thetennesseestar--2020-09-26--Gov. DeWine Announces National Guard at Presidential Debates, COVID, Sports

Governor DeWine ’ s office sent out an email update on Thursday about COVID , the upcoming presidential debate and sporting events .
In COVID news , 67 counties remained in their current state of exposure while Portage County dropped from level 3 to level 2 .
The governor ’ s office also announced that Ohio ’ s Responsible Restart Guidelines will be recommending that all residential colleges and universities regularly test a sample population of asymptomatic students .
“ Some schools are already doing this , and screening asymptomatic students really gives school leaders a good idea about virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that colleges and universities will screen at least 3 percent of their at-risk population on a regular basis , ” DeWine said in the press release .
Ohio will now be allowing indoor visitation at nursing homes , intermediate care facilities , and assisted living homes .
Intermediate care facilities will be opening as of September 28 for visitation while nursing homes and assisted living facilities will be opened on October 12 , to allow facilities adequate time to update their staffing requirements , visitation policies and inform their residents of expectations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the one-game-per-calendar-day limit on sports competitions has been lifted .
The release states that “ This change comes over a month after the most recent guidelines were published with evidence showing that events have gone on without any noticeable increase in spread.
” The upcoming presidential debate set to take place at Case Western Reserve Universities nursing campus on September 29 will be guarded in part by the Ohio National Guard .
After Cleveland officials requested support , DeWine activated around 300 Guardsmen to “ assist police in areas such as traffic control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protection ” as part of the National Guard Response Force .
The Ohio National Guard has been called up to support similar events in the past , including the 2016 Republican National Convention .
Ben Kolodny is a reporter for The Ohio Star and the Star News Network .
Follow Ben on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Ohio National Guard ” by The National Guard .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-26--Pete Snyder Talks About His Virginia 30 Day Fund and Helping Flip the State Red for Trump

Live from Virginia Friday morning on The John Fredericks Show – weekdays on WNTW AM 820/ FM 92.7 – Richmond , WJFN FM 100.5 – Central Virginia , WMPH AM 1010 / FM 100.1 / FM 96.9 ( 7-9 PM ) Hampton Roads , WBRG AM 1050 / FM 105.1 – Lynchburg/Roanoke and Weekdays 6-10 am and 24/7 Stream – host Fredericks welcomed Founder and CEO of Media Strategies Pete Snyder to the show .
During the program , Snyder discussed the economic hardship in Virginia due to the coronavirus lock downs and how his VA 30 Day Fund is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He also discussed the potential for another Trump victory not only as President but in the state of Virginia as well .
Snyder : Hey Johnny , great to be on with you .
Great to hear from you again .
Thanks for your support in the past .
We got a lot going on .
Fredericks : What do you think about the governor trying to cancel our route ?
They wait three days .
They could have gotten an injunction three days ago .
They wait for three .
You know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cause they got the poll numbers and freaked out .
Pete , we actually have a shot to win Virginia .
Snyder : John I think you ’ re right .
I actually think that Virginia can be the Democrats new Wisconsin .
They were sleeping at the wheel .
Took Wisconsin totally for granted .
But didn ’ t even visit the state in 2016 .
But basically ran no advertising or door knocking or anything like that .
It got away from them .
So you know , John , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the president ’ s policies and to the great job that you ’ re doing as chairman of the Trump campaign in Virginia .
And we have one hell of a shot , without a doubt .
So you know as it relates to the governor .
It ’ s funny you know I don ’ t know about you , but I don ’ t remember any injunctions going out to stop the violent riots that have just destroyed homes and have damaged businesses .
Not a darn thing throughout the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m wrong and I might have missed it .
But I didn ’ t see any injunctions going out for that did we ?
Fredericks : No .
Nothing .
That was that was fine .
So you can come and write graffiti and you can just destroy property and loot and burn down the city of Richmond .
Actually , the Democrats will encourage you to do that .
But if you try to go out and do a rally for Trump at a Newport News airport at nine o ’ clock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shut it down .
And say there ’ ll be body bags in cul-de-sacs .
Snyder : Well Johnny as you know , I ’ m a person and we fell victim to those riots .
We had a business that we ’ ve been involved with for almost a decade in Ledbury , which had its storefront in Richmond completely smashed in .
All of its merchandise looted from the showroom .
What remained was covered in blood .
Not a finger was lifted by the governor or the police or anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You have dozens and dozens of more folks , people like Waller and Company , which is an African-American jewelry store that has been around in Jackson Ward for over 120 years .
They were completely smashed and looted .
It ’ s just horrible .
Yeah , this is politics at its worst .
And you know the governor and the Biden campaign are sweating .
They ’ ve been asleep at the wheel .
You know , John , you talked on the earlier segment about all the door knocking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on in Virginia .
And you told me the other day a really important point of the fact that how much more effective door knocking is today because people are actually home .
Anyone who ’ s been involved in politics and I ’ ve done door knocking .
I don ’ t know what is your yield ?
One in five ?
You get a whole lot of folks that just aren ’ t home because people work , they pick up their kids .
Everyone ’ s home right now .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ like it or not , is front and center in everyone ’ s mind .
They ’ re engaged .
And you ’ ve been running laps around the competition in Virginia .
So great job to you and the entire Trump campaign .
Fredericks : Well we ’ re doing an extra job , we ’ ve got a bunch of young kids that are really working hard .
And I said to our state director Justin Rice .
I mean I said this earlier , you know you ’ re not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a $ 3,500 Armani suit with an iPhone to his ear .
He ’ s out there working .
And he ’ s knocking on doors along with his team every night .
And I think that ’ s why we ’ re going to be successful .
And I ’ m really excited about it .
Pete , I ’ ve got a text here from Corey in Williamsburg .
He says he ’ s a big fan of Pete ’ s and what he has done for small businesses .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s event in Newport News a few weeks ago .
Give us an update on your Virginia ’ s 30 Day Fund .
Snyder : Well shout out to Corey , he ’ s a great American doing amazing things in the community down in Williamsburg .
And you know Virginia ’ s 30 Day Fund , which is a non-profit , that you know of John and many of your listeners do that , my wife and I started with some friends and neighbors in the first week of April with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small businesses in Virginia as we possibly could and as many jobs .
It ’ s been a whirlwind of activity .
We were just knocking on the door .
And in the next couple days , we ’ ll surpass 700 small businesses that we ’ ve helped save in the commonwealth since early April .
Snyder : So just yesterday we funded a roller rink in Clark County .
An event planning business in Richmond .
A pizza place in the Midlothian .
An escape room right in our hometown of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not getting any brighter for small businesses .
We ’ ve had , you know , in Washington , I don ’ t think we ’ re going to be getting in any more relief package .
There at the state level , there ’ s been absolute ineptitude as it relates to helping out small businesses .
And you know these mandatory shutdowns that are arbitrarily set .
You know they go back and forth and they have just crushed tens of thousands of businesses and small businesses all across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
John as you know , this was only supposed to be a temporary thing for me and Burson .
You know we called it the Virginia 30 Day Fund because we thought we would only have to be around for about a month or six weeks to help get people back on their feet .
And we ’ re in , you know , quadruple overtime right now .
So these folks still need help .
And we ’ re going to do everything we can .
We are on pace to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have the funding for it .
So we ’ re going to be continuing to do that in the days and weeks ahead .
And doing everything we can to prop up and secure the backbone of our economy not only in Virginia , but in America which is small business and small business owners .
Fredericks : Pete now you ’ re coming to the rally tonight right ?
Snyder : Absolutely .
Burson and I are excited to be there with you .
And you know we , look , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kick off the events tonight .
You know John I remember I know Martha just said this in the last segment , you called me early one morning probably about a month before Trump announced .
And you said Pete , you know he ’ s gon na win .
I ’ m supporting him and that he ’ s gon na be not only winning the nomination , but would be our next president .
And you know I ’ ll be honest , I was a little incredulous .
I wasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to be the case or not .
And so you were the first person that I know in the country to predict that .
And you ’ ve worked so hard .
You ’ ve been a number one on the Trump Train from the very beginning .
And it ’ s gon na be really cool to watch you kick things off .
And really I think you know you have an opportunity this is in spitting distance to pull off the upset of the century if you can help flip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden doesn ’ t win Virginia , it ’ s game over and you help save our Republic .
I mean it ’ s that ’ s it .
So it ’ s in your hand ’ s brother .
I know you can do it and we ’ re gon na help .
Listen to the full show here :

