thetennesseestar--2020-07-11--New Poll Shows Bill Hagerty Leading Manny Sethi, but Not by Much

U.S. Senate candidate Bill Hagerty leads his opponent Manny Sethi by almost four percentage points , according to a new poll that a Georgia-based group released this week .
Members of that organization , The Trafalgar Group , polled 1,062 likely 2020 GOP primary voters July 6 through July 8 , according to their report .
According to the poll , the Republican candidates who want to replace the retiring U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander ( R-TN ) netted the following percentage points : According to the report , The Trafalgar Group polled almost an even mix of men and women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Tennessee Star in an email Friday that U.S. President Donald Trump has , as reported , endorsed Hagerty .
“ In the Senate , Bill will work with President Trump to support our law enforcement officers , hold China accountable , defend the right to life , support our military and veterans , stop illegal immigration , build the wall and protect Tennessee conservative values.
” Meanwhile , Sethi Campaign Manager Forrest Barnwell-Hagemeyer said The Trafalgar Group ’ s poll proves Sethi “ has the momentum.
” “ Tennesseans want a conservative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bill Hagerty with close ties to Mitt Romney , ” Barnwell-Hagemeyer said in an email .
“ We ’ ve already got one Mitt Romney in the Senate .
We don ’ t need another one.
” As The Star reported this week , Sethi and Hagerty released separate polls concerning which Republican leads the race for the primary election and by how much .
Bill Hagerty ’ s campaign released a poll that said he leads opponent Manny Sethi by 17 points .
But Sethi ’ s campaign released a poll showing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points .
Hagerty ’ s poll , which his campaign released July 1 , sampled 651 likely Republican voters between June 28 and June 30 of this year .
Hagerty poll says he had a double-digit advantage among primary voters in the Nashville , Knoxville , Memphis , and Tri-Cities media markets .
Members of Sethi ’ s campaign released their poll Tuesday .
That poll showed Hagerty has 33 points , while Sethi had 31 points .
Among those who have seen , read or heard about the race , Sethi does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are much more likely to vote for a candidate , according to the Sethi campaign poll .
The Sethi campaign said it surveyed 800 likely Republican primary voters in Tennessee on June 30 and July 1 with a blend of cell phones and land lines .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Bill Hagerty ” by Bill Hagerty .
Photo “ Manny Sethi ” by Manny Sethi .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-12--‘Shock’ Poll Shows Trump on Track to Win Reelection

A new poll conducted by the Washington based Democracy Institute for the Sunday Express shows President Trump tied with his rival Joe Biden at 47 percent , but surpassing him in the electoral college 309 to 229 .
These positive results for Trump come amid a constant drumbeat of negative media coverage in recent weeks that paints his electoral chances in November as virtually nil .
According to the shock poll , Trump is “ on course to win the crucial swing states including Florida , Iowa , Michigan , Minnesota , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin where he outpolls Vice President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” According to David Maddox , the political editor of the Sunday Express , the poll indicates that the Black Lives Matter riots have created a backlash that is helping Trump .
The poll was conducted Jul 1–3 , before the president went to the Mount Rushmore to make a speech that was very well received by most Americans , but furiously derided by Democrats and their allies in the corporate media .
In his speech , Trump blasted the “ cancel culture ” and “ the angry mobs ” who want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There is a new far-left fascism that demands absolute allegiance .
If you do not speak its language , perform its rituals , recite its mantras , and follow its commandments then you will be censored , banished , blacklisted , persecuted , and punished .
Not gon na happen to us , ” the president said .
“ Fallout from the Black Lives Matter protests ” is helping the president ’ s campaign for reelection , Maddox opined in the The UK Express article .
Given a choice between which phrases identified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives matter ” while 29 percent picked “ black lives matter ” .
Meanwhile , with statues of presidents and other historic figures being attacked and pulled down across the US , 74 percent said they disapproved of the actions while 77 percent disagreed with the assertion supported by many Democrat politicians that Mount Rushmore with the faces of four US Presidents carved on it “ is racist ” .
The poll showed that 59 percent approved of the President ’ s handling of the riots and protests but 40 percent want him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Biden has not been critical enough .
In addition , 67 percent prefer President Trump ’ s law and order message compared to 29 percent who want black community relations improved with the police .
According to the poll , 76 percent of people said it made no difference to them whether of not Biden chose a black running mate .
The poll also shows the president doing well with minority voters—35 percent for black voters and 34 percent for Hispanics .
Worse still is Mr Biden ’ s mental health after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he may be suffering from the early stages of dementia have also had an impact .
According to the poll 55 percent believe he is suffering from cognitive problems and 44 percent say that it means they are less likely to vote for him while 58 percent think aged 77 he is too old to be President .
Patrick Basham , the director of the Democracy Institute , said : “ Between now and Election Day , the factor that will most influence the final outcome will be the debates between President Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regain some of his past skill at coasting through such encounters with moderate , platitudinous comments delivered with a smile , a little humour , and an Everyman demeanour , he will retain a good chance of enjoying a very competitive election .
“ But , should Biden have even one ‘ senior moment ’ during which he forgets what he ’ s saying , or where he is , or the question posed to him , his chances of beating Trump will be somewhere between slim and none.
” Indeed , Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a short leash in recent months , only allowing him to participate in minor , scripted online events where he continues to struggle nonetheless .
Biden ’ s apparent cognitive decline has likely contributed to the “ enthusiasm gap , ” that continues to benefit Trump , with 77 percent of Trump voters “ enthusiastic ” about voting for their candidate compared to only 43 percent of Biden voters .
The poll results suggest that President Trump has much more support than can be gleaned through polling because of this “ shy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether they are “ comfortable with your relatives , friends , and coworkers knowing how you vote ?
” only 29 percent of Trump supporters responded in the affirmative , while 82 percent of Biden voters said they were .
The majority of respondents [ 67 percent ] , saw Trump as a strong leader , while Biden ws seen as a consensus builder [ 55 percent ] , and more likeable [ 60 percent ] .

A dozen individuals have been charged in a gun-running conspiracy that funneled firearms from Tennessee and Kentucky to Chicago, according to a release from the Department of Justice (DOJ).
In total, the 12 individuals are facing a 21-count indictment with charges for dealing in firearms without a license, transporting and receiving firearms into another state, making false statements to a federally licensed firearm dealer, and multiple other offenses.
Three of the alleged members of the gun pipeline were enlisted members of the U.S. Army and were stationed at Fort Campbell in Clarksville.
Demarcus Adams, Brandon Miller, and Jarius Brunson, along with other individuals charged in the indictment, allegedly purchased legal firearms from dealers in the area. After securing the guns, the DOJ contends the group would deliver the firearms to individuals in Chicago.
Law enforcement officials also claim the scheme was connected to gang violence in Chicago, saying that “the defendants conspired to purchase and deliver over 90 illegally obtained firearms to the Chicago area to facilitate the ongoing violent disputes between the Pocket Town Gangster Disciples and their rival gangs.”
Authorities detailed that at least two deaths were connected to firearms distributed in the movement from Tennessee to the Chicago area.
In addition to Clarksville, the organized crime circle operated in Oak Grove, Kentucky:
“The indictment further alleges the methods used by co-conspirators to purchase firearms from federally licensed firearms dealers in the Clarksville, Tenn. and Oak Grove, Kentucky areas, which included communicating via text messages to coordinate the purchase and delivery of firearms to the Chicago area; providing false information on firearms purchase application forms; and using apps such as Zelle and CashApp to facilitate payment for the illegal transfer of firearms. On one occasion, the indictment alleges that in addition to several firearms available for sale, Brandon Miller had 1,000 rounds of 9mm ammunition available for purchase,” the release from the DOJ details.
— — —
Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “Justice Department Announces Superseding Indictment Charging 12 in Gun-Running Conspiracy to Supply” by The Justice Department.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-12--Commentary: Biden, the Puppet of the Far Left

“ Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders Deepen Their Cooperation , ” reports the New York Times this week .
The story underlines what a puppet of the far left Joe Biden has become .
He is taking his policy cues from a socialist and his supporters .
“ Allies of Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Senator Bernie Sanders unveiled a sweeping set of joint policy recommendations on Wednesday , a significant if tentative sign of cooperation among Democrats as Mr. Biden ’ s campaign continues its appeals to the progressive left , ” says the Times .
“ Mr .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the recommendations , which were submitted by six policy task forces and cover a wide range of issues including health care , criminal justice , education and climate change.
” Biden had set up these task forces to pacify progressives : “ The formation of joint policy working groups had been a crucial compromise from the Biden campaign that helped ease the way for Mr. Sanders to withdraw from the presidential race in early April.
” But the task forces signal more than that .
They give a foretaste of his presidency .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ into his administration a raft of wild-eyed progressives .
Sanders , pleased that Biden is borrowing policy ideas from him , says that Biden could be “ the most progressive president since FDR.
” RNC spokesman Steve Guest noticed that the “ unity ” task forces took passages straight from the Sanders platform .
“ The fact Joe Biden has embraced Bernie Sanders ’ radical agenda verbatim is proof that while Bernie may not be the one leading the Democrat Party , Biden is more than happy to be his champion in its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quotes Guest as saying .
“ Bottom Line : Joe Biden has years of experience copying from others , now his task force is straight up copying from Bernie ’ s 2020 campaign proposals.
” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez co-chaired the climate task force .
She bragged that it had pushed Biden to take more liberal positions : “ I do believe that the Climate Task Force effort meaningfully & substantively improved Biden ’ s positions.
” Allies of Sanders told the New York Times that they are generally pleased with the outcome of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who supported Bernie Sanders — this absolutely gives us a step forward , ” said Sara Nelson .
“ We improved Biden ’ s policies , and you can always be stronger in the fight when you ’ re fighting from higher ground.
” Biden recently said that he will not only “ rebuild America ” but “ transform it ” — an allusion to Barack Obama ’ s promise to “ fundamentally transform ” America .
“ Transform ” is a euphemism for “ destroy.
” If you read through the jargon-filled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it is a litany of tax-and-spend policies that have never worked , combined with promises to thwart policies that do .
Take its section on education , which treats charter schools and vouchers as the enemy of reform : Charter schools were originally intended to be publicly funded schools with increased flexibility in program design and operations .
Democrats believe that education is a public good and should not be saddled with a private profit motive , which is why we will ban for-profit private charter businesses from receiving federal funding .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ stringent guardrails to ensure charter schools are good stewards of federal education funds .
We support measures to increase accountability for charter schools , including by requiring all charter schools to meet the same standards of transparency as traditional public schools , including with regard to civil rights protections , racial equity , admissions practices , disciplinary procedures , and school finances .
We will call for conditioning federal funding for new , expanded charter schools or for charter school renewals on a district ’ s review of whether the charter will systematically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oppose private school vouchers and other policies that divert taxpayer-funded resources away from the public school system .
Under a Biden presidency , the Department of Education would be an annex of the NEA .
“ Transforming ” America will mean applying every bad idea liberals couldn ’ t get around to in Obama ’ s two terms .
And many of those ideas will be supplied to Biden by Bernie Sanders .
Trump ’ s joke — that a President Biden would retire to a “ home ” while “ super left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may become a reality .
George Neumayr , a senior editor at The American Spectator , is co-author of No Higher Power : Obama ’ s War on Religious Freedom .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-12--Serbia Police Detain 71 After Fourth Night of Virus Protests

BELGRADE , Serbia ( AP ) — Serbian police detained 71 people after clashes during the fourth night of anti-government protests against the Serbian president that were initially sparked by his plans to reintroduce a coronavirus lockdown .
Fourteen policemen were injured in the rioting Friday evening when hundreds of right-wing demonstrators tried to storm the parliament building in downtown Belgrade , police director Vladimir Rebic said Saturday .
Many demonstrators and several reporters were also injured in the protests .
More protests were expected Saturday night .
Serbian media reported that among the detained is a former parliament member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violent protesters , pro-Russian far-right politician Srdjan Nogo .
The protesters , defying an anti-virus ban on gatherings , threw bottles , rocks and flares at police who were guarding the parliament building , and police responded with tear gas to disperse the angry crowds .
Similar clashes erupted twice earlier this week .
The protests first started when populist President Aleksandar Vucic announced a strict curfew for this weekend to curb a surge in new coronavirus cases in the Balkan country Vucic later scraped the plan to impose the lockdown .
Authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in Belgrade , the capital , and shortened the working hours of indoor businesses .
Many in Serbia accuse the increasingly authoritarian Vucic and his government of letting the virus crisis spin out of control in order to hold a parliamentary election on June 21 that tightened the ruling party ’ s grip on power .
Vucic has denied this , although authorities had relaxed the rules prior to the vote , allowing massive crowds at soccer games , tennis matches and nightclubs .
Authorities reported 12 new coronavirus deaths on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been increasing doubts about the accuracy of the official figures .
The country officially has over 18,000 confirmed infections and 382 deaths since March .
Health authorities have warned that Serbian hospitals are almost full due to the latest surge in cases .
Vucic has claimed that unspecified foreign security services were involved in the unrest and pledged he won ’ t be toppled in the streets .
Some opposition leaders , meanwhile , are blaming the rioting on groups they say are controlled by the government to discredit peaceful protests .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ detained , including people from Montenegro , Bosnia , Britain and Tunisia .
He said police are looking into “ foreign element in the radicalization of the protests.
” Pro-government tabloids in Serbia have claimed that Russian intelligence services were behind the unrest that is designed to destabilize the country as Western efforts mount to negotiate an deal normalizing relations with Kosovo , Serbia ’ s former province whose 2008 declaration of independence Belgrade still does not recognize .
Serbia is a rare Russian ally in Europe with historically close Slavic ties .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ European Union after years of crisis and wars in the 1990s .
Nationalist and far-right groups in Serbia are opposed to EU membership and want closer ties with Russia instead .
The Russian foreign ministry has vehemently denied any involvement in the latest protests in Serbia .
Jovana Gec and Dusan Stojanovic are reporters for The Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo : Protesters clash with riot police on the steps of the Serbian parliament during a protest in Belgrade , Serbia , Friday , July 10 2020 .
Hundreds of demonstrators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Friday , clashing with police who fired tear gas during the fourth night of protests against the president ’ s increasingly authoritarian rule .
The protests started on Tuesday when President Aleksandar Vucic announced that Belgrade would be placed under a new three-day lockdown following a second wave of confirmed coronavirus infections .
( AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic )


thetennesseestar--2020-07-12--TikTok Hires Former GOP and Democratic Congressional Staffers to Lobby on US Policy Ahead of the Ele

TikTok Hires Former GOP and Democratic Congressional Staffers to Lobby on US Policy Ahead of the Election

TikTok has hired several Democratic and Republican operatives to lobby the U.S. governmental amid concerns that the social media platform represents a national security threat .
The company hired several operatives recently to lobby on TikTok ’ s behalf , including Michael Hacker , who worked as a senior advisor to Democratic House Majority Whip James Clyburn of South Carolina , CNBC reported Friday .
TikTok hired two executives from the Internet Association as well , according to the report .
TikTok also hired Freddy Barnes , a former longtime staffer for Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Derrick Dockery , a former congressional press assistant to former GOP House Speaker Paul Ryan , has joined Barnes as one of the company ’ s lobbyists on governmental affairs .
Barnes and Dockery ’ s LinkedIn pages indicate they were hired in June .
News of the hiring spree came on the heels of reports that the Trump administration is considering the possibility of banning the social media platform over concerns that the video app shares U.S. user data to Beijing .
Sen. Josh Hawley and other lawmakers have scrutinized TikTok ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Missouri Republican warned in a March press statement that ByteDance “ includes Chinese Communist Party members in leadership , ” adding that “ TikTok has admitted that it has sent user data to China.
” Politicians from both parties have criticized the app .
Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York asked the U.S. intelligence community to assess TikTok ’ s national security risks in October , saying that such apps could be used to spy on U.S. citizens or become targets of foreign influence campaigns .
TikTok promised to stop accessing users @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Telegraph reported , after a new feature in iOS 14 indicated the company had not stopped collecting data despite pledging to end the practice in 2019 .
Users had noticed that TikTok had been scanning content on the clipboard while the app was in background mode , according to the Telegraph .
TikTok reportedly provided people in Congress with communication reassuring them that “ TikTok is not beholden to China.
” Saagar Enjeti , co-host of The Hill ’ s Rising with Krystal & Saagar , tweeted a memo Friday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The memo noted that TikTok hired former Walt Disney Company executive Kevin Mayer as the company ’ s new chief executive .
Mayer ’ s new position with the company was announced in May .
Chris White is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-12--Commentary: Hong Kong Is the Place Chinese Communists Are Working to Destroy

China ’ s communist government has brought an end to the siege of Hong Kong , or at least a beginning of an end .
Their secret police seized a 33-story hotel to establish a new headquarters in the city of nearly 7.5 million people who have lived most of their lives in a human rights-supporting , Western-style democratic system .
No longer , however , as China ’ s new national security law for Hong Kong subjugates the city ’ s residents to the same speech restrictions as mainland China .
It also applies to citizens of Hong Kong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts warn could expose them to Chinese prosecution if the country they are in has an extradition treaty with Hong Kong .
This could affect pro-democracy movements around the world .
This is all in direct violation of the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration , the document guiding the transition of Hong Kong back to Chinese rule after more than 150 years of British rule .
Among other things , this agreement guaranteed : • “ The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will enjoy a high degree of autonomy , except in foreign and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kong Special Administrative Region will be vested with executive , legislative and independent judicial power , including that of final adjudication .
The laws currently in force in Hong Kong will remain basically unchanged.
” • “ The current social and economic systems in Hong Kong will remain unchanged , and so will the life-style .
Rights and freedoms , including those of the person , of speech , of the press , of assembly , of association … will be ensured by law in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
” • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will be the responsibility of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
” The agreement also sought to guarantee that these and other policies of China regarding Hong Kong would “ remain unchanged for 50 years.
” But is anybody really surprised that the Communist dictators running China reneged on their word less than half-way through the term of the agreement ?
Even as the U.K. and Australia extend citizenship and visa offers while suspending extradition treaties , it ( hopefully ) can not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by China ’ s actions as of late .
In agreeing to a clause specifying a timeline for which the Chinese government would not violate Hong Kongers ’ rights , the British acknowledged that the revival of human rights abuses upon Hong Kong was only a matter of time .
Besides , neither those in the West , nor Hong Kong citizens , would – quite correctly – not be any happier if China had waited the full 50 years to crack down on free speech and other rights in Hong Kong .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not allow for the dissent and free thought expressed by leaders of the recent Hong Kong protests .
To the Chinese government , Hong Kong and its demonstrators are little more than a cancer on the body politic of China as a whole .
Historically in the West , the individual or the family is the grouping which informs the formation of governmental structures and policies .
This is not so in totalitarian states .
As Frank S. Meyer put it , “ Communism and Nazism… have founded themselves upon the opposite axiom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ society.
” Hong Kong was less of a threat to the established order of contemporary Chinese society when it was still a British overseas possession .
Once it fell under Beijing ’ s jurisdiction , the challenge to Communism was not one of a foreign entity , but from a group of individuals within China who did not accept the right of Xi Jinping and the rest of the Chinese Communist Party officials to dictate how the life of the average man was to be lived .
Hong Kongers were no longer foreigners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese society , a part infecting Chinese society with notions of freedom and democracy .
As Meyer continued in his book “ In Defense of Freedom ” : “ By the nature of the case , if society is an organism , the men who make it up can be no more than cells in the body of society ; and society , not they , becomes the criterion by which moral and political matters are judged .
It is in society , not in the individuals who make it up , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ individual men may be allowed are pseudorights , granted and revocable by society .
The moral claims of the person are in effect reduced to nothingness.
” Hong Kong ’ s citizenry is a freedom-loving cancer to China ’ s authoritarian system , and Dr. Xi is determined to cure it at any cost .
For the good of society .
Anders Koskinen is an Editorial Associate at Intellectual Takeout .
He earned his BA from the University of Minnesota in December 2016 where he graduated with a double major in Journalism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Alpha News and worked for Guns.com as a copywriter .
In his spare time , Anders enjoys reading , writing , and researching baseball with the Society for American Baseball Research .
He has given two presentations to the Minneapolis-based Halsey Hall chapter thus far and serves as its secretary .
He is also involved in the young adult group at his church .
Photo “ Hong Kong Conflict ” by Studio Incendo .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-12--Board Members of Nonprofit Founded by Dr. Sethi Attacked Sen. Blackburn in Ads, and One Oversees May

