thetennesseestar--2020-04-30--Shelter-at-Home Critics: No Evidence that Lockdowns Effectively Limit Virus Spread

Two emergency room doctors in California argue the data about the novel coronavirus does not warrant a stay-at-home order .
A new report gives evidence that “ lockdowns don ’ t work.
” Still others argue that quarantining the sick , not the healthy , is the best course of action .
Stay-at-home orders , low assembly thresholds and business closures together constitute a lockdown , Lymon Stone argues in a column published by Public Discourse , a journal of the Witherspoon Institute , which he says don ’ t work .
Stone cites examples of failed lockdowns in West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It was centralized quarantine that beat COVID in Wuhan , ” China , he notes , “ not lockdowns.
” “ Many policies provide public-health benefits in pandemics , such as making facemasks mandatory , cancelling school , and banning large assemblies and long-distance travel , ” Stone wrote .
“ But ordering people to cower in their homes , harassing people for having play dates in the park , and ordering small businesses to close regardless of their hygienic procedures has no demonstrated effectiveness.
” State Sen. Donna Campbell , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Braunfels , Texas , said at a recent Texas Public Policy Foundation panel that historically , quarantines are not for the healthy , but for the sick .
Keeping healthy people indoors raises concerns about potentially weakening healthy immune systems .
People need to be outside , exercising , and following general hygiene practices that they should follow all of the time even when there is no pandemic .
“ We absolutely believe more people have contracted the disease who have not been tested which means the death rate is far lower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing , ” Campbell said .
Texas has a coronavirus infection rate of .00008 percent and holds the third-highest rate of recovery from the virus in the nation .
Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott announced the state would reopen with restrictions May 1 .
“ Centralized quarantine orders , where individuals who test positive or individuals who have had contact with COVID-infected people are forced to be quarantined for seven , fourteen , or twenty-one days in hotels or special-purpose spaces are an extremely effective way to fight disease , ” Stone said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know who is sick and who is not , so quarantines end up locking many sick people in with many healthy people , ” he writes .
“ Healthy people and those who think they are healthy understand accurately that they would reduce their chance of becoming ill if they emigrate .
By doing that , some people transmit the disease .
Under some scenarios , the stricter the quarantine , the more people invest in emigrating .
Sometimes , this behavioral response results in wider transmission of the disease.
” In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Dr. Dan Erickson and Dr. Martin Massihi , of Accelerated Health Care in Bakersfield , California , talked about the impact of the coronavirus on Kern County , arguing that the ongoing stay-at-home orders are not based on data or science .
As the data has come in , which Erickson says he ’ s collected since December , he asked , “ We ’ ve never ever responded like this in the history of the country , why are we doing this now ?
” He said people are worrying too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is telling them to .
“ I ’ m telling them that sheltering in place decreases your immune system and as we all come out of shelter in place , with a lower immune system and start trading viruses and bacteria , what do you think is going to happen ?
Disease is going to spike , ” he said .
“ And then you ’ ve got disease spike amongst a hospital system with furloughed doctors and nurses .
This is not the combination we want to set up for a healthy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Care tested for the coronavirus , 6.5 percent tested positive for the virus .
Statewide , the number is 12 percent positive .
Of 39 million people in the state , that equates to roughly 4.7 million people testing positive for the coronavirus .
The good news , Erickson says , it is widespread , and the death rates aren ’ t .
The chance of dying from the coronavirus is 0.03 percent in California , he says based on the raw data .
“ The initial models were woefully inaccurate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions of cases of death , not of prevalence or incidents , but death .
That is not materializing.
” Some of the models , he says , were based on social distancing but even those predicted hundreds of thousands of deaths , which has not happened .
Slightly more than 1,200 people have died from the virus in California .
Based on the death rates influenza A and B , he says the death rates are not worse for coronavirus .
Of the 45 million cases of the flu in 2017 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent .
The swine and bird flus were more deadly and neither constituted shutting down the economy .
The question Erickson asks is whether the coronavirus ’ 0.03 percent death rate necessitates the shelter-in-place order , shutting down the state ’ s medical systems , and putting a record number of Californians out of work .
Bethany Blankley is a contributor to The Center Square .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-30--Commentary: Good News – Bad News On Second Amendment Rights

The unalienable rights guaranteed by the Second Amendment have never been exercised more vigorously than they have during the Wuhan virus epidemic when record numbers of firearms have been sold .
But at the same time , those rights have rarely been more vigorously attacked by anti-gun Democrats .
Citizens have been forced to go to court to protect those Second Amendment rights in the face of Democrats using the Wuhan virus panic to try to erode the absolute protections of the Second Amendment through so-called “ emergency orders.
” Those same orders have attempted to impose expansive business shutdowns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such the right to assembly , speech and freedom of worship .
A court in Virginia and the Supreme Court have this week released decisions that are good news and bad news for gun owners and those wishing to preserve their Second Amendment-guaranteed rights .
In Virginia , an order issued by Lynchburg Circuit Judge F. Patrick Yeatts says federal and state protections on the right to bear arms outweigh any emergency authority held by Democratic Gov .
Ralph Northam to order the gun range closed .
Glock pistol aficionados will recognize SafeSide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the home of numerous Glock Sport Shooting Foundation matches .
The SafeSide gun range in Lynchburg filed the lawsuit challenging the governor ’ s executive order , along with Gun Owners of America , the Virginia Citizens Defense League and the Association of Virginia Gun Ranges .
Attorney General Mark Herring ’ s office had argued that Northam ’ s emergency powers to protect public safety during a pandemic should be upheld .
Yeatts , though , said state law limits the governor ’ s power to regulate guns even in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Constitution includes language that parallels almost exactly the Second Amendment .
“ The Governor appears to argue that , when he declares a state of emergency , he can ignore any law that limits his power , even laws designed to limit his powers in a state of emergency , ” Yeatts wrote according to reporting by our friends at NewsMax .
NewsMax reports Philip Van Cleave , president of the Virginia Citizens Defense League , said he is happy the SafeSide range can open , but disappointed the order does not govern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said his group is talking with lawyers about the best way to get a broader ruling that would apply statewide .
Meanwhile , at the Supreme Court in Washington , DC , gun owners were dealt a setback in long running litigation unrelated to the Wuhan virus .
Yesterday , the Supreme Court declined to wade into a Second Amendment gun case it heard months ago after New York City modified the law in question to address the plaintiffs ’ concerns , reports UPI .
The case was brought by the New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the New York City law , which barred licensed gun owners from taking firearms outside the city or to a second home elsewhere in the state .
The city subsequently amended the statute to rescind the restrictions and state lawmakers later barred them from returning .
The National Rifle Association had hoped the court would strike down the law , which would have expanded gun rights .
The Supreme Court heard arguments in the case in December .
The high court said it refused to rule on the case because the city did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The State of New York amended its firearm licensing statute , and the city amended the rule so that petitioners may now transport firearms to a second home or shooting range outside of the city , which is the precise relief that petitioners requested in the prayer for relief in their complaint , ” the majority wrote in the unsigned opinion .
“ Petitioners ’ claim for declaratory and injunctive relief with respect to the city ’ s old rule is therefore moot.
” Of course the reason New York changed its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to lose at the Supreme Court and they didn ’ t want to face the potential liability , or have a Supreme Court decision on the books that could be used to impeach other attempts to put limitations on the Second Amendment .
Perhaps seeing through that ploy , conservative Associate Justice Samuel Alito argued in dissent that the court should have acted with a ruling to make it clear the New York law infringed on the Second Amendment right to bear arms .
“ At a minimum , if petitioners succeeded on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they would be eligible for nominal damages , ” he wrote .
“ When a plaintiff ’ s constitutional rights have been violated , nominal damages may be awarded without proof of any additional injury.
” The high court voted 6-3 to stay out of the case , with Chief Justice Roberts and Associate Justice Kavanaugh disappointing conservatives by voting to drop the case .
To some extent conservatives should not have been surprised by the ruling , given Roberts ’ well known propensity to use procedural grounds to avoid adjudicating controversial questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many conservatives wondering why they fought so hard to get him confirmed .
However , Kavanaugh did offer-up a sop to conservatives in his one-page concurrence agreeing that the case was moot , but recognizing some of their concerns , in particular , whether lower courts are correctly upholding Americans ’ right to keep guns for self-defense .
“ The court should address that issue soon , perhaps in one of the several Second Amendment cases with petitions for certiorari now pending before the court , ” Kavanaugh wrote .