by Joe Mueller
Attorneys general from 26 states are urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a lower-court decision upholding a California law banning the raising or importing pork, veal or eggs if the animals are confined.
The Supreme Court announced on March 28 that it would hear the pork industry’s challenge to California’s Proposition 12, a law restricting confinement practices in animal agriculture. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments on Oct. 11.
Prop. 12 was approved by 63% of California voters in 2018. The law established minimum space requirements based on square feet for calves raised for veal, breeding pigs and egg-laying hens. It banned the sale of products from those animals if they were “confined in a cruel manner,” defined as in areas below minimum square-feet requirements.
The case, National Pork Producers Council v. Karen Ross, the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, focuses on the regulation of animal products outside of California by prohibiting the in-state sale of products traceable to the animal being confined in a “cruel manner.” The Pork Producers and others argue the law violates the Interstate Commerce Clause and general constitutional restrictions against “extraterritorial regulation.”
The brief filed by the attorneys general states California consumes 13% of the nation’s pork and imports 99.87% of pork consumed. The attorneys general argue the “entire impact of Proposition 12 will be visited on out-of-state producers that, though they have no vote in California, must remodel their farms (or reduce their herds) to comply with the law.”
“Under no circumstances should the state of California be allowed to dictate to Missouri farmers and ranchers how they can raise and confine breeding pigs, egg-laying hens, and veal calves,” Missouri Republican Attorney General Eric Schmitt said in a statement. “Further, California is attempting to impose their will on Missouri farmers and ranchers by threatening to deny entry into the California market if those farmers and ranchers don’t comply with their pointless regulations. Missouri’s farmers and ranchers have been tending to their land and livestock for generations, they don’t need Californian politicians telling them how to do their jobs.”
Of the 19 briefs filed with the Supreme Court on the case last week, all urged the court to reverse the lower court’s decision, with the exception of two neutral parties providing economic information.
A brief filed to persuade the Supreme Court not to hear the case was filed last year by The Humane Society of the United States, Animal Legal Defense Fund, Animal Equality, The Humane League, Farm Sanctuary, Compassion in World Farming USA, and Animal Outlook. They stated the Pork Producers’ argument uses a “dormant Commerce Clause” to stop in-state sales of certain pork products from “animals confined in cruel and unsanitary conditions that threaten the health of California consumers. … Because that prohibition applies only to sales inside California, moreover, producers outside California are free to confine animals however they choose for products sold outside the state.”
States represented by the attorneys general are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.
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Joe Mueller covers Missouri for The Center Square. After seven years of reporting for daily newspapers in Illinois and Missouri, he spent the next 30 years in public relations serving non-profit organizations and as a strategic communications consultant.


thetennesseestar--2020-09-26--Trump Picks Conservative Amy Coney Barrett for Supreme Court

WASHINGTON , D.C. ( AP ) — President Donald Trump nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court on Saturday , capping a dramatic reshaping of the federal judiciary that will resonate for a generation and that he hopes will provide a needed boost to his reelection effort .
Republican senators are already lining up for a swift confirmation of Barrett ahead of the Nov. 3 election , as they aim to lock in conservative gains in the federal judiciary before a potential transition of power .
Trump , meanwhile , is hoping the nomination will serve to galvanize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off Democrat Joe Biden .
An ideological heir to the late conservative Justice Antonin Scalia , Barrett would fill the seat vacated after the Sept. 18 death of liberal icon Ruth Bader Ginsberg , in what would be the sharpest ideological swing since Clarence Thomas replaced Justice Thurgood Marshall nearly three decades ago .
She would be the sixth justice on the nine-member court to be appointed by a Republican president , and the third of Trump ’ s first term in office .
For Trump , whose 2016 victory hinged in large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white evangelicals on the promise of filling Scalia ’ s seat with a conservative , the latest nomination in some ways brings his first term full circle .
Even before Ginsburg ’ s death , Trump was running on having confirmed in excess of 200 federal judges , fulfilling a generational aim of conservative legal activists .
“ The biggest thing you can do is the appointment of judges , but especially the appointment of Supreme Court justices , ” Trump told supporters Friday night at a campaign rally in Newport News , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the country for 40 years , 50 years .
I mean , a long time.
” The announcement came before Ginsburg was buried beside her husband next week at Arlington National Cemetery .
On Friday , she was the first woman to lie in state at the Capitol , and mourners flocked to the Supreme Court for two days before that to pay respects .
Within hours of Ginsburg ’ s death , Trump made clear he would nominate a woman for the seat , and later volunteered he was considering five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favorite , and the only one to meet with Trump .
Barrett has been a judge since 2017 , when Trump nominated her to the Chicago-based 7th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals .
But as a longtime University of Notre Dame law professor , she had already established herself as a reliable conservative in the mold of Scalia , for whom she clerked in the late 1990s .
She would be the only justice on the current court not to have received her law degree from an Ivy League school .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or Yale .
The staunch conservative had become known to Trump in large part after her bitter 2017 appeals court confirmation on a party-line vote included allegations that Democrats were attacking her Catholic faith .
The president also interviewed her in 2018 for the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy , but Trump ultimately chose Brett Kavanaugh .
Trump and his political allies are itching for another fight over Barrett ’ s faith , seeing it as a political windfall that would backfire on Democrats .
Catholic voters in Pennsylvania @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pivotal demographic in the swing state that Biden , also Catholic , is trying to recapture .
While Democrats appear powerless to stop Barrett ’ s confirmation in the GOP-controlled Senate , they are seeking to use the process to weaken Trump ’ s reelection chances .
Barrett ’ s nomination could become a reckoning over abortion , an issue that has divided many Americans so bitterly for almost half a century .
The idea of overturning or gutting Roe v. Wade , the landmark 1973 decision that legalized abortion , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Now , with the seemingly decisive shift in the court ’ s ideological makeup , Democrats hope their voters will turn out in droves because of their frustration with the Barrett pick .
Trump has also increasingly embraced the high court — which he will have had an outsized hand in reshaping -– as an insurance policy in a close election .
Increases in mail , absentee and early voting brought about by the coronavirus pandemic have already led to a flurry of election litigation , and both Trump and Biden have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight once vote-counting begins .
Trump has been open about tying his push to name a third justice to the court to a potentially drawn-out court fight to determine who will be sworn in on Jan. 20 , 2021 .
“ I think this will end up in the Supreme Court , ” Trump said Wednesday of the election , adding , “ And I think it ’ s very important that we have nine justices.
” Meanwhile , outside conservative groups are planning to spend more than $ 25 million to support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crisis Network has organized a coalition that includes American First Policies , the Susan B. Anthony List , the Club for Growth and the group Catholic Vote to help confirm Barrett , and Trump ’ s campaign is expected to include the nomination in upcoming advertising .
Zeke Miller , Lisa Mascaro and Mary Clare Jalonick are reporters for The Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo : In this May 19 , 2018 , file photo , Amy Coney Barrett , United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit judge , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Law School commencement ceremony at the university , in South Bend , Ind .
Barrett , a front-runner to fill the Supreme Court seat vacated by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , has established herself as a reliable conservative on hot-button legal issues from abortion to gun control .
( Robert Franklin/South Bend Tribune via AP , File )


thetennesseestar--2020-09-27--New York City Says Outdoor Dining Will Become ‘Permanent and Year-Round’

New York City plans to make its flourishing outdoor dining economy a permanent fixture of the city ’ s landscape going forward , municipal officials said in a press release on Friday .
The city ’ s “ Open Restaurants ” program , which has enrolled thousands of establishments since it debuted in June , “ will be extended year-round and made permanent , ” the city announced in the press release .
That program “ has already saved an estimated 90,000 jobs citywide , ” the city estimates .
Mayor Bill de Blasio described the program as “ a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vital industry and reimagining our public space.
” The city noted that it would work with restaurant owners to ensure outdoor spaces are heated as the program moves into the winter months .
Restaurants will also be permitted to expand dining space in front of neighboring businesses , the city said , so long as the proprietors of those businesses approve .
Last month , hundreds of restaurants in the city filed a $ 2 billion lawsuit against de Blasio and Gov .
Andrew Cuomo over their indoor dining bans , claiming the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and bankruptcy .

by Thomas Catenacci
A group of 27 Republican congressmen urged President Donald Trump to order a Justice Department-appointed special counsel investigation of “legitimate questions” about election irregularities.
The Republican congressmen asked Trump to direct Attorney General William Barr to appoint the special counsel, according to a letter obtained by Politico that was sent to the White House on Wednesday. Reps. Lance Gooden, Paul Gosar, Louie Gohmert, Scott Perry and Jody Hice were among the 27 congressmen who signed onto the letter.
“The American people deserve a definitive resolution to the uncertainty hovering over the outcome of our election, but legitimate questions of voter fraud remain unanswered,” the congressmen wrote.
Barr said on Dec. 1 that the Department of Justice has yet to find any evidence of election fraud that could sway the result, sparking criticism from conservatives. Trump hesitated when asked if he still had confidence in Barr.
“The Department of Justice has been asked on multiple occasions to launch an investigation into this matter, but inaction from the Department along with public comments made by the Attorney General indicate a lack of willingness to investigate the irregularities your campaign and other elected officials across the nation have alleged,” the Republican congressmen continued.
“The appointment of a Special Counsel would establish a team of investigators whose sole responsibility is to uncover the truth and provide the certainty America needs,” they added.
Several news organizations including The Associated Press and Fox News declared former Vice President Joe Biden the winner of the election on Nov. 7. Trump’s campaign has filed numerous lawsuits alleging widespread fraud, but courts across the country have handed the campaign many defeats.
Texas filed a new lawsuit against Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin Tuesday arguing the states altered their election procedures illegally. Alabama and Louisiana have expressed interest in joining the suit, according to Newsweek.
“Our Country stands at an important crossroads,” the lawsuit said. “Either the Constitution matters and must be followed, even when some officials consider it inconvenient or out of date, or it is simply a piece of parchment on display at the National Archives.”
“We ask the Court to choose the former,” it continued.
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Thomas Catenacci is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation.


thetennesseestar--2020-09-27--Commentary: ‘Never Trump’ Now Means ‘Never Constitution’