Board Members of Nonprofit Founded by Dr. Sethi Attacked Sen. Blackburn in Ads, and One Oversees Mayor Cooper’s COVID-19 Task Force

One board member of nonprofit Healthy Tennessee , founded by Dr. Manny Sethi , has taken positions excusing protestors for spreading the coronavirus , and he and another director have attacked U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn .
Alex Jahangir and Jesse Ehrenfeld were listed as directors of Healthy Tennessee on the nonprofit ’ s 2018 Form 990EZ , available here .
Dr. Jahangir serves as the director of Nashville Mayor John Cooper ’ s COVID-19 task force and blamed the city ’ s bars for causing a spike in coronavirus cases , not Black Lives Matter protests , The Tennessean said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American Medical Association which said , “ Police violence is a striking reflection of our American legacy of racism.
” The article was titled , “ Police brutality must stop.
” Sethi has taken a stance against Cooper ’ s moving the city back to Phase Two of its reopening .
Sethi called that “ lunacy , ” The Tennessee Star reported .
Then there are the doctors ’ attacks against Blackburn .
Jahangir and Ehrenfeld both signed an attack ad against Blackburn that was paid for by the Tennessee Democratic Party .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the opioid crisis , is available here on Twitter .
Jahangir endorsed former Gov.Phil Bredesen over Blackburn in Tennessee ’ s 2018 Senate election .
The Tennessee Star asked these questions of the Sethi campaign : I need to know if Dr. Sethi has a position on the mandated use of masks .
I need to know if the campaign has any comment on Alex Jahangir being Mayor Cooper ’ s covid task force head and siding with Black Lives Matter on saying the covid spike is due to bars reopening , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which said : “ Police violence is a striking reflection of our American legacy of racism.
” Jahangir and Ehrenfeld both signed an attack ad against Senator Marsha Blackburn that was paid for by the Tennessee Democratic Party .
Jahangir endorsed Phil Bredesen over Blackburn in Tennessee ’ s 2018 Senate election .
Are Jahangir and Ehrenfeld still board members of Healthy Tennessee ?
The campaign answered with these statements .
I need to know if Dr. Sethi has a position on the mandated use of masks .
( As we told WRCB @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mandating masks is a huge mistake .
I want to ensure local leaders and mayors have the right to make decisions , but when they make stupid decisions , such as mandates , I hope they get voted out .
We can not defund our police departments ; we must defend them .
We can not dismantle our law enforcement .
I am so grateful to them and for all they do .
The real issue is hypocritical democratic mayors who lockdown cities for everyone except for protestors.
” I need to know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alex Jahangir being Mayor Cooper ’ s covid task force head and siding with Black Lives Matter on saying the covid spike is due to bars reopening , not protests .
We have been clear as it relates to Mayor Cooper and his rampant hypocrisy as he works to shut down the economy , but refuses to shut down protests .
He ’ s more interested in social activism than the welfare of Nashville .
Frankly , the only candidate in this race who has a record of supporting BLM through his company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to all 22 sheriffs of Tennessee ’ s 95 Counties who endorsed him .
Jesse Ehrenfeld co-wrote an article which said : “ Police violence is a striking reflection of our American legacy of racism.
” Jahangir and Ehrenfeld both signed an attack ad against Senator Marsha Blackburn that was paid for by the Tennessee Democratic Party .
Jahangir endorsed Phil Bredesen over Blackburn in Tennessee ’ s 2018 Senate election .
Are Jahangir and Ehrenfeld still board members of Healthy Tennessee ?
Dr. Manny left Healthy Tennessee by resigning his position last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ non-political non-profit , and if you have questions about Healthy Tennessee , you should direct them there .
Dr. Manny was proud to support Senator Blackburn in 2018 and donated towards her election , unlike Bill Hagerty who did not donate .
Has Dr. Sethi shared with Jahangir his view that Mayor Cooper moving back to Phase 2 is “ lunacy ” ?
Dr. Manny has made it clear that he supports vertical containment and is totally opposed to lockdowns and big government draconian measures , including with Mayor Cooper directly .
Jason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes .
Photo “ Jesse Ehrenfeld ” by Jesse Ehrenfeld .
Photo “ Manny Sethi ” by Manny Sethi .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-12--Trump Touts Education, Economic Opportunities for Hispanics

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday creating a program aimed at improving Hispanic Americans ’ access to education and economic opportunities .
“ We will expand our efforts across all of the federal government to create educational and economic opportunity for Hispanic Americans , ” Trump said to applause in the Rose Garden , describing the White House Hispanic Prosperity Initiative .
The president said education and school choice are “ at the heart of our strategy to bring a prosperous future for every Hispanic American , as well as all Americans.
” “ We are a believer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t believe in choice , ” Trump said .
“ Choice is a great civil rights issue , and may be the great one of our times.
” The executive order boosts the Trump administration ’ s support for school choice , establishes new career pathways including apprenticeships and work-based learning initiatives .
It also directs federal dollars to economically distressed communities , which includes the administration ’ s “ opportunity zones ” program and promoting opportunities for small and minority-owned businesses .
“ I ’ m going to fight to ensure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freedom and the right to send your child to the public , private , charter , faith-based , magnet , home or independent school of your choice , ” Trump told an audience of invited business and community leaders of Hispanic descent , adding : It ’ s also a moral issue and it really is a fundamental issue of civil rights .
No American student should ever be trapped in a failing government school , which has happened so often for so many years .
It ’ s one of the problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going up in flames .
The executive order encourages private-sector initiatives and fosters public-private partnerships .
It also establishes the President ’ s Advisory Commission on Hispanic Prosperity , which will identify in-demand jobs for students that include apprenticeships , internships , and work-based learning opportunities .
During his administration , Trump said , the Hispanic graduation rate reached an all-time high and the dropout rate fell to an all-time low .
Before the COVID-19 pandemic , he said , Hispanic American unemployment was at historic lows and wages were at historic highs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to it very quickly , ” Trump said .
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos also spoke , noting that 80 % of Hispanic Americans support school choice .
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson said his department looked at all communities that are particularly affected by COVID-19 , and how the disease often resulted in rising cases of hypertension , obesity , asthma , and diabetes .
“ Every single person in our society is worth saving , ” Carson said .
“ We only have 330 million people .
It sounds like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a quarter of what China has , a quarter of what India has .
And we are going to have to compete with them in the future , so we are going to have to develop all of our people.
” “ And your emphasis on education and educational choice will be the thing that really distinguishes and liberates our people , ” Carson said .
“ So thank you , Mr. President.
” Fred Lucas is the White House correspondent for The Daily Signal and co-host of “ The Right Side of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the author of “ Tainted by Suspicion : The Secret Deals and Electoral Chaos of Disputed Presidential Elections .
”


thetennesseestar--2020-07-12--Guest Lineups for the Sunday News Shows

Guest Lineups for the Sunday News Shows

• ABC ’ s “ This Week ” — Adm. Brett Giroir , the Health and Human Services Department official @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus testing efforts ; Rep. Adam Schiff , D-Calif. • CBS ’ “ Face the @ @ @ @ @ Adams , U.S. surgeon general ; Mayor Kate Gallego of Phoenix ; Terry Shaw , @ @ @ @ @ ; Tom Wyatt , CEO of KinderCare .
• CNN ’ s “ State of @ @ @ @ @ Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. ; Education Secretary Betsy DeVos ; Mayor Carlos Gimenez of @ @ @ @ @ • “ Fox News Sunday ” — DeVos ; Dr. Tom Inglesby , director of @ @ @ @ @ at Johns Hopkins University .
Left to Right : Photo “ Chris Wallace ” by @ @ @ @ @ Margaret Brennan ” by Face the Nation .
Photo “ Jake Tapper ” by CNN @ @ @ @ @ ” by ABC News .
Photo “ Chuck Todd ” by NBC News .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-12--Bill Hagerty Donated to Both Al Gore and George W. Bush in 2000 Presidential Election Cycle