by Eric Lendrum
The United States Capitol Police (USCP) announced on Thursday that the department is currently investigating 29 officers, and has suspended six, for their actions during the protests at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, according to CNN.
A department spokesman said that “Acting Chief Yogananda Pittman has directed that any member of her department whose behavior is not keeping in line with the Department’s Rules of Conduct will face appropriate discipline.” The six who were suspended will still be receiving pay, and the 29 total officers under investigation is nearly three times the amount of officers who were previously announced as being under investigation back in January.
Pittman said that, as part of the ongoing investigations, the USCP was “reviewing video and other open source materials of some USCP officers and officials that appear to be in violation of Department regulations and practices.” Some Democrats, including Congressman Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), have claimed, without evidence, that some officers openly supported the protesters, allowed them inside, and even guided them around the interior of the building.
During the mostly peaceful protests, Trump supporters entered the Capitol out of protest of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election, as the questionable electoral college results were being formally tabulated by Congress. One Trump supporter, Air Force veteran Ashli Babbitt, was shot in the neck by a plainclothes police officer at close range; the officer who killed her will not be facing any charges for her death.
Several other people died that same day due to sudden medical conditions that had nothing to do with the protests, including Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick; Sicknick has been confirmed to have died of a stroke after it was erroneously reported that he had been beaten to death by protesters with a fire extinguisher.
– – –
Eric Lendrum reports for American Greatness.
Photo “Capitol Police” by Elvert Barnes. CC BY-SA 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-04-30--Americans Overwhelmingly Support a Temporary Immigration Ban to Fight Coronavirus, Poll Finds

A majority of Americans supports a temporary ban on immigration into the United States as a means to stop the spread of coronavirus , according to a poll released Tuesday .
A poll conducted by The Washington Post and University of Maryland found that Americans not only strongly support state-imposed restrictions on public gatherings and businesses to mitigate the COVID-19 outbreak , but also favor a moratorium on immigration similar to the order issued by President Donald Trump .
The survey found that 65 % of Americans back a temporary ban on almost all immigration into the United States during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % opposing such an order .
The White House touted the poll ’ s findings in a statement to the Daily Caller News Foundation .
“ The American people clearly stand with President Trump as he takes action to protect American workers and ensures they are the number one priority as we begin to revitalize our economy , ” an administration official said Wednesday to the DCNF .
A professor involved with the making of the survey said he was shocked about its findings .
“ One of the most surprising results is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who tend to be more open to immigration and have a more global perspective , support the proposal to block immigration , ” Michael Hanmer , a professor at the University of Maryland who co-directed the poll , told WaPo .
“ One way for people to deal with the reality that so many scientific and policy questions have yet to be answered is to look to concrete solutions.
” Unsurprisingly , support was not even among Republican and Democratic voters .
GOP voters favored an immigration moratorium by 83 % .
Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ split dead even on the issue , with 49 % expressing support while 49 % opposed such a measure .
Independents also heavily favored the idea , with 67 % of respondents saying they supported a ban .
The survey was notably taken after Trump announced that he would issue a temporary ban on all immigration , but before the exact details of that order was publicized .
The president tweeted on April 20 that he would soon sign an executive order banning immigration into the United States .
The administration released that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspends many green card applications from foreign nationals living outside the country .
The Trump administration , in coordination with the Canadian and Mexican governments , has also blocked all “ non-essential ” traffic between the northern and southern borders .
This border closure order also includes the immediate return of all migrants who illegally cross into the country .
This isn ’ t the first time a survey has found strong support for immigration restrictions to fight COVID-19 , particularly among minority groups .
A USA Today/Ipsos poll conducted on April 9 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of non-white respondents support a ban on immigration as a means to fight the coronavirus pandemic , a notable result given many critics of the White House have said that Trump ’ s immigration moratorium is xenophobic .
The Washington Post-University of Maryland survey was conducted from April 21 to 26 , and included a random sample of 1,008 adults across the country .
The poll overall includes a sampling error of 3.5 percentage points .
Jason Hopkins is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-30--Crom Carmichael Gives His Opinion on the Latest Developments in Joe Biden’s Alleged Sexual Assault A

Crom Carmichael Gives His Opinion on the Latest Developments in Joe Biden’s Alleged Sexual Assault Accusations

On Tuesday ’ s Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy and all-star panelist Crom Carmichael discussed the latest news on Joe Biden ’ s alleged sexual assault accusations .
Leahy : We are joined now on the line by our very good friend , the original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael .
Crom , good morning .
Carmichael : Good morning Michael .
How are you , sir ?
Leahy : Well , we have something besides coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t know if you saw this .
Hillary Clinton yesterday .
Did you see that ?
( Chuckles ) She ’ s endorsed , Joe Biden .
Leahy : You know , I thought Crom this endorsement , by the way , came on the same day that the allegations brought by Tara Reade a former Joe Biden staffer that he sexually assaulted her in 1993 gained some credence .
It seems to me that Hillary Clinton that enabler of her husband to engage in all sorts of bad-boy behavior , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perhaps a harbinger of problems to come in the Biden campaign .
What ’ s your thought on that ?
Carmichael : Well , Biden is certainly at some point is going to have to answer to this and there is no person who is more deserving of having to answer to it than Joe Biden after what he did to Clarence Thomas .
Leahy : Yeah , just three years before .
That would have been 1990 when the Clarence Thomas hearings were held right ?
Carmichael : 1990 or 1991 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ And Joe Biden was a Senator in his 50s and he was the chairman of the committee .
Carmichael : That allowed that to happen .
And apparently , apparently , he has called Anita Hill and apologized to her for not doing more .
Carmichael : So if there ’ s anybody who ought to be very open to a complete and thorough investigation it should be Joe Biden .
Leahy : But you know the talking point , by the way , came out from his campaign and Joe Biden has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three weeks that these charges have been out there .
Nobody in the mainstream press .
Carmichael : Has he been interviewed for three weeks ?
Leahy : I don ’ t actually think he ’ s been interviewed in the last three weeks .
Nobody has asked him that .
He ’ s had some sort of local interviews but nobody ’ s asked him that question .
When will anybody actually ask that question ?
The talking point that his campaign is putting out is that it never happened .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foxnews.com and said , “ Oh yes it did.
” And she was even more explicit about the incident .
Carmichael : Apparently what he did was just absolutely disgusting .
Carmichael : And if Bill Cosby is going to go to prison , now I realize that Bill Cosby ’ s black and that Joe Biden is white and the white Democrats like Governor Northam get away with stuff .
Carmichael : I understand that .
But black men should turn on Joe Biden .
They should absolutely turn on him because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just disgusting .
I don ’ t care about the double standard .
He tried to ruin , ruin Clarence Thomas ’ s life by fabricating a story .
And implicating Anita Hill .
Anita Hill was a pawn .
Anita Hill agreed to make this claim in secret then she got outed and then the Democrats went to her and said , well Anita you ’ ll either have to expand the lie or your going to go to prison because you filed a legally biding report and if it turns out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on our side of the aisle to help you .
That is exactly what happened in that case and Joe Biden was part of it .
Right from the get-go , he was part of it .
So if anybody deserves to be thoroughly investigated and have the same standard apply that an accusation stands all by itself , it ’ s Joe Biden .
In this case , the first question that ’ s going to be asked of Joe Biden is have you ever met Tara Reade ?
Leahy : And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : He ’ ll have to answer yes .
Did Tara Reade work for you ?
Yes .
So at that point , he is in deep doo-doo because there are about four or five corroborating witnesses and we also know that Joe Biden has a terrible habit or whatever you want to call it of putting his hands and smelling women ’ s hair .
And we ’ re talking about young women .
Carmichael : And then you look at Hunter Biden .
You know apples don ’ t fall that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look at Hunter Biden ( Chuckles ) and you see everything wrong from a character standpoint you would want to see in a person who ’ s still not in prison you ’ d see it in Hunter Biden .
And he got his character from his father .
Leahy : Well Tara Reade has filed a police report .
Apparently there ’ s been a statute of limitations on that which means now that if what she said is false she would be in legal jeopardy .
Leahy : I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be for her legal jeopardy on this because there were contemporaneous reports that she talked to various people about it .
She talked to her neighbor about it .
Apparently there ’ s evidence that she at the time of this incidence allegedly happened that in his staff supervised three interns .
And right after this event took place and she didn ’ t comply with Joe Biden ’ s request she was isolated and no longer was supervising three interns .
I was watching Judge Jeannine last night on Tucker Carlson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office with no windows and no duties or responsibilities .
That is evidence that will come out .
Carmichael : Sure .
And that ’ s indicative of another layer of evidence to add to Joe Biden ’ s guilt .
Leahy : Where will this go in your view ?
This is a credible complaint I think .
It came 27 years later but I think its a credible complaint .
Her mom was on the Larry King Show .
You can hear the audio of her mom complaining indirectly about a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had with a prominent Senator .
So that evidence is out there .
What happens next ?
When will Joe Biden be asked this question , did you know Tara Reade and what ’ s your response to her allegations that you sexually assaulted her ?
When will that question be asked ?
Carmichael : You don ’ t know when Joe Biden is going to get out of his basement or if he ever does .
Joe Biden is a feeble guy .
The Democrats have picked somebody for president who can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or sit around a table with a group of people for fear of catching a deadly disease .
In his case , it would be deadly .
Carmichael : And this is somebody that they ’ re putting up for president in the world that we live in today ?
Leahy : I think you ’ re right about that .
Do a little prognostication here or based upon what you know about the media .
When will he be asked the question ?
Carmichael : The media is going to be forced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re probably doing right now is they are probably coming up with excuses for Biden .
That ’ s probably why they ’ re not asking questions .
They are trying to come up with excuses for Biden .
That ’ s probably what ’ s going on .
Because if you go back to the case of Bill Clinton , the media did everything they could to try to help Bill Clinton until the blue dress came up , and then there was physical evidence .
There was by the way only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to acknowledge what he did .
If it had not been for the physical evidence Monica Lewinski would have been thrown completely under the bus along with Paula Jones .
And she would have been the one chasing the dollar through the trailers like James Carville said of Paul Jones .
It turned out both Paula Jones and Monica Lewinski were telling the truth .
Leahy : Are we about to see the mainstream media go into a smear campaign against Tara Reade ?
Carmichael : Sure .
That ’ s what they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : They ’ re looking up everything about her .
Anything that she ’ sever done that ’ s not goodwill soon be on the front page of The Washington Post .
Carmichael : Yes .
That ’ s why I think he ’ s not being questioned because the media is in full investigation mode trying to smear Tara Reade .
Leahy : Yeah .
Absolutely .
And of course , it ’ s interesting because she is a Democrat .
A lifelong Democrat .
Leahy : And voted for Hillary Clinton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that she was very disappointed that Hillary Clinton was enabling Joe Biden .
And she ’ s looking for a public apology from Joe Biden .
Do you think that ’ s going to happen ?
Listen to the full second hour : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photos “ Hillary Clinton ” and Joe Biden ” by Gage Skidmore .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-30--Trump Suggests He May Withhold Bailout Funds from States with Sanctuary Cities

