thetennesseestar--2020-10-09--Commentary: The Chinese Gutting of America

Just as China has gutted America ’ s manufacturing base , it has gutted most of our nation ’ s foundational institutions .
When President Trump imposed import duties on a wide range of Chinese goods , we discovered just how reliant our nation had become on the communist People ’ s Republic of China for a wide array of manufactured and finished goods .
A parade of American businesses petitioned the U.S. government to exempt some 13,000 different items from tariffs .
We are by now familiar with the empty factories across the country that once turned out auto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , all shuttered by cheap imports from China .
But who knew that the officially atheist nation whose regime persecutes people of faith prints most of the Bibles we read at home and in church ?
Our worship services depend on China .
Or that China produces the specialized drill bits used to extract oil and gas from the ground ?
Our energy industries depend on China .
And of course , the Chinese virus revealed just how dependent our health care had become on China .
But more than just these hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see the same pattern repeated in academia , finance , media and government .
We have long regarded our institutions of higher education as the crown jewels of America , shrines of academic freedom and free inquiry as well as technical expertise .
When they returned home , the story was that students from across the globe would carry the bedrock Western values inculcated by our universities and liberalize the world .
A nice fantasy ; but the reality is quite different .
A Chinese student at the University of Minnesota was arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in prison for tweets he posted while in the United States , Axios reports .
According to Chinese court documents , the student used his Twitter account to post pictures of a cartoon villain that resembles Xi Xinping and of Winnie the Pooh , a character Chinese netizens use to lampoon Xi .
In response , the University of Minnesota has said … nothing .
Add academia to the list of the hollowed out .
This is far from the only example of how American universities have become so dependent on Chinese money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Leading China-watcher and CCP critic Christopher Balding describes the China exclusion rule and how it ’ s corrupted so many institutions .
“ Universities and political science professors will talk at length about foreign interference and disinformation and rightfully so .
Ask them to ensure their own universities and departments are following the laws for foreign donations and we get the [ China exclusion ] response : trust me , ” Balding writes .
We do not know the full extent of the university programs dedicated to everything from foreign relations to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese money .
On another front , Chinese companies listed on U.S. stock exchanges are refusing to follow U.S. securities laws .
Those arguing that we should allow Chinese companies to raise money in our capital markets are actually arguing that we should ignore U.S. securities law for Chinese companies .
And some of the most well-known bold-faced names in American finance are making this argument .
The unequal application of laws has hollowed out not just American capital markets , but the rule of law itself .
We expect politicians to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much ink has been spilled over the Trump Organization renting hotel rooms to foreign government officials ?
Meanwhile , current and former Democratic officials from former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to Senator Dianne Feinstein ( D-Calif. ) and most famously Joe Biden have enriched themselves and their families from lucrative business deals with the People ’ s Republic .
China has hollowed out the integrity of our political system .
Seventy-five years after the close of World War II , our political system has incorporated international institutions into our foreign policy establishment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hollowed out .
The World Trade Organization maintains the fiction that the PRC is a developing country , allowing it to maintain tariff rates the Eurocrats would not countenance in any other economy of that size .
And while the Beijing regime has never lived up to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights , it sits on the UN Human Rights Council .
Corporate America has suffered the same fate as the factories with which it was once synonymous .
In fact , there is no longer such a thing as “ corporate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ themselves global , not American , corporations .
They control our news and information media—ABC/Disney , AT & T Warner/CNN , Viacom-Paramount/CBS , Universal-Comcast/NBC—and have extensive business interests in China that color their decision-making .
While industrial America was the arsenal of democracy , Hollywood was the signal corps .
From World War II to the Cold War , Hollywood promoted American life and culture—our freedoms , values and can-do attitude as well as our material prosperity—to the world .
But Chinese influence has gutted this soft power center as thoroughly as it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has become Mickey Mao-se .
In the end credits , Disney thanks the Chinese Communist authorities running “ Maoschwitz ” style concentration camps .
Filmmaker Judd Apatow confessed to MSNBC ’ s Ari Melber that Hollywood ’ s corporate giants are “ not going to air documentaries that go deep into truthful areas because they make so much money ” from China .
“ So while we ’ re going , ‘ Can we say this joke , can we not say that joke ?
, ’ on a much bigger level they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about human rights abuses in China , and I think that ’ s much scarier.
” American culture was a potent weapon in the Cold War .
The CIA secretly funded international exhibitions of American abstract expressionists including Jackson Pollock , Willem de Kooning and Mark Rothko to contrast American freedom with Soviet conformity .
In the end , rock and roll contributed as much as MIRVed warheads to the undoing of the evil empire .
So , too , did American capital .
The Reagan Administration blocked financing for a Trans-Siberian pipeline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Europe .
This cut off the hard currency the Kremlin badly needed .
The CCP has penetrated our cultural , financial , industrial and political institutions .
This may well prove more decisive than aircraft carrier battle groups to the outcome of the contest between East and West .
Curtis Ellis is policy director with America First Policies .
He was also a senior policy advisor with the Donald J. Trump presidential campaign in 2016 .
Photo “ Xi Jinping ” by Palácio do Planalto .
CC BY 2.0 .

by Curtis Ellis
Just as China has gutted America’s manufacturing base, it has gutted most of our nation’s foundational institutions.
When President Trump imposed import duties on a wide range of Chinese goods, we discovered just how reliant our nation had become on the communist People’s Republic of China for a wide array of manufactured and finished goods.
A parade of American businesses petitioned the U.S. government to exempt some 13,000 different items from tariffs.
We are by now familiar with the empty factories across the country that once turned out auto parts, appliances, and consumer electronics, all shuttered by cheap imports from China.
But who knew that the officially atheist nation whose regime persecutes people of faith prints most of the Bibles we read at home and in church? Our worship services depend on China.
Or that China produces the specialized drill bits used to extract oil and gas from the ground? Our energy industries depend on China.
And of course, the Chinese virus revealed just how dependent our health care had become on China.
But more than just these hard industries have been hollowed out. We see the same pattern repeated in academia, finance, media and government.
We have long regarded our institutions of higher education as the crown jewels of America, shrines of academic freedom and free inquiry as well as technical expertise. When they returned home, the story was that students from across the globe would carry the bedrock Western values inculcated by our universities and liberalize the world.
A nice fantasy; but the reality is quite different.
A Chinese student at the University of Minnesota was arrested in China and sentenced to six months in prison for tweets he posted while in the United States, Axios reports. According to Chinese court documents, the student used his Twitter account to post pictures of a cartoon villain that resembles Xi Xinping and of Winnie the Pooh, a character Chinese netizens use to lampoon Xi.
In response, the University of Minnesota has said … nothing. Add academia to the list of the hollowed out.
This is far from the only example of how American universities have become so dependent on Chinese money they have abandoned all standards and values.
Leading China-watcher and CCP critic Christopher Balding describes the China exclusion rule and how it’s corrupted so many institutions.
“Universities and political science professors will talk at length about foreign interference and disinformation and rightfully so. Ask them to ensure their own universities and departments are following the laws for foreign donations and we get the [China exclusion] response: trust me,” Balding writes.
We do not know the full extent of the university programs dedicated to everything from foreign relations to climate science that have been tainted by Chinese money.
On another front, Chinese companies listed on U.S. stock exchanges are refusing to follow U.S. securities laws. Those arguing that we should allow Chinese companies to raise money in our capital markets are actually arguing that we should ignore U.S. securities law for Chinese companies. And some of the most well-known bold-faced names in American finance are making this argument.
The unequal application of laws has hollowed out not just American capital markets, but the rule of law itself.
We expect politicians to be free of conflicts of interest. How much ink has been spilled over the Trump Organization renting hotel rooms to foreign government officials? Meanwhile, current and former Democratic officials from former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and most famously Joe Biden have enriched themselves and their families from lucrative business deals with the People’s Republic.
China has hollowed out the integrity of our political system.
Seventy-five years after the close of World War II, our political system has incorporated international institutions into our foreign policy establishment. These, too, have been hollowed out.
The World Trade Organization maintains the fiction that the PRC is a developing country, allowing it to maintain tariff rates the Eurocrats would not countenance in any other economy of that size. And while the Beijing regime has never lived up to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it sits on the UN Human Rights Council.
Corporate America has suffered the same fate as the factories with which it was once synonymous. In fact, there is no longer such a thing as “corporate America.” The titans of business consider themselves global, not American, corporations. They control our news and information media—ABC/Disney, AT&T Warner/CNN, Viacom-Paramount/CBS, Universal-Comcast/NBC—and have extensive business interests in China that color their decision-making.
While industrial America was the arsenal of democracy, Hollywood was the signal corps. From World War II to the Cold War, Hollywood promoted American life and culture—our freedoms, values and can-do attitude as well as our material prosperity—to the world.
But Chinese influence has gutted this soft power center as thoroughly as it has the Rust Belt.
Mickey Mouse has become Mickey Mao-se. In the end credits, Disney thanks the Chinese Communist authorities running “Maoschwitz” style concentration camps.
Filmmaker Judd Apatow confessed to MSNBC’s Ari Melber that Hollywood’s corporate giants are “not going to air documentaries that go deep into truthful areas because they make so much money” from China. “So while we’re going, ‘Can we say this joke, can we not say that joke?,’ on a much bigger level they have just completely shut down critical content about human rights abuses in China, and I think that’s much scarier.”
American culture was a potent weapon in the Cold War. The CIA secretly funded international exhibitions of American abstract expressionists including Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning and Mark Rothko to contrast American freedom with Soviet conformity. In the end, rock and roll contributed as much as MIRVed warheads to the undoing of the evil empire.
So, too, did American capital. The Reagan Administration blocked financing for a Trans-Siberian pipeline that would deliver Soviet gas to Western Europe. This cut off the hard currency the Kremlin badly needed.
The CCP has penetrated our cultural, financial, industrial and political institutions. This may well prove more decisive than aircraft carrier battle groups to the outcome of the contest between East and West.
– – –
Curtis Ellis is policy director with America First Policies. He was also a senior policy advisor with the Donald J. Trump presidential campaign in 2016.
Photo “Xi Jinping” by Palácio do Planalto. CC BY 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-09--Next Trump-Biden Debates Uncertain, Though October 22 Is Likely

by Zeke Miller and Will Weissert WASHINGTON , D.C. ( AP ) — The fate of final debates between President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden was thrown into uncertainty Thursday as the campaigns offered dueling proposals for the remaining faceoffs that have been upended by the president ’ s coronavirus infection .
The chair of the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates said on CNN that the final debate , scheduled for Oct. 22 , is still slated to go on in person as planned — but that Trump ’ s campaign hadn ’ t yet said whether he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attend the event regardless of Trump ’ s plans .
But next Thursday ’ s debate seemed to be gone .
The whipsaw day began with an announcement from the commission that the town hall-style affair set for Oct. 15 in Miami , would be held virtually .
The commission cited health concerns following Trump ’ s infection as the reason for the change .
Trump , who is eager to return to the campaign trail despite uncertainty about his health , said he wouldn ’ t participate if the debate wasn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign then suggested the event be delayed a week until Oct. 22 , which is when the third and final debate was already scheduled .
Next , Trump countered again , agreeing to a debate on Oct. 22 — but only if face to face — and asking that a third contest be added on Oct. 29 , just before the election .
But Biden ’ s advisers rejected squaring off that late in the campaign .
The debate commission , which has the unenviable task of finding common ground between the competing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the first debate between Trump and Biden deteriorated , with the president frequently interrupting his opponent and the moderator unable to take control .
Biden moved quickly to make sure he would still appear in front of a television audience next week .
Instead of debating Trump on Thursday , he will take part in a town hall sponsored by ABC News .
As he campaigned in Arizona , Biden said he would indeed attend the Oct. 22 debate , scheduled for Nashville , Tennessee .
“ We agreed to three debates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ I ’ m showing up .
I ’ ll be there .
And if , in fact , he shows up , fine .
If he doesn ’ t , fine.
” For Trump , who is recovering from COVID-19 at the White House after spending three days in the hospital , the health-induced changes are an unwelcome disruption to his effort to shift focus away from a virus that has killed more than 210,000 Americans this year .
In an interview with Fox Business anchor Maria Bartiromo shortly after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insisted he was in “ great shape ” and called the idea of a virtual debate a “ joke.
” “ I ’ m not going to do a virtual debate , ” he declared .
The president ’ s campaign manager , Bill Stepien , said Trump would stage a rally rather than debate next Thursday , though it ’ s not yet clear if he will be well enough to do that .
With less than four weeks until Election Day and with millions of voters casting early ballots , pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a campaign that is trailing Biden nationally and in most battlegrounds , where the margin is narrower .
A debate before an audience of tens of millions of television viewers could provide that reset .
But another debate could also expose Trump to political risks .
GOP strategists say the party ’ s support began eroding after his seething performance against Biden last week when he didn ’ t clearly denounce a white supremacist group .
Trump ’ s apparent unwillingness to change his style to win back voters he needs — particularly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during his Fox Business interview when he referred to Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris as a “ monster.
” Campaigning with Harris in Arizona , Biden called Trump ’ s characterization of the first Black woman on a major party ’ s presidential ticket “ despicable ” and added that it was “ so beneath the office of the presidency.
” This would not be the first time Trump has skipped a debate .
During the 2016 Republican primary , he boycotted the last debate before Iowa ’ s first-in-the nation ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ veterans instead — a move he later speculated may have contributed to his loss in the state .
Trump fell ill with the virus on Oct. 1 , just 48 hours after sharing a stage with Biden in person during the first presidential debate in Cleveland .
While the two candidates remained a dozen feet apart , Trump ’ s infection sparked health concerns for Biden and sent him to undergo multiple COVID-19 tests before returning to the campaign trail .
His campaign announced Thursday that Biden had undergone his fifth such test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump was still contagious with the virus when he was discharged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Monday , but his doctor said Thursday he had “ completed his course of therapy ” and could resume campaigning this weekend .
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , those with mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 can be contagious for as many as — and should isolate for at least — 10 days .
Zeke Miller and Will Weissert are reporters for The Associated Press .
AP writers Bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jill Colvin in Washington contributed to this report .
Photo “ Joe Biden ” by Gage Skidmore .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .
Background Photo “ Debate Stage ” by Gage Skidmore .
CC BY-SA 2.0

by Zeke Miller and Will Weissert
WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) — The fate of final debates between President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden was thrown into uncertainty Thursday as the campaigns offered dueling proposals for the remaining faceoffs that have been upended by the president’s coronavirus infection.
The chair of the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates said on CNN that the final debate, scheduled for Oct. 22, is still slated to go on in person as planned — but that Trump’s campaign hadn’t yet said whether he’d participate. Biden said he would attend the event regardless of Trump’s plans.
But next Thursday’s debate seemed to be gone.
The whipsaw day began with an announcement from the commission that the town hall-style affair set for Oct. 15 in Miami, would be held virtually. The commission cited health concerns following Trump’s infection as the reason for the change.
Trump, who is eager to return to the campaign trail despite uncertainty about his health, said he wouldn’t participate if the debate wasn’t in person. Biden’s campaign then suggested the event be delayed a week until Oct. 22, which is when the third and final debate was already scheduled.
Next, Trump countered again, agreeing to a debate on Oct. 22 — but only if face to face — and asking that a third contest be added on Oct. 29, just before the election. But Biden’s advisers rejected squaring off that late in the campaign.
The debate commission, which has the unenviable task of finding common ground between the competing campaigns, has come under scrutiny already after the first debate between Trump and Biden deteriorated, with the president frequently interrupting his opponent and the moderator unable to take control.
Biden moved quickly to make sure he would still appear in front of a television audience next week. Instead of debating Trump on Thursday, he will take part in a town hall sponsored by ABC News. As he campaigned in Arizona, Biden said he would indeed attend the Oct. 22 debate, scheduled for Nashville, Tennessee.
“We agreed to three debates back in the summer,” Biden said. “I’m showing up. I’ll be there. And if, in fact, he shows up, fine. If he doesn’t, fine.”
For Trump, who is recovering from COVID-19 at the White House after spending three days in the hospital, the health-induced changes are an unwelcome disruption to his effort to shift focus away from a virus that has killed more than 210,000 Americans this year.
In an interview with Fox Business anchor Maria Bartiromo shortly after the commission’s announcement, Trump insisted he was in “great shape” and called the idea of a virtual debate a “joke.”
“I’m not going to do a virtual debate,” he declared.
The president’s campaign manager, Bill Stepien, said Trump would stage a rally rather than debate next Thursday, though it’s not yet clear if he will be well enough to do that.
With less than four weeks until Election Day and with millions of voters casting early ballots, pressure is building on Trump to turn around a campaign that is trailing Biden nationally and in most battlegrounds, where the margin is narrower. A debate before an audience of tens of millions of television viewers could provide that reset.
But another debate could also expose Trump to political risks. GOP strategists say the party’s support began eroding after his seething performance against Biden last week when he didn’t clearly denounce a white supremacist group.
Trump’s apparent unwillingness to change his style to win back voters he needs — particularly women — was on display again Thursday during his Fox Business interview when he referred to Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris as a “monster.”
Campaigning with Harris in Arizona, Biden called Trump’s characterization of the first Black woman on a major party’s presidential ticket “despicable” and added that it was “so beneath the office of the presidency.”
This would not be the first time Trump has skipped a debate. During the 2016 Republican primary, he boycotted the last debate before Iowa’s first-in-the nation’s caucuses, holding a fundraiser for veterans instead — a move he later speculated may have contributed to his loss in the state.
Trump fell ill with the virus on Oct. 1, just 48 hours after sharing a stage with Biden in person during the first presidential debate in Cleveland. While the two candidates remained a dozen feet apart, Trump’s infection sparked health concerns for Biden and sent him to undergo multiple COVID-19 tests before returning to the campaign trail. His campaign announced Thursday that Biden had undergone his fifth such test and was found to be negative.
Trump was still contagious with the virus when he was discharged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Monday, but his doctor said Thursday he had “completed his course of therapy” and could resume campaigning this weekend. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, those with mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 can be contagious for as many as — and should isolate for at least — 10 days.
– – –
Zeke Miller and Will Weissert are reporters for The Associated Press. AP writers Bill Barrow in Phoenix, Alexandra Jaffe and Jill Colvin in Washington contributed to this report.
Photo “Joe Biden” by Gage Skidmore. CC BY-SA 2.0. Background Photo “Debate Stage” by Gage Skidmore. CC BY-SA 2.0


thetennesseestar--2020-10-09--ICE Arrests Over 125 Illegal Immigrants Who Were Released Under California Sanctuary Policies, Repor

ICE Arrests Over 125 Illegal Immigrants Who Were Released Under California Sanctuary Policies, Report Says

Immigration and Customs Enforcement apprehended over 125 illegal immigrants in California who were released under sanctuary city policies from Sept. 18 to Oct. 3 , the Department of Homeland Security announced Wednesday .
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) operation targeted illegal immigrants who were arrested and released by state or local law enforcement agencies , according to the Department of Homeland Security ( DHS ) .
More than 95 % of the illegal immigrants were previously convicted of a crime or had pending criminal charges for crimes including homicide , sexual assault , sexual offenses against children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , certain local politicians , including many in California continue to put politics over public safety .
Instead of fulfilling our shared mission to protect our communities , they would rather play politics with the law by enacting so-called Sanctuary City policies to the detriment of our country ’ s safety , ” DHS Acting Secretary Chad Wolf said , according to the DHS .
Nationally , nearly 86 % of illegal immigrants arrested by ICE ’ s Enforcement and Removal Operations in 2019 were convicted criminals or had pending criminal charges , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of ICE ’ s mission is to protect the American people and provide security to our communities .
We accomplish this when we are partners and not adversaries with our localities , ” Senior Official Performing the Duties of the ICE Director Tony H. Pham said , according to the DHS .
“ These partnerships allow ICE to secure dangerous criminal aliens prior to their release into the communities thereby reducing the opportunity for recidivist behavior , ” Pham added .
“ Unfortunately , California ’ s sanctuary laws protect and shield @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communities where they can potentially reoffend and revictimize.
” Officers detained around 100 illegal aliens around Los Angeles , California , alone — all of whom had criminal backgrounds , according to the DHS .
Under sanctuary policies , ICE officials must apprehend illegal immigrants with criminal histories at-large in the communities rather than in custody .
A partnership between ICE and local law enforcement is crucial to maintain public safety , according to the DHS .
Kaylee Greenlee is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .

by Kaylee Greenlee
Immigration and Customs Enforcement apprehended over 125 illegal immigrants in California who were released under sanctuary city policies from Sept. 18 to Oct. 3, the Department of Homeland Security announced Wednesday.
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation targeted illegal immigrants who were arrested and released by state or local law enforcement agencies, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). More than 95% of the illegal immigrants were previously convicted of a crime or had pending criminal charges for crimes including homicide, sexual assault, sexual offenses against children, and domestic violence.
“Unfortunately, certain local politicians, including many in California continue to put politics over public safety. Instead of fulfilling our shared mission to protect our communities, they would rather play politics with the law by enacting so-called Sanctuary City policies to the detriment of our country’s safety,” DHS Acting Secretary Chad Wolf said, according to the DHS.
DHS slams California officials after arresting 128 illegals, many had prior convictionshttps://t.co/Y9Dr30GFLb — Fox News (@FoxNews) October 7, 2020
Nationally, nearly 86% of illegal immigrants arrested by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in 2019 were convicted criminals or had pending criminal charges, according to the DHS.
“A part of ICE’s mission is to protect the American people and provide security to our communities. We accomplish this when we are partners and not adversaries with our localities,” Senior Official Performing the Duties of the ICE Director Tony H. Pham said, according to the DHS.
“These partnerships allow ICE to secure dangerous criminal aliens prior to their release into the communities thereby reducing the opportunity for recidivist behavior,” Pham added. “Unfortunately, California’s sanctuary laws protect and shield criminal aliens, harboring them in our communities where they can potentially reoffend and revictimize.”
Officers detained around 100 illegal aliens around Los Angeles, California, alone — all of whom had criminal backgrounds, according to the DHS. Under sanctuary policies, ICE officials must apprehend illegal immigrants with criminal histories at-large in the communities rather than in custody.
A partnership between ICE and local law enforcement is crucial to maintain public safety, according to the DHS.
– – –
Kaylee Greenlee is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-09--Commentary: Biden’s Un-Foreign Policy

Commentary: Biden’s Un-Foreign Policy

Perhaps the most remarkable statistic of recent times is that President Trump broke a 39-year streak of U.S. presidents leading the nation into a new war .
That is , my entire life and the best part of a decade in which the United States dragged itself into conflict .
At the turn of the year , President Trump green-lighted an air strike which killed Iran ’ s most powerful military commander , General Qasem Soleimani .
The deceased led Iranian military operations in the Middle East , bolstered Hezbollah in Lebanon , and agitated in Iraq as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war .
That killing sparked among the expert class , and the commentariat , talk of war between the United States and Iran .
Nine months on , President Trump spoke from a White House balcony , declaring U.S.-brokered deals between Israel and a host of Gulf states , as “ the dawn of a new Middle East.
” Owing to the lapse in new conflict , and for these “ historic ” accords , President Trump is nominated for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize .
The first deal with the United Arab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1948 that there has been a diplomatic relationship between Israel and a Gulf Arab country .
The president ’ s critics can not offer him credit for his middle-eastern peace deals .
Yet , the more sober-minded commentariat attest that Trump ’ s work is of “ historic ” proportions .
And , if it had been performed by a figure of even lukewarm popularity among the global elite , that person would be a shoo-in for the Nobel Peace Prize .
Among the chimerical “ certainties ” of the expert class , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this one in full : that Trump ’ s belligerence will spark a world war .
That class preferred things when a president ’ s “ diplomatic ” tone salved the brutal realities of Americans dying in foreign conflicts .
As the 39-year statistic suggests , war is the default American setting , a statistical near-certainty given previous administrations ’ commitment to America as leader of the liberal international order .
The restoration of this order is the top priority of Democratic presidential nominee , Joe Biden .
A Biden-Harris Administration would set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Trump ” among America ’ s allies , returning to the “ top of the table ” of global affairs .
A President Biden would cement this return to Obama-era politics by hosting a global “ summit for democracy , ” the agenda of which , he says , centers on fighting corruption , defending against authoritarianism , and advancing human rights in nations home and abroad .
Akin to the secrecy shrouding its economic brain trust , the Biden-Harris foreign policy team avoids advertising their involvement .
The Biden-Harris campaign has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts , working across twenty working groups , each with briefs spanning the globe .
This vast network filters its ideas through the working groups , before distilling them to a top team of Biden ’ s closest advisers , many of whom have deep roots within the Obama-Biden administration .
Biden brings with him trusted adviser and former deputy secretary of state , Anthony Blinken .
He joins Ely Ratner , an East Asia expert , and Daniel Benaim , with middle-east expertise .
Jake Sullivan , a Biden loyalist , joins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Julie Smith .
This team will form the Biden-Harris administration ’ s national security brain trust .
Joe Biden ’ s position of being perhaps the most vocal cheerleader for Beijing , has waded of late into more Trumpian waters .
His advisers are also keen to adopt a tougher tone towards China , railing against Beijing ’ s flouting of international rules and “ unacceptable ” belligerence in the South China Sea , towards Taiwan , and its increasing hostilities in Hong Kong .
The Biden-Harris campaign has adopted much of President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden now promising “ tough action.
” In July last year , Biden decried China ’ s theft and breaking of trade and international norms , saying : “ If China has its way , it will keep robbing the U.S. of our technology and intellectual property or forcing American companies to give it away in order to do business in China.
” Ely Ratner , one of Biden ’ s top foreign policy brains , co-authored a much-vaunted Foreign Affairs essay in 2018 , underlining the failures of his employer ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perhaps illuminating the approach of a Biden-Harris administration .
It read : “ Neither carrots nor sticks have swayed China as predicted .
Diplomatic and commercial engagement have not brought political and economic openness .
Neither U.S. military power nor regional balancing has stopped Beijing from seeking to displace core components of the U.S.-led system.
” Ratner , writing with Kurt M. Campbell—another Obama White House veteran , continued : “ The liberal international order has failed to lure or bind China as powerfully as expected .
China has instead pursued its own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expectations in the process .
Building a stronger and more sustainable approach to , and relationship with , Beijing requires honesty about how many fundamental assumptions have turned out wrong.
” Biden has amped up his tough rhetoric toward China and hired brains in communion with this thinking .
Yet , critics point out that the Obama Administration , where he served eight years as vice president , was one of supplication toward Beijing .
President Obama is quoted on numerous occasions offering what seems to have been the mantra of the Obama-Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States and China is the most important bilateral relationship of the 21st century.
” That administration matched its soft words with even softer action .
Not just welcoming the “ rise of China ” but ignoring China ’ s trade abuses and rupturing of international rules and norms .
A Biden-Harris Administration will try and keep China in check by forming a network with America ’ s allies and “ pressuring ” China to play by the rules on trade , intellectual property , and neuter China ’ s expansive ambitions concerning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approach is in behavioural terms the same as the Obama-Biden Administration ’ s one of accepted failure .
As one of Biden ’ s most trusted advisers admitted in the essay mentioned , the Obama-Biden Administration was helpless in curtailing any of China ’ s abuses and norm-breaking .
During Biden ’ s vice-presidential eight years , China grew as an economic and military power , this rise often applauded by the Obama-Biden Administration .
Critics attest that Obama-Biden “ did next to nothing ” when confronted with Beijing ’ s abuse of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the South China Sea , or toward Taiwan .
The Biden-Harris platform now promises that Biden ’ s vice-presidential failures , ones accepted by his own brain trust , will earn redemption through the same approach .
The same milieu dislikes the current president ’ s “ tone ” with China .
Yet , his actions although robust and certainly more so than the Obama-Biden Administration ’ s , never reach his rhetorical temperatures .
The Obama-Biden era witnessed the opposite .
This disconnection between words and action informs the Biden-Harris approach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ withdrew the United States from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action , known as the Iran nuclear deal , a crowning achievement of the Obama-Biden Administration .
A President Joe Biden would reboot the Iran nuclear deal , recently saying he would offer Tehran a “ credible path back to diplomacy.
” Mirroring his approach as vice president , Joe Biden ’ s platform states : “ If Tehran returns to compliance with the deal , President Biden would re-enter the agreement , using hard-nosed diplomacy and support from our allies to strengthen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pushing back against Iran ’ s other destabilizing activities.
” A Biden-Harris Administration , in essence , would repeat Joe Biden ’ s eight years in the White House .
On day one , a President Biden would re-join the Paris Agreement on climate change .
His foreign policy team is committed to an “ across the board restoration project ” of an era in which President Obama won a Nobel Peace Prize for , critics attest—nothing .
Christopher Gage is a British political journalist .
Photo “ Joe Biden NATO ” by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DE

by Christopher Gage
Perhaps the most remarkable statistic of recent times is that President Trump broke a 39-year streak of U.S. presidents leading the nation into a new war. That is, my entire life and the best part of a decade in which the United States dragged itself into conflict.
At the turn of the year, President Trump green-lighted an air strike which killed Iran’s most powerful military commander, General Qasem Soleimani. The deceased led Iranian military operations in the Middle East, bolstered Hezbollah in Lebanon, and agitated in Iraq as well as against rebels fighting Syria’s civil war.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed “severe revenge.”
That killing sparked among the expert class, and the commentariat, talk of war between the United States and Iran.
Nine months on, President Trump spoke from a White House balcony, declaring U.S.-brokered deals between Israel and a host of Gulf states, as “the dawn of a new Middle East.”
Owing to the lapse in new conflict, and for these “historic” accords, President Trump is nominated for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize.
The first deal with the United Arab Emirates marked only the third time since 1948 that there has been a diplomatic relationship between Israel and a Gulf Arab country.
The president’s critics cannot offer him credit for his middle-eastern peace deals. Yet, the more sober-minded commentariat attest that Trump’s work is of “historic” proportions. And, if it had been performed by a figure of even lukewarm popularity among the global elite, that person would be a shoo-in for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Among the chimerical “certainties” of the expert class, the president’s critics are denied this one in full: that Trump’s belligerence will spark a world war. That class preferred things when a president’s “diplomatic” tone salved the brutal realities of Americans dying in foreign conflicts.
As the 39-year statistic suggests, war is the default American setting, a statistical near-certainty given previous administrations’ commitment to America as leader of the liberal international order.
The restoration of this order is the top priority of Democratic presidential nominee, Joe Biden.
A Biden-Harris Administration would set about “repairing the damage wrought by President Trump” among America’s allies, returning to the “top of the table” of global affairs.
A President Biden would cement this return to Obama-era politics by hosting a global “summit for democracy,” the agenda of which, he says, centers on fighting corruption, defending against authoritarianism, and advancing human rights in nations home and abroad.
Akin to the secrecy shrouding its economic brain trust, the Biden-Harris foreign policy team avoids advertising their involvement.
The Biden-Harris campaign has built a network of 1,000 national security experts, working across twenty working groups, each with briefs spanning the globe.
This vast network filters its ideas through the working groups, before distilling them to a top team of Biden’s closest advisers, many of whom have deep roots within the Obama-Biden administration.
Biden brings with him trusted adviser and former deputy secretary of state, Anthony Blinken. He joins Ely Ratner, an East Asia expert, and Daniel Benaim, with middle-east expertise.
Jake Sullivan, a Biden loyalist, joins Avril Haines, Brian McKeon, and Julie Smith. This team will form the Biden-Harris administration’s national security brain trust.
Joe Biden’s position of being perhaps the most vocal cheerleader for Beijing, has waded of late into more Trumpian waters. His advisers are also keen to adopt a tougher tone towards China, railing against Beijing’s flouting of international rules and “unacceptable” belligerence in the South China Sea, towards Taiwan, and its increasing hostilities in Hong Kong.
The Biden-Harris campaign has adopted much of President Trump’s Chinese approach, with Biden now promising “tough action.”
In July last year, Biden decried China’s theft and breaking of trade and international norms, saying: “If China has its way, it will keep robbing the U.S. of our technology and intellectual property or forcing American companies to give it away in order to do business in China.”
Ely Ratner, one of Biden’s top foreign policy brains, co-authored a much-vaunted Foreign Affairs essay in 2018, underlining the failures of his employer’s eight years as vice president, and perhaps illuminating the approach of a Biden-Harris administration.
It read: “Neither carrots nor sticks have swayed China as predicted. Diplomatic and commercial engagement have not brought political and economic openness. Neither U.S. military power nor regional balancing has stopped Beijing from seeking to displace core components of the U.S.-led system.”
Ratner, writing with Kurt M. Campbell—another Obama White House veteran, continued: “The liberal international order has failed to lure or bind China as powerfully as expected. China has instead pursued its own course, belying a range of American expectations in the process. Building a stronger and more sustainable approach to, and relationship with, Beijing requires honesty about how many fundamental assumptions have turned out wrong.”
Biden has amped up his tough rhetoric toward China and hired brains in communion with this thinking. Yet, critics point out that the Obama Administration, where he served eight years as vice president, was one of supplication toward Beijing.
President Obama is quoted on numerous occasions offering what seems to have been the mantra of the Obama-Biden Administration: “The relationship between the United States and China is the most important bilateral relationship of the 21st century.”
That administration matched its soft words with even softer action. Not just welcoming the “rise of China” but ignoring China’s trade abuses and rupturing of international rules and norms.
A Biden-Harris Administration will try and keep China in check by forming a network with America’s allies and “pressuring” China to play by the rules on trade, intellectual property, and neuter China’s expansive ambitions concerning Taiwan.
Yet, critics suggest this approach is in behavioural terms the same as the Obama-Biden Administration’s one of accepted failure. As one of Biden’s most trusted advisers admitted in the essay mentioned, the Obama-Biden Administration was helpless in curtailing any of China’s abuses and norm-breaking. During Biden’s vice-presidential eight years, China grew as an economic and military power, this rise often applauded by the Obama-Biden Administration.
Critics attest that Obama-Biden “did next to nothing” when confronted with Beijing’s abuse of the World Trade Organization, its aggression in the South China Sea, or toward Taiwan.
The Biden-Harris platform now promises that Biden’s vice-presidential failures, ones accepted by his own brain trust, will earn redemption through the same approach.
The same milieu dislikes the current president’s “tone” with China. Yet, his actions although robust and certainly more so than the Obama-Biden Administration’s, never reach his rhetorical temperatures. The Obama-Biden era witnessed the opposite.
This disconnection between words and action informs the Biden-Harris approach toward Iran.
President Trump in 2018 withdrew the United States from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, known as the Iran nuclear deal, a crowning achievement of the Obama-Biden Administration.
A President Joe Biden would reboot the Iran nuclear deal, recently saying he would offer Tehran a “credible path back to diplomacy.”
Mirroring his approach as vice president, Joe Biden’s platform states: “If Tehran returns to compliance with the deal, President Biden would re-enter the agreement, using hard-nosed diplomacy and support from our allies to strengthen and extend it, while more effectively pushing back against Iran’s other destabilizing activities.”
A Biden-Harris Administration, in essence, would repeat Joe Biden’s eight years in the White House.
On day one, a President Biden would re-join the Paris Agreement on climate change. His foreign policy team is committed to an “across the board restoration project” of an era in which President Obama won a Nobel Peace Prize for, critics attest—nothing.
– – –
Christopher Gage is a British political journalist.
Photo “Joe Biden NATO” by Müller / MSC. CC BY 3.0 DE


thetennesseestar--2020-10-09--NBC Town Hall Features ‘Undecided Voters’ Who Were Previously Identified as Biden Voters

NBC News appeared to use at least two Biden voters posing as “ undecided voters ” in a town hall with Joe Biden earlier this week that appeared to be stacked with Democrat plants .
According to The Washington Free Beacon , a couple of purportedly undecided voters—lawyer Peter Gonzalez and marketing executive Ismael Llano—both declared their support for Democrat nominee Joe Biden on MSNBC back in August .
The very same pair of Biden voters asked canned questions Monday in what NBC described as an “ audience of undecided Florida voters.
” NBC moderator Lester Holt said that Llano @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago but has voted Republican in the past.
” Gonzalez presented as a moderate voter with concerns that the Democrat is beholden to “ the radical left.
” “ Cuban American and Venezuelan voters here in South Florida are being targeted with messages by the Trump campaign claiming that a vote for Joe Biden is a vote for the radical left and socialism , and even communism , ” Gonzalez said .
“ What can you tell people in my family , my friends—who are understandably concerned with that issue—that would make them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kamala Harris ?
” NBC ’ s audience seemed curiously anti-Trump and pro-Biden for a group of “ undecided voters , ” according to an analysis of their social media .
Michelle Cruz Marrero , described as a former Republican , did not appear to be undecided : Several of her Facebook “ cover photos ” are either pro-Biden or anti-Trump .
Another voter at the town hall , Cassidy Brown , asked Biden how she would protect “ women ’ s reproductive rights.
” Biden subsequently tweeted the exchange and pledged to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s social media use also suggests she is not an undecided voter .
On Sept. 5 , she retweeted an account—with a Biden-Harris logo for its avatar—that attacked Trump for allegedly making derogatory remarks about veterans .
In 2017 , she shared a HuffPost article on Facebook about Michelle Obama ’ s criticism of women who voted against Hillary Clinton .
Brown also shared an Instagram post from her sister after the town hall , where she boasted Brown asked the “ future president ” an “ incredible question ” about reproductive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other networks have also been caught using “ Trump opponents masquerading as undecided voters.
” Former Bush White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer registered his disapproval of NBC ’ s “ deceptive practice ” on Twitter .
President Trump subtweeted Fleischer ’ s tweet , linking the corrupt media to the corrupt “ Democrat run ” ballot system .
“ Ari , THE MEDIA IS CORRUPT , JUST LIKE OUR DEMOCRAT RUN BALLOT SYSTEM IS CORRUPT !
” , the president wrote .
“ Look at what ’ s happening with Fake , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Country ?
?
?
VOTE ” .
Twitter flagged the president ’ s tweet , contradicting his concerns about voter fraud .
“ ( ! )
Learn how voting by mail is safe and secure , ” the Twitter message says , linking to media reports downplaying the risk of voter fraud .
Click Orlando reported this week that in Seminole County , Florida , some primary election mail-in ballots never made to mailboxes in August .
“ Regarding Seminole County ’ s primary election , we are aware that some ballots were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Informed Delivery , ” USPS spokesman David Walton said .
In deep red rural Missouri , 1,200 absentee ballots are missing in the mail .
An election judge in PA was charged with tampering with ballots .
The U.S. postal Service is investigating trays of absentee ballots that were found in a Wisconsin ditch .
According to investigative journalist Mark Hemingway at Real Clear Politics , 28 million mail-in ballots have gone missing in the last four elections .
A Heritage Foundation database shows 1,298 Proven Cases of Voter Fraud , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tip of the iceberg .
“ Heritage ’ s database is by no means comprehensive , ” said election law expert Hans von Spakovsky at the Daily Signal .
“ It doesn ’ t capture all voter fraud cases and certainly doesn ’ t capture reported instances that aren ’ t even investigated or prosecuted .
The database is intended to demonstrate the vulnerabilities in the election system and the many ways in which fraud is committed , ” von Spakovsky explained .
As American Greatness reported last month , egregious ballot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minnesota and Texas .

by Debra Heine
NBC News appeared to use at least two Biden voters posing as “undecided voters” in a town hall with Joe Biden earlier this week that appeared to be stacked with Democrat plants.
According to The Washington Free Beacon,a couple of purportedly undecided voters—lawyer Peter Gonzalez and marketing executive Ismael Llano—both declared their support for Democrat nominee Joe Biden on MSNBC back in August.
“If we get four more years of Trump, good luck, and good luck with the future attracting younger voters,” Gonzalez, identified as “voting for Biden” in the chyron, said two months ago. Llano, also identified as a Biden voter, praised the former vice president back in August.
The very same pair of Biden voters asked canned questions Monday in what NBC described as an “audience of undecided Florida voters.”
NBC moderator Lester Holt said that Llano “voted for Hillary Clinton four years ago but has voted Republican in the past.” Gonzalez presented as a moderate voter with concerns that the Democrat is beholden to “the radical left.”
“Cuban American and Venezuelan voters here in South Florida are being targeted with messages by the Trump campaign claiming that a vote for Joe Biden is a vote for the radical left and socialism, and even communism,” Gonzalez said. “What can you tell people in my family, my friends—who are understandably concerned with that issue—that would make them feel comfortable voting for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris?”
NBC’s audience seemed curiously anti-Trump and pro-Biden for a group of “undecided voters,” according to an analysis of their social media.
Michelle Cruz Marrero, described as a former Republican, did not appear to be undecided: Several of her Facebook “cover photos” are either pro-Biden or anti-Trump. Another voter at the town hall, Cassidy Brown, asked Biden how she would protect “women’s reproductive rights.” Biden subsequently tweeted the exchange and pledged to codify Roe v. Wade. But Brown’s social media use also suggests she is not an undecided voter. On Sept. 5, she retweeted an account—with a Biden-Harris logo for its avatar—that attacked Trump for allegedly making derogatory remarks about veterans. In 2017, she shared a HuffPost article on Facebook about Michelle Obama’s criticism of women who voted against Hillary Clinton.
Brown also shared an Instagram post from her sister after the town hall, where she boasted Brown asked the “future president” an “incredible question” about reproductive rights.
The Free Beacon notes that other networks have also been caught using “Trump opponents masquerading as undecided voters.”
ABC News last month described several Trump critics as undecided voters, including one who had previously described Trump as a “f—ing moron,” “pathetic,” “pig,” “swine,” and a “punk ass” on social media. Another “undecided” voter featured in NBC’s town hall, Mateo Gomez, told MSNBC on Sept. 30 that he was leaning toward voting Biden over Trump after watching the first debate.
Former Bush White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer registered his disapproval of NBC’s “deceptive practice” on Twitter.
How can @LesterHoltNBC be party to this? This is a deceptive practice carried out by NBC. The media has changed and fallen from what they used to be. NBC News’ ‘Undecided’ Voters Previously Featured as Biden Supporters on MSNBC https://t.co/bEGSMhAu67 — Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) October 6, 2020
President Trump subtweeted Fleischer’s tweet, linking the corrupt media to the corrupt “Democrat run” ballot system.
“Ari, THE MEDIA IS CORRUPT, JUST LIKE OUR DEMOCRAT RUN BALLOT SYSTEM IS CORRUPT!”, the president wrote. “Look at what’s happening with Fake, Missing and Fraudulent Ballots all over the Country??? VOTE”.
Twitter flagged the president’s tweet, contradicting his concerns about voter fraud.
“(!) Learn how voting by mail is safe and secure,” the Twitter message says, linking to media reports downplaying the risk of voter fraud.
Ari, THE MEDIA IS CORRUPT, JUST LIKE OUR DEMOCRAT RUN BALLOT SYSTEM IS CORRUPT! Look at what’s happening with Fake, Missing and Fraudulent Ballots all over the Country??? VOTE https://t.co/PaFBuskB19 — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 7, 2020
Click Orlando reported this week that in Seminole County, Florida, some primary election mail-in ballots never made to mailboxes in August.
“Regarding Seminole County’s primary election, we are aware that some ballots were unaccounted for after showing up in customers’ Informed Delivery,” USPS spokesman David Walton said.
In deep red rural Missouri, 1,200 absentee ballots are missing in the mail.
An election judge in PA was charged with tampering with ballots.
Charges Filed Against Trans Elections Judge 'Erika' Bickford in Allentown, Pennsylvania — Including Tampering with Ballots via @gatewaypundit https://t.co/EUNWiEeHru — Jim Hoft (@gatewaypundit) October 6, 2020
The U.S. postal Service is investigating trays of absentee ballots that were found in a Wisconsin ditch.
According to investigative journalist Mark Hemingway at Real Clear Politics, 28 million mail-in ballots have gone missing in the last four elections.
A Heritage Foundation database shows 1,298 Proven Cases of Voter Fraud, but the cases that are caught are only the tip of the iceberg.
“Heritage’s database is by no means comprehensive,” said election law expert Hans von Spakovsky at the Daily Signal.
“It doesn’t capture all voter fraud cases and certainly doesn’t capture reported instances that aren’t even investigated or prosecuted. The database is intended to demonstrate the vulnerabilities in the election system and the many ways in which fraud is committed,” von Spakovsky explained.
As American Greatness reported last month, egregious ballot harvesting schemes are currently being investigated in Minnesota and Texas.
– – –
Debra Heine reports for American Greatness.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-09--Police Arrest Dozens of Protesters After Officer in Floyd Death Released on Million Dollar Bond

MINNEAPOLIS , Minnesota ( AP ) — Fifty-one people were arrested during protests Wednesday after a former Minneapolis police officer charged in the death of George Floyd was released on bail .
Derek Chauvin had been in custody in a Minnesota prison as he awaits a March trial on charges of murder and other counts .
He was released Wednesday after posting a $ 1 million bond .
He had been held in a state prison instead of a local jail for security reasons .
On Wednesday evening , about 300 people marched peacefully near the site where Minneapolis police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for allegedly passing a counterfeit $ 20 bill at a convenience store .
Floyd died after Chauvin , who is white , appeared to press his knee against Floyd ’ s neck for several minutes even after the handcuffed Black man pleaded for air .
Medical examiners later found high , likely lethal , amounts of fentanyl in Floyd ’ s body .
Among the protesters was Gabriel Black Elk , whose brother , Paul Castaway , was killed by police in Denver in July 2015 .
Elk told the Star Tribune he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s family .
“ I ’ m out here as a family member too to show support and say today shouldn ’ t have happened .
He should have stayed in there , ” said Black Elk , an organizer for Native Lives Matter .
“ It ’ s tiring for us justice families to see these cops getting away with murder .
It ’ s just too much .
It ’ s too much to see it happen again and again.
” Later Wednesday , tensions rose outside a Minneapolis police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordered the crowd to disperse .
A live feed from Unicorn Riot showed several people being ordered to the ground in preparation for arrest .
Police spokesman John Elder said 49 of the arrests were for misdemeanors .
Many of those were cited for unlawful assembly .
One person was arrested for fourth-degree assault and another was arrested on a felony warrant .
Christina Botteri contributed to this report by The Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo : Protesters block an intersection in Minneapolis on Wednesday , Oct. 7 , 2020 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police officer charged with murder in the death of George Floyd , posted bail and was released from prison .
( Carlos Gonzalez/Star Tribune via AP )

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (AP) — Fifty-one people were arrested during protests Wednesday after a former Minneapolis police officer charged in the death of George Floyd was released on bail.
Derek Chauvin had been in custody in a Minnesota prison as he awaits a March trial on charges of murder and other counts. He was released Wednesday after posting a $1 million bond. He had been held in a state prison instead of a local jail for security reasons.
On Wednesday evening, about 300 people marched peacefully near the site where Minneapolis police tried to arrest Floyd on May 25 for allegedly passing a counterfeit $20 bill at a convenience store. Floyd died after Chauvin, who is white, appeared to press his knee against Floyd’s neck for several minutes even after the handcuffed Black man pleaded for air. Medical examiners later found high, likely lethal, amounts of fentanyl in Floyd’s body.
Among the protesters was Gabriel Black Elk, whose brother, Paul Castaway, was killed by police in Denver in July 2015. Elk told the Star Tribune he came to show his support for Floyd’s family.
“I’m out here as a family member too to show support and say today shouldn’t have happened. He should have stayed in there,” said Black Elk, an organizer for Native Lives Matter. “It’s tiring for us justice families to see these cops getting away with murder. It’s just too much. It’s too much to see it happen again and again.”
Later Wednesday, tensions rose outside a Minneapolis police station as law enforcement moved in and ordered the crowd to disperse. A live feed from Unicorn Riot showed several people being ordered to the ground in preparation for arrest.
Police spokesman John Elder said 49 of the arrests were for misdemeanors. Many of those were cited for unlawful assembly. One person was arrested for fourth-degree assault and another was arrested on a felony warrant.
– – –
Christina Botteri contributed to this report by The Associated Press.
About the Headline Photo: Protesters block an intersection in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, after Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer charged with murder in the death of George Floyd, posted bail and was released from prison. (Carlos Gonzalez/Star Tribune via AP)


thetennesseestar--2020-10-09--Michigan Governor Blames Trump After 13 Charged in Kidnap Plot

LANSING , Michigan ( AP ) — Agents foiled a stunning plot to kidnap Michigan Democratic Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , authorities said Thursday in announcing charges in an alleged scheme that involved months of planning and even rehearsals to snatch her from her vacation home .
Six men were charged in federal court with conspiring to kidnap the governor in reaction to what they viewed as her “ uncontrolled power , ” according to a federal complaint .
Separately , seven others were charged in state court under Michigan ’ s anti-terrorism laws for allegedly targeting police and seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours later , Whitmer pinned some blame on President Donald Trump , noting that he did not condemn white supremacists in last week ’ s debate with Joe Biden and instead told a far-right group to “ stand back and stand by.
” “ Hate groups heard the president ’ s words not as a rebuke but as a rallying cry , as a call to action , ” Whitmer said .
“ When our leaders speak , their words matter .
They carry weight.
” The six men charged in federal court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with members of a group that federal authorities described as a militia , and undertaking rehearsals in August and September , according to an FBI affidavit .
They were arrested Wednesday night and face up to life in prison if convicted .
Four had planned Wednesday to meet to “ make a payment on explosives and exchange tactical gear , ” the FBI said in the court filing .
The FBI quoted one of the accused as saying Whitmer “ has no checks and balances at all .
She has uncontrolled power right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an end.
” Andrew Birge , the U.S. attorney in western Michigan , called the men “ violent extremists.
” “ All of us in Michigan can disagree about politics , but those disagreements should never , ever amount to violence .
Violence has been prevented today , ” Detroit U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider told reporters .
Whitmer , who was considered as Joe Biden ’ s running mate , has been praised but also deeply criticized by the Republican-controlled Legislature and conservatives areas of the state for Michigan ’ s response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions on personal movement throughout the state and on the economy , although many of those limits have been lifted .
The governor has exchanged barbs with Trump on social media , with the president declaring in April , “ LIBERATE MICHIGAN !
” He has referred to Whitmer as the “ woman in Michigan.
” There ’ s no indication in the criminal complaint that the men were inspired by Trump .
Authorities also have not publicly said whether the men were angry about Whitmer ’ s coronavirus orders .
The Michigan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1945 law used as the foundation for many of Whitmer ’ s orders was unconstitutional .
The decision was 4-3 , with justices who were nominated by Republicans in the majority .
The government said the plot against Whitmer was stopped with the work of undercover agents and informants .
Whitmer thanked law enforcement for thwarting the alleged conspirators and said she hopes that convictions will bring “ these sick and depraved men to justice.
” Through electronic communications , two of the alleged conspirators “ agreed to unite others in their cause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governments that they believe are violating the U.S. Constitution , ” the FBI said .
The criminal complaint identified the six as Adam Fox , Ty Garbin , Kaleb Franks , Daniel Harris , Brandon Caserta , all of Michigan , and Barry Croft of Delaware .
All but Croft appeared in federal court in Grand Rapids .
They asked for court-appointed lawyers and were returned to jail to await detention hearings Tuesday .
Fox said he needed 200 men to storm the Capitol building in Lansing and take hostages , including the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said he wanted to try Whitmer for “ treason ” and would execute the plan before the Nov. 3 election , the government said .
The group later shifted to targeting the governor ’ s vacation home , the FBI said .
The government said the scheme appeared to have roots in a June gathering in Dublin , Ohio , attended by more than a dozen people from several states , including Croft and Fox .
“ The group talked about creating a society that followed the U.S. Bill of Rights and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FBI affidavit said .
“ They discussed different ways of achieving this goal from peaceful endeavors to violent actions .
… Several members talked about murdering ‘ tyrants ’ or ‘ taking ’ a sitting governor.
” In a separate but related action , state authorities announced terrorism-related charges against seven men who were said to belong to or were associated with Wolverine Watchmen , which was described as a militia group .
The seven men are accused of identifying the homes of law enforcement officers and making violent threats “ intended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Attorney General Dana Nessel said .
They trained for an operation to attack the Michigan Capitol and to kidnap officials , including the governor , Nessel said .
David Eggert and Ed White are reporters for The Associated Press .
White reported from Detroit .
About the Headline Photo : In this March 5 , 2020 , file photo , Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel speaks during a news conference in Lansing , Mich. Nessel has charged seven people with plotting to target law enforcement and attack state Capitol building .
The announcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plotting to kidnap Michigan Democratic Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer at her vacation home in reaction to what they viewed as her “ uncontrolled power , ” according to a criminal complaint unsealed Thursday , Oct. 8 , 2020 , in federal court .
( AP Photo/David Eggert , File )

by David Eggert and Ed White
LANSING, Michigan (AP) — Agents foiled a stunning plot to kidnap Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, authorities said Thursday in announcing charges in an alleged scheme that involved months of planning and even rehearsals to snatch her from her vacation home.
Six men were charged in federal court with conspiring to kidnap the governor in reaction to what they viewed as her “uncontrolled power,” according to a federal complaint. Separately, seven others were charged in state court under Michigan’s anti-terrorism laws for allegedly targeting police and seeking a “civil war.”
A few hours later, Whitmer pinned some blame on President Donald Trump, noting that he did not condemn white supremacists in last week’s debate with Joe Biden and instead told a far-right group to “stand back and stand by.”
“Hate groups heard the president’s words not as a rebuke but as a rallying cry, as a call to action,” Whitmer said. “When our leaders speak, their words matter. They carry weight.”
The six men charged in federal court plotted for months, consulting and training with members of a group that federal authorities described as a militia, and undertaking rehearsals in August and September, according to an FBI affidavit. They were arrested Wednesday night and face up to life in prison if convicted.
Four had planned Wednesday to meet to “make a payment on explosives and exchange tactical gear,” the FBI said in the court filing.
The FBI quoted one of the accused as saying Whitmer “has no checks and balances at all. She has uncontrolled power right now. All good things must come to an end.”
Andrew Birge, the U.S. attorney in western Michigan, called the men “violent extremists.”
“All of us in Michigan can disagree about politics, but those disagreements should never, ever amount to violence. Violence has been prevented today,” Detroit U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider told reporters.
Whitmer, who was considered as Joe Biden’s running mate, has been praised but also deeply criticized by the Republican-controlled Legislature and conservatives areas of the state for Michigan’s response to the coronavirus. She put major restrictions on personal movement throughout the state and on the economy, although many of those limits have been lifted. The governor has exchanged barbs with Trump on social media, with the president declaring in April, “LIBERATE MICHIGAN!”
He has referred to Whitmer as the “woman in Michigan.” There’s no indication in the criminal complaint that the men were inspired by Trump. Authorities also have not publicly said whether the men were angry about Whitmer’s coronavirus orders.
The Michigan Supreme Court last week ruled that a 1945 law used as the foundation for many of Whitmer’s orders was unconstitutional. The decision was 4-3, with justices who were nominated by Republicans in the majority.
The government said the plot against Whitmer was stopped with the work of undercover agents and informants.
Whitmer thanked law enforcement for thwarting the alleged conspirators and said she hopes that convictions will bring “these sick and depraved men to justice.”
Through electronic communications, two of the alleged conspirators “agreed to unite others in their cause and take violent action against multiple state governments that they believe are violating the U.S. Constitution,” the FBI said.
The criminal complaint identified the six as Adam Fox, Ty Garbin, Kaleb Franks, Daniel Harris, Brandon Caserta, all of Michigan, and Barry Croft of Delaware. All but Croft appeared in federal court in Grand Rapids. They asked for court-appointed lawyers and were returned to jail to await detention hearings Tuesday.
Fox said he needed 200 men to storm the Capitol building in Lansing and take hostages, including the governor, according to the FBI. He said he wanted to try Whitmer for “treason” and would execute the plan before the Nov. 3 election, the government said. The group later shifted to targeting the governor’s vacation home, the FBI said.
The government said the scheme appeared to have roots in a June gathering in Dublin, Ohio, attended by more than a dozen people from several states, including Croft and Fox.
“The group talked about creating a society that followed the U.S. Bill of Rights and where they could be self-sufficient,” the FBI affidavit said. “They discussed different ways of achieving this goal from peaceful endeavors to violent actions. … Several members talked about murdering ‘tyrants’ or ‘taking’ a sitting governor.”
In a separate but related action, state authorities announced terrorism-related charges against seven men who were said to belong to or were associated with Wolverine Watchmen, which was described as a militia group.
The seven men are accused of identifying the homes of law enforcement officers and making violent threats “intended to instigate a civil war,” Attorney General Dana Nessel said.
They trained for an operation to attack the Michigan Capitol and to kidnap officials, including the governor, Nessel said.
– – –
David Eggert and Ed White are reporters for The Associated Press. White reported from Detroit.
About the Headline Photo: In this March 5, 2020, file photo, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel speaks during a news conference in Lansing, Mich. Nessel has charged seven people with plotting to target law enforcement and attack state Capitol building. The announcement comes after six others were charged with plotting to kidnap Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer at her vacation home in reaction to what they viewed as her “uncontrolled power,” according to a criminal complaint unsealed Thursday , Oct. 8, 2020, in federal court. (AP Photo/David Eggert, File)


thetennesseestar--2020-10-09--Ruby Tuesday, Hit by COVID Closures, Files for Bankruptcy

Ruby Tuesday is filing for bankruptcy protection , the latest casual restaurant chain to suffer from coronavirus-related closures and changing consumer habits .
The Maryville , Tennessee-based company , which was founded in 1972 , said on Wednesday that its restaurants will remain open throughout the bankruptcy process .
Ruby Tuesday has 250 company-owned and franchised restaurants in the U.S. , Canada and nine other countries , including Hong Kong , Chile and Kuwait .
“ This announcement does not mean ‘ Goodbye , Ruby Tuesday , ' ” CEO Shawn Lederman said in a statement .
“ Today ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reposition the company for long-term stability as we recover from the unprecedented impact of COVID-19.
” Ruby Tuesday is known for its salad bar , which could be a difficult sell in a post-pandemic world .
But it ’ s also dealing with longer term changes in the market that have hurt other casual chains .
Even before the virus hit , sit-down restaurants were struggling as more consumers opted for delivery and carryout .
Restaurants , still clawing their way back from the recession a decade ago , had little cash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angeles-based California Pizza Kitchen filed for bankruptcy protection in July , while the parent company of the Chuck E. Cheese pizza and entertainment chain filed for bankruptcy in June .
Steakhouse chain Sizzler , also based in California , declared bankruptcy last month .
NPD Group , a data and consulting firm , said U.S. visits to full-service restaurants plunged 47 % in the April-June period , at the height of the mandated dining-room closures .
Visits have ticked upward since then , but were still down 25 % in August .
Without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chains like Ruby Tuesday simply haven ’ t been able to make up the lost volume from their dining rooms .
Ruby Tuesday didn ’ t immediately respond when asked by The Associated Press how many of its restaurants are currently operating and how many remain closed due to the pandemic .
Dee Ann Durbin is a reporter with The Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo : In this Sept. 16 , 2016 file photo , visitors to New York ’ s Times square walk past a Ruby Tuesday restaurant .
Ruby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latest casual chain to suffer from coronavirus-related closures and changing consumer habits .
The Maryville , Tennessee-based company says , Wednesday , Oct. 7 , 2020 its restaurants will remain open throughout the bankruptcy process .
( AP Photo/Mary Altaffer , File )

by Dee-Ann Durbin
Ruby Tuesday is filing for bankruptcy protection, the latest casual restaurant chain to suffer from coronavirus-related closures and changing consumer habits.
The Maryville, Tennessee-based company, which was founded in 1972, said on Wednesday that its restaurants will remain open throughout the bankruptcy process. Ruby Tuesday has 250 company-owned and franchised restaurants in the U.S., Canada and nine other countries, including Hong Kong, Chile and Kuwait.
“This announcement does not mean ‘Goodbye, Ruby Tuesday,'” CEO Shawn Lederman said in a statement. “Today’s actions will allow us an opportunity to reposition the company for long-term stability as we recover from the unprecedented impact of COVID-19.”
Ruby Tuesday is known for its salad bar, which could be a difficult sell in a post-pandemic world. But it’s also dealing with longer term changes in the market that have hurt other casual chains. Even before the virus hit, sit-down restaurants were struggling as more consumers opted for delivery and carryout. Restaurants, still clawing their way back from the recession a decade ago, had little cash to update their aging stores.
Los Angeles-based California Pizza Kitchen filed for bankruptcy protection in July, while the parent company of the Chuck E. Cheese pizza and entertainment chain filed for bankruptcy in June. Steakhouse chain Sizzler, also based in California, declared bankruptcy last month.
NPD Group, a data and consulting firm, said U.S. visits to full-service restaurants plunged 47% in the April-June period, at the height of the mandated dining-room closures. Visits have ticked upward since then, but were still down 25% in August. Without counter service or drive-thru windows, sit-own chains like Ruby Tuesday simply haven’t been able to make up the lost volume from their dining rooms.
Ruby Tuesday didn’t immediately respond when asked by The Associated Press how many of its restaurants are currently operating and how many remain closed due to the pandemic.
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Dee Ann Durbin is a reporter with The Associated Press.
About the Headline Photo: In this Sept. 16, 2016 file photo, visitors to New York’s Times square walk past a Ruby Tuesday restaurant. Ruby Tuesday is filing for bankruptcy protection, the latest casual chain to suffer from coronavirus-related closures and changing consumer habits. The Maryville, Tennessee-based company says, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020 its restaurants will remain open throughout the bankruptcy process. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)


thetennesseestar--2020-10-09--Pelosi Says No Standalone Stimulus Bills, Democrats Will Be ‘Talking’ About 25th Amendment Friday

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that she won ’ t agree to “ standalone ” bills for an airline bailout , direct payments or more stimulus funding for small businesses without an agreement on a “ bigger ” stimulus bill .
“ The only point about negotiations is there ain ’ t going to be no standalone bill unless there ’ s a bigger bill and it could be part of that or it could be in addition to that , ” said Pelosi , the leader of the Democrat-controlled House , who is negotiating with the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ referred to Trump ’ s tweets about ending stimulus negotiations but signaling he would support legislation that sends out more stimulus checks , helps the airlines and provides more federal small business aid .
The California lawmaker said many families are “ on the verge of eviction ” while the president zeroes in on only three areas .
“ No , it ’ s not going to happen , ” she said .
Pelosi said legislating is “ a foreign language to the White House in many respects ” but more has to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Nothing is agreed to until everything is agreed to – that ’ s the way it always is , ” she said .
“ I ’ m hopeful because it has to be done .
If the president wants to wait until he wins the election , well that might be an eternity.
” Pelosi previewed a news conference expected to take place on Friday , telling reporters it will be focused on the 25th Amendment , which deals with presidential disability and succession .
“ We ’ re going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she said .
During the press conference , Pelosi said Trump should inform the public about his last negative test for COVID-19 .
“ I think that the public needs to know the health condition of the president , ” Pelosi said .
“ Before he got the virus and admitted to it , when was his last negative test ?
” Pelosi said knowing when the president ’ s last negative test was will help to “ make a judgement about the actions that were taken after that .
”

by Nicholas Ballasy
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that she won’t agree to “standalone” bills for an airline bailout, direct payments or more stimulus funding for small businesses without an agreement on a “bigger” stimulus bill.
“The only point about negotiations is there ain’t going to be no standalone bill unless there’s a bigger bill and it could be part of that or it could be in addition to that,” said Pelosi, the leader of the Democrat-controlled House, who is negotiating with the White House on another coronavirus stimulus package.
Pelosi referred to Trump’s tweets about ending stimulus negotiations but signaling he would support legislation that sends out more stimulus checks, helps the airlines and provides more federal small business aid.
The California lawmaker said many families are “on the verge of eviction” while the president zeroes in on only three areas.
“No, it’s not going to happen,” she said.
Pelosi said legislating is “a foreign language to the White House in many respects” but more has to be done in Congress on economic stimulus.
“Nothing is agreed to until everything is agreed to – that’s the way it always is,” she said. “I’m hopeful because it has to be done. If the president wants to wait until he wins the election, well that might be an eternity.”
Pelosi previewed a news conference expected to take place on Friday, telling reporters it will be focused on the 25th Amendment, which deals with presidential disability and succession.
“We’re going to be talking about the 25th Amendment,” she said.
During the press conference, Pelosi said Trump should inform the public about his last negative test for COVID-19.
“I think that the public needs to know the health condition of the president,” Pelosi said. “Before he got the virus and admitted to it, when was his last negative test?”
Pelosi said knowing when the president’s last negative test was will help to “make a judgement about the actions that were taken after that.”
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Photo “Nancy Pelosi” by The Washington Post.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-09--Drudge Poll: 72 Percent Say Pence Won Debate

Over 70 % of respondents to an unscientific , online Drudge Report poll indicated that they believed Vice President Mike Pence won Wednesday ’ s debate against vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala Harris .
Seventy-two percent ( around 175,519 people ) voted that Pence was the victor in the first and only vice presidential debate , while 28 % ( around 69,000 people ) said the same about Harris , according to the online poll data .
The debate , moderated by USA Today ’ s Susan Page , focused on the coronavirus , healthcare , foreign policy and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election less than a month away , NBC News reported .
Much of the debate time — roughly 14 minutes — was devoted to discussing President Donald Trump , NBC reported .
Race , tax reform , crime , China and abortion were minor topics of discussion on the stage , according to NBC .
Pence criticized Harris for her refusal to address the issue of court packing ahead of Judge Amy Coney Barrett ’ s possible confirmation to the Supreme Court .
Jake Dima is a reporter for the Daily Caller News @ @

by Jake Dima
Over 70% of respondents to an unscientific, online Drudge Report poll indicated that they believed Vice President Mike Pence won Wednesday’s debate against vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala Harris.
Seventy-two percent (around 175,519 people) voted that Pence was the victor in the first and only vice presidential debate, while 28% (around 69,000 people) said the same about Harris, according to the online poll data.
The debate, moderated by USA Today’s Susan Page, focused on the coronavirus, healthcare, foreign policy and the Supreme Court, with the Nov. 3 election less than a month away, NBC News reported. Much of the debate time — roughly 14 minutes — was devoted to discussing President Donald Trump, NBC reported.
Race, tax reform, crime, China and abortion were minor topics of discussion on the stage, according to NBC.
Pence criticized Harris for her refusal to address the issue of court packing ahead of Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s possible confirmation to the Supreme Court.
Kamala Harris' refusal to answer VP Pence, coupled with Joe Biden's unwillingness to comment on Packing the Supreme Court, shows Democrats have become a party of radicals, by radicals, and for radicals. || #IngrahamAngle #2020election #VPDebate pic.twitter.com/cFHkJlMj41 — Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) October 8, 2020
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Jake Dima is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-09--The Epoch Times’s Roger Simon Weighs in on the Recent Release of 1,000 Documents by National Intelli

The Epoch Times’s Roger Simon Weighs in on the Recent Release of 1,000 Documents by National Intelligence Director John Ratcliffe and the Domestic Migration to Nashville

Live from Music Row Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed the founder of Pajamas Media Roger Simon to the studio to weigh on the recent release of 1,000 documents by John Ratcliffe .
Leahy : State senate majority leader has been with us in the studio since 6:30 a.m. joining us .
At 7:30 a.m. , good friend and former boss at PJTV Roger Simon has been in the studio with us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve been in the studio .
Simon : Yes , but I don ’ t get to boss you around here .
( Leahy laughs ) Leahy : So you are always my bosses .
Once my boss , always my boss .
Now Roger you have been just tearing it up with excellent political analysis at The Epoch Times .
And they ’ re lucky to get you by the way .
And you had a great piece on the release of documents related to the Russia investigation by the FBI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He ordered the release of those .
What do we make of those ?
Simon : We don ’ t know too much about what we make them because he just released a thousand documents yesterday .
Now think about this .
How long have the listeners to this show been hearing about the Russia probe and the Russia scandal probably since they ’ ve been born ?
Yet here we are .
What is it now ?
26 days out from the election and finally , a thousand documents are being released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supposed to be for the last I don ’ t know over a year a half or so investigating this thing .
And it ’ s only 27 days before the election .
When I read about this that I ’ m now , I ’ m glad that the new DNI Ratcliffe is releasing these things that we ’ ve been held up forever .
But the irony of it ’ s being released irony ’ s not even a good word .
The astonishing reality of its being released only 26 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that has a tremendous effect on it is amazing .
First of all , how can anyone react to a thousand documents in 26 days ?
You ’ d have to be the speed reader of all time .
We don ’ t know .
Plus half of them are probably got well , that ’ s the interesting thing in that Trump ordered no more redactions , which is an extraordinary thing .
And there ’ s a war going on now in D.C. obviously between the intelligence agencies , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the DNI is now on the side of the White House .
The acting DNI Rick Grennell an old friend of mine from LA and a fantastic , fantastic human who initiated this and got it rolling .
Leahy : So I want to talk about Rick Grennell .
This guy is he ’ s fantastic .
He ’ s a very smart guy .
He ’ s a courageous guy .
What I found interesting is Rick Grennell served as the head of communications for John Bolton when John Bolton was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Romney campaign and then was relieved of his duties because he ’ s gay , right ?
That was the reason Romney relieved him .
Was crazy .
And then Trump had brought him in as the ambassador to Germany .
Done a great job .
Was he acting Director of National Intelligence ?
Look , I think if you ’ re looking at a foreign policy conservative superstar .
I think it ’ s Rick Grennell .
Simon : Oh no question .
I mean one of the greats of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote for him for president .
He ’ s incredible .
Leahy : How did you get to know Rick Grennell ?
Simon : Well , you know as you know , I have a show business past which I don ’ t like to admit but I do .
( Leahy laughs ) Actually , Rick is a show business guy too .
He lived partly in LA and partly out in Palm Springs .
And so I would have lunch with him from time in Beverly Hills where this show business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while writing a screenplay .
And so I got to know Rick on a social level also .
We almost got into some business relationships in show business , not in politics .
Although it was all tilted that way because for years everybody has been asking , well can there be film companies on the right ?
And of course , everybody who is creative in that direction says yeah , yeah , where ’ s the money ?
And the money never shows up .
Leahy : I want to Bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We ’ re talking Roger about the people from LA as you did you moved here two years ago .
And Nashville is a creative center you ’ d mentioned that last time Roger .
It has an attractive element to it .
You ’ re in Williamson County Jack .
Are you seeing this influx of kind of creative entertainment money and talent from LA into Nashville ?
Johnson : Yeah , absolutely .
And in fact , it was really taking place up until the pandemic hit and you really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sadly , you know , the entertainment world has been hit fairly significantly by the shutdown .
Leahy : They can ’ t have live concerts .
They make a lot of money with that .
Johnson : That ’ s absolutely right .
So artists can ’ t tour .
They ’ re not out doing the big shows or the fairs or festivals .
All of these things .
And it ’ s not just the artists .
It ’ s the crew and the people who do sound and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s been devastating to that part of our economy .
Now my hope is that we get this behind us and ’ 21 we start to come back out and that will begin to take off again .
But it ’ s suffered greatly here .
Simon : The audience is really hungry .
I think it ’ s going to take off very fast because of that .
Everybody comes to this town to here to have a good show and they want to hear the stars and the coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ love it .
I mean that one of the reasons we moved here was because I like to go to the clubs .
( Chuckles ) Simon : Just give me a bourbon and a night Tootsie ’ s and I ’ m a happy guy .
Leahy : Well a that is a what a great conversation .
Listen to the full third hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roger Simon ” by Roger Simon .

Live from Music Row Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville’s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed the founder of Pajamas Media Roger Simon to the studio to weigh on the recent release of 1,000 documents by John Ratcliffe.
Leahy: State senate majority leader has been with us in the studio since 6:30 a.m. joining us. At 7:30 a.m., good friend and former boss at PJTV Roger Simon has been in the studio with us. This is the second time you’ve been in the studio.
Simon: Yes, but I don’t get to boss you around here. (Leahy laughs)
Leahy: So you are always my bosses. Once my boss, always my boss. Now Roger you have been just tearing it up with excellent political analysis at The Epoch Times. And they’re lucky to get you by the way. And you had a great piece on the release of documents related to the Russia investigation by the FBI Director of National Intelligence John Radcliffe. He ordered the release of those. What do we make of those?
Simon: We don’t know too much about what we make them because he just released a thousand documents yesterday. Now think about this. How long have the listeners to this show been hearing about the Russia probe and the Russia scandal probably since they’ve been born? Yet here we are. What is it now? 26 days out from the election and finally, a thousand documents are being released to John Durham who’s has supposed to be for the last I don’t know over a year a half or so investigating this thing.
And it’s only 27 days before the election. When I read about this that I’m now, I’m glad that the new DNI Ratcliffe is releasing these things that we’ve been held up forever. But the irony of it’s being released irony’s not even a good word. The astonishing reality of its being released only 26 or 27 days out from an election, that has a tremendous effect on it is amazing. First of all, how can anyone react to a thousand documents in 26 days? You’d have to be the speed reader of all time.
We don’t know. Plus half of them are probably got well, that’s the interesting thing in that Trump ordered no more redactions, which is an extraordinary thing. And there’s a war going on now in D.C. obviously between the intelligence agencies, the FBI, and the White House. and the DNI is now on the side of the White House. The acting DNI Rick Grennell an old friend of mine from LA and a fantastic, fantastic human who initiated this and got it rolling.
Leahy: So I want to talk about Rick Grennell. This guy is he’s fantastic. He’s a very smart guy. He’s a courageous guy. What I found interesting is Rick Grennell served as the head of communications for John Bolton when John Bolton was a UN Ambassador. Subsequently worked on the Romney campaign and then was relieved of his duties because he’s gay, right? That was the reason Romney relieved him. Was crazy. And then Trump had brought him in as the ambassador to Germany. Done a great job. Was he acting Director of National Intelligence? Look, I think if you’re looking at a foreign policy conservative superstar. I think it’s Rick Grennell.
Simon: Oh no question. I mean one of the greats of our time. I mean I’d vote for him for president. He’s incredible.
Leahy: How did you get to know Rick Grennell?
Simon: Well, you know as you know, I have a show business past which I don’t like to admit but I do. (Leahy laughs) Actually, Rick is a show business guy too. He lived partly in LA and partly out in Palm Springs. And so I would have lunch with him from time in Beverly Hills where this show business office was that I was working at while writing a screenplay.
And so I got to know Rick on a social level also. We almost got into some business relationships in show business, not in politics. Although it was all tilted that way because for years everybody has been asking, well can there be film companies on the right? And of course, everybody who is creative in that direction says yeah, yeah, where’s the money? And the money never shows up.
Leahy: I want to Bring Jack Johnson for just a minute here. We’re talking Roger about the people from LA as you did you moved here two years ago. And Nashville is a creative center you’d mentioned that last time Roger. It has an attractive element to it. You’re in Williamson County Jack. Are you seeing this influx of kind of creative entertainment money and talent from LA into Nashville?
Johnson: Yeah, absolutely. And in fact, it was really taking place up until the pandemic hit and you really just saw a lot of things flourishing. Sadly, you know, the entertainment world has been hit fairly significantly by the shutdown.
Leahy: They can’t have live concerts. They make a lot of money with that.
Johnson: That’s absolutely right. So artists can’t tour. They’re not out doing the big shows or the fairs or festivals. All of these things. And it’s not just the artists. It’s the crew and the people who do sound and lights and all that stuff. So it’s been devastating to that part of our economy. Now my hope is that we get this behind us and ’21 we start to come back out and that will begin to take off again. But it’s suffered greatly here.
Simon: The audience is really hungry. I think it’s going to take off very fast because of that. Everybody comes to this town to here to have a good show and they want to hear the stars and the coming stars. And I do. I love it. I mean that one of the reasons we moved here was because I like to go to the clubs. (Chuckles)
Leahy: You are a wild guy Roger.
Simon: Just give me a bourbon and a night Tootsie’s and I’m a happy guy.
Leahy: Well a that is a what a great conversation.
Listen to the full third hour here:

– – –
Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510. Listen online at iHeart Radio.
Photo “Roger Simon” by Roger Simon.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-09--New Jersey Mail Carrier Arrested for Throwing Election Ballots Away

A New Jersey postal worker was arrested Wednesday for discarding multiple pieces of mail , including election ballots , CBS @ @ @ @ @ of mail were retrieved from dumpsters , 99 of which were ballots , according to @ @ @ @ @ 26-year-old Nicholas Beauchene was scheduled to deliver mail in parts of Orange and West Orange @ @ @ @ @ to CBS .
Nearly 300 campaign flyers promoting candidates for the West Orange Council and @ @ @ @ @ board were also recovered from local dumpsters , CBS reported .
Beauchene faces up to @ @ @ @ @ addition to a fine of $ 250,000 , according to FOX29 Philadelphia .
News of @ @ @ @ @ concerns regarding mail-in ballots and voter registration forms in several states .
President Trump tweeted @ @ @ @ @ North Carolina Tuesday saying , “ 11,00 North Carolina residents get incorrect voter registration forms.
@ @ @ @ @ uncounted ballots for the New Jersey ’ s primary were found just last month in @ @ @ @ @ .
Bernadette Breslin is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .

by Bernadette Breslin
A New Jersey postal worker was arrested Wednesday for discarding multiple pieces of mail, including election ballots, CBS reported.
Over 1,800 pieces of mail were retrieved from dumpsters, 99 of which were ballots, according to CBS. Federal prosecutors said 26-year-old Nicholas Beauchene was scheduled to deliver mail in parts of Orange and West Orange, New Jersey, according to CBS.
Nearly 300 campaign flyers promoting candidates for the West Orange Council and the township’s school board were also recovered from local dumpsters, CBS reported.
Beauchene faces up to five years in prison in addition to a fine of $250,000, according to FOX29 Philadelphia.
News of the incident comes amid ongoing concerns regarding mail-in ballots and voter registration forms in several states. President Trump tweeted his concern for states like North Carolina Tuesday saying, “11,00 North Carolina residents get incorrect voter registration forms.”
11,00 North Carolina residents get incorrect voter registration forms. 2000 LA County Voters received “faulty” Ballots, with NO WAY TO VOTE FOR PRESIDENT. Many others throughout USA. Here we go. This will be the most corrupt Election in American History! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 7, 2020
Additionally, over 1600 uncounted ballots for the New Jersey’s primary were found just last month in a “mislabeled” bin.
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Bernadette Breslin is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation.