thetennesseestar--2020-10-31--Obama-Biden Administration Denied Only Four Percent of Chinese Acquisitions of U.S. Entities:  Repor

Obama-Biden Administration Denied Only Four Percent of Chinese Acquisitions of U.S. Entities:  Report

A report that examined Chinese acquisitions in the U.S. revealed that the Obama-Biden administration only denied four percent of those that were subject to review by federal regulators .
In stark contrast , the Trump administration denied nearly half of the Chinese proposed acquisitions .
This report comes to light as the 2020 Presidential election is down to the final days and the topic of China remains at the forefront , if nothing else but for China ’ s role in the spread of COVID-19 and its devastating effects on lives , health and economic standing of people in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report , titled CFIUS Scorecard , is the work of Pillsbury Law .
The firm ’ s international trade practice lawyers are recognized leaders in advising both U.S. and non-U.S. clients on the regulation of foreign investment in the U.S. , according to the website .
The regulation Pillsbury refers to is primarily CFIUS – the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States .
CFIUS “ is an interagency committee authorized to review certain transactions involving foreign investment in the United States and certain real estate transactions by foreign persons , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transactions on the national security of the United States , ” according to the website .
The CFIUS Chair is the Secretary of the Treasury and members include the heads of the Departments of State , Justice , Homeland Security , Commerce , Defense and Energy as well as the Offices of U.S. Trade Representative and Science & Technology Policy .
Additionally , five White House offices observe and , as appropriate , participate in CFIUS activities .
Foreign transactions in the U.S. are broken into categories based on the business sector and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , financial , pharma , real estate , energy and other .
Pillsbury ’ s scorecard of CFIUS reviews narrowly focused on U.S.-China transactions for the period January 2014 to September 2018 .
The data was then bifurcated by Pillsbury to reflect the 2014-2016 “ Pre-Trump deals ” – perhaps more accurately labeled as the Obama-Biden deals – and the “ Post-Trump deals ” from January 2017 to September 2018 .
The data that Pillsbury presents is quite revealing and even alarming for those who are concerned about China ’ s aspiration for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the Obama-Biden administration that Pillsbury reviewed , there were 103 Chinese transactions subject to CFIUS review .
Of those 103 , only 4 failed while 99 cleared CFIUS , meaning the Obama-Biden administration approved 96 percent of the Chinese acquisitions in the U.S. Conversely , during a somewhat shorter review period under the Trump administration , Pillsbury shows that just 51 percent of the Chinese acquisitions were cleared through CFIUS .
What ’ s more , there were just 41 “ Post-Trump ” transactions reviewed with only 19 clearing the CFIUS process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 percent of the proposed Chinese acquisitions were approved under the Trump administration versus that of the Obama-Biden administration .
After summarizing the statistics of the China-U.S. transactions , Pillsbury goes on to provide details of the People ’ s Republic of China buyer , the PRC ’ s target acquisition , the acquisition target ’ s market sector , the dollar value of the deal , the CFIUS status as well as a comments section .
Based on Pillsbury ’ s report of the dollar values of the deals listed , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion of proposed Chinese ownership in U.S .
While not all of the deals were approved , as previously discussed , the list only includes those that were flagged for CFIUS review .
One name that appears several times on the list of PRC buyers is the financially troubled HNA conglomerate .
According to a report in Forbes , HNA has effectively turned control over to the Hainan provincial government for help in resolving its liquidity crisis by appointing new leaders and organizing a working group to manage its liquidity .
HNA ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Hilton hotel chain , Red Lion Hotels and Radisson Hospitality , much of which it has shed to pay down debt .
Another frequent appearance on the list is Anbang Insurance , which acquired the iconic Waldorf Astoria in New York and whose former Chairman was sentenced in 2018 to 18 years in jail for fraud and embezzlement , according to the Forbes report .
But one particular transaction on the list jumps out – that of the 2015 Bohai Harvest RST / AVIC acquisition of Michigan-headquartered Henniges Automotive .
The deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the deal was consummated with the help of the Democratic Presidential nominee ’ s son , Hunter Biden , whose company obtained a 49 percent interest in Henniges .
Second , it has significant national security implications due to Henniges ’ anti-vibration technology having possible military applications .
As reported , Bohai Harvest RST ( BHR ) is a private equity firm funded with $ 1 billion from the Chinese government via the government-owned Bank of China .
BHR was formed in 2013 through a merger of Chinese-government backed Bohai Capital and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Partners co-owned by Hunter Biden and Chris Heinz , stepson of former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry as well as Massachusetts-based consulting firm Thornton Group headed by James Bulger , nephew of the famous mob hitman “ Whitey.
” The name – Bohai Harvest RST – reflects who was involved with Bohai being a reference to the innermost gulf of the Yellow Sea indicating the Chinese stake in the company ; the RS referring to the Hunter Biden/Chris Heinz firm Rosemont Seneca ; and the T for Thornton , as Peter Schweizer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Secret Empires.
” A controlling 51 percent of Henniges went to China ’ s AVIC Automotive Systems Holding Co. Ltd. AVIC reportedly stole technology and aircraft secrets from the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II that was incorporated into China ’ s J-20 stealth fighter , was added to the “ Entity List ” by the Bureau of Industry and Security for posing a significant risk to U.S. national security interests and had been sanctioned by the U.S. five separate times for proliferation activities enabling Iran to develop its missile capabilities .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of interest of Hunter Biden and Chris Heinz as well as U.S. national security issues to prompt Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley , Chairman of the Finance Committee , to author a letter in August 2019 to U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin demanding information about the CFIUS approval process for the deal .
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has said he has never spoken to his son about his overseas business dealings .
Given Henniges touting the 2015 $ 600 million deal as “ one of the largest acquisitions by a Chinese company of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the review by CFIUS , and the concerns expressed by leading members of the U.S. Senate more than a year ago , the senior Biden ’ s claims of being unaware are implausible .
Laura Baigert is a senior reporter at The Tennessee Star .

Live from Music Row Wednesday 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 original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael to the studio for another edition of Crom’s Crommentary.
CROM CARMICHAEL:
Michael, yesterday, the Supreme Court heard a very, very important case, Texas versus Biden. And the Wall Street Journal wrote a very interesting article about that case. It appeared on Monday. So it was before the case was heard. There was a law passed in 1996 and Biden voted for the law. The law says that migrants who are, ‘Not clearly and beyond doubt, (not reasonable doubt, beyond doubt,) entitled to be admitted shall be detained.’ It goes on to say that the law also says that DHS can parole individual migrants on a case by case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.
That’s what the law that was passed in 1996 says. According to some reports I read this morning about the hearing yesterday, the case by case part of the 1996 law is what some justices may try to hang their hat on to allow Biden to eliminate or rescind Trump’s Remain in Mexico policy on the basis that we only can detain 34,000 illegal immigrants at the same time. That’s all we can detain. And so Trump said we can’t follow the law, so we’re going to make them stay in Mexico.
Now, the left says, well, you can’t make them stay in Mexico because Mexico won’t necessarily agree to that. Well, they already have. Under Trump they did agree to it and they did do it. So it’s not a function of whether or not Mexico can and will do it because they did do it under pressure, but they did do it. This is going to be a very interesting decision that will come down from the courts to see whether or not the courts believe that the law itself has written is what the administration should adhere to. I think that decision will come out very quickly. I don’t think it’ll be months. I think it will be weeks, and maybe even days before that decision comes out.
Listen to the Crommentary:
– – –
Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510. Listen online at iHeart Radio.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-31--Commentary: The Nightmare Scenario of Biden-Harris and the Ascendancy of Kamala

Kamala Harris is a radical with anti-America positions who will be within a hair ’ s breadth of the Oval Office should Joe Biden win the presidency .
It ’ s not just because Kamala has had her eye on the top slot , which she does .
It ’ s not just because there are legitimate questions about Biden ’ s cognitive state , which there are .
It ’ s because the Biden Family Scandal may well be the most expedient means by which Harris ’ eye on the Oval Office comes to fruition .
The Biden Family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the media and Big Tech moved quickly and aggressively to censor it .
There ’ s mounting evidence that the Biden family made millions of dollars from deals with foreign entities ( China , Russia , the Ukraine for starters ) .
Among the evidence are emails and documents from son Hunter Biden ’ s own hard drive ( verified by the FBI , and the authenticity has not been denied by any of the Biden three , i.e .
Joe , brother Jim or son Hunter ) , an eyewitness to some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report about the matter , and an open and active FBI investigation of Hunter Biden and his associates focusing on money-laundering allegations .
The Scandal raises extremely serious questions about whether the Biden family violated federal laws , compromised national security , and whether they exploited the Office of the Vice President to make millions of dollars at the expense of the American people .
And then there ’ s Kamala .
What does she think about all of this ?
No need for her to speak in defense of her top-of-the-ticket guy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her about it .
( Okay , there was that time last year when someone asked her about Biden getting the Ukraine prosecutor , who was investigating the entity linked to Hunter , fired .
Harris said , “ let ’ s leave Joe Biden alone.
” ) You would think just maybe as an attorney , an officer of the court , Harris would be troubled aligning herself with such a candidate and maybe she would want to know whether her running mate has been engaging in some hanky-panky ( not of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tara as a primary candidate but believed Joe once she became his VP choice ; but let ’ s not digress ) .
This brings us to the “ what ’ s in it for Kamala ” angle .
Perhaps Kamala views the Biden Family Scandal as the means to hasten her quest to occupy the Oval Office .
One can ’ t help but get the sense that Kamala is actually hoping for a “ perfect storm , ” so to speak .
After all , the Dem media , in concert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the Scandal .
And the usual suspects Adam Schiff , Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi , along with evil-doers John Brennan and James Clapper are on the offense , calling it all a pesky “ Russia , Russia , Russia ” hoax .
If the nightmare scenario occurs and Biden-Harris wins , anticipate Kamala , Bernie Sanders , AOC and perhaps others of the radical , anti-America , globalist-loving members of the Democrat Party to sit Biden down in the Oval for that sober conversation .
They ’ ll tell him that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s in the best interest of the country to magnanimously step down .
After all , Joe would finally have president on his resume after four tries .
So , for the good of the Party , they ’ ll tell Joe to step down .
Maybe they ’ ll dangle a pardon or two in front of him .
Out goes Joe .
Enter Kamala Harris , stage left .
Harris as president would be an absolute disaster for our country , and her sites on destroying the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t want to answer a question because a truthful answer will reveal a true radical .
Nothing about Harris is a laughing matter and her cackle only reveals that despite having climbed her way through the California liberal hack system , she didn ’ t learn how to conceal her agenda with grace .
Harris ’ 60 Minutes interview served as a prime example of her obfuscation .
Norah O ’ Donnell had the temerity to state , “ [ y ] ou ’ re considered the most liberal United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and dodged , blaming the source of the liberal moniker on her debate opponent , Vice President Mike Pence .
O ’ Donnell shockingly pressed on .
“ Well , actually , the non-partisan GovTrack has rated you as the most liberal senator .
You supported the Green New Deal .
You supported Medicare for All .
You supported legalizing marijuana .
Joe Biden doesn ’ t support those things , so are you gon na bring the policies , those progressive policies that you supported as senator into a Biden administration ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a lengthy speech about always giving Joe her opinion , none of which remotely answered O ’ Donnell ’ s question .
O ’ Donnell is , of course , correct .
Harris is the most liberal U.S .
Senator .
However , calling Harris liberal is quite tame .
She is an extremist .
On the economy , Harris favors significantly higher taxes .
In addition to repealing the President Trump ’ s tax cut that help American families , she once described AOC ’ s 70-80 % top tax rates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Sanders/AOC Green New Deal , which will negatively impact every sector of our country , from shutting down all fossil fuel consumption to onerous new construction regulations and more , all to the tune of trillions of dollars and resultant rolling brown and black outs .
Citing climate change , Harris even voted against the bi-partisan passage of the celebrated USMCA .
And she won ’ t stop with the Green New Deal .
Harris ’ extreme environmental agenda promises to investigate fossil fuel companies that , according to her view , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Let ’ s get them [ the companies ] not only in the pocketbook , but let ’ s make sure there are severe and serious penalties for their behaviors.
” Harris will also re-enter the Paris Climate Agreement .
“ We must have and adopt a Green New Deal .
On day one as president I would reenter us in the Paris Agreement , and put [ sic ] in place so we would be carbon neutral by 2030.
” She ’ ll ban plastic straws and single-use plastics altogether .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ little better than some of those flimsy plastic straws .
But we do need to ban the plastic.
” ( And yet , she admitted , “ I ’ m going to be honest , it ’ s really difficult to drink out of a paper straw… ” ) As for meat consumption , Harris said last year she supports changing the food pyramid chart to reduce meat consumption , although a month prior at a campaign stop in Iowa , she was filmed devouring a pork chop , saying , “ like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m serious.
” As for fracking , Harris is in lockstep with Biden .
Multiple videos show him saying that he would ban fracking .
Perhaps this is a good place to remind Harris about the truth .
As Commentary magazine succinctly put it , “ The U.S. is now , by far , the number-one producer of natural gas , producing 90 billion cubic feet a day , 25 percent more than second-place Russia… As a result , the U.S. CO2 emissions are down to where they were in 1985–a third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GDP was half what it is now in inflation-adjusted terms , and the population was smaller by a quarter .
No other industrialized country has come anywhere close to reducing their emissions by so much.
” For Harris and all her radical leftist comrades , when it comes to climate change and the Green New Deal , the whole kitten caboodle , forget about following the science .
They cloak their true goals around the rallying cry of clean water and air .
It ’ s a much easier sell than admitting that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complete government control over every facet of our lives .
On health care , Harris believes in Medicare for all , and eliminating private health coverage .
When asked by Jake Tapper if those who like their insurance would be able to keep it , Harris flippantly responded , “ let ’ s eliminate all of that .
Let ’ s move on.
” That says it all .
Harris will decimate the Second Amendment .
She wants to ban AR-15s as a panacea to resolving crimes .
( She ignores FBI statistics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five times as many people were killed by knives , clubs and other cutting instruments than by rifles .
And in the year prior , the number of annual deaths by stabbing was four times greater than those killed by any kind of rifle . )
Harris supports banning 18-20-year olds from buying long guns .
She also wants to criminalize private gun sales .
Never mind that private gun sales have been around since 1791 , the year the Second Amendment was ratified .
And let ’ s not forget her stance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Harris prevailed in her fight to retain the state ’ s “ good cause ” requirement whereby a citizen with no criminal record must nevertheless still convince the state that he or she has “ good cause ” for carrying a concealed gun for self-defense .
Attention all you women who want to conceal carry a firearm to protect yourselves .
You won ’ t be able to , but Kamala will be well-protected by Secret Service 24/7 .
As for stand your ground laws ( i.e .
your home is your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , Harris calls these laws racist .
And yet , Harris is all in with defunding the police .
She applauds the mobs and anarchists who steal and torch our cities , calling them “ a movement that is fueled by the diversity , the beautiful diversity , of [ those ] demanding change and justice … They are not going to stop and everyone beware because they aren ’ t going to stop before election day in November and they are not going to stop after election day … they should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” As for BLM , Harris praises their “ brilliance ” and “ impact , ” claiming BLM “ has been the most significant agent for change within the criminal justice system.
” She willingly ignores the fact that BLM is a Marxist , anti-America , and bigoted hate group .
And , as Professor Alan Dershowitz aptly stated , BLM engages in a “ war on the Jewish people.
” As for the Middle East , Harris supports rejoining the disastrous Iran deal that President Trump shredded .
That deal provided a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weapons and transferred funds to the world ’ s largest state sponsor of terrorism .
Harris voted against the bi-partisan 2019 bill , Strengthening America ’ s Security in the Middle East Act , which included security assistance to Israel , the Israel Anti-Boycott Act , and Combatting BDS Act .
She opposes Israel ’ s sovereignty in Judea and Samaria , but does support resuming payments to the Palestinian Authority despite its “ pay to slay ” program ( guess she ’ ll have get the Taylor Force Act , signed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll reopen the PLO mission in DC ( closed by Trump by law because Palestinian leadership stated its plans to go after Israel at the International Criminal Court ; another law Harris will have to get repealed ) .
Harris has a history from the time she was California ’ s attorney general of cuddling up to the Council on American-Islamic Relations ( CAIR ) .
CAIR has been linked to extremist groups and even designated by the United Arab Emirates as a terrorist organization .
CAIR has particular animus towards Israel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ gratitude and admiration ” to CAIR in a 2018 personal letter she penned to the group .
When it comes to immigration , Harris stands by sanctuary cities .
“ I support the principle of sanctuary cities , but the details matters … Sanctuary cities evolved around the idea that we also don ’ t want to deny access to public safety , public health , public education for anyone who is living… in our community .
And I support that.
” There are so many more examples of Harris ’ radical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for slavery , saying that she doesn ’ t believe “ writing a check is gon na be enough ” because segregation exists today “ on so many levels.
” Harris is “ absolutely open ” to packing the Supreme Court .
And , no , it has nothing to do with Justice Barrett .
Harris talked about it last year .
All of these provide a frightening flavor of what ’ s in store for us if Biden-Harris wins .
The American people will be stuck between a leftist rock and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Biden or Harris , they and their radical cronies will run roughshod over the people ’ s house , the White House , and impose their Marxist agenda on America , the Constitution be damned .
Neither one can ever have a seat in the Oval Office , the most powerful seat at the world ’ s table .
We simply can not let that happen .
Julie Strauss Levin is a proud American and attorney who loves her country .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-31--‘He Will and Can Get it Done’: Rapper Lil Wayne Comes Out in Support of President Trump

Rapper Lil Wayne announced his support for President Donald Trump on Thursday .
“ Besides what he ’ s done @ @ @ @ @ , the platinum plan is going to give the community real ownership , ” the @ @ @ @ @ listened to what we had to say today and assured he will and can get @ @ @ @ @ comes only days before the 2020 presidential election on November 3 .
Several other prominent @ @ @ @ @ Trump for president , including Kanye West , 50 Cent , and Lil Pump , @ @ @ @ @ his endorsement on Oct. 24 and West announced his own presidential bid on July 4 @ @ @ @ @ a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Trump Wayne ” by @ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-10-31--Crom Carmichael Suggest Masks Are the Government’s Way of Trying to Impose Their Will Not Health Saf

Crom Carmichael Suggest Masks Are the Government’s Way of Trying to Impose Their Will Not Health Safety

Live from Music Row Friday 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 original all-star panelist , Crom Carmichael to the studio .
At the end of the second hour , Carmichael was inspired by a recent article in The Wall Street Journal that discussed the use of masks as a distraction from the pandemic and further examined how masks themselves were not healthy .
He went on to cite numbers that suggested masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
Leahy : In the studio with us is the original All-Star panelist Crom Carmichael .
Crom , what are some of the things that would happen in a Biden administration ?
What was he talking about ?
Carmichael : Well , Biden first of all , he said not long ago that if the scientist told him to lockdown the economy that he would lock it down .
He pretty much alluded to that when he said it ’ s going to be a dark winter .
Leahy : Dark winter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward to that .
Carmichael : Yeah , I mean and maybe he could be that he just doesn ’ t realize that during the wintertime the days are shorter .
That ’ s conceivable .
But there ’ s a very interesting article in The Wall Street Journal and the title of it is , Masks are a Distraction From the Pandemic Reality .
And this author Joseph A. Ladapo .
I ’ m terrible with names .
But the Joseph part is exactly right ( Leahy laughs ) and his middle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that right .
Carmichael : By the way , this just shows you how the media is just kind of a herd .
You know we have herd immunity which is what with all major viruses that are highly contagious herd immunity ultimately is the solution .
You think about the flu every year .
I get a flu shot .
But all they are doing is predicting what strain of flu .
Carmichael : And guessing .
You can still get the flu but it ’ s kind of a well , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So okay , so it ’ s worth doing it .
Leahy : It ’ s better than nothing .
Carmichael : It ’ s better than nothing and it ’ s not dispositive .
So on the masks what this fellow points out is that the media uses all of these anecdotal stories about how masks work .
Carmichael : Then they use video clips .
There was an article in the June in Health Affairs that states that instituted mask mandates had a two percent reduction in the growth rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mandates .
Now , that ’ s if you isolate strictly on COVID .
What you don ’ t know is what the effect is of forcing people to breathe their own exhaust for hours and days at a time .
Leahy : When you put it that way it ’ s so very unappealing .
Carmichael : It really .
And if wearing masks were a healthy thing , then people would do it all the time .
Carmichael : But they don ’ t because we know that it is inherently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time .
But we do it now because the government tells us to even though there ’ s no data to prove that .
Gallup showed that the people who wear a mask and who are getting COVID now , they did a significant sampling are getting COVID now are wearing masks .
Leahy : Was that based on the CDC study or is that another study ?
Because the CDC said they did a study in July .
We reported on it .
They did a study in July that of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 74 percent of them wear masks all the time .
Carmichael : Okay .
So , you know , this may be another one because this is from Gallup Data .
Leahy : Okay , that would be another one .
Carmichael : Here ’ s another one .
On an even shakier scientific ground is the promotion of mask use outdoors .
One contact tracing study identified only a single incident of outdoor transmission among 318 outbreaks .
Now , let me say this I have been as I ’ ve said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspicious of so-called contact tracing because of this article I mean because of how they do it .
It goes on to say even the rose-garden nomination ceremony of Amy Coney Barrett which the media giddily labeled as a super spreader likely wasn ’ t .
The transmission more likely occurred during the end or gatherings associated with the ceremony .
Leahy : There you go .
Carmichael : So at any rate the more you get into this , the American Journal of Medicine also says that there ’ s strong evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effective than anything else .
Leahy : Yeah .
That makes an awful lot of sense to me .
Carmichael : The focus of our media ought to be on actual solutions rather than pipe dreams .
You know Anthony Fauci which they never quote , Anthony Fauci at the beginning of the pandemic when he said masks may make you feel like you ’ re doing something but they really don ’ t do much .
Leahy : He did say that in March of 2020 on ABC .
Carmichael : That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time .
He said he knew it to be true .
But yet Anthony Fauci then changed when even though he knew that what he was changing to was based on no evidence .
No supporting scientific evidence at all .
And so when we look at this whole thing about the masks and all this other stuff , I think it once again , this is a more of an example of government people trying to impose their will .
I heard you were reporting when I was on my way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats are now running from the lockdown idea even though Joe Biden just weeks ago said that he would lock down the economy again if the number of cases increased .
Well , the number of cases is increasing and so Joe Biden , you have to hold him to his word .
And so those people who think that a massive nationwide lockdown would be a bad idea should take that into account as they vote .
Listen to the full second hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ People in Masks ” by Alan Light CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-31--Commentary: Will Maximum COVID Fear Keep Democrats at Home on Election Day?

In the closing days of the presidential campaign , amid a surge in support for President Donald Trump in many battleground state polls , media outlets are reporting rising confirmed Covid cases in states like Wisconsin and New Mexico but also nationally as the cold and flu season kicks into gear .
“ Wisconsin faces Covid-19 crisis as coronavirus cases continue to rise , governor says , ” reads one headline from CNN .
“ Hospitals Are Reeling Under a 46 Percent Spike in Covid-19 Patients , ” screams the New York Times .
Now , in reality , probable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the April peak of 282,000 to 164,000 today , a drop of 42 percent , according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation ( IHME ) , although it projects the number of cases should continue rising throughout the season .
So , here ’ s a question : Will maximum fear of the Covid virus suppress election turnout in 2020 ?
Or will mail-in balloting actually end up increasing turnout ?
Or will turnout be about the same as it was in 2016 ?
So far , early and mail-in voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 , with 81 million votes already cast , according to the U.S .
Elections Project , and a significant percent of those are going to be from people who would otherwise vote in-person on Election Day .
In 2016 , 40.8 percent of the 136.7 million votes cast , or 55.7 million were cast early in-person or mailed in , according to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission .
In-person early voting is increasing , too .
17.2 percent of the electorate in 2016 voted in-person early , and in 2020 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20.7 percent of overall 2016 voting .
Even more will vote over the weekend , still technically early voting .
For example , in North Carolina , early and mail-in absentee voting is 760,000 greater than in 2016 , at 3.86 million in 2020 so far , according to data compiled by U.S .
Elections Project .
In 2016 , 4.7 million people voted in North Carolina , of which , 3.1 million was early or mail-in voting .
6.9 million North Carolinians were registered in 2016 , and in 2020 it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 500,000 increase .
Currently , Democrats in North Carolina lead Republicans early and mail-in voting by 1.49 million to 1.2 million , a rough 290,000 edge , and 1.1 million unaffiliated have voted , too .
But the Democratic to Republican edge is actually less than in 2016 , when it was 305,000 , despite the amount of early and mail-in voting being greater .
That could be good news for Republicans .
That is because Democrats actually make up a smaller percent of early and mail-in voting in North Carolina compared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up 38.6 percent , but in 2016 it was 41.7 percent .
And that is because of the 1.45 million mail-in ballots requested , only 852,000 have been returned , leaving roughly 600,000 ballots unreturned : 271,000 missing ballots from Democrats , 117,000 missing ballots from Republicans and 207,000 missing unaffiliated ballots .
So , mail-in could wind up being a problem for Democrats if all of their people who otherwise would have voted in-person don ’ t vote .
U.S. Election Project ’ s other numbers bear this emerging pattern of large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florida , Republicans lead in-person early voting by 400,000 and Democrats lead mail-in voting by 600,000 , but of mail-in , Democrats have 733,000 absentee ballots yet to be mailed in that were requested , versus 553,000 for Republicans .
Overall , 7.3 million have voted thus far , out of 9.4 million in 2016 .
And the registered voter population has increased by 1.1 million to 14 million from four years ago .
In Pennsylvania , a similar tale emerges , where Democrats have 518,000 ballots yet to be mailed in that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
6.1 million voted last time , and so far , 2.1 million have voted early or by mail .
Registered voters have increased by 300,000 million to 9 million from four years ago .
So , clearly , the Covid panic has certainly increased early and mail-in absentee voting .
But there is a lot of vote still out there to be had over the weekend and on Election Day .
And on that count , President Trump may have a great advantage : Republicans are less afraid of the virus than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will vote in-person .
An Aug. 9-12 poll by Wall Street Journal/NBC News , 47 percent of Biden supporters plan on voting by mail this year , compared with just 11 percent of President Donald Trump ’ s supporters .
In the swing states of Florida , Pennsylvania , and North Carolina , 5.3 million Democrats requested absentee ballots versus 2.9 million Republicans , and 1.7 million independents , according to the U.S .
Elections Project .
That roughly breaks down to 53.5 percent of the requested mail-ins are Democratic , 29 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Overall , nationwide , 90.3 million ballots have been requested ( this also includes California , Oregon , Washington , Nevada and Utah that mailed out ballots to every registered voter ) , but only 52.9 million of those have been returned , or 58 percent .
If the 53.5 percent Democrats voting by mail figure in Florida , North Carolina and Pennsylvania holds nationally , of the 52.9 million ballots mailed in , only 28.3 million would be from Democrats .
That could be enough , but it means they still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote in order to hit their 2016 total of almost 66 million .
Are Democrats hitting their hoped for numbers ?
It sure doesn ’ t look like it .
If you exclude California , the Democratic vote total drops to 23.7 million .
In-person voting will still be crucial for Democrats if Republicans match or exceed their 2016 totals .
Data from Gallup suggests Democrats are far more fearful of the virus : 70 percent of Democratic men and 73 percent of Democratic women say they avoid going to public places versus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent of Republican women .
Meaning the campaign of fear by news outlets could actually be helping Republicans by suppressing Democratic turnout more than it suppresses GOP turnout .
Does that make Republicans 2 to 1 more likely to turn out on Election Day ?
We ’ re about to find out .
With only 58 percent of the vote total from 2016 in , the election will be won or lost on Election Day .
The GOP ’ s get out the vote operations will have to be robust to overcome the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that President Trump wins the votes he needs on Election Day , and there are tens of millions of Americans who have not voted yet .
So , the race boils down to if Democrats mailed in enough ballots or not , and whether Republicans show up in the greater numbers they need for in-person voting on Tuesday .
Robert Romano is the Vice President of Public Policy at Americans for Limited Government .
Photo “ COVID Vote ” by The National Guard CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-31--Steve Bannon Presents: Biden Family Crime Syndicate

An all new LIVE STREAM of War Room : Pandemic starts at 9 a.m. Central Time on Saturday .
Former White House Chief Strategist Stephen K. Bannon began the daily War Room : Pandemic radio show and podcast on January 25 , when news of the virus was just beginning to leak out of China around the Lunar New Year .
Bannon and co-hosts bring listeners exclusive analysis and breaking updates from top medical , public health , economic , national security , supply chain and geopolitical experts weekdays from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon ET .
The show ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Voice News , the John Fredericks Radio Network , Salem Media Group , and Newsmax TV and the podcast is available on Apple , Spotify , Stitcher , SoundCloud , and Google Play .
You can watch past episodes here .
Previously , Bannon hosted a series of three , two-hour long special programs entitled Descent into Hell : The Chinese People Confront the CCP .
The groundbreaking specials aired live on the John Fredericks Radio Network , America ’ s Voice Network , Dish TV Channel 219 , The Epoch Times , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mandarin .
For more information , visit www.pandemic.warroom.org and @ WarRoomPandemic .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-31--Tennessee Elections Ahead of November 3

Tennessee Elections Ahead of November 3

With three days until Election Day , voting turnouts far surpassed 2016 records for early voting .
Turnout jumped from about 273,000 the first day to nearly 2.3 million in under two weeks .
These numbers represent over half of Tennessee ’ s registered voters .
More ballots are still forthcoming .
This year , all nine of Tennessee ’ s U.S. representative seats are on the ballot .
Either outcome for District 1 will make history , since incumbent Congressman Phil Roe ( R-TN ) didn ’ t seek reelection .
The victor between the two candidates , Democrat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be the district ’ s first female representative elected in a regular election .
In 1961 , Louise Reece was chosen during a special election after her husband died during his term .
Harshbarger is favored to win .
Save for District 1 , every incumbent is forecasted to retain their seat .
The only uncontested seat is in District 5 , held by Democratic incumbent Jim Cooper .
The U.S. Senate contest between Republican candidate Bill Hagerty and Democratic candidate Marquita Bradshaw doesn ’ t appear to be competitive .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Likely GOP , ” with Hagerty up 20 points and forecasted to win in 99 percent of outcomes .
At the state level , Republicans are also confident in their hold in the House and Senate .
All 99 seats are up for election in the Tennessee House of Representatives .
Six of those seats aren ’ t sought after by their incumbents , all Republicans , and four of those seats were lost by their incumbents during the primaries .
Several state-level races stand out .
Longtime incumbent John DeBerry Jr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year due to his pro-life and school choice voting tendencies .
DeBerry is now running as an independent .
DeBerry ’ s opponent is Torrey Harris , the Democratic candidate that would become Tennessee ’ s first openly transgender state representative if elected .
District 97 may flip , according to some that believe an incumbent ’ s departure makes an open seat vulnerable to the opposing party .
Democratic candidate Gabby Salinas and Republican candidate John Gillespie are gunning to be Republican state Representative Jim Coley ’ s replacement .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 16 of 33 seats are in the race .
The only incumbent not seeking reelection is Dolores Gresham ( R-Somerville ) for District 26 .
The candidates in that race are Democrat Civil Miller-Watkins and Republican Page Walley .
14 of the remaining 15 seats are held by Republican incumbents .
The Democratic incumbent in District 30 , Sara Kyle , is uncontested .
District 2 is also uncontested , held by Republican Art Swann .
Pollsters agree that Tennessee favors President Trump , recently placing him ahead of Biden anywhere from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tennessee appears to maintain its status quo as a red state across the board .
Early voting ended Thursday .
Voters must mail absentee ballots by 3 pm CDT on Election Day , November 3 .
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and the Star News Network .
Follow her latest on Twitter , or email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ People Voting ” by Wyofile .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-31--Biden Vows to Pass ‘Equality Act’ During His First 100 Days in Office

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden promised to pass the Equality Act during his first 100 days of office if he becomes President of the United States .
The former vice president also vowed in an interview with Philadelphia Gay News that he will make LGBTQ equality a focus of United States diplomacy if he becomes president of the United States , Reuters reported Wednesday .
“ I will make enactment of the Equality Act a top legislative priority during my first 100 days – a priority that Donald Trump opposes , ” Biden told Philadelphia Gay News , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Equality Act in 2019 , the publication reported , but Biden would need Democrats to be in control of both the House and the Senate to pass the legislation .
President Donald Trump ’ s administration , which did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation , has said the Equality Act would “ undermine parental and conscience rights , ” according to Reuters .
Catholic bishops have warned that the legislation would “ first and foremost ” negatively impact women and girls .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sexist stereotypes by enshrining the notion that subjective feelings and preferences ( such as hobbies , attire , emotional patterns , or style of interaction ) are what define a woman or a man , ” reads a United States Conference of Catholic Bishops backgrounder on the Equality Act .
“ By redefining ‘ sex ’ without physical meaning , the Equality Act would also remove legal recognition of women and girls , such as in Title IX , and risk eviscerating their hard-won consideration in areas including student scholarships and athletics , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Olahan is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation Photo “ Biden ” by Michael Stokes CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-31--Federal Officials in West Tennessee Sentence Illegal Alien for Unlawful Reentry and Unlawful Possess

Federal Officials in West Tennessee Sentence Illegal Alien for Unlawful Reentry and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm

Federal officials in Memphis this week sentenced an illegal alien to 60 months in federal prison for one count of possessing a firearm as an illegal alien and one count of illegally re-entering the United States .
This , according to a press release that staff at the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office for the Western District of Tennessee published on their website .
That man , Argel Hernandez-Escobar , 33 , last resided in Memphis , the press release said .
“ According to the information presented in court , on Sunday , September 30 , 2018 , at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responded to a 911 call from a woman who said her son had been accidentally shot by the son ’ s father ( later identified as Mr. Hernandez-Escobar ) at their residence in Memphis , Tennessee , ” the press release said .
“ Responding officers found Hernandez-Escobar on the front porch with a gunshot wound to his leg .
Officers also found a 3-year-old male victim on the porch with a gunshot wound to his chest .
A Mini Draco 7.62X39mm caliber pistol and a high capacity magazine were located near the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had accidentally shot himself in the leg and the bullet struck his 3-year-old son who was playing nearby.
” The child later succumbed to his injuries .
Hernandez-Escobar later gave a statement and admitted to possessing the Draco firearm with a 30 round clip on his lap and stated it accidentally went off , hitting himself in the leg and also striking his son .
He stated the reason he had his firearm outside on his porch was because he was concerned about some unknown individual walking up and down in front of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a witness as saying Hernandez-Escobar drank alcohol prior to the shooting .
“ Further investigation revealed Hernandez-Escobar is a citizen of Mexico , and he did not have lawful status to be or remain in the United States , ” according to the press release Hernandez-Escobar , the press release went on to say , had the following history : • Border Patrol Agents apprehended Hernandez-Escobar in 2009 and served him with an order of Expedited Removal and removed him to Mexico the same day .
• ICE agents in Memphis apprehended Hernandez-Escobar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Notice of Intent to Reinstate Prior Order of Removal .
• Officials removed Hernandez-Escobar again to Mexico in April 2013 .
• Border Patrol Agents apprehended Hernandez-Escobar in Texas in July 2013 and again served him with a Notice of Intent to Reinstate Prior Order of Removal and other documents .
Those documents prohibited him from entering or being in the United States for a period of 20 years .
• Also in July 2013 , authorities convicted Hernandez-Escobar of illegal entry in the Western District of Texas .
Authorities removed him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Tennessee Star reported in 2018 , Shelby County officials , specifically the folks at the county attorney ’ s office , told law enforcement officers to ignore the feds , especially Immigration and Customs Enforcement .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-10-31--Final Georgia Senate Debate Canceled After Perdue Drops Out

ATLANTA , Georgia ( AP ) — A final debate between Republican Sen. David Perdue of Georgia and Democratic challenger Jon Ossoff has been canceled after Perdue dropped out , saying he would attend a campaign rally with President Donald Trump instead .
The cancellation was announced Thursday night , a day after Perdue and Ossoff met for a bitter second debate in Savannah in which Ossoff slammed Perdue as a “ crook ” who downplayed the coronavirus pandemic .
Perdue , who is seeking a second term , denied the accusation .
Polls show a tight race between the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the campaign .
The final debate had been scheduled for Sunday .
Perdue ’ s communications director John Burke said in a statement shared on Twitter that Perdue would instead join Trump at an expected rally .
“ As lovely as another debate listening to Jon Ossoff lie to the people of Georgia sounds , Senator Perdue will not be participating in the WSB-TV debate but will instead join the 45th president , Donald J. Trump , for a huge Get-Out-The-Vote rally in Northwest Georgia , ” Burke said .
Ossoff fired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Senator Perdue ’ s cowardly withdrawal from our final debate says it all : David Perdue feels entitled to his office , and he ’ ll do anything to avoid accountability for his blatant corruption and his total failure during this unprecedented health crisis.
” In a debate on Wednesday , Perdue and Ossoff hammered each other with attacks that mirrored the ads from both sides that have blanketed television airwaves in recent months .
Perdue repeatedly accused Ossoff of backing radical socialist policies , while Ossoff slammed Perdue ’ s handling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to overturn the Affordable Care Act .
“ Well , perhaps Senator Perdue would have been able to respond properly to the COVID-19 pandemic if you hadn ’ t been fending off multiple federal investigations for insider trading , ” Ossoff said in a clip from the debate that has since been widely shared on social media .
“ It ’ s not just that you ’ re a crook , senator , it ’ s that you ’ re attacking the health of the people you represent.
” Perdue was among a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under scrutiny after they received briefings on the virus .
Perdue denied any wrongdoing , saying the trades were handled by outside advisers and that he was cleared by a Senate Ethics Committee investigation .
“ This stock trade nonsense ; he keeps hammering that even though he knows — it ’ s in the public record — that that ’ s been totally refuted , ” Perdue said .
He later added : “ The thing I ’ m most upset about , though , is that he ’ ll say and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to mislead them about how radical and socialist ( his ) agenda really is.
” Another debate scheduled for Sunday — in Georgia ’ s other Senate race between Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler , GOP Rep. Doug Collins and Democrat Raphael Warnock — was also canceled after Loeffler and Warnock declined to participate .
Ben Nadler is a reporter for The Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo : Democratic candidate for Senate Jon Ossoff speaks to a crowd during a “ Get Out the Early Vote ” event at the SluttyVegan ATL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 , in Jonesboro , Ga. ( AP Photo/Brynn Anderson )


thetennesseestar--2020-10-31--Governor Signs Executive Order Allowing for Return of High School Sports in December

After months of uncertainty in light of the coronavirus pandemic , Virginia high school sports will finally return in December .
On Thursday , Governor Ralph Northam cleared the way for high school sports to resume and for the Virginia High School League ( VHSL ) to proceed with its Championship +1 schedule when he signed the fourth amendment of Executive Order 67 , adjusting statewide restrictions on recreational sports .
In a press release published Friday , VHSL executive director Dr. John Haun said : “ This amendment by the Governor clears the way for all of our sports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , effort , and input staff received while preparing this document .
Adherence to these guidelines will offer a safe reopening for our students , coaches , staff , officials , and communities once we start playing in December .
“ Additionally , we appreciate the close collaboration and guidance from the Governor ’ s office , the Virginia Department of Health , and the Virginia Department of Education.
” After receiving the go-ahead on Thursday , the VHSL released its extensive mitigation guidelines for the 2020-2021 school year .
The guidelines offer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as specific recommendations for individual sports .
It also outlines health and safety precautions for athletes , coaches , school staff and officials such as wearing masks , social distancing , disinfecting equipment and high-use surface areas , etc .
Specifically , the guidelines call for a number of restrictions including athletes and coaches bringing and using their own water bottle , not sharing equipment or towels , maintaining six feet of physical distance during competitions , and completing personal daily health screenings before going to school , among other things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guidelines for Return to Participation ’ are meant to decrease potential exposure to respiratory droplets by encouraging social distancing , limiting participation in administrative tasks to essential personnel and allowing for appropriate protective equipment , ” the VHSL release said .
Rodney Harmon , coach of the junior varsity boys basketball team at Phoebus High School in Hampton Virginia , told The Virginia Star he and his students were happy sports are returning , but also stressed the importance of following the necessary protocols .
“ Oh , the athletes are happy because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to play or not this year .
They want to get out in the gym and are ready to play , ” Harmon said .
“ As long as everybody follows the protocols , yes , I think we should be able to safely get through the season.
” Harmon also mentioned how the lack of sports can negatively impact students who excel athletically and academically , but can not afford to pay for college , depending on high school athletics to receive scholarships .
Despite Northam ’ s changes permitting indoor and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not change the number of attendees allowed at sporting events , remaining at 250 people or not exceeding 50 percent of occupancy requirements .
Teams that are conducting off-season workouts must continue to follow the proper state guidelines , regardless of adjustments allowed for in-season teams , according to the release .
Under the Championship +1 schedule , which was adopted in July by the VHSL executive committee , there will be three condensed seasons for sports with winter sports such as basketball , wrestling and gymnastic beginning competition on December 28th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phase 3 of Northam ’ s opening plans , the schedule and guidelines will not need to change , but if COVID conditions worsen or improve around the state then adjustments will be made .
Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Follow Jacob on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-10-31--Commentary: Obama Can’t Get Past His Grudge Against Trump

Barack Obama and Joe Biden head to Michigan this weekend to hustle votes in one of the three states that helped elect Donald Trump in 2016 .
Recent polls show Biden with a comfortable lead in Michigan , but Democrats are taking nothing for granted in the final stretch ; Representative Debbie Dingel ( D-Mich. ) on Wednesday warned Team Biden that the race is tightening .
“ So many auto workers who I thought were going to go back to Joe Biden were very clear with me…that they were voting for President Trump.
” Enter the Anointed One .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ twice in Florida , attempting to bolster Biden ’ s flagging support among Hispanic voters , and once in Philadelphia .
The former president was planning to stay out of the race , according to his longtime political consigliere David Axelrod , but Trump ’ s antics have forced Obama onto the campaign trail .
“ He doesn ’ t view it as a personal grudge match with Trump , ” Axelrod told CNN last week , defending yet another breach of precedent and protocol by the 44th president of the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last-minute campaign activity is completely about his grudge against Donald Trump .
As much as the news media loves to portray Trump as the one who is easily rattled , it is actually Trump who very easily gets under Obama ’ s skin .
The former president is fixated on the man who succeeded him , the political foe Obama repeatedly said would never win the presidency .
Few politicians are as thin-skinned , petulant , and vengeful as Barack Obama—just ask Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn—and it ’ s obvious that Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The cool Chicagoan famously given the moniker “ No Drama Obama ” has appeared angry even slightly unhinged during his recent Biden campaign events—much like an aging rock star who goes from selling out 100,000-seat amphitheaters around the world to headlining suburban rib fests , Obama doesn ’ t exactly command the crowd he used to back in his heyday .
He used a bullhorn to address a sparse crowd of Biden volunteers in Philadelphia on October 21 ; turnout wasn ’ t much better at speeches in Orlando and Miami .
Meanwhile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of supporters across the country .
Which could explain why Obama is lashing out ; rather than offer voters a compelling reason why they should elect Joe Biden , Obama is spewing his personal contempt for Donald Trump .
The president , Obama claims , isn ’ t “ interested in doing the work ” and “ doesn ’ t take the job seriously.
” Donald Trump is just a showboating reality television star with low ratings .
“ You know that upsets him , ” Obama lamely jokes .
His temper tantrums @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demeanor vacillates between fury , desperation , and exasperation .
Old enemies including Fox News and congressional Republicans are freshly reviled .
Riffing off the unsourced New York Times article about Trump ’ s income taxes , Obama accuses the president of paying more to foreign governments than to the federal treasury .
He repeats the now-debunked story that the Russians placed bounties on U.S. soldiers serving in Afghanistan .
“ The commander in chief can ’ t be missing in action , ” Obama rages .
And he regurgitates a despicable anonymously-sourced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump degraded the military , including those killed in action .
“ I can tell you this .
Joe Biden would never call the men and women of our military ‘ suckers ’ or ‘ losers ’ Who does that ?
” Obama asks .
Trump ’ s Environmental Protection Agency , Obama alleges , is allowing “ polluters free rein to dump unlimited poison into our air and water.
” The man who authorized the use of the most powerful government surveillance tools in the world against Trump campaign aides said “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” to threaten to jail your political opponents .
“ We have a president who lies multiple times a day , ” preens the president who lied to Americans repeatedly about everything from health care coverage to terrorist attacks .
But nothing seems to irk Obama more than Trump ’ s economic record .
Before the COVID-19 lockdown , the president could boast of an unrivaled period of economic growth , including rising wages for minorities and low rates of unemployment .
“ Donald Trump likes to claim he built this economy but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America created 1.5 million more jobs in the last three years of the Obama Biden administration than in the first three years of the Trump Pence administration , ” Obama bragged in Orlando this week .
“ That ’ s a fact .
Look it up.
” Trump , Obama said , inherited a solid economy but “ just like everything else he inherited , he screwed it up.
” Biden and Obama at once accuse the president of doing “ nothing ” to combat COVID-19 while at the same time blasting Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last spring , policies still imposed by Democratic governors to inflict more economic pain on their helpless constituents .
Not exactly the hopeful message on behalf of a candidate poised to win in a landslide .
Barack Obama knows that if Joe Biden is defeated , the loss will represent another repudiation of the Obama-Biden reign .
Obama ’ s presence on the campaign trail isn ’ t really about helping his bestie win the White House , it ’ s about saving face .
And if Donald Trump wins , no other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ damage to the man most presidential historians consider the most gifted politician of modern times .
That ’ s not exactly the legacy Barack Obama has in mind .
Julie Kelly is a political commentator and senior contributor to American Greatness .
She is the author of Disloyal Opposition : How the NeverTrump Right Tried―And Failed―To Take Down the President Her past work can be found at The Federalist and National Review .
Photo “ Trump Obama ” by Quapan CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-31--Virginia Mandates Police Receive Anti-Racism Training, Bans No Knock Warrants

Democratic Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam signed over a dozen police reforms into law , including mandated anti-racism training for law enforcement and a ban on no-knock warrants .
Senate Bill 5030 , which was passed Wednesday , “ creates statewide minimum training standards ” on “ awareness of racism ” and “ biased profiling , ” according to a statement from the governor ’ s office .
The ordinance makes the Commonwealth the third state in the nation to ban no-knock raids , and the legislation also forbids local departments from acquiring “ grenades , weaponized aircraft and high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demilitarize , Northam ’ s team wrote .
“ Too many families , in Virginia and across our nation , live in fear of being hurt or killed by police , ” Northam said in the release .
“ These new laws represent a tremendous step forward in rebuilding trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve .
“ I am grateful to the legislators and advocates who have worked so hard to make this change happen , ” he continued .
“ Virginia is better , more just , and more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The bill ensures that people of color be present on the Criminal Justice Services Board , bars officers from using neck restraints in some situations and requires cops to intervene when their fellow peace officers are engaging in excessive force , according to the statement .
The ordinance also makes it a Class 6 felony for an officer to “ carnally know , ” a term for engaging in sexual relations , anyone that they are in a position of authority over , such as an inmate or parolee , the release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ create “ civilian law enforcement review boards , ” which can discipline officers .
“ The deaths of George Floyd , Breonna Taylor , and Ahmaud Arbery woke Americans to a longstanding problem that has existed for generations—and we know Virginia is not immune , ” Virginia State Senator Mamie Locke said in the statement .
“ These are transformative bills that will make Virginians ’ lives better , and I ’ m so proud to see them signed into law.
” Jake Dima is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Tony Crider CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-31--NY Gov. Cuomo Goes on Self-Congratulatory Book Tour as DOJ Probes COVID Nursing Home Deaths

As New York Governor Andrew Cuomo embarked on a self-congratulatory book tour this week , the U.S. Department of Justice requested additional data from his administration on coronavirus deaths linked to nursing homes .
According to the New York Post , the DOJ ’ s inquiry could reveal if the state significantly undercounted the number of COVID-19 fatalities among the residents of more than 1,000 private nursing homes .
New York records provided in response to an August Justice Department inquiry indicated that a quarter of deaths in the state ’ s roughly two dozen public nursing homes weren ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration sources said .
New York indicated that about 400 residents of the state ’ s public facilities died from COVID-19 , according to federal sources , who said that state facilities had only disclosed about 300 deaths to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
In total , the New York Health Department publicly reports about 6,720 deaths from the serious respiratory bug in nursing homes and adult-care facilities .
But the true scope of New York ’ s tragic toll in nursing homes is expected to be much higher .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ only counted residents who passed away on the nursing home premises but not those who were sent to the hospital .
An AP analysis in August estimated that the state was likely undercounting such deaths by thousands .
With over 33,000 fatalities , New York leads by far all of the other states in the number of deaths by the coronavirus , while it is number four on the list of total COVID-19 cases in the United States .
The Democrat governor has denied accusations that his administration ’ s now infamous directive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the coronavirus contributed significantly to NY ’ s disproportionately large number of deaths .
Even so , evidence of Cuomo ’ s ill-fated March 25th nursing home order has been deleted from the New York State Department of Health ’ s website .
In his new book American Crisis , the governor praises himself for his allegedly successful response to the pandemic .
This galling , self-congratulatory narrative has detractors like Fox News weather anchor Janice Dean seeing red .
Dean , who lost both of her husband ’ s parents to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state ’ s disastrous nursing home policy , fumed on Twitter in reaction to Cuomo ’ s appearance on ABC ’ s “ the View , ” Thursday .
Cuomo , in response to questioning from host Sunny Hostin , called criticism of nursing home deaths in NY a “ conspiracy , ” and argued that people are dying in nursing homes in every state .
“ What a shock that the ‘ Department of Injustice ’ sends a letter a few days before an election trying to advance a political theory , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack President Donald Trump , saying , “ They have done a terrible job on Covid from day one , and they want a counterdefense , and what they were saying was , well , a lot of people died in nursing homes in Democratic states.
” “ The truth is people are dying today in nursing homes in Republican states , ” he continued , “ It ’ s just that Democratic states had the disease worse and earlier , and older people are more vulnerable to Covid , right ?
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a disappointment , ” Dean tweeted out as she watched the show .
“ Also @ sunny with the “ such a great book governor !
” Beginning to the question made me throw up in my mouth , ” she added .
“ Won ’ t answer the question .
Blaming older people .
Blaming the staff .
Conspiracy theories .
Using bad statistics .
Brutal rambling on .
No follow up , ” Dean railed in a subsequent tweet .
“ It would ’ ve been great television and a good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hardball questions of @ NYGovCuomo .
He had the highest deaths of any state and literally infected nursing homes with Covid .
Instead he rambled on , blamed others for his mistakes and lied .
Huge fail , ” she tweeted .
“ There ’ s a whole bunch of evidence this tough guy hasn ’ t told the truth , wrongly infected nursing homes with Covid patients by listening to hospital lobbyists ’ advice ( instead of science ) and is actively hiding the real death toll .
I ’ m behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she wrote .
Cuomo ’ s office called the the Justice Department ’ s initial August request for data “ nothing more than a transparent politicization of the Department of Justice.
” Debra Heine is a conservative Catholic mom of six and longtime political pundit .
She has written for several conservative news websites over the years , including Breitbart and PJ Media .
Photo “ Andrew Cuomo ” by New York National Guard .
CC BY-ND 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-31--Senator Marsha Blackburn Weighs in on Presidential and Senate Races, ‘We’re Not Comfortable but We A

Senator Marsha Blackburn Weighs in on Presidential and Senate Races, ‘We’re Not Comfortable but We Are Optimistic’

Live from Music Row Friday 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 Tennessee ( R ) , Sen. Marsha Blackburn , to the newsmakers line .
During the third hour , Blackburn discussed the momentum she was seeing for President Trump and felt optimistic about the upcoming election but noted that there was still more work to do .
She also weighed in on the Senate races in both California and Minnesota suggesting that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the violence and will vote accordingly and therefore flip the House .
Leahy : We are joined on the line now by our good friend Senator Marsha Blackburn .
Good morning , Senator Blackburn .
Blackburn : Good morning .
How are you ?
Leahy : Crom and I are great here .
And you wanted to talk a little bit about the election four days from today .
I see momentum out there for President Trump .
What do you see ?
Blackburn : I ’ m seeing a good bit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country and this is a good thing .
You know , this race is pretty much where it was in 2016 when everybody was saying , oh this is going to be a runaway for Hillary Clinton .
No contest .
She ’ s got this .
They had ordered the balloons .
They had ordered the confetti and the fireworks .
And then what do you know about ten o ’ clock election night .
They started canceling all of that .
The polling had been so off base .
Carmichael : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions about Senate races .
Is Joni Ernst going to win in Iowa ?
Blackburn : Well , of course , we don ’ t know what the outcome is going to be .
But when you look at states like North Carolina , South Carolina , Iowa and Michigan , and Minnesota , and now this week after that last debate New Mexico because of the oil and gas issues .
When you look at Arizona , because of the oil and gas issues and Biden ’ s comments we are doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well .
We ’ re not comfortable but we are optimistic .
Carmichael : Well , that ’ s a very good position to be in because you then were still pushing all the way through the last possible vote on election day .
Blackburn : You got it .
That ’ s exactly right .
You know like Fred Thompson used to say and I know you heard him say it many times when he was around with us .
He would say there are two ways to run , unopposed or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So we are running flat out .
Leahy : So Senator Blackburn , you are not up this year .
But for the next four days , how will you spend your time ?
Blackburn : I am going to be out campaigning .
I ’ m in Alabama right now .
I will go to Arizona .
I will be in Tennessee .
I ’ ll be in Georgia .
We are working and trying to help hammer out this vote .
There ’ s a couple of things , we want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as possible so that President Trump has a greater share of the popular vote as he can possibly have .
And likewise , we want all of our up and down the ballot races to have a hefty turnout .
So you ’ re going to see us working non-stop .
Carmichael : It looks to me like that Republicans running for the House in California have got a good bit of momentum going for them .
Can you give us any comment on that ?
Blackburn : Yes I do .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about six seats out there .
It ’ s what gave Pelosi the margin and they did it because they had harvested all these ballots .
Those races were lost after election day .
And so Republicans have been very careful and watchful of that .
I think they ’ re wiser to what the Democrats were doing with the harvesting .
Plus when you look at the issues around COVID , the massive lockdowns in that state , and the wildfires because they will not manage their forest and the underbrush .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a minute .
Joe Biden says he ’ s going to keep us in lockdowns .
Keep people out of work .
Keep kids out of the school .
Ruin all of these businesses .
The live entertainment industry is dying on the vine .
All the guys that are grips and gaffers and stagehands and lighting techs and sound techs .
They have zero business .
Zero .
So you ’ re going to see some changes in these California Houses .
Leahy : Senator Blackburn .
Where will you be election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m going to be back in Tennessee on election night .
Looking forward to getting home .
I ’ ve got to tell you , it ’ s been a long time in DC working on Judge Barrett now Justice Barrett confirmation being a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee .
So , you know , I have that not had an October in the state .
I ’ ve had an October working on federal judges and a Supreme Court Justice .
Carmichael : Well , we appreciate everything you do .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leahy : Four words I love to hear , Justice Amy Coney Barrett .
And thank you for your help with that .
Blackburn : You got it .
Yeah , I tell you I think everybody ’ s happy that she ’ s there .
Leahy : One last question .
How many hours of sleep a night have you gotten in this last week of the campaign ?
Blackburn : ( Chuckles ) Not much , but that ’ s okay .
Carmichael : How are we doing in the Minnesota @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we ’ re doing great .
I just did a radio show up in Minnesota .
The president is going to go up there today to do a rally .
That Senate seat is tied up .
This has turned into a turnout race so it ’ s a toss-up .
Carmichael : Well , I would imagine that with all the violence in the Minneapolis area and the destruction of property the people up there have to be looking at that and saying I have a Democrat governor .
I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat senator , and I have a destroyed city .
Blackburn : That ’ s exactly right .
And safety and security is the number one issue up there .
Leahy : And the Republican candidate up there , Jason Lewis was your colleague in the House I think for a term ?
Blackburn : He was .
He has run an outstanding race .
And you are so right in your summation of that .
People are going hey , wait a minute .
We ’ ve got Ilhan Omar .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting with Pelosi and Schumer about a hundred percent of the time .
And we ’ ve got Minneapolis , St. Paul cities that are in ruins .
We ’ ve got Biden saying no oil .
Leahy : All these are bad things for Minnesota .
Senator Marsha Blackburn , thanks so much for joining us .
Be safe in your travels and we look forward to seeing you in Tennessee on Tuesday .
Carmichael : Thank you .
Thanks so much .
Leahy : Thank you very much , Senator Marsha @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
Background Photo “ U.S .
Capitol ” by Gage Skidmore CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-31--Elizabeth Warren Reportedly Plans to Lobby Biden to be Treasury Secretary

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren plans to lobby Democratic nominee Joe Biden to be his Treasury Secretary if he wins next week ’ s election , Politico reported Thursday evening .
“ She wants it , ” two Democratic officials told Politico , referring to Warren .
Other possible future Treasury Secretaries include former Treasury Department official Sarah Bloom Raskin , Federal Reserve Governor Lael Brainard and former Federal Reserve vice chairman Roger Ferguson , according to Politico .
While a Secretary Warren would certainly appease progressives , who have vowed to lobby Biden to adopt a more liberal agenda , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moderate Democrats and Wall Street , which has warmed to the idea of a President Biden in recent weeks , the outlet reported .
Warren spokeswoman Kristen Orthman declined to confirm Politico ’ s report , telling the outlet that they are focused on the election .
“ It ’ s 5 days out , we ’ re focused on the election and encourage encourage everyone else to be as well , ” she said .
Warren ’ s allies have touted her economic and political past – pointing to her establishing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would make her uniquely qualified for the job , according to Politico .
Her opponents in the financial sector have voiced concern that she would adopt stricter regulations against it , often referring to her 2020 primary campaign , the outlet noted .
A Secretary Warren could also trouble Democrats in the Senate , since GOP Massachusetts Gov .
Charlie Baker would be tasked with appointing her replacement if she were to resign her seat .
Democrats do have a supermajority in the state legislature , however , and could amend the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone from Warren ’ s party , which would make Massachusetts the eighth state to do so , the outlet noted .
Andrew Trunsky is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Elizabeth Warren ” by Gage Skidmore CC BY-SA 2.0 .
Photo “ Joe Biden ” by Gage Skidmore CC BY-SA 2.0 .
Background Photo “ Department of Treasury ” by Benoît Prieur CC BY-SA 4.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-31--Commentary: Daylight Saving Says It’s Time to ‘Spring Forward’ – But Is It Worth It?

This weekend , public service announcements will remind us daylight saving time is over .
This means you have to set your clocks back an hour later at 2 a.m. on November 1 .
This semiannual ritual shifts our rhythms and temporarily makes us groggy at times when we normally feel alert .
Moreover , many Americans are confused about why we spring forward in March and fall back in November , and whether it is worth the trouble .
The practice of resetting clocks is not designed for farmers , whose plows follow the sun regardless of what time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not create extra daylight – it simply shifts when the sun rises and sets relative to society ’ s regular schedule and routines .
The key question is how people respond to this enforced shift .
Most people have to be at work at a certain time – say , 8:30 a.m. – and if that time comes an hour earlier , they simply get up an hour earlier .
The effect on society is another question .
Here , the research shows that daylight saving time is more burden than boon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first thinkers to endorse the idea of making better use of daylight .
Although he lived well before the invention of light bulbs , Franklin observed that people who slept past sunrise wasted more candles later in the evening .
He also whimsically suggested the first policy fixes to encourage energy conservation : firing cannons at dawn as public alarm clocks , and fining homeowners who put up window shutters .
To this day , our laws equate daylight saving with energy conservation .
However , recent research suggests that it actually increases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the summer – when shifting clocks forward aligns our lives with the hottest part of the day , so that people tend to use more air conditioning – and late fall , when we wake up in a cold dark house and use more heating , with no reduction in lighting needs.This is what I found in a study co-authored with Yale economist Matthew Kotchen .
We used a policy change in Indiana to estimate daylight saving time ’ s effects on electricity consumption .
Prior to 2006 , most Indiana counties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ households ’ electricity demand before and after daylight saving time was adopted , month by month , we showed that it had actually increased residential electricity demand in Indiana by 1 to 4 percent annually .
Other studies corroborate these findings .
Research in Australia and in the United States shows that daylight saving time does not decrease total energy use .
However , it does smooth out peaks and valleys in energy demand throughout the day , as people at home use more electricity in the morning and less during the afternoon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , shifting the timing reduces average costs to deliver energy because not everyone demands it during typical peak usage periods .
Daylight saving time proponents also argue that changing times provides more hours for afternoon recreation and reduces crime rates .
The best time for recreation is a matter of preference .
However , there is better evidence on crime rates : Fewer muggings and sexual assaults occur during daylight saving time months because fewer potential victims are out after dark .
Overall , net benefits from these three durational effects of crime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is , impacts that last for the duration of the time change – are murky .
Other consequences of daylight saving time are ephemeral .
I think of them as bookend effects , since they occur when we change our clocks .
When “ spring forward ” we lose an hour , which comes disproportionately from resting hours rather than wakeful time .
Therefore , many problems associated with springing forward stem from sleep deprivation .
With less rest , people make more mistakes , which appear to cause more traffic accidents and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cyberloafing and poorer stock market trading .
Even when we gain that hour back in the fall , we must readjust our routines over several days because the sun and our alarm clocks feel out of synchronization , much like jet lag .
Some impacts are serious : During bookend weeks , children in higher latitudes go to school in the dark , which increases the risk of pedestrian casualties .
Dark commutes are so problematic for pedestrians that New York City is repeating the “ Dusk and Darkness ” safety campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heart attacks increase after the spring time shift – it is thought because of lack of sleep – but decrease to a lesser extent after the fall shift .
Collectively , these bookend effects represent net costs and strong arguments against retaining daylight saving time .
Spurred by many of these arguments , at least 16 states have considered changes to daylight saving time .
Some bills would end daylight saving time , while others would make it permanent .
For example , Massachusetts is studying whether to move in coordination with other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joining Canada ’ s Maritime provinces one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time .
If they shift , travelers flying from Los Angeles to Boston would cross five time zones .
Some states have good reason for diverging from the norm .
Notably , Hawaii does not practice daylight saving time because it is much closer to the equator than the rest of the nation , so its daylight hours barely change throughout the year .
Arizona is the sole contiguous state that abstains from daylight saving time , citing its extreme summer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for western travelers , the state ’ s residents have not changed clocks ’ times for over 40 years .
In my research I have found that everyone has strong opinions about daylight saving time .
Many people welcome the shift in March as a signal of spring .
Others like the coordinated availability of daylight after work .
Dissenters , including farmers , curse their loss of quiet morning hours .
When the evidence about costs and benefits is mixed but we need to make coordinated choices , how should we make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the exception of energy costs , support not only doing away with the switches but keeping the nation on daylight saving time year-round .
This provides the benefits of after-work sun without the schedule disruptions .
Yet humans adapt .
If we abandon the twice-yearly switch , we may eventually slide back into old routines and habits of sleeping in during daylight .
Daylight saving time is the coordinated alarm to wake us up a bit earlier in the summer and get us out of work with more sunshine .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-31--Earthquake Strikes Turkish Coast and Greek Island, Killing 14

ISTANBUL , Turkey ( AP ) — A strong earthquake struck Friday in the Aegean Sea between the Turkish coast and the Greek island of Samos , killing at least 14 people and injuring hundreds amid collapsed buildings and flooding , officials said .
A small tsunami struck the Seferihisar district south of Izmir , the city in western Turkey that was the worst affected , said Haluk Ozener , director of the Istanbul-based Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute .
At least 12 people were killed in Izmir , Turkey ’ s third-largest city , including one who drowned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Emergency Management Presidency , or AFAD .
Turkey ’ s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan , speaking in Istanbul , said 438 were injured with five undergoing surgery and eight in intensive care .
On Samos , two teenagers died after being struck by a wall that collapsed .
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis tweeted condolences , saying “ Words are too poor to describe what one feels before the loss of children.
” At least 19 people were injured in Samos , with two , including a 14-year-old , being airlifted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , health authorities said .
The small tsunami that hit the Turkish coast also affected Samos , with seawater flooding streets in the main harbor town of Vathi .
Authorities warned people to stay away from the coast and from potentially damaged buildings .
Izmir Gov .
Yavuz Selim Kosger said at least 70 people were rescued from wrecked buildings , with four destroyed and more than 10 collapsed .
Others suffered less severe damage , he said , but did not give an exact number .
Search-and-rescue efforts were underway in at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turkish media showed rescuers pulling people from the rubble .
Clouds of dust or smoke rose from several spots .
The earthquake , which the Kandilli institute said had a magnitude of 6.9 , struck at 2:51 p.m. local time ( 1151 GMT ) in Turkey and was centered was centered in the Aegean northeast of Samos at a depth of 16.5 kilometers ( 10.3 miles ) .
It was felt across the eastern Greek islands and as far as the Greek capital , Athens , and in Bulgaria .
In Turkey , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Aegean and Marmara , including Istanbul .
Istanbul ’ s governor said there were no reports of damage in the city , Turkey ’ s largest .
Video on Twitter showed flooding in the Seferihisar district , and Turkish officials and broadcasters called on people to stay off the streets after reports of traffic congestion .
Izmir Mayor Tunc Soyer urged residents to not enter damaged buildings and to be mindful of social distancing and mask mandates amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
Greek seismologist Akis Tselentis told Greek state broadcaster ERT that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ epicenter — roughly 10 kilometers — potentially powerful aftershocks could be expected for several weeks and warned that buildings could collapse in a strong aftershock .
Rescue teams and relief supplies were sent to Izmir from Istanbul and other cities , as well as from the Turkish Red Crescent .
France offered assistance to both countries .
The secretary of state for European affairs tweeted France ’ s “ full solidarity with Greece and Turkey ” and said “ we are ready to offer the necessary aid.
” The Greek minister responsible for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hardalias , headed to Samos along with a search and rescue team , paramedics and engineers .
In a show of solidarity rare in recent months of tense bilateral relations , Greek and Turkish government officials issued mutual messages of solidarity .
“ We pray that there is no further loss of live in Turkey or Greece and we send our best wishes to all those affected on both sides of the earthquake , ” Turkey ’ s Communications Director Fahrettin Altun tweeted .
“ This tragedy reminds us once again how close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We ’ re ready to help if Greece needs it.
” Mitsotakis , the Greek prime minister , tweeted that he had phoned Erdogan “ to offer my condolences for the tragic loss of life from the earthquake that struck both our countries .
Whatever our differences , these are times when our people need to stand together.
” Speaking Friday evening , Erdogan thanked Mitsotakis for his call and offer for help .
He said Turkey was not currently in need but reciprocated by saying , “ We stand by Greece.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ their offers of aid .
Relations between Turkey and Greece have been particularly tense , with warships from both facing off in the eastern Mediterranean in a dispute over maritime boundaries and energy exploration rights .
The ongoing tension has led to fears of open conflict between the two neighbors and NATO allies .
Zenyep Bilginsoy and Elena Becatoros are reporters for The Associated Press .
Becatoros reported from Athens .
Angela Charlton in Paris and Amer Cohadzic in Sarajevo , Bosnia , contributed .
About the Headline Photo : Rescue workers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the debris of a collapsed building , in Izmir , Turkey , Friday , Oct. 30 , 2020 , after a strong earthquake in the Aegean Sea has shaken Turkey and Greece .
Turkey ’ s Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency said Friday ’ s earthquake was centered in the Aegean at a depth of 16,5 kilometers ( 10.3 miles ) and registered at a 6.6 magnitude .
( AP Photo/Ismail Gokmen )


thetennesseestar--2020-10-31--Greenwald Pushes Back on Claims He Left The Intercept For Money

Glenn Greenwald is pushing back against the idea that he resigned from The Intercept as a marketing ploy , saying he gave up a huge salary , as well as a team of lawyers and a security detail for a legal fight currently ongoing in Brazil .
Greenwald , the co-founder of The Intercept who resigned on Thursday , said he gave up his job in response to censorship by the outlet ’ s editorial staff about a story critical of Hunter and Joe Biden .
In the piece , Greenwald went after both the Biden family and the media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important questions and seek the truth due an affinity for the Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden .
A response from the staff at The Intercept implied Greenwald left the publication motivated by financial reasons .
“ We have no doubt that Glenn will go on to launch a new media venture where he will face no collaboration with editors — such is the era of Substack and Patreon .
In that context , it makes good business sense for Glenn to position himself as the last true guardian of investigative journalism and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partisan hacks , ” wrote Betsy Reed , The Intercept ’ s editor-in-chief .
“ We get it .
But facts are facts , and The Intercept ’ s record of fearless , rigorous , independent journalism speaks for itself.
” Greenwald pushed back on the idea , saying that he was paid extremely well at the publication and that “ The Intercept is , probably more so than anywhere else in media , where you make an obscene amount of money…for doing very little.
” Greenwald said the publication was paying him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as providing him with lawyers and a security team for a criminal case he is fighting in Brazil .
He was charged in Brazil earlier this year for cybercrimes for his role in a story published by The Intercept Brazil .
Federal prosecutors in the country allege Greenwald facilitated the hacking of several politicians ’ phones , according to The New York Times .
“ I was making not just a huge salary — more than I need in life — but The Intercept was providing enormous amounts of resources for things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motivated by the money , I would have just sat at The Intercept until something better came along .
It was a huge gamble for my family and a huge risk , and I can ’ t imagine anyone thinks that money is the reason to leave The Intercept .
Money is the reason to stay at The Intercept.
” Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Ohio Star .
Follow her on Twitter at @ JordynPair .
Photo “ Glenn Greenwald ” by David dos Dantos .
CC BY 3.0 .
Background @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Intercept .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-31--Rebuilding America’s Economy for American Workers with American Workers

Years ago , news stories began to surface about qualified American workers being forced to train their less-expensive foreign replacements .
Those stories seemed too absurd and flat-out un-American to be real , but , in fact , it was happening .
In some cases , employees were forced to go through a humiliating process just to receive their severance packages .
Stories like these have illustrated in clear terms how America ’ s H-1B foreign worker visa program was being manipulated to the detriment of American workers .
Now , however , the Trump Administration has taken significant action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s businesses have the specialized workers they need , and deliver an economy that serves American workers first .
We start with the premise that the best economic stimulus plan is a fully functioning American economy and vibrant private sector .
The Trump Administration ’ s top priority is helping American workers get back on their feet and back to work .
One way we ’ re doing this is to ensure that American jobs actually go to qualified American workers through new reforms to the H-1B foreign worker visa program announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DOL ) and the Department of Homeland Security ( DHS ) .
These reforms will safeguard American workers against potential adverse consequences associated with the employment of low-wage foreign workers .
With these new reforms , the Trump Administration is ensuring that the programs will work as originally intended .
Foreign workers with specialized skills will be allowed to work in the United States to help grow our economy , but we will crack down on abuses like using cheaper foreign labor instead of hiring qualified Americans .
We started by leveling the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Immigration and Nationality Act , employers are often required to pay a prevailing wage to foreign workers .
After extensive analysis , DOL concluded that prevailing wages have previously been set too low in the H-1B program and the permanent labor certification program , allowing employers , in too many cases , to pay skilled foreign workers far less than similarly skilled American workers .
When set properly , the prevailing wage requirements create a competitive market rate attracting more American workers to open positions .
It also prevents the suppression and stagnation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are unfairly forced to compete against cheaper foreign labor .
This new rule incentivizes hiring Americans , rather than allow for loopholes , particularly as the economy continues to rebuild and flourish in the aftermath of COVID-19 .
Of course , with the new wage rates , employers will still be able to hire needed foreign workers who complement and fill specialized openings in the United States workforce .
That is , after all , what these visa programs were designed to do .
When done properly , they can help our economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rule , DHS will also narrow the definition of “ specialty occupation ” by amending the previous definition that was overly broad and permitted companies to game the system .
The rule will require companies to establish a bona fide job offer , with an actual start date , for each H-1B worker requested , rather than using outsourcing firms that are little better than recruiters for low-wage foreign workers .
It will also enhance DHS ’ s ability to enforce compliance through worksite inspections and monitor compliance before , during , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reforms are overdue and have only become more necessary due to the economic impacts of COVID-19 .
With millions of Americans looking for work as the economy continues its recovery , immediate action was needed to better safeguard their wellbeing .
With these changes , we will restore integrity to our H-1B foreign worker visa program , to protect American workers from those who would seek to exploit our system , and to create more opportunities for hard-working Americans .
The Trump Administration is committed to fostering conditions that allow American workers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force Americans who are working hard to provide for their families to be forced to compete with cheap foreign labor for a job , especially in our own country .
Our duty is to serve the American people—and these new reforms do exactly that by relentlessly pursuing an economy that supports American workers .
Patrick Pizella is the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Labor and Ken Cuccinelli is the Acting Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security


thetennesseestar--2020-10-31--Commentary: Five Reasons We Love Halloween

When I was a kid , Halloween was for kids only .
Adults were there to hand out candy — and monitor the kids to make sure we weren ’ t enjoying the culture of ghosts , ghouls , and goblins too much .
That would be dabbling in evil , and our souls might be corrupted .
My mom , for example , banned fake blood from the house .
At the age of 15 or so , your Halloween fun was expected to be over .
Times have dramatically changed .
Now it ’ s for everyone .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and do fabulous business in October .
Parties are everywhere .
Houses are decorated , and even apartment doors .
The local CVS has several aisles dedicated to scary , creepy , delightful , sweet things for this holiday .
The National Retail Federation reports that 157 million Americans will celebrate it , and 4 in 5 millennials will arrange or attend special parties .
Spending will approach $ 7 billion , with the average person spending $ 74 on stuff for the holiday .
This is doesn ’ t yet rival Christmas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant as Easter .
Of course the roots of Halloween are pagan , but after these days were Christianized and put into the liturgical calendar ( All Saints and All Souls ) , they really were for everyone .
All of Europe and Latin America had huge festivals just like what we are experiencing today .
So what we are seeing is not some kind of corruption but a fulfillment of holiday ’ s destiny .
But notice that Halloween doesn ’ t appear on the official national calendar , which includes stuff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ radar , like Labor Day and Presidents Day .
That hasn ’ t stopped Halloween from rising ever higher in cultural significance .
Why has this happened ?
Individualism .
Halloween is all about what you will do , who you will become , what choices you will make .
In that sense , this day affirms the great truth that only individuals act , only individuals think , only individual decision making causes history to happen .
This truth runs counter to myriad claims of the right and left , from time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the essential actors of life and history .
And it contradicts the claims of modern politics that we are nothing until we band together , lose our identities , and move en masse .
Creativity .
There are no limits to what you can do and what you can become on Halloween because there is no script and no plan .
The day calls on people to create their own identity and make their own choices .
This is a welcome relief given our ridiculously regimented social and economic systems , in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over all .
The best part is the surprise and delight that comes with such an open-ended systems .
Halloween calls on the entrepreneur and inventor within all of us , and gives us an opportunity to express it .
Breaking Bad .
Politicians and policemen , and all sorts of authority figures in society , are constantly proclaiming themselves our guardians in order to keep us safe from terrible things .
Danger is everywhere , we are told , and we are not competent to combat it on our own .
Drugs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terrible things .
To be safe is why we must submit and comply .
The beauty of Halloween is that it rejects this whole paradigm .
It embraces danger and impiety as part of life , affirming people ’ s capacity to deal with it on their own .
It ’ s a holiday that affirms our adulthood .
There is a liberation that comes with the choice to embrace mischief without asking permission .
Even the love of candy — which the ruling class has demonized as unhealthy and deviant — symbolizes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s the ultimate repudiation of puritanism .
Chaos .
Where to go and what to do on Halloween ?
There was a time when there was only one choice : collecting candy door to door .
Now , anything can happen , anywhere .
Every bar in town will have celebrations , but there will be millions of private parties too .
It ’ s a time for doing the unexpected and watching a beautiful order emerge as a result .
It ’ s a time for spontaneity and for taking joy in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the end .
Halloween taps into our inner social scientist and underscores how unplanned chaos can create a beautiful order .
Fun .
The more the political elites try to control life , the less fun it becomes .
Just look at the dreadfulness of the recent presidential debates .
Everyone is so stern and serious all the time .
Such is the nature of systems of control : they drain the fun out of life .
Have you ever had an interaction with a politician or bureaucrat that was delightful ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone to unleash that part of our nature that loves to laugh , to scream , to be silly , to have fun , and , above all else , to be free of strictures and mandates .
It a one day liberal utopia .
For these reasons , Halloween has taken on a life of its own .
Its cultural significance keeps rising because it presents an alternate paradigm of the way life can be .
It affirms individualism , creativity , danger , chaos , and fun as integral features of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planned it this way , but no one can stop the delightful revolt against the status quo that Halloween represents .
Jeffrey Tucker is a former Director of Content for the Foundation for Economic Education .
He is the Editorial Director at the American Institute for Economic Research , the founder of Liberty.me , Distinguished Honorary Member of Mises Brazil , economics adviser to FreeSociety.com , research fellow at the Acton Institute , policy adviser of the Heartland Institute , founder of the CryptoCurrency Conference , member of the editorial board of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ books .