President Donald Trump suggested Tuesday that he may withhold federal bailout funds from states with cities that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities .
Trump was asked at a White House event with business leaders about the idea of another round of stimulus money for U.S. taxpayers .
The president said he liked the concept of payroll tax cuts , then shifted to the possibility of bailout funds for state governments .
“ The problem with the states is we ’ re not looking to recover 25 years of bad management and give them the money they lost .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Trump said .
“ If it is COVID-related , we can talk about it , but we want certain things also , including sanctuary city adjustments , ” he continued .
“ We have so many people in sanctuary cities , which I don ’ t even think they are popular even by radical left because people are being protected that shouldn ’ t be protected and a lot of bad things are happening with sanctuary cities.
” The president continued to suggest that , for state governments to be eligible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to clamp down on their cities that refuse to work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) .
“ If we are going to do something for states , I think they probably want something having to do with sanctuary cities and other different points that we can discuss a little bit later on , ” he said .
Trump has previously tried to withhold funds from sanctuary cities .
The 2nd U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in February that the White House is legally allowed to withhold millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from states and other localities that refuse to work with ICE , delivering a major victory for the administration in its fight against sanctuary jurisdictions .
Democrats , however , have tried to stop the administration from tying coronavirus aid to immigration policy .
The CARES Act , a $ 2.2 .
trillion stimulus relief package for Americans suffering from coronavirus , included millions in law enforcement grants .
Language in the bill specifically forbid Trump from withholding those funds from jurisdictions that have sanctuary policies in place .
In response to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed the northern and southern borders to all “ non-essential ” traffic , and the president has issued an executive order that bars many green card applications from foreign nationals living abroad .
Ethan Barton is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Sanctuary City Supporter ” by 7beachbum .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-30--GDP Drops 4.8 Percent in First Quarter, Largest Decline Since Great Recession

U.S .
Gross Domestic Product shrank by 4.8 percent in the first quarter of the year , a result of stay-at-home orders that shuttered businesses in response to COVID-19 .
It was the first negative GDP since the first quarter of 2014 showed a 1.4 percent decline and the largest drop since the fourth quarter of 2008 , when it fell 8.4 percent during the Great Recession .
“ The decline in first quarter GDP was , in part , due to the response to the spread of COVID-19 , as governments issued ‘ stay-at-home ’ orders in March , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement .
“ This led to rapid changes in demand , as businesses and schools switched to remote work or canceled operations , and consumers canceled , restricted , or redirected their spending.
” More than 26 million Americans have filed unemployment claims over the past five weeks .
Retails sales dropped by 8.7 percent in March .
Gross Domestic Product is the total market value of goods and services produced over a specific time period .
It is viewed as a measure of a country ’ s economic health @


thetennesseestar--2020-04-30--‘Appalling’ FBI Documents Show Flynn Was Targeted with Perjury Trap