We went from Never Trump to Never Constitution in a nanosecond , it seems .
Entrenched foes of the president base their opposition on the unproven allegation Donald Trump is staining our democracy and defiling the Constitution .
That arc now has reached almost full circle as the president ’ s enemies , desperate to deprive him of any victory , are concocting harebrained compromises outside the clear boundaries of the Constitution related to the next Supreme Court justice .
Now who ’ s not representing the very foundation of American democracy ?
You can expect this from Democrats , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tool in their arsenal .
When then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in 2013 torched the use of the filibuster for judicial nominations , allowing a simple majority in the Senate to confirm most presidential appointments , Republicans assured Democrats they would regret it .
“ This is a mistake — a big one for the long run , ” said Sen. Richard Shelby ( R-Ala. ) after the Senate voted to end the long-standing rule .
“ Short-term gains , but I think it changes the Senate tremendously in a bad way.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third Supreme Court pick in the shadow of Election Day , Democrats , and Never Trumpers , are not just complaining about their bad political karma but inventing extra-constitutional caveats in an effort to stop the president and Republican Senate from confirming a justice before November 3 .
Even though a U.S. president earns a full four-year term per the 20th Amendment to the Constitution , and is empowered to fulfill those duties until noon on Inauguration Day , Democrats and Never Trumpers want to strip that power despite the rule of law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats take control of the chamber and the White House next year , would include eliminating the filibuster altogether , adding seats to the Supreme Court to “ pack ” the body with more liberals , and granting statehood for Washington , D.C. , and Puerto Rico — or even impeachment !
Anti-Trump activists already are planning post-election mayhem ; participants for the Transition Integrity Project have “ war gamed ” a response to several election outcomes , including unconstitutional tactics to install Joe Biden even if Donald Trump wins .
This debacle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Once again , the group known as Never Trump is aiding the Left ’ s latest political attack .
Loosely formed in 2016 to oppose Trump ’ s candidacy , this allegedly “ conservative ” collection of former magazine editors , political columnists , and campaign strategists have expanded their target list to include the Republican Party — many openly support Democratic candidates , including Joe Biden — and now the U.S. Constitution .
The Lincoln Project , a misnomer to say the least , was founded earlier this year by disgruntled Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who would violate their oaths to the Constitution and would put others before Americans.
” The nonprofit is largely funded not by Republican but Democratic donors .
Like so many Never Trump outfits , the Lincoln Project practices what it preaches : accusing Donald Trump of routinely defiling his oath of office and violating the Constitution .
But a day after Ruth Bader Ginsburg ’ s death , Lincoln Project principals began threatening the president and Sen. Mitch McConnell to not fulfill their oath of office , and violate the Constitution .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ importance or value of restraint in a democratic society , ” the group tweeted in a statement on September 19 .
Fully acknowledging that the president and the Senate are lawfully empowered to proceed , the Lincoln Project nonetheless lectured that “ just because something can be done , does not mean it should be done.
” In other words , an activist group that pledges to stop an allegedly rogue president from exceeding his authority has done a full pivot to demand Trump does not lawfully discharge the duties of his office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gambit , concocting a tradeoff rooted in neither the Constitution nor political reality .
Ignoring the Constitution in lieu of promoting “ statesmanship , ” these Never Trumpers are imploring Republicans to delay the process , either the hearings or the Senate vote or both , until after the election in exchange for a promise by the Democrats “ never to vote for a court-packing scheme.
” This is surrender wrapped in a faux cloak of diplomacy and decency .
Either Never Trump hasn ’ t paid attention to the brazen assault the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or they are fully aware and want to aid that effort .
Either way , there is nothing “ conservative ” about it .
The president and Republican Senate should move forward without their imprimatur .
Julie Kelly is author of Disloyal Opposition : How the NeverTrump Right Tried and Failed to Take Down the President .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-27--Swing State Democrats Worry Biden’s Low-Key Campaigning Could Backfire

Some Democrats in critical battlegrounds worry that Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is not campaigning vigorously enough in their states .
While Biden has taken a low-key approach to campaign across the country amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic , Democratic figures in Texas and North Carolina remarked that his method may not be enough to get him 270 electoral votes .
Gilberto Hinojosa , the chair of the Texas Democratic Party , called Biden ’ s limited campaigning due to the pandemic a “ pretty lame excuse , ” the Associated Press reported , arguing that campaigning in Hispanic-heavy states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chances of victory in November .
“ I thought he had his own plane .
He doesn ’ t have to sit with one space between another person on a commercial airline like I would , ” he said .
Hinojosa underscored the importance of boosting Latino turnout in November , saying that wins in Arizona and Texas could ensure a Biden victory even if he fails to sweep Wisconsin , Michigan and Pennsylvania , the AP reported .
Biden ’ s campaign has defended its campaign style , emphasizing its prioritization of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We are campaigning safely and effectively , ” Biden spokesman TJ Ducklo told the AP .
“ Our message is reaching voters in battleground states and generating the enthusiasm and energy we need to beat Donald Trump.
” Since Biden selected California Sen. Kamala Harris on Aug. 11 he has only travelled outside of Delaware 12 times , and has had 22 days with no public appearances .
Though President Donald Trump has resumed large scale rallies , sometimes over the objections of public health officials , he has made 24 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same period , according to the AP .
Hinojosa ’ s concerns were echoed by Collette Alston , the chair of a local North Carolina African American Caucus , who said that Biden was failing to energize critical voters in her state .
“ I do believe he can win North Carolina , ” she told the AP .
“ Can he win it based on what he ’ s doing right now ?
No .
That ’ s not the way to win it.
” Biden ’ s strategy has been criticized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who pounced on the announcement that Biden ’ s campaign had called a lid on events Thursday morning .
“ Did you see he did a lid this morning again ?
” Trump said Thursday night during a rally in Jacksonville , Florida .
“ So he does a lid all the time… I ’ m in Texas .
I ’ m in Ohio .
I ’ m in North Carolina , South Carolina .
I ’ m in Michigan .
I ’ m all over the place , ” Trump said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trunsky is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Joe Biden ” by Phil Roeder .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-27--San Francisco Sees Rise in Home Burglaries, Homicides

San Francisco , California , has seen increases in burglary and homicide for the first nine months of 2020 amid nationwide unrest compared to 2019 , according to police data .
The city , which boasts nearly double the U.S. household median income , has seen a nearly 42 % increase in burglary , around a 33 % increase in homicide and 31 % uptick in vehicle thefts , statistical comparisons to 2019 from the San Francisco Police Department show .
There have been a total of 5,118 burglary incidents so far in 2020 with 3,602 for the same period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 compared to 30 in 2019 , according to the police data .
Theft , rape , robbery and assault cases were all down compared to 2019 , according to the SFPD data , and incidents of reported crime decreased 21 percent to date in 2020 .
Suburbanites have reported a slew of brazen home break-ins with some residents experiencing multiple robberies over a one-month span , according to CBS SF Bay Area .
“ Our next-door neighbor got broken into and they had already experienced another break-in a month prior to that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SF .
Another homeowner told the local outlet , “ You take a walk down the neighborhood and you see so many holes just punched into garages and wires , the same wire that was used to hook ours , you see them , laying around on the street.
” Burglaries are up 59 % in Cow Hollow , 79 % in Mission and 50 % in Richmond — all neighborhoods within the San Francisco-area , according to CBS SF .
“ We ’ re doing all we can to step up patrols @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committing these crimes , ” SFPD Officer Robert Rueca told the local outlet .
Arson in the city is also up by nearly 50 % , as a national unrest and rioting continues following the death of George Floyd , a black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck for nearly 9 minutes .
Jake Dima is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-27--California Braces for Power Shutoffs and Warm, Windy Weekend

