days on average versus 15 days for those just given usual care , in a study led by the U.S. National Institutes of Health .
“ We don ’ t know yet ” if remdesivir could be used with dexamethasone — or before or after it — to give more benefit , Fauci said .
Even though dexamethasone only helps in severe cases , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Nick Cammack , a virus expert at the Wellcome Trust , a British charity that supports research .
“ This is the dream , ” because the drug has been used for decades for other conditions , said Cammack , who had no role in the study .
“ It ’ s very straightforward to make so there ’ s no reason this can ’ t be rolled out for the entire world.
” No information was given on side effects , but researchers said they used a low dose and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generally safe .
“ Short-term low dose shouldn ’ t be a problem , but steroids do have a lot of side effects ” including weight gain , high blood pressure , water retention , mood changes , sleep problems and rise in blood sugar for people with diabetes , Marty said .
Dr. Peter Bach , a health policy expert at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York , noted that in the study 41 % of those on breathing machines and 25 % on oxygen alone died .
“ The mortality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is in the U.S. , ” where one recent study found a death rate of 12 % , although that was only after two weeks versus four in the UK study , he said .
“ We are going to struggle to look at these data and use them for U.S. patients , ” he said .
But he added that “ it ’ s good news for science that the right studies got done , ” and that the drug works and is so affordable and available .
The Oxford study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month showed the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine was not working against the coronavirus .
The study enrolled more than 11,000 patients in England , Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland who were given either standard care or that plus one of several treatments : dexamethasone ; hydroxychloroquine ; the HIV combo drug lopinavir-ritonavir ; the antibiotic azithromycin ; the anti-inflammatory drug tocilizumab ; or plasma from people who have recovered from COVID-19 that contains antibodies to fight the virus .
Research is continuing on the other treatments .
The research is funded by government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private donors including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation .
Dr. Stephen Griffin , of the University of Leeds in England , said treatments that can prevent infection and serious illness are still needed .
“ Ideally , we will find something that stops the disease from progressing to a more advanced stage , ” he said , noting that remdesivir might yet prove to be effective this way .
Dexamethasone “ is not a wonder pill , but it will lessen some of the nasty effects of COVID-19.
” Marilynn Marchione reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writer Maria Cheng contributed reporting from London .
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .
About the Headline Photo : Packages of Dexamethasone are displayed in a pharmacy , Tuesday , June 16 , 2020 , in Omaha , Neb .
Researchers in England said Tuesday they have the first evidence that the drug can improve COVID-19 survival .
The cheap , widely available steroid called dexamethasone reduced deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ill hospitalized patients .
( AP Photo/Nati Harnik )

by Eric Lendrum
On April 7th, an amicus brief was filed in favor of Florida’s current ban on using state funds to support “transgender” treatments, with 17 state attorneys general voicing their support for the law.
According to the Daily Caller, the brief’s filing was part of an ongoing legal battle in the state of Florida, where far-left, pro-transgender activists have teamed up with several pseudo-medical organizations to file a lawsuit against the law. The groups involved include the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), the Endocrine Society, and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The law in question states that Medicaid funds cannot be used to cover any transgender operations, including sex change surgery, cross-sex hormones, and puberty blockers.
The 17 states that have filed in support of Florida are: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Virginia. In their filing, the AGs argue that the organizations involved in the lawsuit have “prioritized politics over science.”
“The amici States submit this brief in support of Florida’s right to regulate medicine and determine appropriate treatments for Medicaid coverage,” the brief states. “Moreover, there is particular reason to be suspicious of the interest groups in this case.”
Their brief goes on to point out that several European countries, including the United Kingdom, Finland, Norway, and Sweden have taken similar steps to crack down on transgender treatments, declaring that “transitioning treatments for minors are experimental.”
The case has already seen a judge order the three organizations to comply with subpoenas ordering them to turn over documents related to their guidance for children suffering from gender dysphoria, the official name for the condition of transgenderism. In addition, Florida’s Agency for Healthcare Administration (AHCA) submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Biden Administration demanding access to similar internal documents related to the administration’s gender transition policies.
– – –
Eric Lendrum graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he was the Secretary of the College Republicans and the founding chairman of the school’s Young Americans for Freedom chapter.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-17--State Senator Kerry Roberts: ‘We’re Not Going to Fix This World Until People Come to Know Jesus Chri

State Senator Kerry Roberts: ‘We’re Not Going to Fix This World Until People Come to Know Jesus Christ’

Live from Music Row Tuesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – Leahy was joined in studio by Tennessee state Senator Kerry Roberts .
During the third hour , Leahy and Roberts talked about how Mayor Cooper made it difficult for the Republican National Convention to come to Nashville even though it would have helped many suffering businesses .
Roberts added that in order to fix this world people need to know Jesus .
Leahy : That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North Carolina was not a very hospitable host .
Democrat Governor .
The Charlotte Mayor , Democrat .
Wanted to thwart the convention the Republicans want to have therefore they were making up all these COVID-19 rules to keep them from the assembling .
And as a result , the president said “ Ah , I ’ m going to go elsewhere.
” Now really if you look state Senator Kerry Roberts , all the other alternatives really the best facilities would have been here in Nashville , Tennessee .
Roberts : Yes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s sometimes all it takes is a little bit for a decision to be made one way or the other .
And to have a mayor speak the way he did basically saying we can ’ t afford it we don ’ t want it may have been what tilted the decision .
Leahy : Oh .
No question in my mind .
Because Nashville would be the logical place in terms of if you just look at facilities and having a good time .
Nashville would be the place to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encourages protests despite his phase two COVID-19 restrictions they are all violating .
Those protests violate those restrictions .
Because he ’ s such a hypocrite and he doesn ’ t want to have the Nashville economy improve until after the election because he is entirely a partisan hack and he doesn ’ t want to bring in new business here to Nashville .
He basically gave a signal .
We ’ re going to obstruct every possibility of a Republican National Convention coming here to Nashville even though it would have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s also kind of thumbing your nose at the Republican-controlled general assembly and executive branch .
It ’ s really terribly unfortunate .
It ’ s supposed to be a non-partisan position .
Roberts : Yes .
It ’ s supposed to be a non-partisan position .
Leahy : The mayor of Nashville ?
Not true .
Roberts : Yes , the mayor of Nashville .
What should have happened there is they should have explored every opportunity to make that happen .
Leahy : But he just revealed himself as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m not going to argue .
Leahy : He ’ s a partisan hack .
Mayor Cooper , you ’ re a partisan hack .
Call me if you ’ d like to dispute it .
We ’ ll be polite but your actions speak louder than words .
You ’ re allowing protests for the left-wing progressives that evolved into riots and all sorts of damage to the courthouse .
To businesses here .
You ’ re upping property taxes by 32 percent and yet you ’ re trying to squelch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And then you ’ re sending your little health police out to give citations and fines to these businesses just trying to make a living .
And the science doesn ’ t support what you are doing .
And you know it doesn ’ t .
And then we ’ ll see what happens .
In terms of turning down all this economic benefit by letting the Republican National Convention and the Republicans and President Trump know that they are not wanted here in Nashville .
Obviously , you look at the politics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me that a Republican mayor in Jacksonville , Florida , and a Republican governor would say come on down .
We want our economy to benefit from this .
And that ’ s what ’ s going to happen .
Roberts : They got a really warm welcome that they didn ’ t receive from the Metro Nashville Government .
And Metro Nashville Government is kind of the progressive elite and I suspect their suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome .
( Chuckles ) Leahy : Oh absolutely .
( Leahy welcomed Republicans that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Explain or apologize calls .
Roberts : I don ’ t think you ’ re going to get any calls here .
Leahy : You don ’ t think we ’ ll get any calls here ?
Roberts : Not on that one .
Leahy : I know a couple who voted for John Cooper .
Roberts : There were a lot of so-called Republicans that jumped on the Cooper bandwagon .
It was kind of like well , this is the lesser of the evils .
When you look at who can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that this is where we need to go .
At the end of the day , people vote for who they like and who they feel good about .
We just need a stronger competitor .
Leahy : Carol Swain who ran and is , by the way , our all-star panelist here every Thursday .
She was on Life , Liberty , and Levin Sunday night on FOX News .
I don ’ t know if you saw that .
She did a great job .
Roberts : No , I did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finished in third place in the first election .
She didn ’ t make the runoff .
Just narrowly missed .
There is no question Carol Swain would have been a far better mayor than Mayor Cooper .
And she would have been a mayor for all Nashvillians .
John Cooper is not a mayor for anybody that is Conservative .
It ’ s just clear .
Leahy : Well , it didn ’ t feel like that .
Roberts : It doesn ’ t feel that way .
Leahy : He doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you want to talk about selective treatment .
If you are a Conservative here and you are not getting the same kind of treatment that a left-wing marginally employed Millenial protester is getting .
They ’ re not paying property taxes by the way .
How many of those protesters are paying property taxes in Nashville ?
Pretty close to zero .
( Leahy asks protesters that pay property taxes for a business to call-in ) No .
They are not interested in paying property taxes at a 32 percent increase that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city ’ s Metro City Council .
I doubt that any of them actually own a business in Nashville .
What are the odds that there is a single protester , the guys that are trying to storm the capitol last night ?
Or the thousands who walked on Saturday and sat down in the middle of Broadway .
How many of those do you think own businesses and pay property taxes in Nashville ?
Roberts : I want to know how many went to church on Sunday .
Leahy : I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close to zero in both cases .
Roberts : I ’ m not trying to make a silly comment .
If we look at tolerance , acceptance , love , and being a productive citizen and all these other things , at some point in time have to wake up .
It ’ s interesting that people who go to church , by and large , not all the time , but by and large are the people that you are referring to .
The people who are generous , giving , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Leahy : They are good citizens and they pay their taxes and follow the law .
Roberts : We can be cynical and point out the people who go to church and screw people over in business deals and do stuff like that .
And that happens .
We are not going fix this world .
Sorry for saying this if this offends somebody , but we ’ re not going to fix this world until people come to know Jesus Christ .
You love your neighbor .
You don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t wish ill on them .
You want good for other people .
Leahy : But you know what the left-wing is doing ?
They are appropriating the language of Christianity and integrating it into their social justice warrior message .
Roberts : Amen to that .
( Leahy laughs ) When we had the heartbeat bill hearings , it was amazing to me .
Absolutely amazing to me how many times the name Jesus was evoked in support of abortion .
Leahy : I still don ’ t get that .
Roberts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I told the governor after he first got elected .
I said look when liberals start quoting scripture you need to really beware .
Because Matthew 25 is one that we get quoted all the time .
I was hungry and you fed me .
When I was thirsty you gave me something to drink .
Leahy : And by the way , that ’ s to individuals not to the… Roberts : Let me just say , Jesus lived under two separate governments .
He lived under the Jewish government and he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t direct that to either one of them did he ?
Leahy : No .
He directed it to individuals .
Roberts : And furthermore , if Jesus Christ was the son of God , which I believe he was , why did he not with the wave of a hand eliminate all hunger , all thirst , all poverty ?
Why did he not do that ?
I ’ d like a liberal to explain the theology of why Jesus apparently didn ’ t do what he said if that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to quote .
If they are going to quote that scripture , they need to explain why Jesus didn ’ t do it in entirety .
Leahy : Well that was for people to have free choice .
Roberts : Why did he pick and choose .
Leahy : Now you ’ re getting into the whole why does God let bad things happen thing .
We can ’ t address that in the next 30 minutes here in the program .
You know that right ?
It ’ s a good topic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goes , this world is not my home , I ’ m just a passing through .
( Leahy chuckles ) 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 .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-17--Black Pastors Form Conservative Clergy of Color Group, Highlight Racism of Democratic Party

A new group called Conservative Clergy of Color believes the only “ systemic racism ” that exists in America today is found in the Democratic Party itself .
“ Democrats and their foot soldiers on the left insist there is a rot in our country , but the only rot I see is the rot that has festered in the very foundations of the Democratic Party – a party that was built from the ground up on the backs of oppressed blacks , ” said Bishop Aubrey Shines , one of four founding members of the group .
Shines , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Reverend Derek McCoy of Maryland , Reverend M.J. Reid of Detroit , and Pastor Francisco Vega of New York in launching the organization .
“ The data says systemically – in the United States of America in 2020 – there is no systemic racism , ” Shines said during a Monday interview on Steve Bannon ’ s “ War Room ” podcast .
“ Now , if you would have asked the same questions some decades ago – sure , there has been .
We can all point to that particular dynamic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primarily come through one conduit , and that conduit has been and , still by the way prevails , and it is called the Democratic National Party , ” he added .
The group was officially launched over the weekend with the publication of an op-ed by Shines in The Washington Times .
“ Former slaves and their children were forced for decades to endure the cruel , wretched Jim Crow laws that kept them from advancing in the South .
And who was all too happy to keep those laws in place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his op-ed .
He said the Republican Party platform addressed the “ rights of African Americans in the early 20th century , ” while the Democratic Party was “ lynching and terrorizing blacks in the South.
” “ The Democrats , those paragons of virtue , refused to include anti-lynching planks or planks addressing racial rights in their platform for all of the early 20th century , ” he said , noting that President Lyndon B. Johnson “ was fond of using ” racial slurs “ behind closed doors.
” “ Systemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one that must be addressed immediately .
When Democrats stop pointing fingers and look in the mirror , we can begin the conversation about where the systemic racism truly lies , ” he wrote in conclusion .
All four founders of Conservative Clergy of Color – Bishop Shines , Reverend McCoy , Reverend M.J. Reid , and Pastor Vega – joined Bannon Monday on his popular “ War Room ” show to discuss their new organization .
Shines said the mainstream media projects the view that “ all blacks think alike , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to take an accurate look at racial issues in America , and not through “ the prism of emotions.
” He then elaborated on the arguments laid out in his op-ed , saying : An individual who comes in and doesn ’ t know anything about America , if he or she were to take a look at the data , here is what they would find historically .
They would find this concept of slavery .
Where did it come from ?
Well , it was birthed out of a party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inspired by God , but they viewed individuals by what they could extrapolate from them .
Now , if you were to go further and ask the second or third , fourth question and followed this train of logic this is what you find .
It has come out of a party system .
That party is called the Democratic Party .
And anyone who understands basic history would know that .
This was the idea of the Democrats .
By the way , there was some opposition and that opposition came in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the GOP .
That ’ s why their platform was established to eradicate this concept of slavery .
So , if one wants to start with systemic racism – if you do not start in its genesis , at its origin – then you would have no idea .
Because if you look at it today , you would only assume , ‘ Oh my God , how horrible are these people that are called white people.
’ But let ’ s remember it was these white people – with other black people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party and said , ‘ This is not God ’ s way , this is not God ’ s idea.
’ That party was the GOP .
That ’ s just fact .
It ’ s not my opinion .
It ’ s documented incredibly well throughout our history .
And so if we are going to look at something systemic you must look at its origin .
And if you follow it you ’ ll find that hundreds of thousands of people lost their lives trying to eradicate it , black and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , you will find that laws were developed , even after the Constitution began to come into fruition for all people , that there was still a party that opposed it systemically .
It was still the Democratic Party .
And if you continue to follow it through Jim Crow laws , through Planned Parenthood , you ’ ll find that this systemic idea still is permeated and it is still through the Democratic Party .
And that is the party that is continuing to try to divide us , as it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tone .
And I ’ m telling you that ’ s not American at all .
That ’ s called the Democratic Party .
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Conservative Clergy of Color ” by Bannon War Room .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-17--State Lawmakers Will Have to Reconcile the House Budget Proposal That Gives Tax Dollars Back to Citi

State Lawmakers Will Have to Reconcile the House Budget Proposal That Gives Tax Dollars Back to Citizens and Makes Deeper Cuts Than the Senate Version

As the second session of the 111th Tennessee General Assembly winds down , the House and Senate will need to reconcile their two different budget proposals to close out the current fiscal year and for the upcoming fiscal year 2021 .
The Senate version passed with a vote of 27 Ayes , 1 No and 2 Present and Not Voting during the June 11 floor session .
The House , on the other hand , passed their version through the Finance Ways & Means Committee Monday night and is scheduled to be taken up on the floor Wednesday .
During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill HB2922 , House Majority Leader William Lamberth ( R-Portland ) outlined the highlights of the amendments that make the bill , as well as the differences from the Senate version .
Leader Lamberth explained that , whereas the version of the budget passed in March showed no growth , this version actually cuts $ 1.5 billion out of the budget .
The cuts come over a two-year period , balancing the budget in both years , whereas the Senate version stretches the balancing out over a three-year period .
Leader Lamberth said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to “ make the cuts necessary , just like all of our businesses and families have cut over the past few months.
” The House version also allows for $ 100 million in one-time money for an enhanced sales tax holiday .
Currently , the sales tax holiday , held between the last Friday of July through the following Sunday includes clothing , school supplies and school art supplies with a sales price of $ 100 or less and computers with a sales price of $ 1,500 or less .
The House-proposed sales @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tennesseans to take advantage of .
Leader Lamberth explained that making everything a little bit cheaper , “ will hopefully instill a lot of confidence in folks to get back out to their restaurants and retail , furniture stores and car lots and everywhere else and get out there and spend money , if they have continued to be employed and have money to spend.
” Not having a good method to send a check for money citizens have paid in , Leader Lamberth said the sales tax holiday is the best way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money back into Tennesseans ’ pockets.
” He acknowledged that for years the state has been in surplus territory , adding almost a billion dollars a year in state and federal money to the budget .
“ This is an opportunity to give it back to Tennesseans who have paid in , ” Lamberth said .
A secondary benefit is that it hopefully creates incentives and boosts sales for Tennessee businesses that have struggled during the COVID-19 shutdown .
Recently , Lt .
Governor Randy McNally ( R-Oak Ridge ) suggested that even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holiday could be off the table in order to make up for the expected budget shortfall , The Tennessee Star reported .
Both the House and Senate versions include other cuts to the fiscal 2021 budget , which begins July 1 , like the $ 25 million from the Education Savings Accounts ( ESA ) program due to the ongoing legal battle .
Another $ 145,000 was cut from automatic raises for legislators .
Both versions also include $ 200 million in grants to counties and cities , with the House version specifically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receive .
The Senate version of the budget retains the elimination of the Hall income tax on the scheduled January 2 , 2021 , whereas the House version pushes the elimination of the final 1 percent to 2025 .
Though the House version is expected to easily pass the Republican majority body , a final version will have to be negotiated with the Senate before the 111th Tennessee General Assembly can adjourn sine die .
Laura Baigert is a senior reporter at The Tennessee Star .
The Associated Press contributed to this report @


thetennesseestar--2020-06-17--American Greatness Poll: President Trump Holds Commanding Enthusiasm Lead Over Joe Biden

A recent poll conducted by American Greatness in conjunction with TechnoMetrica Market Intelligence ( TIPP ) , shows that President Donald Trump still holds a sizable lead over former Vice President Joe Biden in terms of voter enthusiasm , even as Biden appears to hold the edge in the overall poll .
In Michigan , when asked if voters either “ Support strongly ” or “ support moderately ” the candidate of their choice , 62 percent of Trump voters say “ strongly , ” while 36 percent say “ moderately.
” By contrast , 55 percent of Biden voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support him moderately .
The gap is even wider in Florida , where 72 percent of the president ’ s voters strongly support his candidacy , with just 27 percent supporting him moderately .
In the same state , 56 percent of Biden voters support him strongly , with 43 percent expressing moderate support .
In the overall Michigan poll , Biden currently appears to hold a 13-point lead over the president , 51 to 38 percent .
Only 4 percent of voters said they would vote for another candidate , with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to for whom they will vote .
In Florida , Biden seems to hold a lead of 11 points , with 51 percent support to President Trump ’ s 40 percent ; only 3 percent of voters expressed support for other candidates , with 5 percent unsure .
In Michigan , despite their own personal preferences , only 42 percent of voters believe that Joe Biden will ultimately win the election , with 39 percent believing Trump will win , and 18 percent unsure .
In Florida , 44 percent of voters believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 42 percent believing that Biden will win , and 15 percent unsure .
The Michigan poll was conducted online from June 9th to June 12th , with a sample of 907 adults .
The poll in Florida was also conducted online , from June 9th to June 11th , with a sample of 910 adults .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-17--Oil Demand to Spike in 2021 by 5.7 Million Barrels Daily as Oil Companies Slash Production: IEA

Cuts in oil supply and a record rebound in demand in 2021 will help put the fossil fuel industry on better footing even as the pandemic hammers oil demand , the International Energy Agency said Tuesday .
Demand for oil will rebound by a record 5.7 million barrels per day even as world demand for crude drops by 8.1 million barrels daily in 2020 , the IEA reported .
The report comes as city officials ease up on economic lockdowns , which is spurring a recovery in crude demand .
Officials began instituting strict stay-at-home orders in early March to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ originated in China before spreading across the world , killing a reported 116,000 people in the United States , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Millions of Americans filed for unemployment benefits as a result of the lockdowns .
President Donald Trump played a big role in getting Russia and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to drop output in April , bringing production to 9.7 million barrels a day .
Prices plunged into the $ 30s in March as Saudi Arabia pushed for a cut in output @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worked to infuse the market with hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil .
Saudi Arabia relented and moved to increase output , kicking off a prolonged sell-off that roiled global markets .
“ The market will be on a more stable footing by the end of the second half [ of 2020 ] ” if oil-producing nations stick to their plans to constrict global supply , the IEA said in its report .
OPEC ’ s move to extend supply cuts into July will inevitably help speed up the oil market ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If jet-fuel demand is not taken into consideration , then global oil demand should reach pre-crisis levels in mid-2021 , according to IEA ’ s executive director Fatih Birol .
“ The key issue is when people will start to fly , ” Birol said Tuesday , adding : “ if there is a solution to the coronavirus problem and the economy rebounds as foreseen , we may well see in the near term oil demand go back to pre-crisis levels.
” Chris White is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation @


thetennesseestar--2020-06-17--Grassroots Groups Pledge to Recall Nashville Mayor and Council Members Who Vote for a Property Tax I

Grassroots Groups Pledge to Recall Nashville Mayor and Council Members Who Vote for a Property Tax Increase

The Nashville grassroots group NoTax4Nash announced that it and other like-minded groups pledge to recall Mayor John Cooper and any members of the Metro Nashville Council who vote for a property tax increase without an audit to determine if there is need for one .
The NoTax4Nash pledge comes as the Metro Council is scheduled to vote on Mayor John Cooper ’ s proposed budget Tuesday , June 16 .
In the April introduction of his fiscal year 2021 budget , Mayor Cooper proposed a 32 percent property tax increase .
Mayor Cooper ’ s huge increase is needed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 115.9 million over the current year .
The year-over-year spending increase is proposed , despite the fact that the current 2020 fiscal year is expected to be $ 215.8 million short of the $ 2.3 billion budget and revenues for the upcoming fiscal 2021 will be $ 280.6 million short of original expectations largely due to the COVID-19 shutdowns .
Michelle Foreman , spokeswoman for the citizen-led NoTax4Nash opposition to Mayor Cooper ’ s 32 percent property tax increase , draws attention to the ongoing COVID-19 shutdowns that are damaging to local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revenues .
“ At a time when Mayor Cooper , with the acquiescence of the Council , are keeping businesses closed and citizens out of work , they are determined to pass a tax increase over the very loud and clear objections of their economically devastated constituents.
” Foreman addresses the Mayor ’ s inconsistencies in recent dealings with the public relative to his COVID-19 restrictions .
“ Further , Mayor Cooper continues to demonstrate a lack of leadership by not only encouraging and participating in protests that violate his own ‘ Roadmap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his use of Metro officials to issue citations harassing and abusing Nashville businesses simply because they oppose Mayor Cooper ’ s interference with their right to conduct business , ” says Foreman .
From the vantage point of what had already happened in other U.S. cities plus violating his reopening plan , Mayor Cooper welcomed thousands to downtown Nashville for the protest-turned-riot on May 30 .
Just two weeks later , 14 Nashville businesses were issued citations for not complying with social distancing or face mask protocols , reported NewsChannel 5 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the unpopularity of Mayor Cooper ’ s property tax increase .
“ A recent poll of Davidson County voters indicated overwhelming opposition to the Mayor ’ s proposed property tax increase , or any increase at all .
By a huge margin of 2.5 to 1 , voters opposed this unconscionable and most untimely tax increase.
” Nearly two-thirds of respondents to the poll conducted between May 21 and 22 said they were against a property tax increase , The Tennessee Star reported .
Additionally , slightly more poll respondents said that Metro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ budget with the 32 percent property tax increase , and most registered voters would be less likely to support a Metro Council candidate who voted to approve the budget that includes Mayor Cooper ’ s 32 percent property tax increase .
Yet , as Foreman points out , “ It is evident that the Mayor and Council members do not believe they will suffer any consequences from their acts of ultimate betrayal.
” A very different story is being heard from citizens and businesses who are suffering through a devastating economy , says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their taxes increased , they want to go back to work and be able to pay their bills.
” Foreman concludes , “ Recall is the only option left to citizens if a tax increase is approved at this time.
” To that end , the Charter of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County includes a provision for recalling the mayor , vice-mayor and council members .
Article 15 of the Metro Charter details that the removal and replacement of those officers starts with a petition that includes the signatures and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ qualified voters of the council member ’ s district or Davidson County as a whole for the mayor , vice-mayor or council members at large .
The entire NoTax4Nash.com press release can be read here .
Laura Baigert is a senior reporter at The Tennessee Star .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-17--Democratic Michigan Congresswoman Says She Doesn’t Believe Polls Showing Biden’s Major Lead

Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell told Democratic voters not to become complacent with recent polls that have shown Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden with double-digit leads over President Donald Trump .
Dingell warned against voters taking anything for granted , especially with the election still nearly five months away , The Detroit News reported , citing her response at an online event .
The event , which took place Monday , included prominent female elected officials from around the state .
“ Some people say , ‘ Oh , look at the numbers.
’ I don ’ t believe those numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ And look what ’ s happened in five months .
The world is upside down and not one of us on this phone call would have predicted that the world will be as it is today .
And it is five months from now until November.
” Trump unexpectedly carried the state by fewer than 11,000 votes in 2016 , according to the state ’ s final vote count , becoming the first Republican to win Michigan since former President George H. W. Bush in 1988 .
Polling had consistently showed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advantage .
The online event Monday included Sen. Debbie Stabenow , Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , Attorney General Dana Nessel and Reps. Brenda Lawrence , Haley Stevens and Elissa Slotkin .
Stevens echoed Dingell ’ s warnings during the call , urging people to vote in both the state ’ s August primary and November election .
“ We are electing Joe Biden and taking our country back , ” Stevens said .
“ Vote .
Get everybody out and do it like everything depends on it.
” Andrew Trunsky is a reporter @ @ @ @ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-06-17--May Retail Sales Jumped 17.7 Percent, Double the Forecast As States Came Out of a Lockdown-Induced H

May Retail Sales Jumped 17.7 Percent, Double the Forecast As States Came Out of a Lockdown-Induced Hibernation

Retail sales rebounded in May as states eased coronavirus-induced lockdown measures , allowing retail stores to regain more ground than analysts expected , according to Department of Commerce data .
Retail sales jumped 17.7 % in May , effectively doubling expectations and marking the biggest single-month gain in records going back more than 20 years , according to a Commerce Department report released Tuesday .
A Bloomberg News survey of economists had anticipated 8.4 % increase in retail sales in May as COVID-19-related measures melted away following a 14 % decline in April .
COVID-19 originated in Wuhan , China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , killing a reported 116,000 people in the United States .
Governors and mayors across the United States instituted strict stay-at-home orders to slow the pandemic .
There was also a 44.1 % increase in motor vehicle sales , as well as a 29.1 % jump in restaurant receipts , data show , which account for more than half of the overall increase in retail sales , suggesting the economy is bouncing back faster than anticipated .
Jobs are coming back as well .
Payroll employment rose by 2.5 million in May , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report published June 5 , and the number of unemployed dropped by 2.1 million to a total 21.0 million .
President Donald Trump touted news of the retail numbers on Twitter Tuesday morning .
“ Wow !
May retail sales show biggest one-month increase of ALL TIME , up 17.7 % .
Far bigger than projected .
Looks like a BIG DAY FOR THE STOCK MARKET , AND JOBS !
” he wrote .
Trump suggested in May that he expects a V-shaped economic recovery , meaning the economy will bounce back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cliff due to economic lockdowns .
“ The market is up very big .
And I think you ’ re going to have a ‘ V ’ — I think it ’ s going to be terrific , ” the president told reporters in May at the White House .
Chris White is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-17--Google Bans Ads on the Federalist After NBC News Raises Concerns About George Floyd Protest Articles

Google is planning to ban The Federalist and Zero Hedge from its ad platform , Google Ads , after NBC News raised concerns to the tech giant about articles that the conservative websites published regarding rioting and looting that occurred alongside the protests over the death of George Floyd .
According to the NBC report , Google notified The Federalist that it will block the site from using Google Ads because of concerns raised over an article related to the protests over Floyd ’ s death .
The NBC News Verification Unit notified Google of a report from a British @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insensitive content related to the protests over Floyd ’ s death .
NBC News , which cited a report from the Center for Countering Digital Hate , said that the offending article from The Federalist had claimed “ the media had been lying about looting and violence during the protests.
” A spokesperson for Google told NBC News the websites would be taken off of the Google Ads platform after determining that the articles violated the company ’ s polices on race-related content .
“ We have strict publisher policies that govern the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prohibit derogatory content that promotes hatred , intolerance , violence or discrimination based on race from monetizing , ” the Google spokesperson said .
“ When a page or site violates our policies , we take action .
In this case , we ’ ve removed both sites ’ ability to monetize with Google.
” Google did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation ’ s request for comment .
A social media reporter for Ad Week reported that Google has not yet banned The Federalist from using Google Ads , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The NBC News story does not link to the allegedly inflammatory Federalist article .
But the Center for Countering Digital Hate ’ s offshoot group , “ Stop Funding Fake News , ” included a June 3 article from The Federalist entitled “ The Media Are Lying To You About Everything , Including The Riots.
” The article , by Federalist political editor John Daniel Davidson , disputed a popular claim by the media that white supremacist groups were behind much of the violence that occurred during the Floyd protests .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thanked the Center for Countering Digital Hate for their “ collaboration ” on the story .
NBC News did not respond to a request for comment about the reporter ’ s comments .
Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton blasted Google ’ s decision in response to the NBC News story .
Cotton was at the center of controversy last week after The New York Times apologized for publishing an op-ed from the Republican calling for deploying the national guard to combat looting and riots that occurred during otherwise peaceful protests over George Floyd ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his article between peaceful protesters and violent rioters , a group of New York Times staffers complained that the op-ed endangered the newspaper ’ s black employees .
Editor ’ s Note : This tweet was added that contains ’ Google ’ s additional remarks about The Federalist .
Chuck Ross is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-17--Tennessee Getting $11 Million for Interstate 40 Project

MEMPHIS , Tenn. ( AP ) — Tennessee ’ s Department of Transportation is receiving $ 11.2 million for installation @ @ @ @ @ devices along Interstate 40 , U.S. Rep. David Kustoff ’ s office said .
The @ @ @ @ @ a statement Monday that the federal transportation grant will fund a project to install 143 @ @ @ @ @ of fiber optic communications in 10 counties that sit along a heavily traveled stretch of @ @ @ @ @ .
The project will include the deployment of closed circuit TV cameras , dynamic message @ @ @ @ @ , and other technology .
Included in the project are Fayette , Haywood , Madison @ @ @ @ @ Decatur , Benton , Humphreys , Hickman and Dickson counties .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-17--Illegal Alien Sentenced to Five Years for Cocaine Trafficking in Memphis

An illegal alien who evaded capture for nearly three years was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison last week for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime .
According to a Monday statement from the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office for the Western District of Tennessee , a federal jury in February found Carlos Landeros-Salcedo guilty after a three-day trial and just 40 minutes of deliberation among the jurors .
U.S. District Court Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced him to 60 months in federal prison on June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Memphis Police Department Organized Crime Unit were called to a residence where Landeros-Salcedo was living to respond to a drug complaint .
The unidentified homeowner gave verbal and written consent for law enforcement to search the residence .
Landeros-Salcedo then informed officers that he had a gun and powered cocaine in his bedroom .
“ He then showed officers his room , where a gray Tanfoglio 10mm caliber pistol on the defendant ’ s bed was in plain view , ” according to the statement .
“ The firearm was loaded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Additionally , detectives recovered 21 small bags containing powder cocaine inside a jar in a dresser drawer , an assortment of baggies , and a black digital scale .
The defendant provided a written statement admitting to possession of the drugs.
” Landeros-Salcedo later admitted to being a citizen of Mexico and illegally present in the United States .
He was indicted in September 2016 , but avoided capture until August 2019 – nearly three years after the initial indictment .
At the time of his arrest , he was found with fake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only threaten the sovereignty of our nation , but also threaten the safety of our communities , ” said U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant .
“ The U.S. Attorney ’ s Office has prioritized and renewed our commitment to immigration enforcement , and this case demonstrates our focus on those violent and dangerous criminal aliens who continue to violate our laws after illegal entry .
We commend the outstanding investigative work of HSI and ICE in this case.
” Landeros-Salcedo will be subject to deportation and removal upon completion of his sentence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-17--President Trump Signs Executive Order on Police Reform

WASHINGTON , D.C. ( AP ) — Following weeks of national protests since the death of George Floyd , President Donald Trump signed an executive order on policing Tuesday that he said would encourage better police practices and establish a database to keep track of officers with a history of excessive use-of-force complaints .
In Rose Garden remarks , Trump stressed the need for higher standards and commiserated with mourning families , even as he hailed the vast majority of officers as selfless public servants and held his law-and-order line .
“ Reducing crime and raising standards are not opposite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the order flanked by police .
Trump and the GOP have been rushing to respond to the mass demonstrations against police brutality and racial prejudice that have raged for weeks across the country in response to the deaths of Floyd and other black Americans .
It ’ s a sudden shift for the Republican Party — and one Democrats are watching warily — that shows how quickly the protests have changed the political conversation and pressured Washington to act .
At the signing event , the president railed against those who committed violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no mention of racism , while lambasting Democrats ’ efforts to defund police departments in an election year .
President Trump ’ s executive order would establish a database that tracks police officers with excessive use of force complaints in their records .
And it would give police departments a financial incentive to adopt best practices and encourage co-responder programs , in which social workers join police when they respond to nonviolent calls involving mental health , addiction and homeless issues .
Trump said that , as part of the order , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ except if an officer ’ s life is at risk.
” However , senior administration officials said the order would promote certification bodies that train officers in de-escalation techniques and use-of-force standards that prohibit chokeholds “ except in those situations where deadly force is allowed by law.
” Chokeholds are already largely banned in police departments nationwide .
Democrats and other critics said Trump ’ s measure doesn ’ t go far enough .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said it “ falls sadly and seriously short of what is required to combat the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is murdering hundreds of Black Americans.
” “ During this moment of national anguish , we must insist on bold change , not meekly surrender to the bare minimum , ” she said .
Kristina Roth at Amnesty International USA said the order “ amounts to a Band-Aid for a bullet wound ” at a time when “ this moment is calling for transformational change of policing.
” Florida Democratic Rep. Val Demings , a former Orlando police chief who is seen as a potential vice-presidential running mate for Democrat Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the right track , ” but she criticized Trump for failing to acknowledge racism in acts of police brutality and failing to engage the Justice Department in police reforms .
President Trump , meanwhile , framed his plan as an alternative to the “ defund the police ” movement that has emerged from the protests and which he slammed as “ radical and dangerous.
” “ Americans know the truth : Without police there is chaos .
Without law there is anarchy and without safety there is catastrophe , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials and members of Congress , and came after he met privately at the White House with the families of men and women who have been killed in interactions with police .
“ To all of the hurting families , I want you to know that all Americans mourn by your side , ” Trump said .
“ Your loved ones will not have died in vain.
” The Rose Garden announcement comes as Senate Republicans are preparing their own package of policing changes following a rollout by Democrats .
Sen. Tim Scott @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American Republican in the Senate , has been crafting the GOP legislative package , which will include new restrictions on police chokeholds and greater use of police body cameras , among other provisions .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , has called the effort “ a serious proposal to reform law enforcement.
” While the emerging GOP package isn ’ t as extensive as sweeping Democratic proposals , which are headed for a House vote next week , it includes perhaps the most far-reaching proposed changes to policing procedures from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ law and order ” approach .
“ Now is the time to seek bold and broad-scale change , ” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York said Monday .
With the political debate fluid , it is unclear whether the parties will be able to find common ground .
The proposals emerging from Democrats and Republicans share many similar provisions but take different approaches on some issues .
Neither bill goes as far as some activists want in their push to “ defund the police ” by fully revamping departments .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the creation of the national database to improve transparency so officers can not transfer from one department to another without public oversight of their records .
The Democrats have a similar provision .
Yet the Republican bill does not go as far as the Democrats do on the issue of eliminating qualified immunity , which would allow those injured by law enforcement personnel to sue for damages .
The White House has said that is a step too far .
As an alternative , Scott has suggested a “ decertification ” process for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police union , the influential Fraternal Order of Police , said in a statement it is working with Congress and the White House on the proposals , having provided “ feedback ” on the Democratic bill and “ substantial input ” on the emerging GOP package .
Jill Colvin , Lisa Mascaro , and Zeke Miller report for The Associated Press .
AP writers Mary Clare Jalonick , Kevin Freking , Colleen Long , Michael Balsamo , Alexandra Jaffe and Padmananda Rama contributed to this report .
About the Headline Photo : Law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signed an executive order on police reform , in the Rose Garden of the White House , Tuesday , June 16 , 2020 , in Washington .
( AP Photo/Evan Vucci )


thetennesseestar--2020-06-17--Commentary: Unmasking Marble and Bronze

Commentary: Unmasking Marble and Bronze

Protests and looting were supplanted last week by an orgy of more symbolic destruction .
Statues of various figures from our civilization ’ s past—Christopher Columbus , a Texas Ranger , numerous confederate Civil War memorials , and even Philadelphia ’ s Frank Rizzo—have been toppled , defaced , or scheduled for removal by compliant officials .
In the same spirit , a Senate GOP committee recently voted to rename military bases named after confederate generals .
Those names—Fort Bragg and Fort Hood , among them—have acquired their own connotations as centers of excellence , but must be renamed because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side of the Civil War .
The focus on southern war memorials is simply pretextual .
No one is calling for a restoration of the confederacy .
Rather , a war on confederate symbols is part of a broader , large-scale revision of our history , where the nation ’ s past is rewritten as a story of “ systemic racism , ” and thus , anything honoring an old , dead white guy is in jeopardy .
Related protests in the UK have targeted Winston Churchill , for example .
Ludicrously , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baldwin in Philadelphia .
An Alabama professor even floated plans to topple the Washington Monument itself .
The Destruction Is the Message Just as statues are symbolic , their destruction is also symbolic .
Destruction reimagines the statues as defeated enemies .
In such acts , those whom they symbolize are also deemed worthy of destruction .
Dehumanization , after all , is widely considered to be one of the important preconditions of genocide .
That is , destroying the art and symbols of a people is a step along the road to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forget the crude and callous imagery of Jewish headstones used as pavers for a road in Schindler ’ s List ?
In an interview on recent events , art historian Erin Thompson observed , “ Throughout history , destroying an image has been felt as attacking the person represented in that image .
Which we know because when people attack statues , they attack the parts that would be vulnerable on a human being.
” After a week of violent riots , one must wonder , “ How far does this go ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Our nation spends over $ 700 billion on defense , but our country and its patrimony are being mistreated as if we were occupied by a conquering foe .
Our cities are being destroyed , our wealth is being targeted for reparations , our ancestors are dishonored , and our dead are denied rest .
There is something particularly repulsive about the destruction of what is first and foremost a work of art .
As a student , I remember being revolted by the photographs of defaced classical statues in history books .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the early Christians through an excess of piety .
But , whatever the motivation , it also was a permanent and irreversible crime against aesthetics .
A statue is a work of art with a very unique quality .
In their lifelike subtlety rendered in marble or bronze , statues also suggest permanency and an idealized humanity .
The depiction of a particular person in a sculpture can portray transcendent ideals that rise above the particular subject in a way neither painting or photography can capture .
People are not perfect , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now .
But the lofty and enduring qualities rendered in our public art are the qualities that can make us more perfect and more human .
Our nation , which was built on high ideals , has particularly honored those qualities required to sustain successful self-government : George Washington ’ s public spiritedness and leadership , Jefferson ’ s reason and idealism , and Lincoln ’ s moral vision of freedom for all men .
This pantheon of heroes unified a young nation not bound primarily by common ancestry , but rather through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good citizenship .
No one ever pretended that a statue meant the actual subject was flawless .
But the statues destroyed this week each depicted qualities we should admire , including the Faustian spirit of Columbus crossing the ocean , the moral courage of Matthias Baldwin , or the tragic physical courage of the confederate soldier .
Destruction and vandalism show contempt for those qualities and disregard for the rights of one ’ s fellow citizens to make up their own minds about these symbols and the nation ’ s past .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1960s and continuing through to the present , finds its most authentic expression in the practice of unmasking .
The nation ’ s legacy history withers under this endless critique , which picks at every scab and exposes every flaw .
The greatness of George Washington is forgotten ; instead , we remember inane trivialities , such as that he had wooden teeth ( although he didn ’ t ) .
The cultural revolutionaries find not only the nation , but the whole concept of an elevated humanity to be a myth that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had much to do with the explosion of scatological and sexual foul language during the counterculture revolution of the 1960s .
Such language is now so commonplace as to be unremarkable , but the reason it was criticized initially is because it reduces our humanity to the lowest of bodily functions , just as unmasking history reduces our national story to nothing but a long list of offenses .
There are many regrets and injustices to be found in every nation , and every individual .
But these demerits are no less true @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as our Church , our alma maters , or our families .
Are these flaws the essence of the story ?
Does this reduction of American history to a ghost story about white villainy inspire patriotism or facilitate racial peace and harmony today ?
Doesn ’ t it , to the contrary , demoralize the majority while flattering the minority , encouraging the descendants of erstwhile victims to cultivate a blood vendetta , while offering no mechanism for reconciliation ?
The modern-day barbarians may not know the details surrounding the things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full well what they ’ re doing .
It is all a huge flex .
Language , flags , heroes , and symbols—as well as the forcible changing of these things—express who is in charge and what the nation stands for .
Domestic and foreign policy are all part of politics .
But , before policy , there is the foundational question of political life : Who are we ?
What does our society honor ?
Today , every instrument of elite power honors George Floyd as an idealized victim .
He is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or , for that matter , the brilliant George Washington Carver .
A cult of victimhood and revenge flows directly from that earlier unmasking of the nation ’ s heroes and idealistic sense of itself .
Destroying symbols of America ’ s past says that the people who built the country , wrote its laws , and fought its wars have no particular claim to ownership or control over the nation ’ s land or its future .
The unmaskers label the nation ’ s erstwhile ideals—reason , law , heroism , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corrupt core .
They aim to replace these ideals with their opposites : emotion , lawbreaking , victimhood , and limitless revenge .
This frenzy of destruction is not about marble and bronze .
It is , rather , a symbolic expression much like the statues themselves .
And the message is that the people and ideals depicted in these statues must give way before an uncompromising political program of abolition—not of slavery , long since abolished—but of the American people themselves , along with the nation they built .
Christopher Roach is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florida .
He is a double graduate of the University of Chicago and has previously been published by The Federalist , Takimag , The Journal of Property Rights in Transition , the Washington Legal Foundation , the Marine Corps Gazette , and the Orlando Sentinel .
The views presented are solely his own .
Photo “ Christopher Colombus Statue Removal ” by Tony Webster .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-17--911 Dispatcher Watching Floyd Death Alerted Police Supervisor of Incident

MINNEAPOLIS , Minnesota ( AP ) — A 911 dispatcher who was apparently watching in real time as a Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee into the neck of George Floyd called a supervisor to tell him what she saw , not caring if it made her look like a “ snitch , ” according to a recording of the call made public Monday .
In the call , the dispatcher calls a police sergeant and says what she was seeing on live video looked “ different ” and that she wanted to let him know about it .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the time and was watching video from a surveillance camera posted at the intersection where police apprehended Floyd , according to city spokesman Casper Hill .
“ I don ’ t know , you can call me a snitch if you want to , but we have the cameras up for 320 ’ s call .
… Um , I don ’ t know if they had used force or not .
They got something out of the back of the squad , and all of them sat on this man .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they needed you or not , but they haven ’ t said anything to me yet , ” says the dispatcher , whose name is edited out of the recording .
“ Yeah , they haven ’ t said anything , unless it ’ s just a takedown which doesn ’ t count , ” the sergeant said .
“ But … I ’ ll find out.
” “ No problem , ” the dispatcher said .
“ We don ’ t get to ever see it .
So when we see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whoa .
Ah , well ?
It looks a little different.
” Under the police department ’ s use of force policy , officers are not required to notify supervisors if the use of force was a takedown technique , but supervisor notification is required during all other force incidents involving injury or alleged injury .
According to the policy , the officer must stay on the scene and immediately tell a supervisor of the force that was used , and supervisors conduct a force review .
Floyd , a black man who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Derek Chauvin , a white officer , used his knee to pin Floyd to the ground .
Chauvin , who kept his knee on Floyd ’ s neck even after he said he couldn ’ t breathe and stopped moving , has been charged with second-degree murder , third-degree murder and manslaughter .
The three other officers , Thomas Lane , J. Kueng and Tou Thao , have been charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter .
All four officers were fired .
Widely seen video recorded by a bystander shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his face smashed against the street as he gasps for air .
It also shows Thao , who was facing the bystanders .
In the bystander video , Lane and Kueng are obscured by a squad car .
The 911 transcripts from two bystanders who called police were also made public Monday .
One is from a bystander who said an officer “ pretty much just killed this guy that wasn ’ t resisting arrest .
He had his knee on the dude ’ s neck the whole time.
” The caller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breathing … He was already in handcuffs … I don ’ t even know if he dead for sure but dude was not responsive when the ambulance came and got him , and the officer that was jut out here left , the one that actually just murdered the kid in front of everybody.
” The operator asks if the caller would like a sergeant , and the caller says “ Yeah , like that was bogus what they just did.
” A second 911 call transcript made public is from a person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I literally watched police officers not take a pulse and not do anything to save a man … I literally have it on video camera ( clears throat ) .
I just happened to be on a walk so , this dude , this , they ( expletive ) killed him , ” the caller says .
That person also expresses willingness to speak with a supervisor , but the call is disconnected and the operator tried to reach the caller again four times over the next two minutes , without success @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bystander video , a woman can be heard in the background saying she is a Minneapolis firefighter , and repeatedly asking the officers to take Floyd ’ s pulse .
Amy Forliti reports for The Associated Press .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-17--Columbus State Community College Says It Will Remove Its Christopher Columbus Statue

Columbus State Community College ( CSCC ) announced Tuesday it will remove its Christopher Columbus statue that has been on its Columbus downtown campus since 1988 .
“ In taking this action , we are being mindful of societal change and forward movement , ” Columbus State Board of Trustees President Anthony Joseph said .
“ We do not seek to erase history , but to make an intentional shift in what we visibly honor and celebrate as an institution .
This is the first of many steps in what will be a lengthy journey as the College seeks to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toward broadened diversity and inclusion.
” Columbus State President David Harrison said the statue removal is a commitment to its college and college community that it will continue to fight against “ systemic racism.
” “ Recent events , including the senseless deaths of African-Americans and the resulting anguish across the nation , compelled us to act on a years-long internal dialogue about the statue and the message it sends in our community .
This inflection point will inform College policy and action both now and for years to come.
” The school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next two weeks and it will begin looking for a new art piece to replace the Columbus statue .
The art piece will be stored in another location , according to the school ’ s press release .
“ Statues are designed to celebrate our past , provide meaning to our present , and direct our future , ” Reuel Barksdale , a professor at CSCC said.8 “ Nearly twenty-five years ago , my arrival to the faculty of Columbus State included an orientation which described the statue in the center of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the never-ending desire to become what we had yet to become .
The removal of this statue declares that this institution has in fact moved closer to becoming what we have yet to become.
” In a statement to the CSCC community , Harrison said the decision to remove the Columbus statue was not inspired by the recent George Floyd , Breonna Taylor , Tony McDade and Ahmaud Arbery incidents .
However , the school president said the decision came from a years-long dialogue with students of color who were “ harmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Our students , community , faculty , and staff have consistently and patiently asked for the removal of the statue , ” Harrison said .
We are listening .
We will continue to grow as an institution that educates and inspires not only in the classroom but in every aspect of what we present to the community we serve .
We commit to facilitate these difficult conversations and thoughtfully assess our present and future with an eye towards transparency , diversity , equity , and inclusion.
” Originally , the Columbus statue created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ installed in an Illinois park , the CSCC press release said .
CSCC joins the recent trend of removing Columbus statues across the country .
Recently , protesters tore down the Columbus statue St. Paul , Minnesota ; Richmond , Virginia ; and Boston , Massachusetts .
Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media .
If you have any tips , email Zachery at [ email protected ] Follow Zachery on Twitter @ zacheryschmidt2 .
Photo “ Christopher Columbus Statue ” by CSCC .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-17--Trump Calls School Choice ‘The Civil Rights Statement of the Year’

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that school choice is the “ civil rights statement of the year.
” “ School choice is the civil rights statement of the year , of the decade and probably beyond , ” he said at a White House press conference .
“ Because all children have to have access to a quality education .
A child ’ s ZIP code in America should never determine their future.
” Parental choice , or school choice , allows parents to choose the public school their child will attend , rather than having their child assigned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives .
Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has focused many of her efforts on expanding school choice since she took her position in 2017 .
The president ’ s comments came after Vice President Mike Pence accused 2020 presidential candidate Joe Biden on Tuesday of preventing black parents from obtaining the American dream by blocking them from choosing where their kids go to school .
“ Biden says everybody ought to have a fair shot at the American dream , ” Pence said on “ Fox and Friends.
” “ We would say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t you support allowing African-American families to choose where their kids go to school ?
’ ” He added : “ We really do believe that you shouldn ’ t be denied the ability to choose where your kids go to school just because of your zip code or because of your income .
We also , as you said , under this president ’ s policy , we had the lowest unemployment level ever recorded for African-Americans.
” Biden ’ s “ Plan for Education ” states that he will “ ensure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determined by their zip code , parents ’ income , race , or disability ” by tripling the funding that goes to schools “ serving a high number of children from low-income families , ” improving teacher diversity , and building “ innovative ” schools in low-income communities .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-17--St. Paul Saints to Play Season in Sioux Falls for Now Because of ‘Capacity Restrictions’

The St. Paul Saints announced Friday that the team will be participating in a 60-game season beginning July 3 , but all games will be played in Sioux Falls , South Dakota until “ capacity restrictions for outdoor events have relaxed ” in Minnesota .
The American Association of Independent Professional Baseball said the shortened season will run from July 3 to September 10 , concluding with a championship series between the top two teams .
The league will consist of six teams based in three separate hubs .
The Saints will be grouped with the Sioux Falls Canaries at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be with the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks at Newman Outdoor Field , home of the RedHawks .
The Chicago Dogs will be paired with the Milwaukee Milkmen at Ballpark Commons , home of the Milkmen .
Six other teams in the association will not operate this summer because of the impact of COVID-19 in their local communities .
Each team will play 42 of their 60 games in their hub to limit travel , the Saints said in a press release .
The schedule , which was released Monday , will allow any of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ games if local government restrictions permit games with more fans in attendance .
“ Our sincere hope , and frankly , our plan is to play baseball in St. Paul sooner rather than later , ” Saints Executive Vice President Derek Sharrer said in a statement .
“ There were several contingencies discussed , but we realized moving forward with this system was both best for the league and for our ability to accomplish our primary goal of entertaining fans at CHS Field this summer .
We appreciate Sioux Falls , Fargo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Winnipeg , and Chicago.
” As of June 10 , Minnesota has been in phase three of Gov .
Tim Walz ’ s “ Stay Safe Plan , ” which requires outdoor events and entertainment to be limited to 250 people with “ six feet of social distance ” between parties .
It ’ s unclear when the state will move to phase four of the reopening plan , which will allow for increased capacity at outdoor events .
The Saints said fans who have purchased tickets for the 2020 season will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for any game played at CHS Field this season or next .
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ St .
Paul Saints ” by St. Paul Saints .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-17--Black and Hispanic Pastors Form Conservative Clergy of Color Group, Highlight Racism of Democratic P

Black and Hispanic Pastors Form Conservative Clergy of Color Group, Highlight Racism of Democratic Party

A new group called Conservative Clergy of Color believes the only “ systemic racism ” that exists in America today is found in the Democratic Party itself .
“ Democrats and their foot soldiers on the left insist there is a rot in our country , but the only rot I see is the rot that has festered in the very foundations of the Democratic Party – a party that was built from the ground up on the backs of oppressed blacks , ” said Bishop Aubrey Shines , one of four founding members of the group .
Shines , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Reverend Derek McCoy of Maryland , Reverend M.J. Reid of Detroit , and Pastor Francisco Vega of Atlanta in launching the organization .
“ The data says systemically – in the United States of America in 2020 – there is no systemic racism , ” Shines said during a Monday interview on Steve Bannon ’ s “ War Room ” podcast .
“ Now , if you would have asked the same questions some decades ago – sure , there has been .
We can all point to that particular dynamic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ come through one conduit , and that conduit has been and , still by the way prevails , and it is called the Democratic National Party , ” he added .
The group was officially launched over the weekend with the publication of an op-ed by Shines in The Washington Times .
“ Former slaves and their children were forced for decades to endure the cruel , wretched Jim Crow laws that kept them from advancing in the South .
And who was all too happy to keep those laws in place ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his op-ed .
He said the Republican Party platform addressed the “ rights of African Americans in the early 20th century , ” while the Democratic Party was “ lynching and terrorizing blacks in the South.
” “ The Democrats , those paragons of virtue , refused to include anti-lynching planks or planks addressing racial rights in their platform for all of the early 20th century , ” he said , noting that President Lyndon B. Johnson “ was fond of using ” racial slurs “ behind closed doors.
” “ Systemic racism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that must be addressed immediately .
When Democrats stop pointing fingers and look in the mirror , we can begin the conversation about where the systemic racism truly lies , ” he wrote in conclusion .
All four founders of Conservative Clergy of Color – Bishop Shines , Reverend McCoy , Reverend M.J. Reid , and Pastor Vega – joined Bannon Monday on his popular “ War Room ” show to discuss their new organization .
Shines said the mainstream media projects the view that “ all blacks think alike , ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take an accurate look at racial issues in America , and not through “ the prism of emotions.
” He then elaborated on the arguments laid out in his op-ed , saying : An individual who comes in and doesn ’ t know anything about America , if he or she were to take a look at the data , here is what they would find historically .
They would find this concept of slavery .
Where did it come from ?
Well , it was birthed out of a party that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by God , but they viewed individuals by what they could extrapolate from them .
Now , if you were to go further and ask the second or third , fourth question and followed this train of logic this is what you find .
It has come out of a party system .
That party is called the Democratic Party .
And anyone who understands basic history would know that .
This was the idea of the Democrats .
By the way , there was some opposition and that opposition came in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP .
That ’ s why their platform was established to eradicate this concept of slavery .
So , if one wants to start with systemic racism – if you do not start in its genesis , at its origin – then you would have no idea .
Because if you look at it today , you would only assume , ‘ Oh my God , how horrible are these people that are called white people.
’ But let ’ s remember it was these white people – with other black people – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and said , ‘ This is not God ’ s way , this is not God ’ s idea.
’ That party was the GOP .
That ’ s just fact .
It ’ s not my opinion .
It ’ s documented incredibly well throughout our history .
And so if we are going to look at something systemic you must look at its origin .
And if you follow it you ’ ll find that hundreds of thousands of people lost their lives trying to eradicate it , black and white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you will find that laws were developed , even after the Constitution began to come into fruition for all people , that there was still a party that opposed it systemically .
It was still the Democratic Party .
And if you continue to follow it through Jim Crow laws , through Planned Parenthood , you ’ ll find that this systemic idea still is permeated and it is still through the Democratic Party .
And that is the party that is continuing to try to divide us , as it did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And I ’ m telling you that ’ s not American at all .
That ’ s called the Democratic Party .
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Conservative Clergy of Color ” by Bannon War Room .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-18--Nashville Police Chief Steve Anderson Accepts #8CANTWAIT Principles from Group with Anti-Police Agen

Nashville Police Chief Steve Anderson Accepts #8CANTWAIT Principles from Group with Anti-Police Agenda

Metro Nashville Police Chief Steve Anderson said this week that he accepts the # 8CANTWAIT principles that regulate police officers ’ behavior on-the-job .
Anderson said this in a press release this week .
This , even though Campaign Zero , a group that says it ultimately wants to defund the police , created these guidelines .
“ Our police department embraces these principles , and we will continue to review , improve and strengthen MNPD policies that guide our officers , ” Anderson said in the press release .
Those # 8CANTWAIT principles , among other things , require @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a means to subdue alleged perpetrators .
They also promote a “ Duty to Intervene ” for any officer witnessing what they believe is an unjustified use of force .
But Nashville Police already abide by these # 8CANTWAIT guidelines , said Nashville Fraternal Order of Police President James Smallwood .
“ The reality is all of those things were already a part of our policy .
He [ Chief Anderson ] embraced the # 8CANTWAIT because he ’ s had those in his policy for years and decades .
The notion that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for our city or for our department is misleading , ” Smallwood told The Tennessee Star this week .
“ We are a professional department .
We have been a professional department .
Chokeholds have been banned .
Intervention has been acquired .
All of those things that are in the # 8CANTWAIT policies have existed for years with the Nashville Metropolitan Police Department .
And it will continue to , because we are professionals.
” As The Star reported last week , members of the Memphis City Council want their local police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do what Campaign Zero says .
Campaign Zero members stated their agenda on their # 8CANTWAIT website “ While we stand by the idea that any political leaders truly invested in protecting black lives should adopt the # 8CANTWAIT policies , we also believe the end goal for all of us should be absolute liberation from policing , and encourage visitors to the site to support the range of organizers who are making progress in employing other strategies towards abolition : defunding the police and reinvesting in community , ” according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are from a place where # 8CANTWAIT is being considered , demand steps towards defunding and abolition .
If you are a legislator who has adopted these policies or are considering it , please know that it will take many strategies to move beyond policing and use this time to learn more and listen to the needs of your community.
” Smallwood said he ’ s “ vaguely aware ” of Campaign Zero .
He also said the idea that defunding the police will solve society ’ s problems “ isn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t stand to reason .
Funding more community services for mental health crises ’ and things of that nature , yes , we should probably be looking at that , but defunding the police in order to accomplish that is like robbing Peter to pay Paul .
You will not solve society ’ s ills by taking away from law enforcement .
We are a nation of law and order , and we must continue to maintain those laws , ” Smallwood said .
“ We will always have law enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The notion that we have been overfunded for years is patently false .
We are already underfunded .
We are already understaffed .
We welcome the folks who want to come in with mental health crises ’ and those kinds of community efforts , but those should be in addition — and not in subtraction of — law enforcement efforts.
” Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Steve Anderson ” by Nashville.gov .

Eighteen individuals are now collecting petitions for Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District race as of last Friday.
Twelve people are collecting qualifying petitions for the GOP primary, three are gathering petitions for the Democrat primary, and three independents are also accumulating petitions.
The 12 Republicans listed on the Tennessee Secretary of State’s website as collecting petitions are former Speaker of the Tennessee House Beth Harwell of Nashville, businessman Baxter Lee of Nashville, Robby Starbuck of Franklin (listed as Robert Starbuck Newsom), Geni Batchelor of Lebanon, Natisha Brooks of Nashville, former Williamson County GOP Chair Omar Hamada of Franklin, Timothy Bruce Lee of Nashville, Annabelle Lee of Madison, Alan Clement Sharp of Nashville, David Vitalli of Brentwood, Stewart Parks of Nashville, and Richie Lee of Nashville.
Among the publicly announced candidates, Tennessee newcomer and former State Department spokesman Morgan Ortagus and retired Brig. General Kurt Winstead have not yet been listed as having begun their qualifying petitions process. Hamada has not yet made a decision as to whether or not he is officially entering the race.
Records show that Harwell, Starbuck, Brooks, Baxter Lee, Ortagus, Winstead, Batchelor, and Timothy Bruce Lee have also filed candidate paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission (FEC). Starbuck has raised $255,066.53 and has $138,741.16 on hand, which Brooks has raised $24,517.00 and has $19,655.34 on hand. The rest filed their FEC paperwork after the year-end December 31, 2022 deadline. The 2022 first quarter January 1-March 31 financial reports, which are scheduled to be released in mid-April, will cover all candidates who have reached the FEC reporting threshold.
Sources tell The Star that several Republican candidates are expected to have impressive fundraising totals.
Clay Faircloth, Richard H. Harris, and Joel Michael Hurbert, all from Nashville, are listed as collecting petitions for the Democrat primary.
Derrick Brantley of Nashville, Patrick O. Halfacre of Hohenwald, and Richard A. Shannon of Franklin are the independents who are collecting petitions. Shannon has appeared on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy. Only Brantley appears to have filed documents with the FEC.
In order to appear on the ballot, candidates are required to collect 25 valid signatures from registered voters and have until noon on April 7 to turn in those qualifying petitions. Candidates who qualify have until April 14 to withdraw their names from the ballot. The Tennessee Secretary of State’s Office told The Star, unless pending legislation changes things, that they will finalize the ballots on April 21.
The 5th Congressional District consists of parts of Davidson, Williamson, and Wilson counties, and all of Maury, Marshall, and Lewis counties.
– – –
Aaron Gulbransen is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected] Follow Aaron on GETTR.
Photo “U.S. Capitol” by Martin Falbisoner. CC BY-SA 3.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-18--Commentary: Supreme Court Bypasses Congress Legislates Radical Homosexual Agenda from Bench

In a ruling that shocked conservatives and religious liberty advocates , the Supreme Court , in a 6-3 vote , ruled Monday that a key provision of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects gays , lesbian and transgender people from discrimination in employment .
The court held that a key provision of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 known as Title VII that bars job discrimination because of sex , among other reasons , encompasses bias against LGBT workers .
“ An employer who fires an individual for being homosexual or transgender fires that person for traits or actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a different sex , ” Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote for the court .
“ Sex plays a necessary and undisguisable role in the decision , exactly what Title VII forbids.
” The Gorsuch and Chief Justice John Roberts joined the court ’ s four liberals in the majority .
“ The Court tries to convince readers that it is merely enforcing the terms of the statute , but that is preposterous , ” Alito wrote in the dissent .
“ Even as understood today , the concept of discrimination because of ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of ‘ sexual orientation ’ or ‘ gender identity . '
” Kavanaugh wrote in a separate dissent that the court was rewriting the law to include gender identity and sexual orientation , a job that belongs to Congress .
Still , Kavanaugh said the decision represents an “ important victory achieved today by gay and lesbian Americans.
” As our friends at NewsMax reported , Monday ’ s decision is not likely to be the court ’ s last word on a host of issues revolving around LGBT rights , as Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transgender athletes ’ participation in school sporting events , and courts also are dealing with cases about sex-segregated bathrooms and locker rooms , a subject that the justices seemed concerned about during arguments in October .
Employers who have religious objections to employing LGBT people also might be able to raise those claims in a different case , Gorsuch said .
“ But none of these other laws are before us ; we have not had the benefit of adversarial testing about the meaning of their terms , and we do not prejudge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote .
The problem with Gorsuch ’ s opinion is that Kavanaugh was right , and rather than reading the law as written , the Supreme Court has once again usurped the responsibilities of Congress to legislate on these matters .
As the Editors of Utah ’ s Deseret News wrote , ” …this remains a nation of laws .
Process matters , and the Constitution clearly defines which of the three branches of government makes laws .
It isn ’ t the judicial branch .
If Title VII of the 1964 Civil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sexual orientation , Congress — whose members represent the people who elected them — should make that change.
” And the fact that Congress has not made that law is not a defect , it is a feature of the legislative process , suggesting that public support for such a law does not exist .
The Desert News Editorial Board went on to say : Justice Samuel Alito , one of the three dissenters in this case , spelled out one of the structural weaknesses that occur when judges write law .
Their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nuances a representative body would have to confront , nuances necessary for protecting the rights of all .
The political system forces elected representatives to confront these and hammer out compromises in order to craft legislation that will receive enough votes to become law .
In this case , Alito said , one of the nuances concerns religious freedom .
Monday ’ s decision “ will threaten freedom of religion , freedom of speech , and personal privacy and safety , ” he wrote .
“ No one should think that the Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for individual liberty.
” Specifically , he said the decision could affect a religious institution ’ s freedom to hire people who share and practice the institution ’ s faith .
Citing concerns raised in briefs filed by a number of religious organizations , he noted that a church ’ s teachings on extra-marital sex or sex-change operations may be lost if its schools are forced to hire someone who believes and practices otherwise .
“ Yet today ’ s decision may lead to Title VII claims by such teachers and applicants for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added that the ruling could affect the interpretation of gender-equity laws in cases that arise from a college ’ s policy against assigning dormitory roommates who are of the opposite biological sex .
The court ’ s majority opinion , written by Trump-appointee Neil Gorsuch , dismissed those concerns .
“ We are also deeply concerned with preserving the promise of the free exercise of religion enshrined in our Constitution ; that guarantee lies at the heart of our pluralistic society , ” he wrote .
But those are not new concerns , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protections .
The court has even ruled that the First Amendment can ’ t interfere with a religious institution ’ s relationship with its ministers .
Monday ’ s ruling didn ’ t concern these things .
Then he added this ominous line : “ But how these doctrines protecting religious liberty interact with Title VII are questions for future cases too.
” In other words , more court decisions changing laws .
From our perspective , what Justice Gorsuch and the Supreme Court majority have just done is force every employer and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with any form of bizarre acting out or manifestation of mental illness .
So long as it is cloaked in the newly bestowed protection of gender dysmorphia or homosexuality , employers now can not rid themselves of disruptive or off-putting employees for fear of being accused of sexual discrimination .