U.S. District Court Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on Wednesday unsealed eleven pages of FBI emails and handwritten notes that provide further evidence that retired general Michael Flynn was set up for a perjury trap by the senior members of the Bureau .
The new documents are “ even more appalling than the Friday production , ” said Flynn ’ s lead attorney Sidney Powell .
“ What is especially terrifying is that without the integrity of Attorney General Bill Barr and U.S. Attorney Jensen , we still would not have this clear exculpatory information as Mr. Van Grack and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made , ” Powell said in a statement .
According to Powell , the notes and emails suggest “ that the Department of Justice was determined at the time to prosecute Flynn , regardless of what they found.
” “ The FBI pre-planned a deliberate attack on Gen. Flynn and willfully chose to ignore mention of Section 1001 in the interview despite full knowledge of that practice , ” Powell said .
“ The FBI planned it as a perjury trap at best and in so doing put it in writing stating ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or to get him to lie so we can prosecute him or get him fired.
” “ Clear now that General Flynn was set up by dirty cops at the highest levels of our government , ” tweeted Rep. Devin Nunes ( R-Calif. ) , the ranking Republican on the House Intelligence Committee .
“ Not only should general Flynn ’ s charges be dropped immediately but the treasonous actors who set him up should be in jail !
!
!
” Trump ’ s oldest son Donald Trump Jr. tweeted .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flynn posted the following short clip on Twitter : The handwritten notes confirm that the intent of the agents who interviewed Flynn at the White House on Jan. 24 , 2017 was not to get to the truth , but catch Flynn in a lie “ so we can prosecute or get him fired.
” That interview , conducted by disgraced FBI Special Agent Peter Strzok and FBI Special Agent Joe Pientka , led to Flynn pleading guilty of lying after 10 months of pressure from prosecutors , financial distress and threats to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that prior to interviewing Flynn , the FBI had already concluded that Flynn was guilty of a crime and were plotting to trip him up by accusing him of violating the rarely used and in effect defunct Logan Act .
“ If we get him to admit to breaking the Logan Act , give facts to DOJ & have them decide , ” the handwritten notes say .
“ Or if he initially lies , then we present him ( illegible ) & he admits it , document for DOJ , & let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In order to “ protect the institution , ” the agents planned to appear professional and businesslike so as not to be seen as “ playing games.
” “ If we ’ re seen as playing games , WH ( White House ) will be furious , ” the handwritten notes say .
Markings on the documents suggest that Mueller ’ s team knew about this evidence and chose to cover it up .
CBS investigative correspondent Catherine Herridge reported Wednesday afternoon that Jeffrey Jensen , the U.S. attorney appointed by Barr in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joined Powell in calling for additional records to be unsealed .
Government prosecutors earlier on Wednesday handed over heavily redacted copies of notes and emails to Michael Flynn ’ s defense team , prompting Powell to file a motion demanding that the documents be unsealed immediately .
Prior to handing documents over , the prosecutors said they were working with the FBI to make redactions , which Powell claimed was being done “ to protect the guilty.
” After receiving the documents on Wednesday , Powell tweeted : “ We will be filing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jointly requesting the exhibit be unsealed immediately.
” As American Greatness reported , Powell quickly filed the documents in support of Flynn ’ s dismissal motion , saying “ the government has deliberately suppressed this evidence from the inception of this prosecution—knowing there was no crime by Mr. Flynn.
” Powell said at the time that the evidence produced by Jensen supports “ Flynn ’ s allegations of having been deliberately set up and framed by corrupt agents at the top of the FBI .
It also defeats any argument that the interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 was material to any ‘ investigation.
’ ” She told Fox Business host Lou Dobbs on Tuesday that the release of the documents was the result of Jensen “ providing adult supervision ” at the Department of Justice after the injustices perpetrated by “ Mueller ’ s hit squad.
” On Tuesday , Covington and Burling , Flynn ’ s former lawyers , produced 6,800 additional documents and emails that should have been handed over to Powell last year .
Powell told Dobbs that Covington “ certified last August that the entire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blistering minute order , U.S. District Court Judge Emmett Sullivan demanded that Covington “ must re-execute a search of every document and communication ” pertaining to the firm ’ s representation of General Flynn .
Powell said on Fox Business that she believed the “ insurance policy ” disgraced FBI agent Peter Strzok and his paramour Lisa Page discussed in an August 15 , 2016 text message referred to the deep state operation targeting Flynn .
“ The very next day , they opened the ‘ investigation ’ on General Flynn , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she pointed out , the FBI infiltrated a routine intelligence briefing for presidential candidates in order to surveil Flynn .
“ They sent an agent into what was supposed to be a trusted presidential briefing solely because General Flynn was going to be there and they wanted to collect information on him , gauge his mannerisms in the event they needed to interview him later if Trump is elected to the presidency and Flynn ended up in the White House , ” Powell said .
She said the government ’ s misconduct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an outrage.
” “ It is a travesty of justice , it ’ s a blight on the face of our entire country , but I do believe that the Department of Justice under Bill Barr is going to produce the evidence that we ’ re entitled to , ” said Powell .
When everything is said and done , she said the only possible result in the case should be “ for the entire matter to be dismissed.
” Late Wednesday , John Solomon reported that officials confirmed that the handwritten notes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Priestap .
Debra Heine is a reporter at American Greatness .
Photo “ Michael Flynn ” by Michael Flynn .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-30--Gamechanger: NCAA Approves Recommendations for College Athletes to Profit from Endorsements and Soci

Gamechanger: NCAA Approves Recommendations for College Athletes to Profit from Endorsements and Social Media

The National Collegiate Athletic Association ( NCAA ) took a significant step Wednesday toward allowing student-athletes to earn money for endorsements and promotions .
The NCAA announced members decided to move forward with a plan to scrap a long-standing policy barring players to receive compensation for endorsements and a host of other activities involving social media , businesses they have started , and personal appearances .
Ohio State University Chairman and President Michael Drake said in a statement , “ Throughout our efforts to enhance support for college athletes , the NCAA has relied upon considerable feedback from and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ student-athletes , from all three divisions .
Allowing promotions and third-party endorsements is uncharted territory.
” The association ’ s Board directed all three divisions to consider appropriate rules changes based on recommendations from its Federal and State Legislation Working Group .
The divisions are expected to adopt new name , image and likeness rules by January to take effect at the start of the 2021-22 academic year .
Additionally , the NCAA will restrict “ any future name , image and likeness activities ” including , according to the statement , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be considered pay for play ; no school or conference involvement ; no use of name , image and likeness for recruiting by schools or boosters ; and the regulation of agents and advisors.
” In October , the association ’ s Board agreed on a list of “ guiding principles ” aimed at making sure changes going forward “ support college sports as a part of higher education.
” • Assure student-athletes are treated similarly to non-athlete students unless a compelling reason exists to differentiate .
• Maintain the priorities of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunities for student-athlete success .
• Ensure rules are transparent , focused and enforceable and facilitate fair and balanced competition .
• Make clear the distinction between collegiate and professional opportunities .
• Make clear that compensation for athletics performance or participation is impermissible .
• Reaffirm that student-athletes are students first and not employees of the university .
• Protect the recruiting environment and prohibit inducements to select , remain at , or transfer to a specific institution .
The major policy shift came after report from the NCAA ’ s Federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its recommendations .
“ The NCAA ’ s work to modernize name , image and likeness continues , and we plan to make these important changes on the original timeline , no later than January 2021 , ” said Gene Smith , Ohio State senior vice president and athletics director and working group co-chair .
“ The board ’ s decision today provides further guidance to each division as they create and adopt appropriate rules changes.
” In its report , the working group recognized that the rules needed to accomplish the modifications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need for appropriate regulation in the future .
The board also discussed the potential challenges to modernizing rules posed by outside legal and legislative factors that could interfere with the NCAA ’ s ability to take meaningful action .
The steps include the following : • Ensuring federal preemption over state name , image and likeness laws .
• Establishing a “ safe harbor ” for the Association to provide protection against lawsuits filed for name , image and likeness rules .
• Maintaining the distinction between college athletes and professional athletes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ around these issues not only could undermine college sports as a part of higher education but also significantly limit the NCAA ’ s ability to meet the needs of college athletes moving forward , ” Drake said .
California was first state to pass a bill into law that blocked NCAA schools from interfering with college athletes ’ efforts earn an income related to their athletic activities in school .
Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill while appearing on NBA star LeBron James ’ HBO show “ The Shop , ” calling the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bankrupt model.
” The California legislation , which takes effect in 2023 , allows players to be paid for endorsement deals and prohibits the NCAA and the schools from banning those compensated athletes .
The NCAA is the largest student-athlete organization in the United States , with 450,000 athletes at more than 1,200 schools nationwide .
Samantha Witwer is a reporter at The Ohio Star .
Photo “ NCAA National Offices ” by Momoneymoproblemz .
CC BY-SA 4.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-30--Vice President Pence Addresses Criticism for Not Wearing Mask at Mayo

Vice President Mike Pence visited the world-renowned Mayo Clinic Tuesday to discuss its fight against the coronavirus , but the media obsessed over the fact that he wasn ’ t wearing a mask .
“ Pence under fire for going maskless at Mayo , ” the Drudge Report declared .
Late-night hosts piled on their usual scorn while various celebrities took to Twitter to express their outrage .
In defiance of clinic policy , the vice president was the only person not wearing a mask during the Tuesday tour of Mayo Clinic ’ s laboratories .
The clinic put a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requires all patients and visitors to wear a face mask and said in a now-deleted tweet that it informed Pence “ of the masking policy prior to his arrival today.
” Vice President Pence explained his decision not to wear a mask during a media availability after the visit .
“ As vice president of the United States , I ’ m tested for the coronavirus on a regular basis and everyone around me is tested for the coronavirus .
The CDC issued guidelines about wearing a mask .
It was their recognition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent the possibility of conveying the virus to someone else by wearing a mask , ” said Pence .
“ Since I don ’ t have the coronavirus , I thought it would be a good opportunity for me to be here , to be able to speak to these researchers , these incredible healthcare personnel and look them in the eye and say thank you , ” he added .
The Star Tribune editorial board argued in a Wednesday article that Pence “ should have worn a mask ” and “ Mayo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mike Pence ’ s visit to the Rochester , Minnesota medical center to laud its COVID-19 response garnered national coverage .
What should have been a slam-dunk to polish Mayo ’ s trusted name instead raised unnecessary questions about its institutional values , ” said the article .
The board took issue with Pence ’ s explanation for not wearing a mask , since coronavirus tests aren ’ t 100 percent accurate .
“ But Mayo ’ s decision not to enforce its mask policy is even more disturbing .
It has many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one set of rules for them and a different set for regular clients who don ’ t fly in on private jets ?
” the article continued .
“ It ’ s disappointing that this question even has to be raised.
” The Mayo Clinic expressed its gratitude to the vice president and Gov .
Tim Walz for taking the time “ to hear about our work fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
” “ We look forward to continued collaboration to develop essential testing and treatment for our patients and communities , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Mike Pence Visiting Mayo Clinic ” by the Mayo Clinic .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-30--Alice DeWine, Governor’s Daughter, Loses Race for Greene County Prosecutor in a Landslide

Alice DeWine , the daughter of Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine , was defeated Tuesday in the Republican primary for Greene County prosecutor .
She lost to Republican opponent David Hayes in a vote of 11,605 to 8,122 , or 59 percent to 41 percent , according to the election results .
No Democrat has entered the race , so Hayes is the presumed successor of Prosecutor Stephen Haller , who dropped out of the race .
Alice DeWine ’ s defeat happened despite the full backing of her father ’ s political machine .
A federal super PAC dropped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advertisements in support of her campaign .
Both her father and Attorney General Dave Yost publicly endorsed her , but Hayes had the support of local law enforcement .
“ That amount of money being spent on a local , county race , it is really insane , ” Hayes told The Columbus Dispatch last week .
“ But , I have near-universal law enforcement support and the people who support me are residents of Greene County – not politicians in Columbus or family members.
” Both Haller and Greene County Sheriff Gene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s daughter .
“ David works as a team member , a leader with competent legal guidance and an experienced prosecutor who has successfully prosecuted cases brought forward by the Greene County Sheriff ’ s Office .
As a military veteran and long serving assistant prosecutor , David Hayes exceeds the qualifications as a candidate to serve as our next Greene County Prosecutor and he will have my vote , ” Fischer said in his endorsement .
Gov .
DeWine was elected Greene County prosecutor in 1976 , a position that launched his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become an Ohio state senator and then a member of Congress .
“ From their perspective , she has to win this race , ” Hayes said .
“ This is her political coming-out party and if she doesn ’ t win this race , her political career may be over before it ’ s started.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Alice DeWine ” by Alice DeWine .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-30--Izzy’s Ice Cream Permanently Closes St. Paul Location

The coronavirus pandemic has taken out another Minnesota business , this time the famous Izzy ’ s Ice Cream in St. Paul .
The company announced Tuesday that it is permanently closing its original St. Paul shop , but will reopen its Minneapolis location with delivery-only service on May 4 .
“ It is with great sadness that we are closing our St. Paul location .
We want to thank you so much for supporting us over the last 20 years .
We have so many memories of happiness , good times , and people coming together in serving the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bottom of our hearts for buying our ice cream , supporting and being ambassadors for our business , waiting in all those long lines for ice cream , and for allowing us the honor to hire your sons and daughters to scoop ice cream over the years , ” the owners , Lara and Jeff Sommers , said in a statement .
The two of them opened their St. Paul location in July 2000 and launched a second store 13 years later in Minneapolis .
Both locations have been closed since March 17 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ You are the best customers we could ever wish for !
Nothing will ever take away the fact that Izzy ’ s comes from St. Paul .
And although we will be operating solely in Minneapolis now , we still consider ourselves a St. Paul company , ” the statement continued .
Jeff Sommers told The Star Tribune that Izzy ’ s Ice Cream is “ down to 10 percent of revenue right now.
” “ The lease was coming up , and we just made the decision that this was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ourselves together into a tighter operation and see if we can get through this and come out on the other side a better company , ” he added .
Several other Twin Cities restaurants have announced permanent closures in recent weeks , including the Egg and I , Sleepy V ’ s doughnut shop , El Burrito Mercado ’ s Minneapolis location , NE Arcade , and Anelace Coffee .
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Ice Cream ” by Izzy ’ s Ice Cream .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-30--Minnesota Small Business Owners Sue State Over Coronavirus Restrictions

A group of small business owners announced Wednesday that they are suing the state of Minnesota over the “ unconstitutional ” restrictions imposed on them during the coronavirus pandemic .
“ We can mitigate the risks of COVID-19 while still respecting the rights of our citizens and preserving our crucial small businesses , ” said Dan McGrath , a spokesman for the Free Minnesota Small Businesses Coalition .
The businesses represented in the lawsuit include Trev ’ s Kitchen , Prestige Gymnastics , Title Boxing Clubs , and Yoga by Blisstopia .
The lawsuit was filed in the Minnesota Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeal four of Gov .
Tim Walz ’ s executive orders issued during the pandemic .
According to a press release , the lawsuit argues that the governor is “ outside his legitimate powers by picking winners and losers in the economic morass brought about in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic.
” “ For the state to suspend some , but not all economic activity for an arbitrary and indefinite period of time is unprecedented , and according to the plaintiffs , unlawful , ” said a press release from the coalition .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s executive orders related to small businesses don ’ t meet a compelling state interest .
The business owners represented in the case said they should be able to remain open just like the government and big businesses because they are essential too .
The companies are represented by attorney Erick Kaardal , who took issue with Walz ’ s classification of businesses as either “ critical , ” “ essential , ” or “ non-critical exempt.
” “ The governor lost his constitutional compass in sailing the state of Minnesota through the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unconstitutional categories is massive suffering for small businesses on an unprecedented scale .
We ’ re hopeful that the appellate courts of Minnesota will agree that the governor ’ s categories of ‘ Critical Sector , ’ ‘ essential , ’ and ‘ Non-Critical Exempt Businesses ’ are not narrowly tailored to meet a compelling state interest , ” he said .
The lawsuit doesn ’ t seek any financial damages , but simply asks the courts to overturn Walz ’ s executive actions .
Kaardal said interested business owners can still join @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s “ Government Oppression Hotline.
” Walz ’ s office issued a statement in response to the lawsuit Wednesday afternoon and said the governor “ understands how hard the pandemic is on Minnesotans and their businesses.
” “ The virus has forced the state to take drastic action , but it ’ s action that is within the governor ’ s authority , ” a spokesperson said .
“ It is also in line with federal guidance and very similar to what other states are doing .
All of the governor ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protect the health and safety of Minnesotans , and he will continue to work to find ways to get Minnesotans back to work safely.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Minnesota Capitol ” by Gabriel Vanslette .
CC BY-SA 3.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-30--Gov. DeWine Reverses Course on Face Coverings Requirement

Gov .
Mike DeWine said he will no longer require people to have face coverings on who enter businesses set to open under the Responsible RestartOhio plan , according a statement statement released Tuesday .
When the governor announced details about reopening Ohio ’ s economy on Monday , face coverings were required by the public to enter businesses .
However , he changed the rule due to the fact some Ohioans found this rule “ offensive.
” “ Within the last 24 hours , it ’ s really been made clear to me that a mandatory mask requirement for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a retail business , is offensive to some of our fellow Ohioans , ” DeWine said during Tuesday ’ s press conference .
“ I ’ ve also heard , for some people , this is a difficult thing to do.
” Even though Ohio is not forcing people to wear face coverings in businesses allowed to open , it is “ strongly recommending ” that people use them .
“ Though it is not a mandate , wearing a face covering in retail locations is clearly in the best interest of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This gives added protection to others .
When you wear a mask , you are protecting those around you from possibly getting sick.
” Despite this rule adjustment on face coverings , businesses can still create policies that require face coverings for customers to enter their facilities .
Employees will still be required to wear face coverings when they work at businesses set to reopen unless a health care official does not advise it , according to the governor ’ s press release .
“ It is because of Ohio citizens ’ individual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flattened the curve in Ohio .
Ohioans have accomplished these things through social distancing , staying home , and wearing face coverings .
These individual decisions have impacted the greater good for all Ohioans , ” DeWine said .
“ These individual decisions are going to be even more important as we move forward .
Now is the time to double down on these efforts .
We have an obligation to protect our most vulnerable Ohioans and each other.
” Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-04-30--Essential Workers Could Receive Free College, Technical Certifications

Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer announced a proposal on Wednesday for a program aimed at providing free college and technical certifications to frontline workers .
The “ Futures for Frontliners ” program , the first of its kind in the country , was inspired by the G.I .
bill that was used to provide educational opportunities to soldiers returning from World War II , Whitmer ’ s office said .
The program is available to those who have been considered essential workers during the pandemic , including staff in hospital and nursing homes , grocery store workers , those providing childcare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equipment manufacturers .
It also includes those working to protect public safety , pick up trash or deliver supplies .
“ The Futures for Frontliners program is our way of saying ‘ thank you ’ to those who have risked their lives on the front lines of this crisis , ” Whitmer said in a statement .
“ This program will ensure tuition-free college opportunities and give these dedicated Michiganders an opportunity to earn a technical certificate , associate degree or even a bachelor ’ s degree.
” It is estimated that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Michigan , Whitmer ’ s office said .
Those participating in the program would help Michigan reach Whitmer ’ s goal of increasing the number of working-age adults with a technical certificate or college degree from 45 percent to 60 percent by 2030 .
The proposal follows the Michigan Reconnect program passed last month , which allows adults over 25 without college degrees to access community college tuition-free .
Whitmer also said that she is expanding Michigan ’ s Workshare Program , which will allow employers to reduce employee hours in order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the $ 600 Pandemic Unemployment Assistance ( PUA ) weekly benefit .
The PUA is acting as supplemental pay for critical infrastructure workers .
“ I want to assure all of our workers we will never forget those of you who stepped up and sacrificed their own health during this crisis , ” Whitmer said .
“ You ’ re the reason we ’ re going to get through this.
” Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Michigan Star .
Follow her on Twitter at @ JordynPair .
Email her at @ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-04-30--Rep. Vitale Wants Gov. DeWine to End the State’s Lockdown

State Rep. Nino Vitale ( R-Urbana ) told Ohio Future Foundation ( OFF ) Chairman Jim Renacci that Ohio needs to end its lockdown .
“ I don ’ t think the government should be locking us down at all , ” he said during OFF ’ s Facebook live forum Wednesday night .
Vitale has been one of the most vocal House Republicans who has criticized Gov .
Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton for shutting down almost all of Ohio ’ s economy .
He , along with 32 other House Republicans , created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Framework ” that recommended business start opening on Friday , which DeWine announced will happen .
“ Many businesses have already modified their operating protocols to safely function in this current environment .
Businesses/organizations recognize if they do not make it safe for their employees and customers , they will not come back , ” the plan states .
We believe it is time to trust Ohioans .
They have respectfully followed the guidelines and NOW is the time to responsibly open all businesses .
Two weeks ago , Vitale also called on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow hospitals and doctors to perform elective surgeries .
A major concern Vitale expressed to Renacci was what was going to happen to the healthcare industry as a result of the coronavirus pandemic .
The 49-year-old said he has had health care professionals tell him that many of their patients are not coming and that they might have to close their doors .
“ My concern is [ Ohioans ] are going to have a health care crisis in our state because we rare bankrupting the backend of the financial system , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denying people the healthcare they deserve , ” Vitale said .
“ It ’ s awful.
” The state representative said he receives countless calls from people who are concerned about how they are going to get their healthcare needs .
Under DeWine ’ s Responsible RestartOhio plan , Ohio will allow doctor visits , well-care checks , out-patient surgeries , imaging procedures , diagnostic tests , and dental and veterinary services .
On the topic of essential businesses , Vitale told Renacci that he does not like it when the government determines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I trust people to do the right thing .
I trust business owners to do the right thing , ” he said .
Vitale said he trusts people to make good decisions about how to run their businesses .
During the Facebook live forum , a viewer asked Vitale why so many people in Ohio were having a hard time receiving their unemployment benefits .
The Dayton Daily News reported on Monday that Ohioans are “ facing many obstacles ” to getting paid .
Vitale said Ohio did not have a system in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people flying for unemployment claims .
A concern Vitale said was that big companies were getting bailed out while small-town Americans were not .
“ The bigger are getting bigger and the small are unfortunately going away , which is why all this needs to go away and we need to get back to work , ” he said .
As The Ohio Star reported , almost one million Ohioans have filed for unemployment benefits over the last five weeks .
Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zachery at [ email protected ] Photo “ Jim Renacci and Nino Vitale ” by Jim Renacci .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-30--COVID-19 Hitting Nashville’s Black Community Hard, Task Force Chair Says

Black Nashvillians make up 13 percent of the confirmed COVID-19 cases in Nashville , but they comprise nearly 40 percent of the deaths in that area , said the chair of the Davidson County Metro Coronavirus Task Force .
These were among the many findings that Metro Coronavirus Task Force Chair Alex Jahangir revealed at a press conference Wednesday .
Jahangir also revealed the following : • Of the Davidson County confirmed cases , 36 percent are white .
Exactly 13 percent are black .
Exactly 12 percent are multi-racial .
Exactly 6 percent are Asian .
Exactly 6 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pending .
• Of the 24 Nashvillians who have died , 11 are white .
Nine are black .
Three are other .
One is listed as Asian .
• Based on 4,145 tests conducted at Community Assessment Centers , 22 percent of patients were black or African-American .
Exactly 8 percent were Hispanic .
Exactly 6 percent were multiracial .
Exactly 2 percent were Asian .
Exactly 12 percent were white — although another 50 percent of people declined to answer the question .
Of those who did disclose their race , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As of Wednesday , Jahangir said Nashville had 2,612 confirmed COVID-19 cases , an increase of 24 cases in the previous 24 hours .
The virus has thus far killed 24 Nashvillians , he added .
With an additional 2,167 cases in the surrounding counties , the region now has nearly 4,800 confirmed COVID-19 cases .
Of the Davidson County cases , 1,260 are currently active .
Exactly 1,328 residents have recovered and are cleared , Jahangir said .
But other cases continue to break out .
“ Late last night we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak of the virus at our homeless shelters on the fairgrounds , ” Jahangir said .
“ Four individuals entered the shelter without symptoms and later tested positive .
These people were screened when they first arrived at the fairgrounds and did not have any symptoms of the virus .
When an individual started showing symptoms , they were tested and moved to the self-isolation portion of the shelter for people awaiting test results .
Once the test results came back positive the Metro Nashville Public Health Department began investigating.
” Jahangir added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus at the shelter .
He said members of the Metro Public Health Department will test fairgrounds ’ residents and staff .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Alex Jahangir ” by Mayor John Cooper .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-30--More Than 3.8 Million New Unemployment Claims Filed – 6 Week Total Exceeds 30 Million

The six-week surge in new unemployment claims continued last week as businesses deemed nonessential by state and local governments reduce staffing in response to COVID-19 .
More than 3.8 million Americans filed unemployment claims for the week ending April 25 , the U.S. Department of Labor reported Thursday .
The 3.839 million claims is down 603,000 from the week prior , when 4.42 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits .
Over the past six weeks , about 30.3 million Americans have filed for unemployment benefits because of stay-at-home orders in response to the novel coronavirus .
Many experts believe the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ although that won ’ t be definitively determined until there are two consecutive quarters with a decline in GDP , a metric designed to quantify the combined economic output of the nation ’ s economy .
Data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis released Wednesday indicates that the U.S. economy shrank by 4.8 percent in the first quarter of 2020 , the worst such decline since the fourth quarter of 2008 when the nation was headed toward what ’ s now known as the “ Great Recession.
” President Donald Trump held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the country Wednesday regarding plans to slowly reopen the economy .
“ America is ready to get back to work , ” Trump said .
Florida led the nation in new unemployment filings with 432,465 .
But that ’ s a drop of 74,205 claims from the 506,670 filed the week prior .
California saw the sharpest decline in new claims .
Last week , 328,042 California workers filed for unemployment , a drop of 200,318 from the week ending April 18 , when 528,360 Californians filed for benefits .
Congress expanded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CARES Act passed last month .
Benefits include an extra $ 600 a week on top of state benefits for up to four months .
Dan McCaleb is the executive editor of The Center Square .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-01--Lee’s Order Allowing Some But Not All Businesses Like Barber Shops to Reopen is Unconstitutional, Di

Lee’s Order Allowing Some But Not All Businesses Like Barber Shops to Reopen is Unconstitutional, District Attorney Says

The district attorney in Cleveland , Tennessee , says he will not prosecute violations of Gov .
Bill Lee ’ s “ unconstitutional ” executive orders , aka the inconsistent reopening of close-contact businesses like barbershops in some areas but not others .
Stephen D. Crump is the district attorney of the 10th Judicial District : Cleveland , Athens and Madisonville .
The statement , made Wednesday , is available on his Facebook page here .
He says he disagrees with Lee for allowing certain businesses to reopen in some areas but remain closed in others .
Meanwhile on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close contact ” businesses in 89 counties could reopen Wednesday , May 6 , with limits .
Non-emergency dental services continue to be banned until at least Wednesday , WBIR said .
Six metro counties manage their own decisions because the state does not run their health departments .
The purpose of this release is to declare that the Office of the District Attorney General for the Tenth Judicial District will no longer enforce a criminal sanction or penalty against a citizen for a violation of one of the Executive Orders of Governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the COVID-19 pandemic .
While I have great respect for Governor Lee , I can not in good conscience , and with fidelity to my oath , allow what I believe to be unconstitutional criminal proceedings to take place .
Executive Order 30 , issued yesterday , April 28 , 2020 , continues the closure of “ close contact personal services ” and “ entertainment , recreational , and certain other gathering venues.
” It also still forbids “ social or recreational gatherings of ten ( 10 ) or more people.
” At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , multiple businesses have been allowed to re-open , including restaurants dining rooms and gyms and fitness centers .
As it currently stands , Knox County is poised to open many businesses on Friday , May 1 .
Those same businesses will still be closed in the 10th Judicial District by the order of the governor .
For example , a barber in Knox County can open on Friday , but the barbers in the counties and towns of this district will still be prohibited from working .
The same would be true @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services ” and other businesses such as theaters and bowling alleys .
Likewise , a restaurant can have half of their dining room filled , while a group of more than ten ( 10 ) friends can not meet in a public park to eat together .
I do not believe that someone should be prosecuted in this district for trying to earn a living doing a job that is legal and “ permitted ” just a few miles up the road .
Nor do I believe that the prosecution of twelve ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a home in two groups of six should be prosecuted , while if they did the same thing in a restaurant dining room , they would be free of criminal exposure .
The prosecution of a citizen by his government for a criminal act must engender the confidence of the defendant ’ s fellow citizens .
That prosecution must be rooted in the belief that the powers of the government are limited and confined by the constitution .
The District Attorney General is uniquely situated to ensure that both occur .
In fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to demand both from the criminal justice system .
If I am to hold fast to the oath I took , I can not prosecute an individual under these executive orders .
Indeed , the Tennessee Constitution demands that I not and oppose the prosecutions .
“ That government being instituted for the common benefit , the doctrine of non-resistance against arbitrary power and oppression is absurd , slavish , and destructive of the good and happiness of mankind.
” Tenn. Const .
Art .
I , § 2 .
While I do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ act in an arbitrary fashion , I do believe that the enforcement of the current orders would result in that very outcome .
There is not a constitutionally sound cohesion between the acts allowed and the acts prohibited .
That can not be the foundation upon which a meaningful prosecution is built , and the institution of such a prosecution would undermine public confidence , rather than cultivate it .
I can not allow that to occur .
I also do not believe that our citizens will stand for such an outcome .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ simply go back to work to save their livelihoods , their homes and their economic existence .
They are about to ignore the executive orders .
Therefore , I will not criminally enforce the executive orders on that basis .
There can not be two standards of criminal justice in this state .
It is not constitutional , nor is it just .
An act that is legal in Knox County can not be a criminal act in Bradley , Polk , McMinn or Monroe County .
Due process , equal protection and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this district not be penalized simply due to geography .
Every citizen should act responsibly and do everything in their power to prevent the spread of this virus .
We must all use extreme care to protect the vulnerable .
We must use common sense and do our best to act as one community .
Business owners who open in spite of the executive orders may encounter licensing issues or other serious consequences that arise from their actions , but they should not face criminal charges.Therefore , I will exercise the discretion I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States Constitution and in this district , they will not .

The district attorney in Cleveland, Tennessee, says he will not prosecute violations of Gov. Bill Lee’s “unconstitutional” executive orders, aka the inconsistent reopening of close-contact businesses like barbershops in some areas but not others.
Stephen D. Crump is the district attorney of the 10th Judicial District: Cleveland, Athens and Madisonville. The statement, made Wednesday, is available on his Facebook page here.
He says he disagrees with Lee for allowing certain businesses to reopen in some areas but remain closed in others.
Meanwhile on Wednesday, Lee said salons and other “close contact” businesses in 89 counties could reopen Wednesday, May 6, with limits. Non-emergency dental services continue to be banned until at least Wednesday, WBIR said. Six metro counties manage their own decisions because the state does not run their health departments.
In response, Crump said:
The purpose of this release is to declare that the Office of the District Attorney General for the Tenth Judicial District will no longer enforce a criminal sanction or penalty against a citizen for a violation of one of the Executive Orders of Governor Bill Lee which were promulgated relative to the COVID-19 pandemic. While I have great respect for Governor Lee, I cannot in good conscience, and with fidelity to my oath, allow what I believe to be unconstitutional criminal proceedings to take place.
Executive Order 30, issued yesterday, April 28, 2020, continues the closure of “close contact personal services” and “entertainment, recreational, and certain other gathering venues.” It also still forbids “social or recreational gatherings of ten (10) or more people.” At the same time, under other orders, multiple businesses have been allowed to re-open, including restaurants dining rooms and gyms and fitness centers.
As it currently stands, Knox County is poised to open many businesses on Friday, May 1. Those same businesses will still be closed in the 10th Judicial District by the order of the governor. For example, a barber in Knox County can open on Friday, but the barbers in the counties and towns of this district will still be prohibited from working. The same would be true of many other “close contact personal services” and other businesses such as theaters and bowling alleys. Likewise, a restaurant can have half of their dining room filled, while a group of more than ten (10) friends cannot meet in a public park to eat together.
I do not believe that someone should be prosecuted in this district for trying to earn a living doing a job that is legal and “permitted” just a few miles up the road. Nor do I believe that the prosecution of twelve (12) friends eating dinner together in a home in two groups of six should be prosecuted, while if they did the same thing in a restaurant dining room, they would be free of criminal exposure.
The prosecution of a citizen by his government for a criminal act must engender the confidence of the defendant’s fellow citizens. That prosecution must be rooted in the belief that the powers of the government are limited and confined by the constitution. The District Attorney General is uniquely situated to ensure that both occur. In fact, the District Attorney General is required to demand both from the criminal justice system.
If I am to hold fast to the oath I took, I cannot prosecute an individual under these executive orders. Indeed, the Tennessee Constitution demands that I not and oppose the prosecutions. “That government being instituted for the common benefit, the doctrine of non-resistance against arbitrary power and oppression is absurd, slavish, and destructive of the good and happiness of mankind.” Tenn. Const. Art. I, § 2. While I do not believe that Governor Lee intended to act in an arbitrary fashion, I do believe that the enforcement of the current orders would result in that very outcome. There is not a constitutionally sound cohesion between the acts allowed and the acts prohibited. That cannot be the foundation upon which a meaningful prosecution is built, and the institution of such a prosecution would undermine public confidence, rather than cultivate it. I cannot allow that to occur.
I also do not believe that our citizens will stand for such an outcome. Many of our citizens are about to simply go back to work to save their livelihoods, their homes and their economic existence. They are about to ignore the executive orders. Therefore, I will not criminally enforce the executive orders on that basis. There cannot be two standards of criminal justice in this state. It is not constitutional, nor is it just. An act that is legal in Knox County cannot be a criminal act in Bradley, Polk, McMinn or Monroe County. Due process, equal protection and fundamental fairness require that the citizens of this district not be penalized simply due to geography.
Every citizen should act responsibly and do everything in their power to prevent the spread of this virus. We must all use extreme care to protect the vulnerable. We must use common sense and do our best to act as one community. Business owners who open in spite of the executive orders may encounter licensing issues or other serious consequences that arise from their actions, but they should not face criminal charges.Therefore, I will exercise the discretion I am granted under the Tennessee and United States Constitution and in this district, they will not.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-01--Commentary: It’s Time to Boycott China

Commentary: It’s Time to Boycott China

President Trump says he expects China will pay a “ substantial ” amount of money for damages caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
You can ’ t help but suspect the Chinese Communist Party deliberately withheld crucial information and hoarded protective supplies needed to prepare for the virus in order to wreak maximum damage both mortal and material on the West .
When asked if he will submit a bill as Germany has done , Trump demurred , saying “ We have ways of doing things much easier than that.
” You bet we do .
Consider : Every dollar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ damages would be a dollar we gave them in the first place .
We can save ourselves the trouble of trying to collect the bill by not sending them the money in the first place .
Let ’ s say it out loud : Boycott China .
China ’ s Communist dictators have been waging economic warfare against us for decades , launching missiles from their mines , mills , and factories in an attack that has destroyed our industries as effectively as any precision-guided munitions .
Now the pandemic has wrought further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stopping our way of life .
We can ’ t let them do that again .
Just as the CCP has waged economic warfare against the United States , we can do the same .
The Chinese Communist Party lives off the money we send them , and we send them a lot .
We should stop sending them our money .
Americans should boycott China .
Our government should boycott the CCP .
The U.S. government contributes to the World Bank , which still gives China billions .
Until recently we funded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s puppet .
We fund scientific research in China .
The NIH even funded bat virus research in Wuhan after it was banned in the United States ( What could possibly go wrong with that ?
Oh wait , we found out . )
Wall Street steers billions to CCP-controlled companies listed on U.S. exchanges .
It helps CCP-controlled entities sell securities in the United States .
Billions flow through index funds that include shares of Chinese companies .
Pension funds from California to Iowa have staked the retirement savings of Americans on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overseeing the federal Thrift Savings Plan—the 401 ( k ) plan for military personnel and federal workers—want to invest billions in the MSCI Emerging Markets Fund , home to a roster of Chinese companies that manufacture weapons , cyber-espionage tools and surveillance gear for the CCP .
President Trump warned American companies to get out of China years ago .
When he slapped a tariff on China imports , supposedly American companies did Beijing ’ s lobbying and squealed like stuck pigs .
Everyone from Bible publishers to shoe salesmen pleaded penury and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t lifted immediately .
Had they diversified their supply chains as President Trump advised , we wouldn ’ t be in the situation we ’ re in today , depending on a hostile regime for the goods we need to save our lives .
And each one of us has a part to play , too .
When we say boycott China , we are telling the CCP the American people are on to you .
We know the dollars we send to Beijing are used to bury us .
When we say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get out of China—now .
Whenever there is an alternative to “ Made in China , ” we will take it .
We can buy New Balance athletic shoes instead of Nikes .
We can buy from our local farmer or Hormel instead of Smithfield .
We don ’ t have to upgrade our iPhone until Tim Cook stops funding the CCP ’ s techno-totalitarian dystopia .
We ’ re telling GM don ’ t import Envision SUVs from China .
We ’ re telling Twitter to deplatform CCP propaganda mouthpieces , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China , we are telling Washington to stop sending our tax dollars to our mortal enemy—no excuses .
We are telling stand-up elected officials like Senators Josh Hawley ( R-Mo . )
, Tom Cotton ( R-Ark . )
, and President Trump we have their backs .
And we ’ re telling the others to stop peddling excuses , get a backbone , and stand up for America .
Don ’ t let the Chinese Communists control our food ( Smithfield ) , our media ( AMC theaters , Universal , Disney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and our technology ( Huawei , Lenovo ) .
When we say boycott China , we are telling the CCP ’ s apologists in big media , big banks , big corporations and the Washington swamp who sold out America and her people—time ’ s up .
Our first war of independence began with boycotts of British goods following the Stamp Act , the Townshend Act , and the Tea Act .
The American Founders understood that America would not be independent if we relied on other nations for our manufactured goods .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ independence from the tyrants of Beijing and the tyranny of globalism that brought us to the current impasse .
We can , we must , and we will stop giving China ’ s dictators our money .
To ensure we recover from this virus , we must do two things : Wash our hands and wash our hands of China .
Curtis Ellis is policy director with America First Policies .
He was also a senior policy advisor with the Donald J. Trump presidential campaign in 2016 .
Photo “ Chinese Factory ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

by Curtis Ellis
President Trump says he expects China will pay a “substantial” amount of money for damages caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
You can’t help but suspect the Chinese Communist Party deliberately withheld crucial information and hoarded protective supplies needed to prepare for the virus in order to wreak maximum damage both mortal and material on the West.
When asked if he will submit a bill as Germany has done, Trump demurred, saying “We have ways of doing things much easier than that.”
You bet we do.
Consider: Every dollar the CCP would possibly pay us in damages would be a dollar we gave them in the first place.
We can save ourselves the trouble of trying to collect the bill by not sending them the money in the first place.
Let’s say it out loud: Boycott China.
China’s Communist dictators have been waging economic warfare against us for decades, launching missiles from their mines, mills, and factories in an attack that has destroyed our industries as effectively as any precision-guided munitions.
Now the pandemic has wrought further destruction.
They have succeeded in effectively stopping our way of life. We can’t let them do that again.
How?
Just as the CCP has waged economic warfare against the United States, we can do the same.
The Chinese Communist Party lives off the money we send them, and we send them a lot.
We should stop sending them our money. Americans should boycott China.
Our government should boycott the CCP.
The U.S. government contributes to the World Bank, which still gives China billions. Until recently we funded the World Health Organization, Beijing’s puppet. We fund scientific research in China. The NIH even funded bat virus research in Wuhan after it was banned in the United States (What could possibly go wrong with that? Oh wait, we found out.)
Wall Street should boycott the CCP.
Wall Street steers billions to CCP-controlled companies listed on U.S. exchanges. It helps CCP-controlled entities sell securities in the United States. Billions flow through index funds that include shares of Chinese companies. Pension funds from California to Iowa have staked the retirement savings of Americans on these dodgy investments.
The finance guys overseeing the federal Thrift Savings Plan—the 401(k) plan for military personnel and federal workers—want to invest billions in the MSCI Emerging Markets Fund, home to a roster of Chinese companies that manufacture weapons, cyber-espionage tools and surveillance gear for the CCP.
Corporate America should boycott the CCP.
President Trump warned American companies to get out of China years ago. When he slapped a tariff on China imports, supposedly American companies did Beijing’s lobbying and squealed like stuck pigs. Everyone from Bible publishers to shoe salesmen pleaded penury and predicted doom if the tariffs weren’t lifted immediately.
Had they diversified their supply chains as President Trump advised, we wouldn’t be in the situation we’re in today, depending on a hostile regime for the goods we need to save our lives.
And each one of us has a part to play, too.
When we say boycott China, we are telling the CCP the American people are on to you. We know the dollars we send to Beijing are used to bury us.
When we say boycott China we are telling American-in-name-only companies to get out of China—now. Whenever there is an alternative to “Made in China,” we will take it. We can buy New Balance athletic shoes instead of Nikes. We can buy from our local farmer or Hormel instead of Smithfield. We don’t have to upgrade our iPhone until Tim Cook stops funding the CCP’s techno-totalitarian dystopia. We’re telling GM don’t import Envision SUVs from China. We’re telling Twitter to deplatform CCP propaganda mouthpieces, not Americans.
When we say boycott China, we are telling Washington to stop sending our tax dollars to our mortal enemy—no excuses. We are telling stand-up elected officials like Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), and President Trump we have their backs. And we’re telling the others to stop peddling excuses, get a backbone, and stand up for America. Don’t let the Chinese Communists control our food (Smithfield), our media (AMC theaters, Universal, Disney, Hollywood), our energy, and our technology (Huawei, Lenovo).
When we say boycott China, we are telling the CCP’s apologists in big media, big banks, big corporations and the Washington swamp who sold out America and her people—time’s up.
Our first war of independence began with boycotts of British goods following the Stamp Act, the Townshend Act, and the Tea Act.
The American Founders understood that America would not be independent if we relied on other nations for our manufactured goods.
With this boycott let us declare our independence from the tyrants of Beijing and the tyranny of globalism that brought us to the current impasse.
We can, we must, and we will stop giving China’s dictators our money.
To ensure we recover from this virus, we must do two things: Wash our hands and wash our hands of China.
– – –
Curtis Ellis is policy director with America First Policies. He was also a senior policy advisor with the Donald J. Trump presidential campaign in 2016.
Photo “Chinese Factory” by Robert Scoble. CC BY 2.0.