SAN FRANCISCO , California ( AP ) — Firefighters and officials at California ’ s largest utility company braced for hot , dry and windy weather in northern and central areas of the state this weekend that may fan the flames of several major wildfires or ignite new ones .
Pacific Gas & Electric warned Friday it may cut power from Sunday morning to Monday , potentially affecting 97,000 customers in 16 counties , during which forecasters said a ridge of high pressure will raise temperatures and generate gusts flowing from the interior to the coast .
PG & E @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three counties would lose power beginning Saturday evening but expanded the potential shutoff when the forecast changed .
The utility is tracking the weather to determine if it would be necessary to shut off power to areas where gusts could damage the company ’ s equipment or hurl debris into lines that can ignite flammable vegetation .
When heavy winds were predicted earlier this month , PG & E cut power to about 167,000 homes and businesses in central and Northern California in a more targeted approach after being criticized last year for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 million customers to prevent fires .
PG & E equipment has sparked past large wildfires , including the 2018 fire that destroyed much of the Sierra foothills town of Paradise and killed 85 people .
Firefighters battling the state ’ s largest wildfire braced for the change in weather by constructing fuel breaks on Friday to keep the flames from reaching a marijuana-growing enclave where authorities said many of the locals have refused to evacuate and abandon their maturing crops .
The wildfire called the August Complex is nearing the small communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 200 miles ( 322 kilometers ) northwest of Sacramento , the Los Angeles Times reported .
Law enforcement officers went door to door warning of the encroaching fire danger but could not force residents to evacuate , Trinity County Sheriff ’ s Department Deputy Nate Trujillo said .
“ It ’ s mainly growers , ” Trujillo said .
“ And a lot of them , they don ’ t want to leave because that is their livelihood.
” As many as 1,000 people remained in Post Mountain and Trinity Pines , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Numerous studies in recent years have linked bigger U.S. wildfires to global warming from the burning of coal , oil and gas , especially because climate change has made California much drier .
A drier California means plants are more flammable .
The U.S. Forest Service ’ s Pacific Southwest Region announced Friday that it is extending the closure of all nine national forests in California due to concerns including fire conditions and critical limitations on firefighting resources .
The threatened marijuana growing area is in the Emerald Triangle , a three-county corner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the nation ’ s largest cannabis-producing region .
People familiar with Trinity Pines said the community has up to 40 legal farms , with more than 10 times that number in hidden , illegal growing areas .
Growers are wary of leaving the plants vulnerable to flames or thieves .
Each farm has crops worth half a million dollars or more and many are within days or weeks of harvest .
One estimate put the value of the area ’ s legal marijuana crop at about $ 20 million .
“ There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions and millions of dollars of marijuana out there , ” Trujillo said .
“ Some of those plants are 16 feet ( 5 meters ) tall , and they are all in the budding stages of growth right now.
” Gunfire in the region is common .
A recent night brought what locals dubbed the “ roll call ” of cannabis cultivators shooting rounds from pistols and automatic weapons as warnings to outsiders , said Post Mountain volunteer Fire Chief Astrid Dobo , who also manages legal cannabis farms .
Hundreds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this time of year to help trim and harvest the plants , but it ’ s uncertain whether that population dwindled due to the coronavirus pandemic , said Julia Rubinic , a member of the Trinity County Agriculture Alliance , which represents licensed cannabis growers .
Mike McMillan , spokesman for the federal incident command team managing the northern section of the August Complex , said fire officials plan to deliver a clear message that ” we are not going to die to save people .
That is not our job.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ door and tell them once again , ” McMillan said .
“ However , if they choose to stay and if the fire situation becomes , as we say , very dynamic and very dangerous … we are not going to risk our lives.
” A firefighter was killed and another was injured on Aug. 31 while working on the fire .
Diana Jones , a volunteer firefighter from Texas , was among 26 people who have died since more than two dozen major wildfires broke out across the state last month .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a veteran firefighter , Charles Morton , 39 , a squad boss with the Big Bear Interagency Hotshot Crew who died Sept. 17 while battling the El Dorado Fire in the San Bernardino National Forest east of Los Angeles .
“ I know that Charlie was a very skilled , in fact extraordinary , firefighter and a fire leader , ” U.S. Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen told the gathering at The Rock Church in San Bernardino .
“ He committed himself , often for weeks and months on end , to protecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around this country in service to fellow Americans.
” The Butte County Sheriff ’ s Office on Friday released the identity of another of the 15 people killed in a rampaging forest fire earlier this month .
The remains of Linda Longenbach , 71 , of Berry Creek , were found on Sept. 10 in a roadway about 10 feet from an ATV , close to the body of a man previously identified as Paul Winer , 68 .
A relative told investigators the victims were aware of the fire and chose not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporter for The Associated Press .
AP writer John Antczak in Los Angeles contributed to this report .
About the Headline Photo : Cal Fire air tankers help stop the spread of a brush fire in Larkfield Calif , Thursday , Sept. 24 , 2020 .
( Kent Porter/The Press Democrat via AP )


thetennesseestar--2020-09-27--Absentee Ballots Found in Wisconsin Ditch

Three trays of mail , including absentee ballots were found in a Wisconsin ditch Tuesday , according to Police .
Police are now investigating how the mail ended up there .
The Outagamie County Sheriff ’ s Office said the mail was found around 8 a.m. Tuesday morning near the intersection of highways 96 and CB , and was immediately returned to the U.S .
Postal Service , Fox News reported .
“ The U.S .
Postal Inspection Service is investigating this matter , ” a spokesman for the U.S .
Postal Inspection Service told The Daily Caller .
Wisconsin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump , who narrowly won the state by approximately 23,000 votes in 2016 .
However , recent polls show Biden is leading Trump by 5 points , according to The Hill .
The state has seen a rise in mail-in ballot requests due to the coronavirus pandemic .
“ We expect more than 3 million Wisconsin residents to vote in the November election , which means even more first-time absentee by mail voters , ” Meagan Wolfe , the election commission ’ s administrator said , according to Fox 6 .
A Wisconsin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Wisconsin can be counted up to six days after the Nov. 3 presidential election as long as they are postmarked by Election Day .
On Wednesday , the Republican-controlled Wisconsin Legislature appealed the ruling .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-27--Two Massachusetts Doctors Charged with Criminal Neglect for 76 Coronavirus Deaths at Veterans’ Home

The Massachusetts Attorney General has indicted two doctors on charges of criminal neglect in connection to the deaths of at least 76 veterans ’ home residents who died of the novel coronavirus .
Bennett Walsh , 50 , and David Clinton , 71 , were indicted by a state grand jury on Thursday in connection to their work at the Holyoke Soldiers ’ home in Massachusetts .
Each man was indicted on five counts , specifically for charges including “ wantonly or recklessly ” permitting or causing bodily harm and mistreatment of an older or disabled individual .
State investigators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 27 , when staff at the facility combined two dementia wards containing patients with and without the novel illness .
The facility was short staffed and made the decision to combine units containing 42 residents – some of whom had the virus and some of whom did not .
Residents were packed by the half-dozen into rooms that typically only held four veterans , allowing the highly contagious disease to spread at an alarming rate .
The office of the Attorney General has said that Walsh and Clinton will be arraigned in Hampden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-27--Commentary: The Case of the Silent Voter

By now you may have heard of the silent voter .
The silent voter is nothing new .
The New York Times identified this phenomenon way back in November of 1886 , describing it as “ the vote which helps make what are called tidal waves in politics.
” In more recent years , the silent voter seems to reside in the domain of the Trump campaign .
President Donald Trump himself is counting on the silent voter to help him overcome his poll deficit , while Rasmussen Reports is even polling to find out just how many silent Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strongly approve of Trump ’ s job performance , the Rasmussen poll explains , 17 percent of them “ are less likely to let others know how they intend to vote in the upcoming election.
” Because of this , it is thought that this year ’ s election night could be another surprise .
Leaving aside the outcome for now , what intrigues me is the fact that many people won ’ t say which candidate they are voting for , particularly to pollsters .
Such hesitancy implies a fear of retaliation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you will , from those disinterested in standing up and speaking out .
However , such impressions may change after reading Neil Postman ’ s opinions on the subject .
In his book Amusing Ourselves to Death , Postman addresses the issue of the continuous news cycle and the role political opinion plays in it : Voting , we might even say , is the next to last refuge of the politically impotent .
The last refuge is , of course , giving your opinion to a pollster , who will get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question , and then will submerge it in a Niagara of similar opinions , and convert them into—what else ?
—another piece of news .
Thus , we have here a great loop of impotence : The news elicits from you a variety of opinions about which you can do nothing except to offer them as more news , about which you can do nothing .
Looking at it this way , breaking this vicious news cycle by refusing to give one ’ s opinion to a pollster actually seems an exemplary thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the only one who expressed concern over the vicious news cycle which has overtaken our lives .
Richard Weaver recognized it as well , noting that “ modern publication wishes to minimize discussion.
” “ Despite many artful pretensions to the contrary , ” Weaver wrote about the press , “ it does not want an exchange of views , save perhaps on academic matters .
Instead , it encourages men to read in the hope that they will absorb.
” Because of this , the news does “ more of the average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he suspects.
” We ’ ve suspected this truth for years , and perhaps that ’ s one reason why many “ silent voters ” are no longer answering polls .
The more individuals who refuse to play the game , the sooner the charade will end .
But what do we do in the meantime ?
How do we remain the mature , well-informed citizens that we should be even while withdrawing from the continual “ Niagara ” of information that cycles through the news ?
Weaver offers a helpful clue .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fan of newspapers in his younger years , became disenchanted by them as he grew older .
“ [ W ] e find him in his seventieth year writing to John Adams : ‘ I have given up newspapers in exchange for Tacitus and Thucydides , for Newton and Euclid , and I find myself much the happier.
’ ” In essence , Jefferson exchanged the news media of his time for the thoughts of historians , mathematicians , scientists , and theologians .
What if we did the same and exchanged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the works of past thinkers , not only the ones Jefferson mentions , but other authors of Western civilization ’ s great works ?
Some might say we ’ d become hopelessly out of touch , but I question that .
These thinkers , after all , provide us with a glimpse into the past .
History repeats itself , and by becoming familiar with history , we grow to recognize patterns reoccurring in our own time , and ( perhaps unfortunately ) can make fairly educated guesses about what ’ s coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past thinkers had a deeper sense of morality than we do these days .
By immersing ourselves in their writings , we would not only get a better grasp on our situation in the broader historical sense , but we might also better understand the ethics , heart attitudes , and posture of the soul needed to weather these difficult times .
Annie Holmquist is the editor of Intellectual Takeout .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-27--Judge Rules Against Trump Administration, Says Census Counting Must Continue Through October

A judge ruled Thursday night that 2020 Census counting can continue through October 31 .
The ruling was issued by California district judge Lucy H. Koh against the Trump administration , which sought to stop counting after Sept. 30 , a month before its previously scheduled completion .
Koh ’ s ruling also prevents census officials from delivering the bureau ’ s data to Trump administration officials before the end of the year , according to court documents .
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross announced last month that the administration sought to reverse the deadline for census counting back to September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December as was originally planned before the pandemic , CNN reported .
Instead , the judge ’ s decision states that the data deadline should remain in April 2021 in accordance with the pandemic extension .
Koh said the abbreviated timetable would have made the data less accurate , and could potentially result in a lack of political representation for Los Angeles and Salinas residents , according to court documents .
“ These facts show not only that the Bureau could not meet the statutory deadline , but that the Bureau had received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeking an extension of the deadline , ” Koh said , citing both internal emails and other documents that had been presented as evidence .
Her remarks were echoed by Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer .
“ The court saw through the Trump administration ’ s efforts to camouflage its political interference in what is supposed to be the neutral , nonpartisan process of counting every person , ” Feuer said in a statement .
“ Now , with little time to lose and so much at stake , I urge everyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be included in the census.
” The Trump administration is expected to appeal the decision , The Hill reported .
The ruling comes a year after the Supreme Court ruled against his administration ’ s efforts to add a citizenship question to it .
Andrew Trusnky is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-27--Oregon Governor Sends State Police to Portland for Protests

SALEM , Oregon ( AP ) — Oregon Gov .
Kate Brown declared a state of emergency Friday as she announced that state troopers and sheriff ’ s deputies would be sent to Portland through the weekend to help police , in the state ’ s largest city , monitor a weekend rally by the right-wing group Proud Boys and counter protests by liberal groups Portland has been roiled by often violent protests for more than three months following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Demonstrations that went into a lull during Oregon ’ s recent wildfires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kentucky grand jury ’ s decision to not indict officers in the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor .
Brown told reporters she is exercising her gubernatorial authority to place Multnomah County Sheriff Mike Reese and Oregon State Police Superintendent Travis Hampton in charge of Portland ’ s public safety on Saturday and Sunday .
Brown said that Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler supports the plan .
“ This is our entire community coming together to protect our community , ” Brown said .
“ We want the highest level of coordination and the strongest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency declaration , Oregon State Police and Multnomah County Sheriff ’ s Office will have the authority to set curfews and close roads .
In addition , Hampton said officers sent to Portland could use tear gas and less-lethal ammunition to disperse crowds if the protest and counter protests becomes violent or if people ’ s lives are in danger .
“ Certainly with the use of any tool or option , we are always going to be proportional in our response , ” Hampton said .
“ We want to do everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we don ’ t have to get to a higher level of force if it ’ s required to keep the peace.
” Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler has banned local police from using tear gas .
Hampton said that the change in command “ is in no way an indictment of our colleagues at the Portland Police Bureau for the job that they have done or would have done this weekend.
” “ The Portland Police Bureau , their officers have endured some incredibly mentally and physically taxing situations for over 100 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they can to keep Portland streets safe , ” Hampton said .
State troopers , sheriff ’ s deputies and local police have worked together in the past during downtown protests in Portland .
Hampton said .
Similar competing demonstrations have ended with fistfights and bloodshed , including the fatal shooting on Aug. 29 of Aaron “ Jay ” Danielson , a supporter of a right-wing group , who was killed in Portland after a caravan a pro-Trump supporters drove pickup trucks in a caravan downtown .
The suspect , antifa supporter Michael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of gunfire by federal officers as they moved in to arrest him in neighboring Washington state .
Ahead of the planned Proud Boys rally set for Saturday , Brown said she “ is incredibly concerned about the increased risk of violence in Portland this weekend and the safety of all Oregonians.
” “ Some people will be armed , with others ready to harass or intimidate Oregonians , ” the Democrat said .
“ The pattern of these particular groups is clear , to intimidate , instigate and inflame.
” Organizers have said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump and the police and condemn anti-fascists that the group accuses of “ domestic terrorism.
” The city denied a permit to protest organizers , citing estimated crowds of thousands amid the coronavirus pandemic .
But police said they will not try to stop the Proud Boys from gathering at a park in northern Portland .
“ If you want to come to Oregon , to Portland , to peacefully protest , to assemble , to voice your outrage , to voice your concern – we welcome you for that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job and your intent is to come to Oregon to commit crimes , to provoke , to make people feel unsafe in their homes then we do not want you to come here .
” Protesters in Portland late Thursday set fire to plywood attached to the front door of a police union building and clashed with officers , who made 14 arrests , police said in a statement .
The protesters who were detained were arrested on charges ranging from disorderly conduct to interfering with officers and trespassing .
The violence came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at officers during a demonstration in which 13 were arrested .
Sara Cline is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative .
Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .
About the Headline Photo : Protesters demanding the end of police violence against Black people are sprayed by police during a demonstration in Portland , Ore. , on Wednesday , Sept. 23 , 2020 .
Protesters in Portland hurled Molotov cocktails at officers in Oregon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over a Kentucky grand jury ’ s decision to not indict officers in the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor , police said Thursday .
( Mark Graves/The Oregonian via AP )


thetennesseestar--2020-09-27--Northam to Stand Down on Church Ban: God Wins

After losing in court last week , Governor Ralph Northam agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by four Madison County men who argued that the governor ’ s restrictions on churches violated the Virginia Constitution , Bill of Rights , and the Virginia statute for religious freedom .
According to The Roanoke Star , the only COVID-19 restrictions remaining against Virginia churchgoers after the Tuesday decision is the mask mandate .
Churches are not required to enforce the mandate .
Pastor Brian Hersmeier , Joe Sansone , Mike Sharman and Charlie Sheads originally sued in May , claiming that Northam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 61 were violations of both Virginia ’ s and the U.S. ’ constitutions .
However , when the plaintiffs learned this would force their case into federal court , they refiled just under Virginia law , according to the Madison Eagle .
Article 1 , Section 16 of the Virginia Bill of Rights states in part , “ It is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance , love , and charity towards each other.
” Sansone told The Roanoke Star , “ Arbitrary restrictions on church attendance limit my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faith.
” Tuesday , a judge ordered that only executive order 63 , the mask mandate , remain in effect against churches with congregations smaller than 250 .
“ This is really a time where we absolutely have to give God all the credit , ” Sharman told The Roanoke Star .
“ In our suit , we simply asked for the law to be followed and justice to be done so that churches would be treated fairly.
” Sharman added , “ With our Agreed Order , we got more than justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Bible verse being fulfilled , ‘ Where the Spirit of the Lord is , there is liberty . '
” Passionately Catholic author Suzy Kelly told The Virginia Star , “ The state has to do what the state has to do , but the state should not interfere with worship .
When this virus came out , it was new to everybody , and I just think that at first they tried to do things that would contain the virus .
And I don ’ t necessarily think they were targeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it evolved , it seemed like additional regulations were placed on churches.
” “ I don ’ t know if it was intentional or not , but they shouldn ’ t have been interfering with the worship end of it .
Once you get inside a church , this is [ where people ] come to worship God .
The state can ’ t come in and tell you how you ’ re supposed to worship.
” Kelly thinks churches should be careful about the ways they cooperate with government interference in worship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like masks might be harmful and dehumanizing in the long term .
She recently wrote , “ We have allowed the state to put controls on how we can worship God .
And we ’ ve done this without a fight , all in the name of safety and the greater good.
” “ Guidelines are fine , ” Kelly said , “ especially in a case like this where we have a virus that no one quite knows what to do with.
” Kelly said , “ Don ’ t let it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-09-27--Senator Mark Warner and Republican Challenger Daniel Gade to Debate at Norfolk State University

Senator Mark Warner and his Republican challenger Daniel Gade will convene for a second debate at Norfolk State University ( NSU ) on Saturday .
According to NSU ’ s press release , the candidates will debate on “ racial disparities and inequities in education , healthcare , economic mobility and the criminal justice system.
” NSU is the state ’ s largest “ Historically Black College and University ” ( HBCU ) .
Moderators for the event are WAVY-TV 10 journalists Anita Blanton and Regina Mobley .
Warner and Gade first debated virtually last Wednesday evening .
NBC4 hosted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broader categories – including Supreme Court nominations , COVID-19 socioeconomic impacts , police reform and race relations , and the presidential election .
Warner campaigns himself as a seasoned leader from two decades in technology and business and 12 years as a senator .
Conversely , Gade campaigns as a military veteran with a Ph.D. and political leadership acquired throughout the Bush administration and national policy councils .
Gade attended President Donald Trump ’ s rally in Newport News , Virginia , on Friday .
The Republican candidate has been closing in on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the incumbent ’ s lead in just under a month .
Other forecasting models show Warner with a 99 percent likelihood of winning the election .
However , the same model also notes party share of votes could tighten the race ; Gade trails by 16 percentage points under those criteria .
As the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Intelligence , Warner faces increasing concerns over the integrity of this year ’ s presidential election .
Voter confidence is reportedly lower than it was in 2016 , with 45 percent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be counted accurately .
Warner stated that Americans “ may not know the results on election night.
” He warned that “ the period immediately before and after the election could be uniquely volatile.
” The senator also criticized the president for “ aiding and abetting foreign adversaries ” responsible for instigating voter insecurity .
On Friday , Warner won NSU ’ s coin toss to determine who would respond to the first question .
Gade will have the closing statement .
Their debate is scheduled on October 3 at 5 p.m. EDT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Virginia Star and the Star News Network .
Follow her latest on Twitter , or email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Daniel Gade ” by Daniel Gade .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-27--Minnesota Department of Health No Longer Reporting Current COVID-19 Hospitalizations

The Minnesota Department of Health abruptly stopped reporting the current number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 or in an intensive care unit in its daily situation update Thursday .
The Department of Health ( MDH ) publishes a situation update every morning at 11 a.m. , but Thursday ’ s update was lacking one standard piece of information : current hospitalizations and ICU patients .
Instead , the MDH is reporting the number of new hospital and ICU admissions per day , and continues to report cumulative data .
“ Just as our understanding of the virus has changed over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we need to measure and report in order to improve our public health response must change .
We know this change means some adjustments and apologize for any disruptions , but we think this will be helpful to Minnesotans , ” a department spokesperson told Alpha News .
“ With the change to hospitalization and ICU data , our intent is to help reduce redundancy and convey a clearer picture of what impact COVID-19 is having in Minnesota by focusing on more specific measures , ” he added .
The spokesperson said current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital capacity rather than the severity of the disease .
The State Emergency Operations Center and the governor ’ s dashboard already provide information on hospital capacity , he noted .
“ For telling us more about COVID-19 severity , which is what we want to portray on the situation update page , this information on hospitalizations by admission date actually gives a better sense of severity of the disease and is very useful when making decisions in the response — it is already something looked at for the dial-back measures , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be adding some additional hospitalization data to our weekly report next week on things like length of stay to fill in more of the picture around hospitalizations.
” Sen. Michelle Benson , chair of the Health and Human Services Committee , said the current hospitalization numbers “ are valuable because they are not easily manipulated by changes in testing capacity.
” “ A potential overload of our health care system was one of the primary concerns from the very beginning of the pandemic , and longitudinal tracking of data helps us understand how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she said .
“ I have not been briefed by MDH on why these important numbers were removed , and I look forward to an explanation or justification of the change.
” The MDH reported four new ICU admissions and 20 new hospitalizations Thursday , bringing cumulative hospitalizations to 7,335 and ICU admissions to 2,049 .
As of Wednesday — the last available day of current hospitalizations — there were 303 patients hospitalized and 148 in intensive care .
Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News .
He previously worked as an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reform , and reported for The Daily Caller .
Photo “ COVID Hospitalization ” by Official U.S. Navy Page CC BY 2.0


thetennesseestar--2020-09-27--True COVID-19 Long-Term Care Death Toll a Mystery in Michigan

Michiganders still don ’ t know how many lives COVID-19 claimed in all categories of long-term care facilities , although the state has been collecting the data since May 29 .
Other states such as Minnesota have already reported the information , breaking down the deaths in nursing homes , memory care , and hospice facilities .
Minnesota totaled 1,438 COVID-19 nursing home resident deaths across all long-term care categories .
The majority ( 981 ) are in nursing homes , but there are hundreds more in other categories , including : In Michigan , the number of COVID-19 nursing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toll in other categories isn ’ t clear because an accurate number would require calling thousands of facilities .
The state started collecting all categories of long-term care death data since May 29 but isn ’ t able to confirm accurate reporting in the thousands of facilities , Michigan Department of Health and Human Services ( MDHHS ) spokeswoman Lynn Sutfin told The Center Square .
“ MDHHS is dedicated to providing timely , accurate data concerning COVID-19 in Michigan , ” Sutfin wrote in an email .
“ In addition to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we have not been able to conduct in-depth validation of this data that parallels the work done with nursing facilities .
With more than 4,000+ licensed and up to 7,000 including the non-licensed facilities , we do not have the ability to ensure all facilities are reporting accurately.
” The Department of Justice has requested nursing home data in its investigation of four states run by Democratic governors , including New York and Michigan , for their nursing home policies via Executive Orders requiring nursing homes admit COVID-19 patients into their facilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesperson Tiffany Brown dismissed the request as “ nothing more than election year politics.
” Two of those governors , New York ’ s Andrew Cuomo and Michigan ’ s Whitmer Thursday called for a Congressional investigation into President Donald Trump administration ’ s “ politicization of government functions that have impeded the country ’ s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
” The governors asserted in their joint statement : “ It is an inarguable fact that the United States has had the worst response to the COVID-19 virus of any nation in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have tested positive for the virus , and more than 200,000 Americans have been killed by it – both more than any other country .
The unprecedented and unacceptable scale of this tragedy is the direct result of President Trump and the federal government ’ s deceit , political self-dealing , and incompetence.
” They continued : “ Rather than turning to the advice and direction of public health experts and career public servants , President Trump instead put the health and security of the American people in the hands of political appointees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their benefactor , with predictably tragic results.
” The two argued the White House blocked a plan for the U.S .
Postal Service to ship five masks to all households in the country in April , as well as stymied recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Health and Human Services to test asymptomatic people for COVID-19 .
“ As a country , we can not allow this type of politically-motivated decision making to take root , ” they said .
“ Logic dictates that COVID @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health challenge we will face , and we can ’ t afford to again respond by playing politics , instead of listening to the science and facts.
” Earlier this month , Whitmer ’ s nursing home task force announced recommendations to improve the care and quality of life in nursing homes during COVID-19 .
Scott McClallen is a reporter at The Center Square .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-27--Ohio Restaurant, Bars May Get More Flexibility for Consumers

Ohio restaurant and bar owners will have more flexibility and a chance to generate more revenue if Gov .
Mike DeWine signs a recently passed bill into law .
The Business Expansion and Safety Act , passed by both the Ohio House and Ohio Senate , heads to DeWine .
It intends to help bring revenue and safety back to businesses amid the COVID-19 pandemic , according to bill sponsor State Rep. D.J .
Swearingen , R-Huron .
“ Businesses have been restricted for so long now due to the threat of COVID-19 and it ’ s time we give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much-needed revenue while simultaneously ensuring the safety of Ohioans , ” Swearingen said .
The bill allows permit holders to use more outside space on private or public property with approval from local governments and makes permanent the ability to serve carry-out drinks .
Also , it allows third-party delivery for carryout alcohol .
The Ohio Senate added a meal must be sold with alcoholic-to-go beverages and only three drinks per meal are allowed .
The Ohio Restaurant Association , Ohio Licensed Beverage Association , the Greater Ohio Policy Center and The Buckeye @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was originally introduced in May .
“ I am very pleased to see this crucial bill going to the governor , ” Swearingen said .
“ We can ’ t forget our restaurants and other businesses as they are desperately looking to bounce back from the damage COVID-19 has caused throughout the state.
” The bill continues an emergency clause and becomes effective immediately once signed by DeWine .
An Ohio native , J.D .
Davidson is a veteran journalist with more than 30 years of experience in newspapers in Ohio , Georgia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served as a reporter , editor , managing editor and publisher .
Davison is a regional editor for The Center Square .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-27--Senate Bill on Budget Includes Details on the Proposed Virginia Redistricting Commission

As part of the Senate ’ s bill for the biennial budget , one amendment offers details and more specifics on the proposed Virginia Redistricting Commission .
Included in the budget amendment item 4-14 is eligibility criteria for citizen commission members , Freedom of Information Act ( FOIA ) requests and public participation in the redistricting process .
For background , the Virginia Redistricting Commission would consist of 16 commissioners responsible for drawing Virginia ’ s legislative and congressional districts after the completion of the 2020 U.S. Census .
The commission would include eight legislators from the General Assembly – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parties of each legislative body – and eight citizens to be chosen by the Redistricting Commission Selection Committee .
The selection committee would be made up of five retired circuit court Judges who would consider the racial , ethnic , geographic , and gender diversity of the Commonwealth when selecting citizens .
The budget amendment provides specific eligibility criteria for people who wish to apply for the eight citizen commissioner spots .
To be eligible a person must be a resident of Virginia , be a registered voter for three years prior to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least two out of the last three general elections .
Eligibility exemptions are as follows for any person that : • Holds or has held or sought public office or political party office • Is or has been employed by a member of the U.S. Congress or the General Assembly , or is or has been employed directly by those two bodies • Is employed by or has been employed by any federal , state , or local campaign • Is employed by or has been employed by any political party or is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committee • Is a registered lobbyist or has been a lobbyist ’ s principal in the last five years • Is related to a person described in points 1-5 Sen. Barbara Favola ( D-Arlington ) is one Assembly member who supports the redistricting commission and the outlined parameters for participation .
“ The remaining eight members are intended to be not actively affiliated with a political party so we can bring that objective perspective [ to the commission ] , so I do think that these are good exemptions , ” Favola said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Opponents of the commission , like Del .
Mark Levine ( D-Arlington ) , argue that because party leaders from the Senate and House provide lists of citizen applicants for the judges to choose from that it will lead to more partisanship and allow eight legislators to control redistricting instead of 140 .
“ We don ’ t have any interest at all in putting names down on a list for potential appointments of people who are not thoughtful , who would not bring a helpful perspective to the table , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got to meet these minimum requirements , but there will be a lot of thought put into who should be considered .
This is an important commission.
” The budget Amendment also outlines various methods for transparency on the redistricting commission ’ s decisions and process .
All meeting and records of the selection committee will be subject to FOIA requests .
Meetings and hearings for the commission will be available for the public to attend and participate and before proposing or voting on any new drawings of districts at least three public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public can issue comments .
The redistricting commission will also establish and maintain a website to share its activity and post all data used in the drawing of districts .
The power to decide whether the Virginia constitution is amended and the commission is formed or if the power to draw districts remains with the General Assembly is still up to the voters of the Commonwealth .
Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Follow Jacob on Twitter .
Email tips to [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State Capitol ” by Jim Bowen .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-27--Nashville Mayor John Cooper Has a Vendetta Against Bar Owners on Lower Broadway, Attorney Says

This is Part Two of a three-part series .
Part One is available here .
Nashville Mayor John Cooper is feuding in court with Nashville ’ s bar and restaurant owners on Lower Broadway .
And for that reason , Cooper wouldn ’ t hesitate to use the COVID-19 pandemic as a means to incapacitate those businesses .
This , according to an attorney who represents , among others , Nashville businessman Steve Smith , who owns Kid Rock ’ s Big Honky Tonk and Steakhouse .
As The Tennessee Star reported in Part One of our three-part series , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cooper and his senior advisor , Ben Eagles , misled the public .
The two men never intended to reveal the actual number — a low one — of confirmed COVID-19 cases that Davidson County officials traced back to bars on Nashville ’ s Lower Broadway , Clements said .
As reported , Cooper ordered those bars and restaurants closed on July 2 after he said they posed a health threat because of allegedly too many COVID-19 cases .
Metro Davidson County Health Department officials just two days earlier — on June 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases of COVID-19 to bars in the city .
In contrast , at the time they had traced 1,159 cases to long-term care facilities and , as reported , 251 cases to the construction industry .
Cooper spokesman Chris Song has declined The Star ’ s repeated requests for comment on this matter .
Clements portraying Cooper as a vengeful and unsympathetic mayor seems implausible .
After all , as we asked , why would Cooper — the mayor — deliberately damage Nashville ’ s economy , an act that would reflect poorly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ a very simple answer.
” “ Number One , yes , is he [ Cooper ] vindictive ?
Yes , no question .
I have been suing and dealing with government officials now for about 20 years , and they are some of the most vindictive people that you will ever deal with .
This is my general theory .
It is because they believe that they hold the authority , and they become infuriated when people question their authority and what they are doing .
Cooper is no different .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have talked to people who have talked to him and he ’ s arrogant .
He is thin-skinned , and he is vindictive , ” Clements said .
“ Number Two .
There are only 163 bars in Nashville and 35 or more probably are on this block and Second Avenue and the surrounding area , maybe more .
So let ’ s say there are probably about a fourth of all bars in and about Broadway .
Broadway is a real problem for the mayor because COVID numbers will always go up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get out .
The COVID numbers are going to go up .
There is nothing that anybody can do about it unless everybody stays at home and doesn ’ t go out .
Well , that ’ s not going to happen.
” Will Witnesses Testify That Cooper is Vindictive ?
The Star asked Clements who told him that Cooper is vindictive and dislikes the bars on Lower Broadway — and whether one or more of those people will testify in a federal lawsuit against Cooper ?
Clements did not name names .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ testify , but he did not say definitively .
As reported in June , Smith said in this federal lawsuit that city officials impose hardships on his business because of COVID-19 — but they look the other way when it comes to social justice protests .
Smith joined The Local Spot owner Geoffrey Reid in the lawsuit .
Clements went on to say late last week that Cooper “ doesn ’ t want publicity of what is going on at Lower Broadway while COVID numbers are going up.
” “ His answer is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down Broadway.
’ And he ’ s all but done it .
He ’ s actually shut down all of the bars up until recently .
But even when the bars were shut down that left four places open on Broadway , four restaurants .
He had 30 to 40 police officers on Broadway Friday and Saturday patrolling the streets .
Over four restaurants .
There are 4,000 restaurants in Nashville , but he had 30 to 40 police officers focus on Broadway , so much so that even council members were in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more focus on Broadway , ” Clements said .
“ The mayor is vindictive , and he can ’ t afford to have Broadway bustling during this [ time of ] COVID .
It ’ s a very easy decision for him .
‘ OK , you want to mess with me ?
I ’ m going to do something that not only retaliates against you but also helps me politically .
I am going to shut down Broadway.
’ And that is what he ’ s done .
The timing you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the mayor now tells business owners exactly how many people they can have in their establishments .
“ He ’ s saying bars can only have 50 people in their restaurant or bar .
Some of these places are 30,000 square feet .
That ’ s like each person getting 600 square feet .
It doesn ’ t make any sense , ” Clements said .
“ I think some of the public has a misunderstanding of what some of these government officials are capable of .
Unfortunately , we have seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has decimated an entire industry for political purposes.
” Cooper this month said that the White House and Deborah Birx of the White House Coronavirus Task Force prompted him to close bars .
But Clements said he can prove that Cooper lied about that .
In Part Three of our three-part series , Clements will present his evidence .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ John Cooper ” by nashville.gov .
Background Photo “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lindell .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-28--Records Reportedly Show Nashville Mayor John Cooper Killed Plan to Let Tennessee Titans’ Fans into N

Records Reportedly Show Nashville Mayor John Cooper Killed Plan to Let Tennessee Titans’ Fans into Nissan Stadium

A Nashville sportswriter this week posted documents on his website that he said proves Metro Nashville Health officials were ready last month to have fans at Nissan Stadium at the start of the season .
But Mayor John Cooper said no , according to those records .
Paul Kuharsky , who has covered the NFL for more than 20 years , this week on his website posted emails that Metro Nashville officials sent to one another .
Kuharsky said he obtained these emails from the group Nashville for a Rational COVID Policy .
Officials with that organization did not return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment Friday .
Tennessee Titans spokeswoman Kate Guerra said Sunday she had no information about the matter and suggested we contact the mayor ’ s office .
No one in either the mayor ’ s office or the Metro Health Department returned our request for comment .
Kuharsky did not return our request for comment Sunday .
In his story , Kuharsky quoted a July 30 email from Metro Health Department Director Michael Caldwell to Cooper ’ s Chief of Staff Bill Phillips and Metro coronavirus Task Force Chair Alex Jahangir .
Jahangir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had discussed a proposal that was “ consistent , if not more restrictive , than most other venues.
” “ I did and still do think numbers were too high in July to make the recommendation for the end of September , ” Jahangir said .
“ I think that the Titans plan is a good one and wished then for , and am glad now , that the community spread is much less so that they can implement the plan.
” Kuharsky quoted Cooper spokesman Chris Song as saying “ there were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the time ” and that “ Nashville ’ s COVID-19 progress was very different on July 31st than it is today.
” Kuharsky went on to report that “ Caldwell had the authority to approve any Titans ’ plan in conjunction with Cooper.
” Kuharsky quoted Song as saying “ the city did not want to make any sort of special exemption for professional football at the start.
” The website went on to report that The Titans originally requested 25 percent of Nissan Stadium ’ s capacity of 69,143 .
Jahangir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office that Caldwell of the health department would put his plan on paper for review and asked if further information was needed for the mayor as the Titans needed an answer soon to begin planning .
But Phillip ’ s reply when Caldwell presented a draft seemingly ended email conversation about the potential for fans at the Titans ’ Sept. 20 home opener against Jacksonville , which was ultimately played in an empty Nissan Stadium .
Metro officials , Kuharsky reported , announced Sept. 17 that a small number of fans could come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]

by Peter Hasson
Twenty-eight congressional Democrats signed a letter Wednesday condemning the Department of Education for ruling that public schools that allow biological males who identify as transgender to play girls’ sports are violating Title IX civil rights legislation.
Democratic Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal joined 27 House Democrats in signing the letter, which charged that the department’s order “discriminates against transgender youth” by restricting girls’ sports to biological females.
“The decision of the Department of Education to issue a determination targeting transgender student athletes on the eve of Pride Month is not coincidental. It is a transparent example of their campaign against the rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ children,” Connecticut Rep. Jahana Hayes, the letter’s lead signer, said in a press release.
The DOE on May 15 issued a ruling stating that public schools that allow biological males into girls’ athletics are violating Title IX, which protects women’s access to education and athletics.
The Department of Justice previously backed a lawsuit filed by high school girls in Connecticut who said the liberal state’s transgender policies violated their rights.
Sports across the country are on hold due to the novel coronavirus, but biological males who identify as transgender have previously racked up accomplishments in female athletics.
Franklin Pierce University runner CeCe Telfer, for example, won an NCAA DII women’s track championship in May 2019. Telfer is a biological male who identifies as transgender.
University of Montana runner June Eastwood, a biological male who identifies as a transgender woman, was named the Big Sky Conference’s female athlete of the week in October 2019. Both Eastwood and Telfer previously competed on their university’s men’s team before switching to the women’s team.
Rachel McKinnon, a biological male who identifies as transgender, won women’s cycling world championships in both 2018 and 2019.
Wednesday’s letter isn’t the first instance of Democratic politicians arguing in favor of allowing biological males into female athletics.
Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar in February 2019 called for an investigation into USA Powerlifting for barring biologically male athletes from women’s events.
A piece of Democratic legislation called the Equality Act, which passed the House with unanimous support from Democrats, would require schools to allow biologically male athletes into girls’ sports, if the male athletes identify as transgender.
Former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, pledged to get the Equality Act passed into law within his first 100 days in office, if he wins the November election.
“Transgender equality is the civil rights issue of our time,” Biden wrote in a January tweet. “There is no room for compromise when it comes to basic human rights.”
– – –
Peter Hasson is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation.


thetennesseestar--2020-09-28--Carol Swain Commentary: Critical Race Theory and the Decline of American Justice

Is racism in the DNA of white people , and is it a permanent part of American society ?
Critical race theorists argue that American society is structured to give white people undeserved advantages over people of color .
They say people who look like me ( Black ) are victims .
We are supposedly powerless to free ourselves from systemic racism , institutional structures , and cultural stereotypes that keep us in bondage .
Systemic racism permeates every facet of our lives , including institutions and laws .
The only hope is for whites to become “ woke , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and commit themselves to becoming antiracist .
So , where did we get these ideas that now undergird the diversity , equity , and inclusion industry that rests on top of existing affirmative action programs that have been around since the mid-1960s ?
Critical race theory is a derivative of German Philosopher Max Horkheimer ’ s critical theory .
Critical theory has both broad and narrow meanings depending on whether the discussion is about philosophy or the history of the social sciences .
The critical race theory impacting our lives comes from cultural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to explain the failure of Karl Marx ’ s economic Marxism .
Economic Marxism predicted an uprising of oppressed workers , known as “ the proletariat , ” who would overthrow the bourgeois owners of the modes of production .
They would then establish a socialist system in which the government owned the means of production .
Socialism would create a utopian and egalitarian society where individuals would thrive .
Eventually , socialism would be replaced by communism , and the state would eventually wither away .
According to Engels , the withering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Antonio Gramsi ’ s concept of cultural hegemony and Horkheimer ’ s critical theory have provided the ideological underpinnings for the destruction of western civilization and its contributions to the world .
This destructive worldview has characterized Christianity , the traditional family , the rule of law , norms about sexual restraint , and law and order as sources of oppression and cultural domination .
Critical race theory , our topic , is much like Marx ’ s class warfare between workers and owners .
It divides society along racial lines , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of color the oppressed victims .
A corollary to critical race theory is Intersectionality .
This says there are multiple overlapping sources of oppression that make racial and ethnic minorities , gays and lesbians , and economically disadvantaged groups more susceptible to discrimination .
Legal scholars Derrick Bell , Kimberle ’ Crenshaw , and Richard Delgado developed critical race theory .
To understand this theory , it is helpful to look at how it operates and creates its own truth .
We have already mentioned its assumption that racism is a permanent part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and economic structures .
Whiteness is viewed as property that carries with it a right of possession , exclusion , and right of use .
White people , these theorists claim , can redeem themselves by admitting their own racism and divesting themselves of their whiteness .
Additionally , whites can divest themselves by becoming consciously anti-racist .
This means that they must actively search for and combat real and perceived manifestations of white privilege or white racism expressed by other whites .
There are no objective truths or scientific facts that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ narratives of a person of color , whose lived experiences as part of a marginalized group has more moral authority and weight than any protests or statements of members of the dominant culture .
In this sense , whites simply don ’ t have a voice .
According to the Oxford reference , the dominant culture is “ one whose values , language , and ways of behaving are imposed on a subordinate culture or cultures through economic or political power.
” Critical race theory rejects classical liberalism and the ideal of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It argues that white people passed civil rights laws to benefit themselves and that any changes supposedly to benefit minorities only happens if there is an “ interest convergence ” that benefits whites .
The tactics of critical race theorists include shaming , destruction of property , violence , and denial of science and facts in favor of emotional outbreaks and chaos .
Today we see this played out most prominently in the actions of groups such as Black Lives Matter and Antifa , which are filled with ruthless social justice warriors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mostly to university campuses , has departed from the campuses and been embedded into corporations ; governmental agencies at the state , local , and federal levels ; churches ; and other institutions .
It is a sociological pandemic aimed at disrupting America .
This is not good for our society .
It is a departure from principled constitutional and statutory protections that have long been a part of America ’ s system of justice .
Attacking whites because of their skin color is a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intent of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 .
Destruction of public property and the harassment and shaming of white people because of their skin color should be offensive to all Americans .
If America is to be America , we must return to our national motto “ e pluribus Unum ” ( out of many , one ) .
We should not allow failed Marxist/Communist theories that have resulted in the deaths of millions of people worldwide to destroy America , even if it is disguised as a noble pursuit of social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for all and a return to our nation ’ s Judeo-Christian roots .
Dr. Carol M. Swain is a former tenured professor at Vanderbilt and Princeton .
Her Be The People News blog and podcast empower individuals to think independently , understand their responsibilities , and make a difference in the world .
Photo “ Racism ” by John Englart CC BY-SA 2.0


thetennesseestar--2020-09-28--Commentary: While Trump Surges, Biden Hides

Former Vice President Joe Biden must believe he is safely in the lead against President Donald Trump in the 2020 election , as his campaign took the day off on Sept. 24 with no appearances by either Biden or his running mate , Sen. Kamala Harris ( D-Calif. ) — the ninth such break this month alone .
Does Biden think he can win without aggressively campaigning ?
Biden could be making the same mistake Hillary Clinton made in 2016 , when a complacent Democratic machine watched Trump shock the world by winning in the Rust Belt state of Michigan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still leading Biden in its latest poll conducted Sept. 20-Sept. 22 , 46.7 percent to 46 percent .
Trafalgar chief pollster Robert Cahaly called it a “ razor thin Trump lead ” in the state in a tweet , with the first presidential debate still ahead on Sept. 29 .
Meanwhile , in Florida , the latest Washington Post/ABC News poll conducted Sept. 15-Sept. 20 , finds President Trump has jumped to a four-point lead among likely voters , 51 percent to 47 percent , with the President getting a major boost on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Post poll in Florida , Trump leads Biden on trust on handling the economy , 52 percent to 41 percent .
Which , is little wonder with labor markets recovering so rapidly from their April lows amid the COVID-19 state-led lockdowns — a record 13.8 million jobs have been recovered since then according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ’ household survey .
And in the past month , the Department of Labor reports an unadjusted 1.5 million more Americans have come off of unemployment benefits , which will most certainly show another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due out the first week of October — the last such monthly report before the election .
As the data continues to pour in , President Trump will have a compelling story to tell about how his administration fought to save lives in the pandemic , and now is moving to successfully and safely reopen the economy .
In the meantime , Rasmussen Reports ’ latest daily presidential tracking poll shows President Trump with a 52 percent approval rating — with the past month showing the highest ratings of his presidency coming out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Democratic apprehension about Florida , the Republican Party is experiencing a surge in voter registration with a record 58,000 newly registered voters in the state in the month of August alone — reducing the Democrats ’ traditional registration advantage .
The secret to the campaign ’ s success ?
Door-knocking .
While Democrats continue to run a virtual campaign fearful of the pandemic , Republicans are depending on in-person tactics and showing real success with its voter registration uptick .
Taken together with the strong showing by the incumbent in daily tracking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battleground state polls in Florida and Michigan have got to be worrying for the Biden campaign .
It calls into question the risky strategy of the Biden campaign of locking up their candidate , cutting down the number of appearances and riskiest of all , depending on mail-in balloting to get over the top .
Turnout could be a real problem for the challenger .
A couple months ago the Biden campaign was assured by national polls it was leading by double digits and coasting to an easy victory in November , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign assumed it was safely ahead .
So much for that .
Now Biden appears to be trailing in the crucial states of Florida and Michigan with more than a month to go .
Here , the President ’ s reelection campaign is showing not only resilience , but dominance , as the energetic Trump steps up his campaign appearances , bringing his case for four more years to the American people .
Now , as the nation ’ s attention turns toward the debates , the question will be whether Biden can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remind the country why he ’ s been hiding in his basement this whole time .
Robert Romano is the Vice President of Public Policy at Americans for Limited Government Photos “ The White House ” by Diego Cambiaso and “ Joe Biden ” by Gage Skidmore CC BY-SA 2.0


thetennesseestar--2020-09-28--Woman Arrested After Driving Car Into California Protest

by The Associated Press YORBA LINDA , California ( AP ) — A woman who authorities say drove a car into a crowd during a Southern California demonstration against police brutality , striking and injuring two people , has been arrested for investigation of attempted murder and assault .
The Orange County Sheriff ’ s Department said in a statement late Saturday that 40-year-old Tatiana Turner of Long Beach was booked into jail .
Turner drove a car into a crowd at a demonstration against police brutality and systemic racism Saturday that drew protesters and counter-protesters to the city of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The event was organized by a group called Caravan for Justice and Turner was believed to be part of the group , authorities said .
Sheriff ’ s authorities said about 150 people initially showed up for the demonstration in the small city some 30 miles ( 48 kilometers ) southeast of downtown Los Angeles .
About a half hour later , authorities received reports of fights breaking out between the two groups and declared an unlawful assembly , the statement said .
One man was arrested for failing to obey an order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was arrested after driving a car in a library parking lot that struck at least two people who were taken to a nearby hospital with major but non-life threatening injuries , the statement said .
Turner is being held on $ 1 million bail and expected to appear in court on Tuesday , according to a county website .
It was not immediately known if she had a lawyer .
On Thursday night , a protester was struck by a pickup truck during a march in Hollywood and suffered non-life-threatening injuries .
Los @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found that the driver was attempting to maneuver through the crowd when protesters began beating the vehicle with sticks .
The driver was attempting to drive away from the situation when he struck the protester .
The driver stopped several blocks away and cooperated with officers .
He was released pending the outcome of the investigation .
About the Headline Photo : An unidentified woman is taken into custody after witnesses said she drove her car into a crowd of protesters in Yorba Linda , Calif. , Saturday , Sept. 26 , 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a car and injured during a Black Lives Matter protest and counter protest about 30 miles southeast of Los Angeles .
Orange County Sheriff ’ s Department spokeswoman Carrie Braun says the injured were transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and the driver was detained .
( Mindy Schauer/The Orange County Register via AP )