U.S. Senate candidate Bill Hagerty donated $ 1,000 each to the presidential campaigns of both Al Gore and George W. Bush in the year 2000 , according to Federal Election Commission filings .
That year Hagerty , according to his LinkedIn page , worked at the private equity investment firm Hagerty Peterson & Company LLC in Nashville , a position he held until July 2017 .
Hagerty said on his LinkedIn page that he co-founded the company .
FEC filings show Hagerty donated $ 1,000 to Gore ’ s presidential campaign on December 30 , 1999 .
Nearly a year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of money to the Bush campaign on November 6 , 2000 , immediately before that year ’ s Nov. 7 election .
Hagerty campaign spokeswoman Abigail Sigler addressed the donations when The Tennessee Star emailed her Saturday .
“ Bill is the only candidate in this race who supported President Trump in his historic victory against Hillary Clinton in 2016 .
President Trump looked at every candidate in this race , and President Trump endorsed Bill – twice now – because he knows he will stand with him and protect our conservative values @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did everything he could to ensure that Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in 2016 .
He worked closely with President Trump on the transition team , and as President Trump ’ s ambassador to Japan .
They ’ re working together now on the President ’ s economic task force to get our economy going again.
” Between 1997 through 2010 , Hagerty chaired the executive board of the National Capitol Area Council , Boy Scouts of America where , according to his LinkedIn page , he led a $ 50 million capital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
From 1997 to 2009 Hagerty served on the President ’ s Commission on White House Fellowships under then-presidents Clinton , Bush , and Obama .
As The Star reported Saturday , Hagerty leads his opponent Manny Sethi by almost four percentage points , according to a new poll that a Georgia-based group released this week .
Members of that organization , The Trafalgar Group , polled 1,062 likely 2020 GOP primary voters July 6 through July 8 , according to their report .
As The Star reported this week , Sethi and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leads the race for the primary election and by how much .
Both polls tallied wildly different results .
Hagerty ’ s campaign released a poll that said he leads Sethi by 17 points .
But Sethi ’ s campaign released a poll showing Hagerty instead leads his opponent by two points .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ George W. Bush ” by George W. Bush .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-12--Government Memo Shows FBI Did Not Think Michael Flynn Intentionally Lied

The Justice Department this week provided Michael Flynn ’ s lawyers with a long-rumored government memo which shows that FBI officials did not believe that the former national security adviser intentionally lied in a White House interview at the center of his legal battle .
The memo , dated Jan. 30 , 2017 , and published Friday , also said that FBI investigators did not believe that Flynn was working as an agent of Russia .
Two FBI agents interviewed Flynn on Jan. 24 , 2017 , regarding his phone calls weeks earlier with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak .
Flynn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in the special counsel ’ s probe to making false statements to the FBI regarding his conversation with Kislyak .
He sought to retract his plea on Jan. 29 , saying that he did not intentionally lie to investigators and that he pleaded guilty because of intense pressure from the special counsel ’ s office .
The memo said that the FBI briefed the Justice Department ’ s national security division and office of the deputy attorney general on Jan. 25 , 2017 , a day after the Flynn interview .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they did not believe General Flynn was acting as an agent of Russia , ” the draft memo said .
The memo said that the FBI agents who interviewed Flynn , Peter Strzok and Joe Pientka , believed that Flynn ’ s statements regarding his conversation with Kislyak was inconsistent with a transcript that the FBI had of the phone call .
The bureau was monitoring Kislyak ’ s communications under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act ( FISA ) .
According to the memo , Strzok and Pientka did not believe that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House interview .
“ FBI also advised that although they recognized the statements were inconsistent with the FISA collection , they believed that Flynn believed what he was telling them , ” the memo said .
“ FBI advised that they believed Flynn believed what he was saying was true , ” it continues .
“ FBI recognized the discrepancy between the statements and the actual calls , but determined that Flynn was not acting as an agent of Russia.
” Flynn ’ s legal team had sought out the memo for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it showed that investigators did not suspect that Flynn lied to the FBI regarding his contacts with Kislyak .
Attorney General William Barr directed Jeffrey Jensen , the U.S. attorney for St. Louis , to review the Flynn probe after the retired general filed to withdraw his guilty plea .
Jensen turned up a trove of documents that he and Barr say undercut the investigation of Flynn .
One of those documents is a Jan. 4 , 2017 , FBI memo which recommended closing a counterintelligence investigation into whether Flynn was acting as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that investigators did not have evidence that Flynn was working with Russia .
Strzok , the then-deputy chief of FBI counterintelligence , intervened at the last minute to keep the investigation going , according to documents provided to Flynn ’ s lawyers .
The Justice Department filed a motion on May 7 to withdraw charges against Flynn , citing the discovery of FBI and Justice Department documents that had not been provided to Flynn ’ s lawyers .
U.S. District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan , who is presiding over Flynn ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on whether he must drop the charges .
A federal appeals court ordered Sullivan on June 24 to comply with the Justice Department ’ s request , but he successfully applied for an appeal of that decision Thursday .
Flynn ’ s legal team , led by Sidney Powell , a former federal prosecutor , said that the new documents further support the need to dismiss charges against Flynn .
“ These documents provide even more compelling evidence requiring the court to grant General Flynn ’ s Consent to and the Government ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and her team wrote in a court filing Friday .
“ In short , there was no crime for many reasons .
These documents were known to exist at the highest levels of the Justice Department and by Special Counsel , yet they were hidden from the defense for three years.
” Chuck Ross is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Background Photo “ DOJ Building ” by Tony Webster .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-12--Conflicting Reports: John Durham May or May Not Wait Until After Election to Bring Indictments

U.S. Attorney John Durham is reportedly feeling pressure to wrap up his investigation into the origins of the Russia probe by the end of the summer , but because his work is ongoing , he may wait until after the election to reveal his findings to avoid looking political .
Investigative journalist John Solomon , meanwhile , is reporting that he has personally seen “ a lot of activity ” in Durham ’ s investigation that suggest indictments could come as soon as Labor Day .
After the Mueller investigation flamed out in April of 2019 , Attorney General William @ @ @ @ @ @ @ origins of the FBI ’ s Russia probe , which lasted from July 2016 , until the appointment of Mueller in May 2017 .
Two sources familiar with the investigation told Fox News that Durham is “ working expeditiously ” and feels “ it ’ s critical ” to do a thorough job .
Two sources familiar with Durham ’ s investigation told Fox News this week that Durham is working expeditiously to try to finish the probe by the end of summer , but that several lines of investigation are not yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s critical to do them , ” one source said .
“ He is feeling more pressure to get this done and wrapped up.
” The source also told Fox News that Durham “ does not want this to be viewed political , ” and the closer it gets to November , Durham could “ punt it to after the election.
” Conservative legal eagle Undercover Huber reacted to this news on Twitter .
“ A Biden administration will fire every US attorney on day one , especially John Durham , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t produce results before the election , it never will.
” Undercover Huber went on to point out that the Mueller probe yielded almost instantaneous results , as opposed to the more sluggish Durham probe .
President Trump angrily lashed out on Twitter Thursday morning , in response to two Supreme Court rulings dealing with subpoenas for his tax records , and also apparently in response to rumors that Durham will punt on indictments until after election day .
Quoting Fox Business anchor Maria Bartiromo who questioned why there have been no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our time , ” Trump replied : “ You are 100 % correct , Maria , it is a disgrace that nothing happens .
Obama and Biden spied on my campaign , AND GOT CAUGHT…BUT NOTHING !
” Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley first signaled that results of the probe might be delayed on Twitter earlier this week .
“ IF NO PROSECUTIONS TIL AFTER ELECTIONS SAD SAD //just think Flynn Mueller Impeachment/ The deep state is so deep that ppl get away w political crimes/Durham shld be producing some fruit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , Attorney General William Barr last month told Fox News ’ Maria Bartiromo that Durham ’ s investigation of the Russia probe ’ s origins will likely yield “ developments ” before summer is over .
“ You know , he ’ s pressing ahead as hard as he can .
And I expect that , you know , we will have some developments hopefully before the end of the summer , ” Barr said .
Investigative reporter John Solomon said Wednesday night that Republicans are getting frustrated with the pace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is overwhelming evidence now in the public record now that crimes were committed inside the Russia investigation.
” Solomon lamented that no one has been brought to justice even though crimes such as “ falsification of documents , false testimony , false representations before the FISA court ” were committed by various SpyGate actors .
However , Solomon said he has personally seen “ a lot of activity ” in Durham ’ s investigation that suggest indictments are forthcoming .
“ My sources tell me there ’ s a lot of activity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ activity behind the scenes showing the Department of Justice is trying to bring those first indictments , ” Solomon said during an interview with Lou Dobbs of the Fox Business Network .
“ And I would look for a time around Labor Day to see the first sort of action by the Justice Department.
” When asked if he believes indictments are coming , Solomon replied that he ’ s seen “ a lot of activity consistent with building prosecutions and preparing for criminal plea bargains.
” He went on to note that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecutions ] will happen .
“ Until they bring it before the grand jury you never know if it ’ s going to happen .
I ’ m seeing activity consistent with that , ” he explained .
Solomon also said that sources his sources have told him that the grand jury process was slowed down due to the Coronavirus complications .
“ But everything I ’ m seeing on the ground … suggests that there ’ s an ongoing criminal investigation intent on bringing indictments and possibly plea bargains , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a number of federal prosecutors , including Jeff Jensen , the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri who was tapped by the DOJ in February to review the case against Michael Flynn .
In May , Barr also tapped U.S. Attorney for Western Texas John Bash to launch a more focused review on the process of unmasking .
According to Fox , “ the pattern of conduct Durham is investigating includes misrepresentations made to the FISA court to obtain warrants to surveil Trump campaign associate Carter Page.
” Earlier this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea that the former president and vice president could be indicted , saying : “ not every abuse of power , no matter how outrageous , is necessarily a federal crime.
” “ As for President Obama and Vice President Biden , whatever their level of involvement based on what I know , I don ’ t expect Durham ’ s work will lead to a criminal investigation of either man , ” Barr said .
“ Our concern of potential criminality is focused on others .
”


thetennesseestar--2020-07-12--Bill Hagerty Resigns from Board of Company After It Was Exposed for Supporting Black Lives Matter Mo

Bill Hagerty Resigns from Board of Company After It Was Exposed for Supporting Black Lives Matter Movement

Bill Hagerty ’ s Senate campaign confirmed with The Tennessee Star that the Republican has resigned from the board of an investment firm that issued statements in support of the Black Lives Matter movement .
Hagerty previously served as President Donald Trump ’ s ambassador to Japan and was endorsed by the president in the race to replace Sen. Lamar Alexander ( R-TN ) , who is retiring at the end of his current term .
A story published Saturday by The National Pulse revealed that Hagerty was ( up until Saturday ) on the board of R.J. O ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investment firm .
“ R.J .
O ’ Brien stands proudly with the African American Community in support of EQUALITY & PEACE , ” the company said in a June 1 tweet , which included a Black Lives Matter hashtag .
The report said the statement was shared on Twitter , Facebook , and LinkedIn , but all of the posts have since been deleted .
The leaders of Black Lives Matter have described themselves as “ trained Marxists , ” seek to defund the police , and openly call for disrupting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their website .
When asked for comment on the matter , the campaign referred The Tennessee Star to a resignation letter Hagerty submitted Saturday afternoon .
“ At the same time , I have learned that the firm has promoted support for the Black Lives Matter movement , a Marxist organization that seeks to destroy the America that I know and long to support , ” Hagerty said in a letter to Gerald Corcoran , chairman and CEO of R.J. O ’ Brien and Associates .
“ And the BLM movement seeks to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence , promotes anti-Semitism , tears down monuments , and seeks to completely defund and dismantle our police departments , ” added the letter , a copy of which was obtained by The Star .
Hagerty claimed he “ never approved nor engaged in the firm ’ s corporate decisions to promote outside entities ” as a board member , but said he “ can not in good conscience remain affiliated ” with the company .
“ This movement wants to rip apart the fabric of our country and destroy many aspects of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter concluded .
“ I vehemently oppose their calls for violence and relentless march towards socialism .
Please accept this as my resignation from R.J. O ’ Brien effective immediately.
” The campaign of Dr. Manny Sethi , Hagerty ’ s opponent in the Republican primary , noted that Hagerty resigned only after he got caught .
“ This is simple : Bill Hagerty has been making money from a company giving money to Black Lives Matter , while his campaign has been spending millions of dollars pretending to oppose Black Lives Matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement .
“ He ’ s a hypocrite and a fraud , just like his buddy Mitt Romney.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-12--Trump Rejects Gov. Walz’s Request for Federal Support to Rebuild Minneapolis from Riots

President Donald Trump has rejected Gov .
Tim Walz ’ s request for federal financial assistance to help rebuild portions of the Twin Cities that were destroyed by rioting .
Nearly 1,500 Twin Cities businesses were vandalized , burned , or looted during the late May riots , with current estimates of the damage exceeding $ 500 million .
Walz asked President Trump on July 2 to “ declare a major disaster for the State of Minnesota because of extensive fire damage to public infrastructure caused by civil unrest.
” Assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency ( FEMA ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ removal , emergency protective measures , and damage to public buildings , Walz ’ s office said .
Rep. Tom Emmer ( R-MN-06 ) confirmed on Twitter Friday evening that the president had rejected Walz ’ s request for federal aid .
Emmer said he has asked the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security to investigate “ how half of a billion dollars in damage was done without an appropriate response from our local leaders.
” Teddy Tschann , Walz ’ s spokesperson , told The Star Tribune that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government declined his request for financial support.
” “ As we navigate one of the most difficult periods in our state ’ s history , we look for support from our federal government to help us through , ” Tschann said .
Rep. Dean Phillips ( D-MN-03 ) criticized the rejection on Twitter Saturday afternoon .
“ We are the seventh-least federally dependent state in America .
We subsidize most states .
The Trump administration just turned down Gov .
Tim Walz ’ s request for disaster relief after the riots .
Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – not against Minnesota , ” he said .
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said federal support is crucial because local government budgets have been stretched thin by the coronavirus pandemic .
“ The people and businesses who make Minneapolis the state ’ s cultural and economic engine are hurting , ” he said .
“ National leaders need to step up for our residents amid a historically difficult period.
” Some national Republicans were pleased with Trump ’ s decision to deny the governor ’ s request for federal funds .
“ Governors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down and watch their cities burn shouldn ’ t get a penny in taxpayer aid , ” said Rep. Jeff Duncan ( R-SC-03 ) .
State lawmakers are expected to address the issue of rebuilding from the riots during a special session that is scheduled to begin Monday .
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Minnesota Riot Damage ” by Fibonacci Blue .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-12--Gov. Whitmer Mandates Masks Indoors with $500 Fine; Retail Group Says Rule ‘Impossible’ to Enforce

Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-147 , requiring Michiganders to wear a mask when in an indoor public space starting at 12:01 a.m. Monday .
The order also requires residents to wear a mask in crowded outdoor spaces and mandates any business open to the public to refuse entry or service to those without a mask , with some exceptions .
The order responds to an increased number of COVID-19 cases across Michigan .
“ The heroes on the front lines of this crisis have gone hours without taking their masks off every day – doctors , nurses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers .
We owe it to them to wear our masks when we ’ re on a trip to the grocery store or pharmacy , ” Whitmer said in a statement .
“ By wearing masks , we can save lives and protect our family , friends , and neighbors from the spread of COVID-19 .
And by wearing masks now , we can put our state in a stronger position so our kids can return to school safely in the fall .
For the sake of your loved ones , let ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Whitmer supported her order with a German study that found a mandatory mask rule reduced the growth rate of COVID-19 infections by about 40 percent .
“ Wearing a mask or face covering can significantly decrease the chance of spreading COVID-19 and save lives , ” Khaldun said in a statement .
“ It ’ s important that all Michiganders wear masks properly – not down around the neck , not only over the mouth , but correctly over the mouth and nose .
Please everyone stay patient , and remain vigilant.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signs at all entrances notifying customers of the requirement .
The mask requirement exempts those younger than five years old , those who can ’ t medically tolerate a face covering , are eating or drinking or while seated at a food establishment , and seven others .
Individuals won ’ t get fined for removing a mask at a house of worship , although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends wearing a mask at that time .
Those who willfully violate the order can be charged with a misdemeanor and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jail time .
“ Masks are not a political statement , they are a safety statement that you care about protecting yourself and others , and you take the pandemic that has killed over 6,000 of your Michigan neighbors seriously , ” Ananich said in a statement .
“ It might not feel normal , but we have to get used to the new rule of ‘ no shirt , no shoes , no MASK – no service.
’ ” Businesses that provide service to or allow unmasked customers to enter risk the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michigan Retailers Association ( MRA ) appreciated the order but said they are “ frustrated that [ Whitmer ] did not leave the policing to law enforcement officers.
” “ This puts retail employees in potentially dangerous situations when they ’ re forced to confront unmasked customers , ” the group said in a statement .
Certain exemptions under the order are tricky to enforce , the MRA said , such as if a customer can ’ t medically tolerate wearing a mask or feigns the exemption .
“ Determining the validity of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a retailer , ” the group said .
“ And now , even retailers acting in good faith could be subject to severe licensing sanctions based on the actions of non-compliant customers .
Scott McClallen is a staff writer covering Michigan and Minnesota for The Center Square .
A graduate of Hillsdale College , his work has appeared on Forbes.com and FEE.org .
Previously , he worked as a financial analyst at Pepsi .
Photo “ Gretchen Whitmer ” by Gretchen Whitmer .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-12--Walz Calls Another Special Session, Says He Will Extend COVID-19 Emergency Powers

Gov .
Tim Walz said he plans to extend his COVID-19 peacetime emergency declaration for another 30 days when lawmakers return to St. Paul Monday for a special session .
The governor announced Friday night that he has convened a special legislative session for July 13 , the same day his peacetime emergency declaration is set to expire .
According to Minnesota law , the governor must convene both houses of the Legislature if he wishes to extend a peacetime emergency when the Legislature is not in session .
Lawmakers were called back to St. Paul in June for an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ estimated $ 108,000 .
Walz said he expects lawmakers to address police reform and other leftover business from the regular session , such as a borrowing package for public infrastructure projects .
“ I am asking Republicans and Democrats in the Legislature to work together on the urgent matters Minnesotans expect them to tackle this summer , ” Walz said in a press release .
“ Our state had a trying few months , and we need the Legislature to rise to the occasion and get things done to help Minnesotans rebuild and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sign on police accountability and reform and let ’ s work together to build a stronger , more equitable economy by investing in local jobs and projects across the state , ” he added .
The governor said he supports the recommendations on police reform issued by the Legislature ’ s People of Color and Indigenous Caucus .
In a statement released Friday , House Speaker Melissa Hortman ( DFL-Brooklyn Park ) said there has “ never been a more difficult time for our state.
” “ We need systemic change in policing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communities they serve , and we must act swiftly to help rebuild communities that suffered property damage during the civil unrest .
A robust jobs and local projects bill is critically important as we endure economic challenges due to the pandemic .
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to present challenges in every aspect of our lives , from our health and social interactions to our jobs and schools , ” she said .
One of the only things the June special session accomplished was the extension of Walz ’ s emergency powers .
Under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a peacetime emergency indefinitely for 30 days at a time .
State law only grants the Legislature the option to cancel an emergency declaration with a majority vote from both the House and Senate .
Republican lawmakers have unsuccessfully attempted to end Walz ’ s peacetime emergency on four occasions , though the most recent attempt received some bipartisan support .
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Tim Walz ” @ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-07-12--AG Yost Files Injunction Trying to Stop Illegal Alcohol Sales in Ohio

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost filed a preliminary injunction on Wednesday aimed at trying to stop the illegal flow of liquor sales in Ohio .
This injunction , which is one of the first-ever lawsuits surrounding the 21st Amendment , comes after a month-long investigation that showed many out-of-state wine and liquor providers bypassing an Ohio law that outlaws direct shipment of these products to residents .
Ohio established this law so the state can control alcohol sales to minors , ensure appropriate tax payments , and protect state liquor businesses from illegal competition from out-of-state alcohol distributors , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The specific distributors named in the lawsuit are Wine.com , Winc , Wine Country Gift Baskets and Ace Spirits .
“ These distributors are flagrantly skirting the law and keeping Ohio from collecting tax money it is entitled to , ” Yost said .
“ We ’ re not talking nickels and dimes here .
The tax revenue lost due to online liquor sales could be anywhere from tens of thousands to millions of dollars.
” “ Free markets have rules to protect buyers and sellers and promote competition , ” he added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competitive advantage by not paying taxes that their home-grown Ohio competitors must.
” Two companies the injunction names , Wine.com and Winc , shipped almost 700,000 pounds of wine directly to Ohioans without paying any taxes , the attorney general ’ s press release says .
In the lawsuit , Yost requests these alcohol distributors do the following things : • Modify their websites so Ohioans can ’ t order alcohol directly to their homes .
• Inform employees that it is illegal to ship alcohol straight to people in Ohio .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be viewed within Ohio that informs people these direct alcohol shipment offers are not available in the state .
• Allow the state attorney general upon request to access their business records to see if they have been complying with Ohio liquor laws while action is pending .
“ The state of Ohio will suffer irreparable harm if Wine.com , Winc , Wine Country Gift Baskets and Ace Spirits continue to violate Ohio liquor laws , ” the attorney general ’ s complaint says .
“ The continued violations will threaten Ohio ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the importation of intoxicating liquor into the state .
The continued violations will also hinder the state ’ s ability to assess and collect excise and sales taxes on the wine sold , thereby depriving the state of revenue.
” Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media .
If you have any tips , email Zachery at [ email protected ] Follow Zachery on Twitter @ zacheryschmidt2


thetennesseestar--2020-07-12--Cohen Calls Trump a ‘Sociopath’ After Commuting Roger Stone’s Sentence

Rep. Steve Cohen ( D-TN-09 ) called President Donald Trump a “ textbook narcissist and sociopath ” after he commuted the prison sentence of Roger Stone Friday night .
Stone had been sentenced in February to three years and four months in prison for lying to Congress , witness tampering and obstructing the House investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to win the 2016 election .
He was set to report to prison by Tuesday .
Cohen called the commutation of Stone , a longtime friend and advisor of the president , “ authoritarianism at its worst.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Constitution ’ s commutation power to so brazenly advance a self-serving objective .
As his niece , Mary Trump , has observed , Trump is a textbook narcissist and sociopath whose cruelty and incompetence make him a danger to democratic norms and the rule of law , ” Cohen said in a statement released Friday .
Cohen said the action shows Trump “ has no shame ” and doesn ’ t care about the “ Constitution he took an oath to uphold.
” “ This is about Trump ’ s desperate effort to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American people recognize corruption when they see it , ” he added .
A commutation does not erase Stone ’ s felony convictions in the same way a pardon would , but it does protect him from serving prison time as a result .
Cohen called on his colleagues to support a resolution he introduced in January 2019 that would amend the Constitution to prohibit the president from “ granting pardon or reprieve ” to himself , members of his family , members of his administration , or paid employees of his campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feared the president would abuse his power to grant clemency to those who did his dirty work , ” he said .
“ Today , my fears have been realized .
I urge my colleagues to join me and cosponsor this critical Constitutional Amendment.
” The president called Stone the victim of an “ illegal witch hunt that never should have taken place.
” “ It is the other side that are criminals , including Biden and Obama , who spied on my campaign – and got caught , ” Trump said on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .
Photo “ Roger Stone ” by The Circus .
CC BY 3.0 .

A dozen individuals have been charged in a gun-running conspiracy that funneled firearms from Tennessee and Kentucky to Chicago, according to a release from the Department of Justice (DOJ).
In total, the 12 individuals are facing a 21-count indictment with charges for dealing in firearms without a license, transporting and receiving firearms into another state, making false statements to a federally licensed firearm dealer, and multiple other offenses.
Three of the alleged members of the gun pipeline were enlisted members of the U.S. Army and were stationed at Fort Campbell in Clarksville.
Demarcus Adams, Brandon Miller, and Jarius Brunson, along with other individuals charged in the indictment, allegedly purchased legal firearms from dealers in the area. After securing the guns, the DOJ contends the group would deliver the firearms to individuals in Chicago.
Law enforcement officials also claim the scheme was connected to gang violence in Chicago, saying that “the defendants conspired to purchase and deliver over 90 illegally obtained firearms to the Chicago area to facilitate the ongoing violent disputes between the Pocket Town Gangster Disciples and their rival gangs.”
Authorities detailed that at least two deaths were connected to firearms distributed in the movement from Tennessee to the Chicago area.
In addition to Clarksville, the organized crime circle operated in Oak Grove, Kentucky:
“The indictment further alleges the methods used by co-conspirators to purchase firearms from federally licensed firearms dealers in the Clarksville, Tenn. and Oak Grove, Kentucky areas, which included communicating via text messages to coordinate the purchase and delivery of firearms to the Chicago area; providing false information on firearms purchase application forms; and using apps such as Zelle and CashApp to facilitate payment for the illegal transfer of firearms. On one occasion, the indictment alleges that in addition to several firearms available for sale, Brandon Miller had 1,000 rounds of 9mm ammunition available for purchase,” the release from the DOJ details.
— — —
Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to cooperrepor[email protected]
Photo “Justice Department Announces Superseding Indictment Charging 12 in Gun-Running Conspiracy to Supply” by The Justice Department.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-12--Exit Polls Show Poland’s Populist Duda Leading in Presidential Runoff

WARSAW , Poland ( AP ) — A late exit poll for Poland ’ s presidential runoff Sunday showed the conservative , populist incumbent , Andrzej Duda , leading against the liberal , pro-Europe mayor of Warsaw , but with the race still too close to call .
It appeared to be the closest election in Poland ’ s history , reflecting the deep divisions in this European Union nation .
The exit poll by the Ipsos institute showed Duda with 50.8 % of the vote and challenger Rafal Trzaskowski with 49.2 % .
An earlier exit poll had showed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % .
The polls had margins for error of plus-or-minus 1 percentage point and 2 points , respectively .
Official results are not expected until Monday or Tuesday .
Long lines outside some polling stations Sunday night forced them to stay open past their official closing time of 9 p.m. for what many considered to be one of the most crucial elections in Poland ’ s three decades of democracy .
Duda expressed confidence that the results would confirm his victory , and he called the high turnout “ a beautiful testimony of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was nearly 70 % , which would be a record high for a presidential election in the 30 years since Poland threw off communism , embraced democracy and later gained membership in NATO and the EU .
At an election night event , Trzaskowski said he still believed the numbers could turn in his favor .
He did not say why , but the exit poll did not reflect the votes cast from abroad , and a majority of them were expected to go to Trzaskowski .
He said he was still dreaming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to rebuild a united society , that is proud of it ’ s tradition , that is looking to the future , that is just , European , tolerant , where no one divides us.
” “ I am convinced that this dream will be fulfilled tomorrow , ” he said .
The result is expected to lead to starkly different political paths for Poland , at least until 2023 , when the next parliamentary election is scheduled .
Duda , who is backed by the ruling right-wing Law and Justice party and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and social spending in this mostly Catholic nation as he sought a second 5-year term .
As the race became tighter in recent weeks , Duda turned further to the right in search of votes .
He seized on gay rights as a key theme , denouncing the LGBT rights movement as an “ ideology ” worse than communism .
His campaign also repeatedly claimed that Trzaskowski would take welfare money from Polish families and give it to foreign Jews — something Trzaskowski never said he would do .
On Sunday night Duda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said in the campaign because “ I said what I believe.
” Trzaskowski , a former European Parliament lawmaker , jumped into the race relatively late to oppose Duda ’ s denigration of urban liberals , the LGBT community and other minorities and to counter an erosion of democratic rights under the ruling party .
He represented the centrist opposition Civic Platform party , which was in power in from 2007 to 2015 .
If Duda is reelected , the populist Law and Justice party will keep a close ally in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all key instruments of power in the nation of 38 million people .
A win for Trzaskowski would give him the power to veto laws passed by the ruling conservatives and give Poland a less contentious relationship with European Union officials .
Duda had the full mobilization of the government , public media , and the help of President Donald Trump , who welcomed him at the White House last month and appeared to endorse him .
Those supporting Trzaskowski saw the election as possibly a last chance to halt an erosion of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ruling party , both in power since 2015 .
The ballot was supposed to be held in May but after much political wrangling was delayed by health concerns amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Some 30 million voters were eligible to cast ballots .
In the first round with 11 candidates , Duda got 43.5 % support and Trzaskowski 30.5 % .
The ruling party and Duda have won popularity through a welfare program that improved the lives of many impoverished retirees and families with children , especially in rural areas and small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Poland ’ s traditional Roman Catholic values .
But the ruling party has drawn criticism from EU leaders for taking steps to politically influence the justice system and the media in Poland .
It has also deepened social rifts with verbal attacks on urban liberals , Jews and the LGBT community .
Trzaskowski vowed to close the social rifts in Poland but keep the benefits payments coming .
Sunday ’ s exit polls showed his support strongest among younger people , in larger cities and among more highly educated people .
Due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held under strict sanitary regulations .
Poland has registered over 37,000 infections and almost 1,600 virus-related deaths .
Voters had to wear masks and gloves , maintain a safe distance and use hand sanitizer .
They used their own pens to mark ballots .
Vanessa Gera and Monika Scislowska are reporters at The Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo : In this Tuesday , July 7 , 2020 photo Poland ’ s incumbent president Andrzej Duda , who is seeking reelection in a tight presidential election runoff on Sunday , July 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Poland .
Duda , who has backing from Poland ’ s ruling right-wing party , is running against liberal Warsaw mayor , Rafal Trzaskowski .
Opinion polls suggest the election may be decided by a small number of votes .
( AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski )


thetennesseestar--2020-07-13--Inaugural ‘Conservative Caucus’ Held in Murfreesboro Saturday

MURFREESBORO , Tennessee — The inaugural Conservative Caucus , a free event attended by a few hundred people , was held across several ballrooms at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Murfreesboro Saturday .
The event was organized for those who intend to honor the nation ’ s forefathers with the Constitutional rights they laid out with a government “ of the people , by the people , and for the people ” rather than one that is “ over the people , ” according to the website .
It was originally scheduled to be held at the Millennium Maxwell House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the large gathering size and the face mask order , Mayor John Cooper would not have allowed the event to proceed .
Senator Mark Pody ( R-Lebanon ) and Representative Bruce Griffey ( R-Paris ) took the lead in developing the concept , scheduling and organizing the event along with Representatives Clay Doggett ( R-Pulaski ) and Mike Sparks ( R-Smyrna ) as well as Senators Janice Bowling ( R-Tullahoma ) , Joey Hensley ( R-Hohenwald ) , Shane Reeves ( R-Murfreesboro ) and Dawn White ( R-Murfreesboro ) .
Emcee State Sen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pastor Alan Jackson and the Pledge of Allegiance lead by State Sen. Shane Reeves , introduced the other legislators who organized the event as well as Rep. Chris Todd and Terri Lynn Weaver .
Irlene Mandrell , the youngest of the famed Mandrell sisters , sang the National Anthem and the title track from her recently released patriotic album , “ Thanks To You , ” which commemorates members of the military and emergency responders .
Sen. Pody , in introducing Rep. Griffey , said he enjoys carrying bills with the freshman legislator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Sen. Pody said Rep. Griffey would get legislation passed in the House , but he couldn ’ t get it passed in the Senate .
Rep. Griffey referred to the event as “ the first annual Conservative Caucus ” that had its genesis in his frustration with the current state of politics in Tennessee and the nation because conservatives , as the majority , don ’ t seem to have as big a voice .
“ Our voices matter , and we need to be heard , ” said Rep. Griffey .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we need to talk about issues that matter to us and elect people who fill fight for us up on Capitol Hill.
” Other legislators , who were standing on the stage , took turns saying a few words in a casual and conversational way with the attendees .
When the straightforward Sen. Hensley spoke , he alluded to his testimony to the State Capitol Commission Thursday against moving the bust of General Nathan Bedford Forrest from the second floor of the State Capitol .
In light of all of the maneuvers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commission voted to move the bust , a position he had not previously held , Sen. Hensley couldn ’ t help but conclude , “ It looks like our Governor has changed his mind about that.
” Sen. Hensley also made note of the difference in the two chambers of the Tennessee General Assembly , “ The House seems to be more conservative than the Senate , ” adding that the other voices are heard too much when conservatives are the majority .
Sen. Reeves said that if he had said in January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global pandemic and an economic shutdown , murder hornets and race riots , “ You would have said , I better get my Bible .
It sounds like Jesus is coming.
” He then contrasted that , in his travels , he has also seen a lot of goodness during these times .
Rep. Doggett said he was there , “ like you and as one of you , fed up at times with not having our voices heard.
” He then reflected on the local tea party that he and his father @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those labors are now bearing fruit .
Echoing Sen. Hensley ’ s comments , Rep. Doggett said that during this legislative session some of the most conservative legislation was left lying on the table , “ because leadership would not take it up.
” “ When we get back in 2021 , ” Rep. Doggett said optimistically , “ we will hit the ground running.
” He also encouraged support for good strong conservatives .
Sen. Pody made the point that the legislators listed as supporters contributed $ 1,000 to get the hotel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group CEO Lee Beaman and renowned eye surgeon Dr. Ming Wang for their contributions .
“ So many conservative and charitable causes would not be funded without them.
” One of those causes is the 917 Society , a non-profit organization founded to celebrate the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17 , 1787 .
To guarantee future generations will embrace the Constitution , the 917 Society mission is to provide very 8th grader with their own pocket Constitution .
The 917 Society ’ s Executive Director Joni Bryan and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called to the stage .
Bryan said that their goal was to raise $ 35,000 by the end of July to print and distribute 200,000 pocket Constitutions in Tennessee , Kentucky and North Dakota .
With a goal of reaching five million 8th graders , Bryan said it could make patriotism “ our new normal.
” Through what she called “ truly a project of We the people , ” Bryan said , “ Imagine America in a few short years if our youth are grounded in our founding principles.
” Bryan and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Police President James Smallwood to the stage to present him with an award .
Offering a bit of law enforcement ’ s perspective , Smallwood said , “ Never has there been a more difficult time to be in law enforcement , with citizens standing up and destroying the very values we hold dear.
” “ They ’ re not looking to get at law enforcement , they ’ re mad because we ’ re in the way.
” Smallwood also made reference to a small but vocal minority , versus the conservative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates that support law and order are in office , so we can do away with this nonsense , ” Smallwood concluded to applause .
Beaman came to the stage , making the very brief observation , “ See how they are trying to help us , let ’ s all help them.
” To that end , Bryan lead the attendees in a standing cheer , “ We love our men and women in blue , ” that was video recorded so that it could be sent to all police precincts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a special breakfast to honor Metro police that will be held in August or September .
With early voting for the Republican primary for U.S. Senate , Caucus attendees were provided a chance to learn more about those on the ballot .
Candidates Dr. Manny Sethi , Byron Bush , George Flinn and Jon Henry were asked to come to the stage for a Q & A session .
Dr. Manny had not yet arrived , Flinn was not in attendance , and the audience was informed that Bill Hagerty had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Tennessee Star that a private plane had been offered to Hagerty to get him from an East Tennessee event Friday evening and back again for a Saturday event , but he declined .
A few anonymous signs were placed in strategic areas outside the event room asking simply , “ WHERE ’ S HAGERTY ?
” After two-minute opening remarks and a few questions had been answered by Bush and Henry , Dr. Manny and Roy Dale Cope arrived and participated in the session that lasted for about an hour and was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conservative Christians of Tennessee and Pastor Steven Solomon .
John Schneider , probably best known as “ Bo ” Duke of The Dukes of Hazzard , and Keith Burns a songwriter and formerly of country music group Trick Pony , followed up “ America The Beautiful ” by performing their single , “ Trump Card.
” Even the $ 10 cash charge for a box lunch for the otherwise free event ended up being waived , due to generous donations that covered the cost .
After lunch , Dr. Ming Wang delivered an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , his vision for finding common ground in a polarized world and the upcoming film inspired by his autobiography From Darkness to Sight .
The remainder of the afternoon was filled with Nashville attorney and Tennessee Firearms Association Executive Director John Harris speaking on the 2nd Amendment , Tennessee Titans team physician Dr. Damon Petty examining COVID-19 , Greeneville-based Constitutional attorney Jeff Cobble addressing government overreach , OB/GYN Dr. Brent Boles revealing the truth about the state ’ s pro-life legislation and fellow with the Center for Immigration Studies Don Barnett detailing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Weaver gave the background on her resolution that began the lawsuit requesting clarity and definition concerning the relationship between the Federal government and Tennessee when it comes to appropriations to pay for the Federal Refugee Resettlement Program .
The very full and informative day came to a fitting conclusion with Rep. Weaver singing the not well known but her signature fourth verse of The Star Spangled Banner .
The Tennessee Star will feature additional stories with details of the issues covered during the Conservative Caucus .
Laura Baigert is a senior reporter at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Photo : Legislative sponsors and organizers of the Conservative Caucus look on as Pastor Alan Jackson opened the event with a prayer .

by Scott McClallen
About $13.5 million in taxpayer grants from the Going PRO Talent Fund will help train 8,500 workers across nearly 300 Michigan businesses to earn industry-recognized credentials and strong wages.
“The Going PRO Talent Fund is an investment in our state’s greatest asset – our people – helping them develop the skills they need to advance their careers and ‘make it’ in Michigan,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement. “These grants help us put thousands of Michiganders on paths to good-paying jobs and empower hundreds of Michigan businesses across the state develop the talent they need to compete in the global economy.”
The program launched in 2014. Since then, more than 6,000 Michigan businesses have received Going PRO Talent Fund awards to train 175,000 new and existing workers.
More than 60% of the employers receiving funds are small businesses with fewer than 100 employees. Training must fill a demonstrated talent need experienced by the employer and result in the employee acquiring a credential for a transferable skill recognized by the industry.
Susan Corbin, the director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, said these grants keep Michigan businesses competitive globally.
“Programs like the Going PRO Talent Fund help businesses throughout Michigan train the talent they need in order to stay competitive in the global economy,” Corbin said in a statement. “Investments like these help us connect individuals and business leaders with tailored opportunities and unique resources they need to prosper. Together, we are creating a competitive and innovative environment that improves the quality of life for people who live, work and do business in Michigan.”
The average training cost per worker is $1,250. According to 2021 data, average hourly wages for Going PRO Talent Fund participants increased by $5.71 six months after completing training.
“The Going PRO Talent Fund has continued to help Michigan employers retain their workers by providing the necessary support for them to help upskill their workforce,” LEO’s Office of Employment and Training director Stephanie Beckhorn said in a statement. “These trainings have also provided an opportunity for employees to gain industry-recognized credentials they need to grow and thrive in these in-demand careers.”
LEO makes Going PRO Talent Fund awards to employers through Michigan Works! Agencies. Participating employers play an integral role in defining their crucial training needs, then work with their local MWAs and other partners to develop strategic training plans.
David Worthams, director of Employment Policy for the Michigan Manufacturers Association, said the talent fund is “arguably the best talent development program the state of Michigan has to offer.”
“As we get into the next cycle of grants, employers and their employees will see huge strides in new skills that we need as we move into the future of manufacturing in the state, Worthams said in a statement. “This is another reason why Michigan is one of the best states to do business in.”
– – –
Scott McClallen is a staff writer covering Michigan and Minnesota for The Center Square. A graduate of Hillsdale College, his work has appeared on Forbes.com and FEE.org. Previously, he worked as a financial analyst at Pepsi. In 2021, he published a book on technology and privacy. He co-hosts the weekly Michigan in Focus podcast.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-13--Commentary: At a School Near You, ‘Whiteness Studies’ Aims to Denigrate Its Subject

If you had told me a couple of years ago that a book like Robin DiAngelo ’ s White Fragility : Why It ’ s So Hard for White People to Talk about Racism would be topping the bestseller lists and receiving accolades from all over , I wouldn ’ t have believed it .
And I ’ m speaking as someone who , in my 2012 book The Victims ’ Revolution : The Rise of Identity Studies and the Closing of the Liberal Mind , warned about the dire ascendancy of identity studies , which are far less about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promotion of social activism .
Although I focused in my book on Women ’ s Studies , Black Studies , Queer Studies , and Chicano Studies , I devoted a few pages to DiAngelo ’ s then-fledgling field , Whiteness Studies , which , given the current preoccupation with white racism , is now poised for prominence on a level outstripping even those behemoths .
There is a key difference between Whiteness Studies and other identity studies : to quote David Horowitz , “ Black Studies celebrates blackness , Chicano studies celebrates Chicanos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and white studies attacks white people as evil.
” The election of Barack Obama made it difficult for practitioners to assert with a straight face that black Americans were still victims of brutal systemic white racism—the discipline ’ s principal claim .
“ Having Obama is , in a curious way , putting us behind , ” Eduardo Bonilla-Silva , author of White Supremacy and Racism in the Post-Civil Rights Era and now president of the American Sociological Association , admitted to CNN in 2012 .
Charles Mills , a distinguished professor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ titles like The Racial Contract , Blackness Visible , and Black Rights/White Wrongs , agreed , lamenting that Obama ’ s election had fooled many white Americans into thinking the U.S. was now “ post-racial.
” Among those who had been “ fooled ” was the African American linguist John McWhorter , now an associate professor at Columbia University , who in a December 2008 article for Forbes pronounced that racism was no longer a serious problem in the U.S. Had this view become more pervasive , it would have been disastrous for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own existence is that the poorest white Americans continue to enjoy social and cultural privileges that people like Oprah and Obama don ’ t .
Even if you ’ re a white person who ’ s been passed over in college admission , hiring , and/or career advancement because of affirmative action , you ’ re still , in the view of Whiteness Studies , more privileged than a black person who ’ s benefited repeatedly from racial preferences .
Fortunately for Whiteness Studies advocates , Obama ’ s presidency proved to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a chance to tell Americans that race relations remained deplorable .
That gave Whiteness Studies a shot in the arm .
In February 2015 , The New York Times reported that elite primary and secondary schools in New York had begun holding “ white privilege ” seminars and courses .
After Obama ’ s departure from the White House , the annual White Privilege Conference has grown apace , and the lists of course offerings in Whiteness Studies have expanded .
If you sent your child to Northwestern , he or she could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” a “ 6-week caucus ” in which “ undergraduate students who identify as white ” can explore their own “ biases and white privilege.
” At Duke , your son or daughter could have taken Whiteness 101 , described as “ an entry point for students who want to address racial privilege and how it operates in society.
” Students were told about “ the history of whiteness in America ” and encouraged “ to become anti-racism advocates for change.
” Not only are white Americans suddenly preoccupied with their own supposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and eradicate it , they ’ re turning to merchants of Whiteness Studies ideology .
Writers such as DiAngelo , who rejects colorblindness as a goal and paints a picture of a world in which race is the alpha and the omega , and Ibram X. Kendi , who considers it racist to fret about fatherless black homes , black-on-black crime , or the black achievement gap ( and has two books on Amazon ’ s top ten ) , have become fashionable .
Whiteness Studies has become big business .
That marks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ studies , which at least recognize factors other than sex and race as determinative of individual status .
By contrast , Whiteness Studies , as a rule , sees the world in strictly black-and-white terms , even in circumstances where race is all but irrelevant .
Take the case of Peggy McIntosh , whose 1989 essay “ White Privilege : Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack ” is one of the field ’ s founding documents .
The daughter of a top Bell Labs scientist , McIntosh grew up in the wealthy suburb of Summit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the University of London , and Harvard , married the son of a former president of Barnard College , and has spent her career on college faculties .
In short , she ’ s extremely privileged .
But the nature of her privilege isn ’ t racial .
As William Ray observed in a 2008 essay for Quillette , McIntosh : confuses racial privilege with the financial advantages she has always been fortunate enough to enjoy…One is left to wonder why , given her stated conviction that she has unfairly benefited from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be no record of her involvement in any charity or civil rights work…Nor , as far as I can tell , has she spent any time teaching the underprivileged or working directly to better anyone ’ s condition but her own .
Instead , she has contented herself with a generous six figure salary , and has not shown any particular eagerness to hand her position over to a more deserving person of color .
What about black practitioners of Whiteness Studies ?
Typical of them is Yale ’ s Claudia Rankine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in The New York Times Magazine about her encounters with everyday racism .
Rankine explained that as she travels around the world “ giving talks about my work , ” she ’ s surrounded by white men .
“ That I was among them in airport lounges and in first-class cabins spoke in part to my own relative economic privilege , but the price of my ticket , of course , does not translate into social capital .
I was always aware that my value in our culture ’ s eyes is determined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” If McIntosh chooses to portray her economic privilege as racial privilege , Rankine acknowledges her own economic privilege only to deny its impact on her social status , which , she insists , is solely race-determined .
Rankine ’ s examples of racism are astonishingly lame .
At one airport , “ a white man stepped in front of me ” and she had to tell him to wait his turn .
This has happened to everyone ; but to Rankine , this incident , upon which she expatiates at length , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and “ white solidarity ” in “ white spaces ; ” to this man , she instructs us , her presence in his “ white space ” represented “ an unexpected demotion.
” Even when a white stranger seated beside her on a plane chides the flight attendant for forgetting Rankine ’ s drink , Rankine interprets his act as a manifestation of “ white male dominance.
” She compares notes with him : although both have “ Global Entry , ” he never gets flagged by the TSA , while she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Are these the worst run-ins Rankine ever had with white people ?
Rankine is Whiteness Studies : an exceedingly privileged person whose “ work , ” as she puts it , consists of pointing to ridiculously minor events in her lush life as evidence that she ’ s miserably oppressed .
In fact , she owes her privilege to her ability to keep banging on about her oppression .
It ’ s a shabby way to make a living—mischievous , drenched in hypocrisy .
It certainly has nothing to do with serious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s social activism , based on grotesque misconceptions about how society works .
Such destructive nonsense has no proper place in an institution of higher learning .
Like other identity studies , it ’ s a waste of time and money , having little or nothing to do with expanding a student ’ s knowledge of the world ; but , even more than other identity studies , it ’ s malicious and dangerous , designed to sow hatred and intensify racial discord .
Bruce Bawer ’ s book While Europe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York Times bestseller and National Book Critics Circle Award finalist .
His other books include A Place at the Table ( 1993 ) , Stealing Jesus ( 1997 ) , Surrender ( 2009 ) , and The Victims ’ Revolution ( 2012 ) .
Photo “ Nuclear Family ” by Donald Lee Pardue CC2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-13--Tennessee State Representative Contracts COVID-19

A Tennessee state lawmaker says he has tested positive for COVID-19 , the illness caused by the new coronavirus .
State Rep. Kent Calfee ( R-Kingston ) said on Facebook on Friday that both he and his wife have tested positive .
The 71-year-old Kingston lawmaker said his wife is receiving treatment and he is self-isolating , though he is not experiencing symptoms .
Calfee did not return The Tennessee Star ’ s requests for comment Sunday , but he did address his diagnosis on social media .
“ Recently , we learned that my wife , Marilyn , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an abundance of caution , I also was tested earlier this week .
This afternoon those test results also came back positive , ” Calfee said on his Facebook page .
“ At this time , I am not experiencing any symptoms , and I have been self-isolating .
I wanted to inform you of my positive test , so you could also take additional precautions to keep you and your loved ones safe , if you feel they are necessary .
I have also notified legislative administration in Nashville , so they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the CDC to maintain a safe working environment for all within the Cordell Hull Building.
” Calfee , in his Facebook post , asked for continued prayers as his wife undergoes COVID-19 treatment .
“ My first responsibility is to her and to continue to serve as a faithful husband during these challenging times in both of our lives , ” Calfee said .
“ My office and staff remain available to serve the citizens of our communities .
Thank you for your continued support , your feedback , your partnership , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is an honor to serve you.
” The Tennessean reported that Calfee attended two days of Joint Government Operations Committee meetings last week .
Just a few lawmakers on the 24-member committee wore masks , the newspaper reported .
Tennessee has reported more than 61,000 cases and at least 738 deaths from the virus .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks .
But for others , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , the virus can cause severe symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .