thetennesseestar--2020-11-22--Virginia Schools Backtrack on Reopening

Virginia Schools Backtrack on Reopening

Facing pressure from teacher ’ s advocacy groups , school districts across Virginia are reconsidering plans to return to in-person learning .
Districts including Henrico County , Fairfax County , and Virginia Beach are canceling or postponing in-person learning options , according to reporting by NBC12 and Wavy.com .
Other districts , including Chesterfield County and Loudoun County , are considering similar moves , according to ABC7 and WRIC .
On Sunday , a group of Northern Virginia teachers ’ associations wrote a letter citing rising COVID-19 cases and state guidance about limiting group size as a reason for postponing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear that Northern Virginia is past the point of safe metrics for in-person learning in our school buildings , ” the authors state .
“ In district after district there are plans to send our youngest and most vulnerable students into classrooms and buildings in spite of international evidence that it has the propensity to cause a surge in the pandemic.
” However , a study published on November 12 in the Journal of the American Medical Association examined the potential loss of life linked to poorer education caused by COVID-19 school closures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
The results suggested that although the school closures likely saved some lives , that benefit comes at the cost of life expectancy of children in those schools .
“ The public debate has pitted ‘ school closures ’ against ‘ lives saved , ’ or the education of children against the health of the community .
Presenting the tradeoffs in this way obscures the very real health consequences of interrupted education , ” the study states .
“ These consequences are especially dire for young children .
There is little reason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be effective for primary school–aged children.
” The authors concluded that there is a potential “ lack of intergenerational health equity ” and that closed schools cause an extra harm to at-risk students .
“ We believe that during the COVID-19 pandemic , the United States has extracted an enormous sacrifice from its youngest citizens to protect the health of its oldest , ” the study concludes .
“ During a pandemic , this may well be an ethically defensible tradeoff , but only if resources are invested to reverse the potential damage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may inflict on a population with low visibility and high vulnerability , ” the authors state .
Other studies have found more immediate harm potentially linked to the school closures .
A study published on November 13 in the CDC ’ s Mental and Mortality Weekly Report found that there is a higher proportion of children making mental health-related emergency department visits , according to the American Academy of Pediatrics .
“ Many mental disorders commence in childhood , and mental health concerns in these age groups might be exacerbated by stress related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily life associated with mitigation efforts , including anxiety about illness , social isolation , and interrupted connectedness to school , ” study authors wrote .
Reporting by The 74 Million suggests that suicide among youths could rise because of social isolation during the pandemic .
Meanwhile schools , parents , and officials struggle to develop policies that balance these concerns .
In a press release , the Arlington Parents for Education ( APE ) wrote , “ The risks for Covid in schools are manageable ; we have seen that throughout the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being out of school , however , are escalating rapidly.
” Virginia Beach parent Liz Lindsay wrote in a Facebook comment that her first grade student was crying because she had to return to Zoom classes .
“ These decisions are not based on ‘ science ’ – it ’ s politics and it ’ s appalling .
Last I checked we lived in the land of opportunity.
” In Henrico , Facebook commenters reacted to the district ’ s decision to delay expanding in-person learning .
Kelly Lipford said , “ Thank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not ignoring the sharp spike in cases .
Hopefully people will also be smart over the holidays , and we won ’ t see this trend continue.
” Other commenters criticized the district .
Kate Konrad asked , “ So when will teachers ever want to go back to work ?
I ’ m not trying to be mean , I ’ m honestly curious ?
[ Because ] this clearly is no way for our children to continue to live.
” The APE press release continues , “ There will never be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point , our communities will have to learn to live in a world where Covid exists and children go to school .
Otherwise , there will never be a world where children go to school.
” Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-11-22--Judge Denies Temporary Restraining Order in Michigan Restaurant’s Lawsuit Over Three-Week Dine-in Ba

Judge Denies Temporary Restraining Order in Michigan Restaurant’s Lawsuit Over Three-Week Dine-in Ban

U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney on Friday denied a request for a temporary restraining order to block Michigan Department of Health and Human Services ( MDHHS ) Robert Gordon ’ s orders that is shuttering indoor dining service for three weeks .
The Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association ’ s ( MRLA ) lawsuit alleged the order violated five separate clauses including the separation of powers and non-delegation clauses .
“ We were disappointed not to have received a temporary restraining order of the DHHS Order this morning , as it means several more restaurant workers will be losing their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain closed , ” MRLA President & CEO Justin Winslow said in a statement .
“ We look forward to the opportunity to make our case in court on November 30 and remain hopeful for a positive outcome that more effectively balances risk and human toll across Michigan.
” Maloney didn ’ t find the argument persuasive enough to block the order .
• No in-person learning at high schools , colleges , and universities • No dining in at restaurants and bars “ The incidental burden on interstate commerce resulting from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the local benefits , ” Maloney wrote .
“ This second inquiry is a closer issue and the Court is mindful that the balancing inquiry must be deferential to the State ’ s decision.
” “ Plaintiffs attempt to predict the economic consequences of this EO by pointing to the economic consequences of the earlier state-wide shut down followed by the months long ban on indoor dining , ” Maloney wrote .
“ Today , the comparison is not persuasive.
” Maloney pointed out that Michiganders must wear a mask in all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the new order , such as liquor stores , barber shops and gyms .
But the nature of restaurants requires patrons to remove their masks .
Maloney also declined to issue a restraining order on the allegation the order violates the separation of powers and non-delegation provisions of the Michigan Constitution .
“ It would be extraordinary for a federal judge to find a state statute unconstitutional on state-law grounds without the benefit of hearing from the State itself , ” he wrote .
“ While the Court may have concerns about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Justice [ David ] Viviano ’ s concurrence that the Michigan ’ s Public Health Code does provide some legal basis for executive action in response to COVID-19.
” The industry already took a hit during forced shutdowns for months that led to about 2,000 restaurants closing permanently .
That number could climb to 6,000 more restaurants by spring under continued shutdowns , the MRLA said .
According to MRLA survey data , more than 40 % of restaurants will temporarily close if dining rooms are closed , and roughly 250,000 restaurant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the holiday season , without a robust state unemployment fund to act as a safety net .
The temporary restraining order was denied , but the lawsuit is still moving forward with a scheduled hearing on Nov. 30 .
“ We appreciate today ’ s ruling .
Orders similar to this one have successfully stopped COVID surges in many other countries , ” MDHHS Director Robert Gordon said in a statement .
“ If all of us mask up and avoid indoor gatherings , we will not only save thousands of lives and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ ll also be able to enjoy indoor restaurant dining without fear.
” Scott McClallen is a staff writer covering Michigan and Minnesota for The Center Square .
A graduate of Hillsdale College , his work has appeared on Forbes.com and FEE.org .
Previously , he worked as a financial analyst at Pepsi .

The Arizona U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) recently revealed that 22 Arizonans have been indicted for drug-related charges following a multi-year investigation of a South Phoenix criminal street gang.
“According to the criminal complaints filed last week, in January 2020, the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) began an investigation targeting a drug and firearms supplier in South Phoenix. In February 2021, in conjunction with the DPS investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Violent Street Gang Task Force began investigating the Lindo Park Crips (LPC), a criminal street gang operating in South Phoenix,” according to a press release from the USAO.
The release outlined that DPS and FBI investigators targeted LPC members and drug suppliers, ultimately leading to a major bust. Investigators reportedly found over 2,000 grams of cocaine, 35,000 counterfeit pills suspected to contain fentanyl, 26 grams of methamphetamine, four and a half grams of crack, 32 doses of MDMA (commonly known as Ecstasy or XTC), and weapons, including 17 firearms and eight Glock conversion devices.
All 22 defendants are charged with either conspiracy to distribute cocaine or fentanyl, and some are charged with actual possession of the drugs. Furthermore, several are charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and carrying a firearm in relation to drug trafficking.
According to the release, these charges incur heavy fines and jail time if convicted. For the drug charges, a conviction for conspiracy to distribute or intent to sell the amount of cocaine charged in the complaint carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and a $5,000,000 fine, while a conviction for the amount of fentanyl can be up to life in prison and a $10,000,000 fine. Moreover, a conviction for illegally possessing a firearm carries jail time up to 10 years and a $250,000 fine.
Most of the 22 individuals come from Phoenix, but others hail from cities across Arizona, including Avondale, Florence, Buckeye, and Goodyear. The youngest defendant is Jesus Salazar, 24, of Avondale, while the eldest is 62-year-old Terry Lee King of Phoenix.
The USAO stated that this case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCFETF) operation which seeks to dismantle the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States.
All defendants are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
As The Arizona Sun Times reported, Border Patrol agents recently seized 4.2 kilograms of fentanyl and 2.1 kilograms of heroin at a highway checkpoint at the El Centro Station. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBS) said the drugs confiscated had an estimated street value of $190,000. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) states that as little as two milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal, depending on the person’s tolerance. Based on that statistic, this bust alone involved enough fentanyl to kill over 2 million people.
According to statistics from CBS, 3,513.15 kilograms of illicit fentanyl were confiscated in May, which would hypothetically be enough to kill 1,756,575,000 people under the DEA’s metric.
– – –
Neil Jones is a reporter for The Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network. Follow Neil on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Phoenix Police Department” by Phoenix Police Department.


thetennesseestar--2020-11-22--Ohioans ‘Cut Footloose’ on DeWine and His Order Limiting Private Gatherings

An Ohio mom organized a rally within earshot of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine ’ s home in Cedarville , Ohio to protest his recent orders limiting the number of people who could gather .
Over 300 Ohioans showed up between 8pm and midnight on Friday , November 20 .
People came “ from Canton , Portsmouth , Cincinnati and Dayton , ” said the event organizer , Misty Murphy .
On November 11 , Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced not only a revamped masking order , but also a social distancing order .
The social distancing order prohibited people congregating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dancing .
“ After all of his absolutely nonsensical orders , when he said ‘ no dancing ’ at his Wednesday night presser and took it to that level of stupidity , moms were done , ” wrote Murphy , an Ohio mother of two .
Murphy put together “ dance party ” protests to exercise her First Amendment right to protest .
She believes the orders “ mess with rights ” of her family , and Ohioans .
Consequently , “ we are going to mess with your privacy ” alluding to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Murphy of the Friday night protest .
Friday night was the second protest , the first on Wednesday , November 18 – it also ran from 8:00 p.m. to midnight .
Friday ’ s event was approved by both the Cedarville Mayor and Police Chief , according to Murphy ’ s Facebook post .
Selena Poling , who attended the Friday night protest said : “ the past eight months has opened my eyes to much .
I had not gone out and stood with others protesting against these mandates and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do more .
After watching a recent DeWine press conference where he said , ‘ no more dancing ’ , I just felt outraged.
” “ We have been distanced , we have been masked , we have been forced to walk one way down the aisle at a grocery store , ” continued Polling .
“ Hearing that we couldn ’ t dance just hit a nerve with people .
We thought how better to show this man the ridiculousness of his words than to have a dance party in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something together and rode out there with music and had fun .
So many people showed interest , we decided to do it again.
” Governor DeWine has continued to tout the rise in cases and hospitalizations in Ohio – cases have jumped over 350 % from previous highs in July .
However , deaths remain stable and have not come close to their peak in April , according to the Ohio COVID website .
“ The only person that has ever given me a curfew is my dad .
DeWine is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She wrote to The Ohio Star that both protest nights had hundreds and noted “ It was a beautiful sound of FREEDOM !
The Cedarville chief of police AND the mayor stood in agreement with us and thanked us for standing up .
Jack Windsor is Managing Editor at both The Ohio Star and The Michigan Star .
Windsor is also an Investigative Reporter at WMFD-TV and The Virginia Star .
Follow Jack on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-22--‘This Doesn’t Make Sense’: Scott Jensen Reacts to Gov. Walz’s New Orders

State Sen. Scott Jensen , a practicing physician , took to Facebook just before midnight on Nov. 18 to share his thoughts on Gov .
Tim Walz ’ s newest COVID-19 restrictions .
“ I ’ m beginning to conclude that this isn ’ t about fairness or even reasonableness , ” Jensen said .
He shared an email he received from a parent of a student , explaining that students have been following masking , social distancing , and quarantine rules , yet sports are still being taken away from them .
He read from the email , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kids naming other kids they didn ’ t like , just to make them have to quarantine.
” Jensen brought up the fact that Grand Casino has open bar service every day until 1 a.m. , yet high school athletes are unable to play sports .
“ If you want to play roulette and blackjack , it ’ s okay , but if you ’ re a high school athlete , too bad for you .
And if you learn best in face-to-face contact with teachers , that ’ s too bad , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minnesotans , we ’ re at a precarious place .
This doesn ’ t make sense , ” he went on to say .
He said the virus will not be “ squashed ” with rules like the ones currently in place , which allow casinos to remain open for business and let professional sports teams host games , while high school students can ’ t go to school or participate in sports .
“ This is why Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito said last week , ‘ The pandemic has resulted in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Freedom of speech is at risk of becoming a second-tier constitutional right … We ’ ve never before seen restrictions as severe , extensive , and prolonged as those experienced for most of 2020 , ’ ” Jensen said , quoting from Alito ’ s recent Federalist Society speech .
Jensen also pointed to California Gov .
Gavin Newsom , who blatantly disobeyed his own rules by attending indoor dinner parties with 10 or more people .
“ This is not about being a Democrat or Republican or Independent .
This is ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going on .
Be alarmed , ” Jensen said .
“ Try to think outside the box that you might be living in .
Try not to be totally captivated by some sort of group thinking echo-chamber .
You should be alarmed.
” Lastly , Jensen said if there is anything he has learned about Walz ’ s policies , it is that they “ are not about fairness .
They are about reacting , they are about pandering , but it sure isn ’ t about being fair.
” Rose Williams is @ @ @ @ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-11-22--State Rep. Reedy Says His Bill Would Give Tennesseans the Right to Protect Their Property

Tennesseans should have the right to protect their property , State Representative Jay D. Reedy ( R-Erin ) told The Tennessee Star in an exclusive interview .
Reedy introduced House Bill 11 .
Tracking information is here .
Reedy said it mirrors the law in Texas .
Following the protests around the nation this summer , Reedy said he found it “ interesting ” that a Tennessean could not resort to deadly force if someone was robbing them or firebombing their car .
“ It was across our nation , in different states , third- and fourth-generation businesses were being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state , ” he said .
“ Tennesseans should have the right to protect all that.
” The protesters returned home with no repercussions .
Even to learn their identities with the use of masks , authorities would have to extradite them .
Your life or another person ’ s life must be in danger to use deadly force , Reedy said .
If someone comes at you with a baseball bat and threatens you outside your home or business , using force is justified .
You can not shoot them if they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they drive off with your car , you have to let them go .
The Tennessee Firearms Association adds another example of a form of protection that is not allowed .
After downtown Nashville was subjected to rioting and arson , and police were told to back off , one must ask will this be allowed to continue , Reedy said .
“ To me that is not right , ” he said .
“ ( Police ) are sworn to protect the public , lives and property , and suddenly they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , just let them go.
” Reedy said he expects he will amend the bill ’ s language to narrow the scope and “ tighten it up , ” after receiving feedback from a legal group , but he was not prepared to discuss those details yet .
He is waiting to hear more feedback from a district attorney in his House district who has expressed support for any bill that would deter crime .
Reedy said he does not yet have a Senate sponsor , “ but it ’ s early.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only to protect their lives but their property , ” he said .
Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-22--NC State Hands Liberty First Loss of the Season

The North Carolina State Wolfpack defeated No.21 Liberty Flames 15-14 Saturday night in a thrilling game that came down to the wire , snapping the Flames 10-game winning streak .
In a competitive , low-scoring contest , the Wolfpack sealed its victory by blocking a 39-yard field goal attempt by Flames kicker Alex Barbir with 1:18 left in the fourth quarter after Liberty had driven the ball down the field .
“ Obviously disappointed .
I feel like our kids played their guts out , as hard as they could for us , and we , myself , didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to score enough points .
Just not a good feeling , ” Liberty head coach Hugh Freeze said during the postgame press conference .
“ I ’ m proud of [ the team ] though , proud of the way they fought .
I thought our defense played their hearts out and gave us plenty of chances to win the football game.
” “ You go toe-to-toe with a team in the ACC that I think is one of the top three or four talented teams in that group and had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m proud of them for that , but it does sting , ” Freeze added .
Overall , neither team played particularly well .
For almost the entire first half , NC State was in control on both sides of the ball , but especially in the run game .
In the first 30 minutes of action the Wolfpack racked up 210 total yards , 156 rushing and 54 passing , while Liberty had just 129 total yards , 91 on the ground and only 38 through the air .
The Flames @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first and did not score a point until the end of the second quarter , capitalizing on a bad interception by NC State quarterback Bailey Hockman after the Wolfpack were on the verge of taking a two-score lead .
In the third quarter , the game seemed to be shifting in Liberty ’ s favor .
On the 2nd drive of the half , Liberty started with good field position and made its way deep into NC State territory .
Liberty quarterback Malik Willis capped off the drive with a six-yard touchdown pass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Flames a seven-point lead .
Things went downhill from there for Liberty ’ s offense , however .
NC State got a pivotal safety – shrinking the lead to five- and then the Flames ’ offense stalled on its next couple possessions .
Midway through the fourth quarter Willis threw an interception , one of three on the night , which allowed NC State to start its dive with great field position and lead to a 4-yard touchdown run by running back Zonovan “ Bam ” Knight , giving the Wolfpack a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and making some plays with his legs , Willis did not perform to his usually great standards .
The Auburn transfer finished with the game with 172 passing yards , completing just 13 of 32 attempts , and 44 rushing yards .
“ I take all the blame , God takes all the glory , so it ’ s all on me , ” Willis said postgame .
“ I take the blame for that loss ; I take the blame for turning the ball over and just putting us in terrible situations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every time .
Even though NC State won , it was an extremely sloppy , mistake-riddled game for the Wolfpack .
NC State had got called for 14 turnovers that resulted in 123 yards from penalties , the most of the season .
The Wolfpack also struggled to run the ball in the second half , gaining just 11 total rushing yards in the third and fourth quarters because of halftime adjustments made by Liberty .
Additionally , Hockman was not able to attack the defense through the air all night long , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s loss ended Liberty ’ s chance at a perfect season and their unbeaten record against Atlantic Coast Conference opponents this season , bringing the team ’ s record to 8-1 with two games remaining on the schedule .
The Flames will host UMass next Saturday before squaring off against No.15 Coastal Carolina in the regular season finale .
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--2020-11-23--Tennessee’s Year-to-Date Budget Surplus is Up to $447 Million

Three months into the 2020-2021 fiscal year , Tennessee ’ s actual revenues have exceeded the budget to create a $ 447 million surplus .
The surplus represents revenues that are 13 percent over and above the budgeted revenues through October and the fourth month in a row of budget surpluses .
The surpluses followed three months of the state ’ s revenues being below the budgeted estimates in April , May and June , which fell in the previous 2019-2020 fiscal year .
While the state ’ s revenue performance for the year is very positive , it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in light of the economic impacts of COVID-19 .
In the current fiscal year , revenues are ahead of this time last fiscal year by nearly $ 83 million or just over two percent .
As Commissioner of Tennessee ’ s Department of Finance and Administration Butch Eley reported earlier this month , “ Tennessee ’ s economy continues to recover as October ’ s monthly revenue growth exceeds expectations.
” Eley commented , “ We are pleased to see growth over three percent from the same month last year.
” Sales and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s largest revenue source , far exceeded expectations at $ 111 million or 15 percent over budget for October and more than 12 percent ahead for the year .
October ’ s growth rate in sales tax revenues was 5.81 percent with a year-to-date growth rate of 3.73 percent , Eley reported .
Franchise and excise tax , the state ’ s second highest revenue sources , was $ 11.7 million or 26.8 percent ahead of October ’ s expectations and 31.3 percent ahead for the year .
Meanwhile , the state ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tax was slightly ahead of budget for the month , but is behind for the year .
Other revenue sources that make up the remaining 15 to 20 percent of the state ’ s budget that exceeded budget for October as well as the year to date are the income , beer , motor vehicle registration , business , privilege and alcoholic beverage taxes .
The mixed drink tax is off the most in terms of dollars and percentage at minus $ 3 million and 27 percent for the month and minus $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
The state ’ s four major funds are all ahead of plan for the year , although the Highway Fund is a little over nine percent off from this time last year .
“ Even though we are presently exceeding expectations , ” Eley cautioned , “ we will continue to proceed cautiously and closely monitor our revenue and expenditure patterns for the remainder of the fiscal year.
” Laura Baigert is a senior reporter at The Tennessee Star .

Gov. Bill Lee said more than 23,000 Tennesseans have received a free COVID-19 test at one of 67 drive-through testing sites over the past three weekends.
“Testing remains one of the most important tools for gaining more information in our fight against COVID-19, and the 23,000 tests we’ve completed over the last three weekends have provided incredibly valuable data,” Lee said in a statement. “We’re grateful to the thousands who came out to receive a test this weekend and we continue to remind Tennesseans: when in doubt, get a test.”
Last weekend alone, 5,153 Tennesseans received a free COVID-19 test. Lee said the free testing is part of the Unified Command Group’s efforts to widen access to testing regardless of symptoms.
“Our weekend sites have been equipped to meet the demand for free testing across the state,” said Dr. Lisa Piercey, Tennessee Department of Health commissioner. “With ample capacity at our county health departments during the week, we continue to encourage Tennesseans to take advantage of free testing at these locations.”
The Tennessee Department of Health has a map of testing sites published on its website. As of Thursday, Tennessee had completed 236,328 COVID-19 tests. That’s more than double the number of tests performed in states like Minnesota, which claims it has the ability to test up to 20,000 individuals in a day, but has yet to surpass 6,000 daily tests.
Between Wednesday and Thursday, Tennessee tested an additional 9,227 residents, according to the Department of Health.
Tennessee has also performed more than twice as many tests as Kentucky, which had tested 81,391 residents as of Thursday.
Most of Tennessee’s COVID-19 tests have been performed by non-state health labs, which account for 225,427 of the state’s 236,328 total tests.
Tennessee now has 14,096 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 237 deaths, and 6,783 recovered patients.
– – –
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “North Carolina National Guard Members” by the National Guard. CC BY 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-11-23--Republicans on Verge of Flipping 14 U.S. House Seats

Joe Biden ’ s decision to tap Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate did not help Democrats down-ballot in California three weeks ago .
We already know Harris is unpopular , even within her own party , as evidenced by her epic 2019 primary failure .
We now know she lacks coattails .
While Republicans had a great election night in U.S. House races across the country , surprisingly their most successful state was the one Harris represents .
Republicans flipped more House seats ( three ) in the Golden State than anywhere else , with victories by Young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steel and David Valadao .
It also looks likely that Republican Mike Garcia will hold on to the Los Angeles-area district he took in a special election earlier this year .
Make it four triumphs .
Additionally , the GOP won two Democrat seats in Florida , and possibly two more in Iowa , once the razor thin Second District race is called .
And for good measure , all Republican winners , including Michelle Fishbach in Minnesota , are women or minorities .
Biden ’ s puppetmasters told him to pick the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better options .
If Biden steps aside , as many feel is likely , a potential Harris presidency could be worse down ticket for the party than Barack Obama , who left office with Democrats in the worst shape since 1928 .
Recall , in her first race to serve as California attorney general , Harris sneaked by the Republican district attorney of Los Angeles County by less than one percentage point .
The Democrat atop the ticket that year was elected governor by 13 points .
A former schoolteacher and military historian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a journalist since 2006 .
His writings have been featured in newspapers and websites including the Baltimore Sun , Indianapolis Star , Minneapolis Star-Tribune , Orange County Register , Real Clear Politics , St .
Cloud Times and USA Today .
Photo “ Representative-elect Young Kim ” by Young Kim .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-23--Attorneys General Lash Out at DHS Student Visa Rules Letter Limiting Foreign Students’ Stay

In late October , 23 U.S. states ’ Attorneys General submitted a letter to the Department of Homeland Security expressing opposition to a proposed rule change that would place new limits on the time an international student can spend in the U.S .
The new rule would limit the validity of an international student visa to generally four years , the same amount of time it typically takes for a student to complete an undergraduate program .
The current stipulation , characterized as “ Duration of Stay , ” allows a student to stay in the United States as long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of studying or training .
A two-year maximum stay would be applied to students who meet certain categories , including coming from one of four state sponsors of terror , attending an institution that does not use the E-verify program , and coming from a country with more than a 10 percent rate of “ overstay ” - where a student allows their visa to expire and remains in the United States .
“ This is another illegal attempt by the Trump Administration to exclude international students from our colleges and universities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pictured above ) said in a statement .
“ Massachusetts is home to tens of thousands of students from other countries who enrich our institutions and strengthen our communities .
We ’ re calling on the Administration to withdraw this proposal immediately as it would have far-reaching impacts on our states , our economies , our students and our educational institutions.
” “ When President Trump says America first , what he really means is America alone , ” California Attorney General Xavier Becerra echoed .
“ Instead of strengthening cultural and economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dictators and punishes students because of where they come from .
In California , we ’ re proud to welcome journalists and students from around the world .
We all win when we work together .
Nobody benefits when the President sticks his head in the sand and tries to ignore our neighbors .
That ’ s why we ’ re calling on the federal government to withdraw this latest flawed proposal.
” Healey and Becerra signed the letter along with state attorneys general from the District of Columbia , Colorado , Connecticut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iowa , Maine , Maryland , Michigan , Minnesota , Nevada , New Mexico , New York , Oregon , Rhode Island , Vermont , Virginia , Washington , and Wisconsin .
According to the complaint , the proposed limitations are “ baseless , ” “ procedurally deficient , arbitrary and capricious , and contrary to law.
” The letter alleges , among other things , that : • The DHS failed to give the public enough time to comment on proposal , and the effective start date is too soon .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unfairly targets students .
• The DHS did not properly consider the financial damage to universities and state economies .
• The proposed rule would add too much red tape .
• The rule directly conflicts with existing statutes and regulations .
• And Acting Secretary Wolf lacks the legal authority to implement the rule .
“ This abuse includes misuse of the student/exchange visa status to prolong residency in the United States , as well as overstaying the visa to live illegally in the United States , ” Arthur added .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for an undetermined period of stay .
These visas are by definition meant to be temporary , and the government should establish an end date by which the alien must apply for an extension or return home.
” “ These changes are overdue , ” Arthur continued , “ as student/exchange visitors are admitted for a long period of time and with relatively little supervision .
And , these visa programs allow people who would not otherwise qualify for a visa to gain admission to the United States .
These are people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stable employment , and therefore represent a high risk for overstaying.
” Arthur also said the studies ’ own data makes the case against them : “ The AGs assert that DHS ’ s ‘ Data Reflects a Decrease in Student and Exchange Visitor Overstays ’ , ” Arthur explained , “ specifically that overstays in these categories fell between in FY 2016 ( 79,818 ) fell and FY 2019 ( 60,311 ) .
Though lower , it is still a significant number of aliens , and Congress has not appropriate sufficient funding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of them .
For example , in FY 2019 , the Enforcement and Removal Operations ( ERO ) branch of ICE arrested approximately 143,000 aliens and removed 267,258 .
While seemingly a large number , it is important to note that only 32 percent of those aliens removed ( 85,958 , or roughly 7,163 per month ) were originally arrested by ICE in the interior of the United States ( the rest were border arrests ) —a category that would include overstay nonimmigrant students .
Of those removals , 91 percent had criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overstays referenced , therefore , are equivalent to 70 percent of all ICE interior arrests in FY 2019.
” “ So , ” Arthur explained , “ ICE could either focus its attention on apprehending and removing those nonimmigrant student overstays ( which would mean thousands of criminals would remain in this country ) , or it could simply allow those overstays to remain – illegally – in the United States ( which is by and large ICE ’ s current policy ) .
The regulatory change , which would make it less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this situation , and relieve ICE of having to make that Hobson ’ s choice.
” Lora Ries , a senior research fellow for homeland security at the Heritage Foundation , also disagreed with the letter ’ s conclusions .
“ The universities don ’ t like it because it creates a burden for students , ” Ries told Campus Reform .
“ The universities want more foreign students because foreign students pay full tuition and fees , so it ’ s about money for them.
” “ If you come here as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ries continued , “ then that student or exchange visa should be tied to that purpose .
What the government ’ s attempting to do here is get back to the original intent for this particular program , and cut out any fraud or abuse.
” “ I imagine the universities supplied much of this language , ” Ries noted , “ even though it is signed by the attorneys general.
” “ The universities , ” Ries concluded , “ are really going overboard with this language .
To say it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state economy by discouraging or outright preventing students and exchange visitors from pursuing educational opportunities in the United States ” - that ’ s really a Chicken Little approach .
Of course , students can still come here and study .
The fact that after two years or four years- which is the duration of their program- that they would then have to go to UNCIS and prove why they need an extension- that ’ s completely reasonable.
” “ This is about money .
The universities want foreign students because they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if not all , the language.
” “ The fact is , foreign students have had it quite easy in terms of enforcement and lack of compliance .
They apply for one visa then just stay here years and years .
And now they are complaining that they will be inconvenienced to have to seek an extension when their program is over and to justify that , which seems a very unreasonable complaint.
” Arik Schneider is a California Senior Campus Correspondent and reports liberal bias and abuse on campus for Campus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Los Angeles .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-23--Commentary: The Pressure to Make Allegations of a Mass Fraud During the 2020 Presidential Election D

Commentary: The Pressure to Make Allegations of a Mass Fraud During the 2020 Presidential Election Disappear is Enormous

So what is the state of play regarding the 2020 presidential election ?
There seem to be two main positions .
One is that Joe Biden won the election , narrowly but with sufficient latitude that any challenge is bootless .
A corollary of that contention is that the adults in the room , be they Republicans or Democrats , should get with the program and accede to the Narrative .
Over the past week or so , I have had many Republican friends – including some sympathetic to President Trump – explain that the fight is essentially over .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pursuing every legal recourse .
Yet the assumption is always the same : the game is lost but , like a transmission from a distant galaxy , the news has not yet reached us .
“ To preserve our democracy , ” both Left and Right say , we will soon need to draw a line under the election of 2020 and declare Joe Biden the winner .
If you are a Democratic mouthpiece – i.e.
, if you are a spokesman for the mainstream media – then you think ( or at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s refusal to concede is “ damaging democracy ” and isn ’ t it just the kind of bad behavior you would expect of a man of “ bad character ” who should never have been president in the first place ?
Those on the Right , many of them , want or at least are willing to let the “ process ” play out but in their heart-of-hearts they have already conceded and are calculating how they might turn this unfortunate situation to their advantage .
The other main position – and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is mine – is that this election was riddled with voter fraud .
Nor was it the usual taken-for-granted and ( between us sophisticated men of the world ) acceptable margin of fraud but a planned and systematic assault on the integrity of our election that overturned a convincing victory for Donald Trump .
I believe this partly because of the stunning statistical anomalies in the election – I have written about this several times ( here , for example , and here ) .
But I believe the election was fraudulent for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief reason has to do with the allegations put forward by Sidney Powell , a prominent attorney who is part of President Trump ’ s legal team .
She has laid out her case many times in the last couple of weeks , including at an “ opening statement ” press conference on November 19 at which she , Rudy Giuliani , Jenna Ellis , and other members of Trump ’ s legal team offered a précis of their case .
Their presentation was widely , if not quite universally , condemned by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence ?
” was one cry , but another , less articulate though more insistent was “ Evidence be damned , just shut up and get Trump out of office !
” Suddenly , a lot of people were imitating the state of Missouri , responding to every allegation with the demand “ Show me !
” Tucker Carlson delighted Trump ’ s enemies and enraged his friends by pointedly asking what evidence Powell had .
He later updated his comments , noting that if Powell is right , she has , almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biggest political crime in our nation ’ s history .
It has not , let me admit , been entirely smooth sailing for Powell .
Shortly after the election , she helped publicize the idea that “ The Hammer ” and “ Scorecard ” software allegedly written for our intelligence services and deployed abroad to intervene in foreign elections , was used in our election .
Unfortunately , it is not at all clear that those programs even exist .
That revelation has to make even those of us who , like me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take a step or two back .
If Hammer and Scorecard were figments of someone ’ s imagination , how about the allegations that Dominion voting machines are hackable by design , that they were deployed in Venezuela to assure Hugo Chávez ’ s victory , and that they have subsequently been used elsewhere to meddle with election results ?
Speaking to Glenn Beck on Friday , Powell described what has just happened as “ a global criminal conspiracy ” that involves China , our own intelligence services , and various European countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 percent of what Powell alleges is true , it would count as perhaps “ the biggest ” such crime in history .
If .
The pressure to make these allegations disappear is enormous .
Lawyers as well as front-line election canvassers working for Trump campaign have been doxxed , harassed , threatened .
Several firms , demonstrating the courage and independent spirit for which establishment bureaucrats are famous , have withdrawn their services .
Beck noted that Facebook had demonetized his show for the crime of carrying , without comment , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What are they afraid of ?
Dominion was scheduled to answer questions from Pennsylvania lawmakers a couple of days ago .
Company officials backed out at the last moment .
Why ?
What were they afraid of ?
Meanwhile , Powell promises that her team will begin making evidence of their claims available as early as this week .
Her team has suits teed-up in all the swing states and hundreds of affidavits to back them up .
Of course , an affidavit is just a sworn statement .
It might or might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I believe , require further evidence .
Does Powell have that evidence ?
She says she does .
For now , though , we are all caught in a postmodern version of a Beckett play , Waiting for Sidney .
Will she arrive ?
Many big claims have been made , and not only by Sidney Powell .
Another lawyer , the celebrated Lin Wood , has joined the fight .
Like Powell , he believes that Trump won in “ a landslide , ” by “ millions of votes ” that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would deliver Trump the popular vote as well as some 400 electoral votes .
A resident of Georgia , he has just filed suit there .
One commentator who knows Powell weighed in on the state of play , noting that he believes Powell .
He believes her and her fellow attorneys partly because of the abundant circumstantial evidence of voter fraud , partly because if she and her colleagues are wrong , or are deceiving us , the penalties would be severe .
“ If these charges are false , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” That ’ s my emphasis , Kemo Sabe : only if the charges are unsupported and untrue .
I really do not know what is going to happen .
The clock is ticking , loudly .
Sometimes it seems that Trump would need a miracle akin to the “ miracle of the lightning ” or the “ miracle of the rain ” that saved Marcus Aurelius and his generals in their battles against revolting German tribes in the early 170s AD .
In one case , a Roman army was besieged by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destroyed the Iazyges ’ siege works and the Romans rallied .
In the other , the Romans were surrounded by the Quadi and cut off from fresh water .
In the dreadful summer heat , they were about to succumb when the heavens opened and a downpour snatched them from ignominious defeat .
Those dei ex machina were stunning , unpredictable , salvific .
Can Donald Trump count on something similar ?
No .
Could it nonetheless happen ?
You betcha .
Roger Kimball is editor and publisher of The New Criterion and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He is the author and editor of many books , including The Fortunes of Permanence : Culture and Anarchy in an Age of Amnesia ( St. Augustine ’ s Press ) , The Rape of the Masters ( Encounter ) , Lives of the Mind : The Use and Abuse of Intelligence from Hegel to Wodehouse ( Ivan R. Dee ) , and Art ’ s Prospect : The Challenge of Tradition in an Age of Celebrity ( Ivan R. Dee ) .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-23--Lawmakers to Discuss Tennessee $741 Million Welfare Windfall

When state lawmakers return to Nashville next January , one topic for consideration will be what to do with Tennessee ’ s $ 741 million surplus funds from a welfare program for the working poor – a larger surplus than any other state in the nation .
The surplus of funds from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families ( TANF ) welfare program , also known as Families First , was first reported by the Beacon Center of Tennessee and the Tennessean last year .
The program is administered by the Tennessee Department of Human Services ( TDHS ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 240 monthly cash benefit for eligible families for a maximum of 16 months .
The average monthly wage of employed participants was $ 920 , as of September .
About 15,500 families received TANF benefits in September , down from more than 17,500 in March , when the COVID-19 pandemic hit Tennessee .
In budget hearings with Gov .
Bill Lee last week , outgoing TDHS Commissioner Danielle Barnes explained that unemployment income counts against income requirements for TANF while providing a higher benefit , prompting many families to transition off of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unemployed because of the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ Families served by TANF have continued to steadily decline , ” Barnes said .
“ We do know that many of these individuals were also eligible for unemployment during the same time .
The amount of the unemployment benefit that an individual received counted as income against TANF and emergency cash assistance .
I think it ’ s also important to know that the benefit for TANF pales in comparison with what an individual receives on unemployment.
” The decline in TANF participation didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past nine years , the number of families receiving TANF benefits has decreased by nearly 75 % .
In September 2011 , more than 61,000 families participated in TANF – comparable to the average number of families on the TANF program served by TDHS since 1997 .
Over the past decade , requirements for program participation have increased .
In 2014 , the Tennessee Legislature implemented drug testing requirements for TANF participants , as well as penalties for participants who failed to follow program rules .
Additional eligibility changes passed in 2015 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefit amount for the first time in more than 20 years – a move that increased the average monthly benefit from about $ 165 to the current $ 240 , according to department data .
House Speaker Cameron Sexton ( R-Crossville ) and Lt. Gov .
Randy McNally ( R-Oak Ridge ) appointed a legislative TANF Working Group last November to discuss where the surplus came from and what to do with it .
Both plan for the bipartisan working group to continue meeting next year .
“ We ’ ll continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support Tennessee ’ s working families as they move away from government assistance and become self-reliant , ” said Doug Kufner , a spokesperson for Sexton .
“ One of the things the coronavirus pandemic proved is that healthy reserves are always a good thing , ” McNally spokesperson Adam Kleinheider said .
“ Lt .
Gov .
McNally expects there will be various innovative proposals introduced this session to utilize TANF funds – both by the department and the Legislature .
He looks forward to a thorough vetting of them all.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ R-Murfreesboro ) is working with TDHS to draft legislation that would incentivize participation in work training and apprenticeship opportunities for TANF participants with higher benefit payments .
The state receives a yearly federal allotment of $ 191 million for the TANF program , and spends about $ 35 million on direct cash assistance .
Another $ 35 million goes to program administration in all 95 counties .
“ That essentially left us with $ 121 million sitting there that could be utilized to help these people improve their income mobility and to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Terry told The Center Square .
TANF participants who meet pathway-to-prosperity requirements would receive up to $ 500 in TANF benefits per month as long as they met program criteria .
TDHS confirmed to The Center Square it is in the early stages of proposing legislation alongside Terry and the TANF Working Group .
“ This is one of the things we really are going to ask the Legislature to take a look at next year , and your office , to take a look at next year : what is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and how can we really be innovative in program administration , ” Barnes said in TDHS budget hearing with the governor .
The pathway to prosperity legislation is one of several ideas for the TANF funds that will be presented .
Senate Democratic Caucus Chair Raumesh Akbari ( D-TN-29 ) said higher monthly payments will be key to whatever legislation is passed .
“ One out of five kids in our state lives in poverty , but Tennessee ’ s support for families in need has not kept up with the rising cost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about food , child care , diapers or rent , ” Akbari said .
“ Evidence-based best practices recommend that we increase the monthly payment amount to help these parents and children defeat poverty and I will be advocating for the legislature to increase this assistance.
” Vivian Jones reports on Tennessee and South Carolina for The Center Square .
Her writing has appeared in the Detroit News , The Hill , and publications of The Heartland Institute .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-23--The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post Among Newspapers Paid Millions by Beijing-Controlled News O

The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post Among Newspapers Paid Millions by Beijing-Controlled News Outlet to Publish Propaganda this Year

An English-language newspaper controlled by the Chinese Communist Party ’ s propaganda department paid U.S. media companies nearly $ 2 million for printing and advertising expenses over the past six months , even amid heightened scrutiny over Beijing ’ s disinformation efforts in the West .
China Daily paid The Wall Street Journal more than $ 85,000 and the Los Angeles Times $ 340,000 for advertising campaigns between May and October 2020 , according to a disclosure that the propaganda mill filed this week with the Justice Department under the Foreign Agents Registration Act ( FARA ) .
China Daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , The Financial Times , a U.K.-based newspaper , $ 223,710 , and $ 132,046 to the Canadian outlet Globe & Mail for advertising campaigns , according to the filing .
The Beijing-based outlet paid several newspaper companies a total of $ 1,154,666 for printing costs , including $ 110,000 to the Los Angeles Times , $ 92,000 to The Houston Chronicle and $ 76,000 to The Boston Globe .
Overall , China Daily spent more than $ 4.4 million on printing , distribution , advertising and administration expenses over the past six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
China Daily , which is controlled by the Chinese Communist Party ’ s State Council Information Office , its propaganda agency , has for years paid newspapers and magazines in the U.S. and other Western countries to publish advertorials designed to look like legitimate news articles .
China Daily paid The Washington Post more than $ 4.6 million from late 2016 through October 2019 , according to a FARA disclosure China Daily filed in June .
The Journal received $ 6 million for advertorials from 2016 through April 2020 , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , The Journal has received $ 461,489 in advertising revenue from China Daily .
China Daily ’ s inserts , which are entitled “ China Watch , ” have typically offered a pro-Beijing spin regarding the Chinese economy , Chinese culture or China ’ s geopolitical views .
The Journal , which maintains a website of its sponsored China Daily content , includes numerous articles first published by China Daily touting Beijing ’ s handling of the coronavirus pandemic , which originated in Wuhan last year .
“ Apple CEO : China Getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of one article on the Journal ’ s site .
Several articles are critical of U.S. officials who have accused the Chinese government of misleading the West about the pandemic , and allowing the virus to spread globally .
“ Trump ’ s China Remark Rebuked ” and “ US Spin On Virus ’ Name Condemned ” are the headlines of two articles on the Journal ’ s site .
The Journal has not published any articles on its sponsored page since July .
China Daily ’ s FARA filing does not list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month ending June 30 , 2020 .
Some American newspapers have cut ties with China Daily in response to the criticism of the pay-for-print arrangements .
The Washington Free Beacon reported in August that The New York Times quietly scrubbed its website of advertorials it had published as part of a deal it had with China Daily .
In February , the State Department designated China Daily and four other Beijing-controlled news outlets to be “ foreign missions , ” which treats them the same as foreign embassies because of their close ties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Street Journal did not respond to a request for comment about its relationship with China Daily .
The Los Angeles Times also did not respond to a request for comment .
Chuck Ross is a reporter at Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Looking for News ” by Brian Kerrigan CC3.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-23--Trump Pulls Out of Military Transparency Treaty with Russia, Europe

The Trump administration officially withdrew from the Open Skies Treaty , a 2002 agreement to promote military transparency signed by more than 30 countries including Russia .
The Department of State said Sunday that the U.S. had officially withdrawn from the Open Skies Treaty , which went into effect nearly two decades ago .
President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo both announced on May 21 that the U.S. intended to exit the agreement , according to The Associated Press .
“ The United States exercised its right pursuant to paragraph 2 of Article XV of the Treaty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Treaty Depositaries and to all States Parties of its decision to withdraw from the Treaty , effective six months from the notification date , ” State Department spokesperson Cale Brown said in a statement Sunday .
Pompeo said that the continued U.S. involvement in Open Skies was untenable because of Russia ’ s continued violations of the treaty in a May statement .
He added that the U.S. has consistently lived up to its commitments in the agreements .
“ Russia ’ s implementation and violation of Open Skies , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Treaty — and has , in fact , fueled distrust and threats to our national security — making continued U.S. participation untenable , ” Pompeo said .
The Open Skies Treaty was signed in 1992 and went into effect in 2002 , according to the Arms Control Association .
It promotes transparency by allowing all members to conduct unarmed reconnaissance flights over other members ’ territories to examine military movements and activities .
The agreement allows all members access to “ confidence-building ” intelligence since the data a country collects on another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the Brookings Institution .
“ Russia has for many years imposed flight restrictions inconsistent with the Treaty , including flight limitations over Kaliningrad , and restricting flights in Russia near its border with Georgia , ” North Atlantic Treaty Organization ( NATO ) Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in a May statement .
However , NATO remained committed to the treaty , Stoltenberg said .
Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez , ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee , and several other Democratic senators questioned the legality of the Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a June letter .
The senators admitted that the treaty has been “ imperfect , ” but said it has still had a positive impact .
“ I strongly believe that President Trump ’ s decision to withdraw from the Treaty is a violation of domestic law , ” Menendez said Sunday , according to The Hill .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-23--Commentary: A Retired Professor’s Retrospective on How Academia and Society Have Gone Separate Ways

I landed in Washington , D.C. , in 1965 as a graduate student .
For a conservative , the landscape was barren .
There was no conservative administration , no national newspaper that competed with the liberal New York Times and Washington Post , no conservative think tanks that rivaled the Brookings Institution or Carnegie Endowment for International Peace , and no conservative majority in Congress .
Over the previous 32 years , the Democrats occupied the White House for 24 years , and both houses of Congress for 28 years .
For all practical purposes , Washington and national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After 1965 , Washington and the country moved right .
Over the next 56 years ( through January 2021 ) , Republican presidents sat in the White House for 32 years , Democrats for 24 .
Republicans then took the Senate from 1981 to 1987 and controlled both houses of Congress from 1995 to 2007 and 2015-2019 , holding in between the Senate ( 2019-2021 ) or House ( 2011-2015 ) alone for an additional six years .
Washington and the country were no longer a Democratic Party monopoly .
Conservative think tanks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sprouted – The Heritage Foundation ; the Cato , Hudson , and Reagan institutes ; and the Hoover Institution – while existing ones , such as the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the American Enterprise Institute , surged .
Fox News Channel broke the liberal stranglehold on the media .
Conservative commentary flourished on local and national radio and TV .
And state governors and legislatures became red as often as blue .
A healthy balance characterized American politics .
Democrats , of course , didn ’ t like the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” blaming Republicans for dividing the country .
The academy , meanwhile , marched in the opposite direction .
Already dominated by liberals , it moved even further left , until it sank into the swamp of today ’ s “ cancel culture ” and political correctness .
When I started teaching at Williams College in Massachusetts in 1971 , my colleagues , with one or two exceptions , were strongly anti-Nixon if not anti-U.S. , and openly Marxist and radical .
They celebrated Marxist holidays , draping their houses near or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I returned to Washington in 1973 as an assistant professor of political science at George Washington University , I had four or five conservative colleagues among 20 or so political science faculty members .
Today , as I retire , there are none among some 45 colleagues .
The faculty imbalance nationwide is staggering .
According to Jon Shields and Joshua Dunn Sr. , in their 2016 book “ Passing on the Right : Conservative Professors in the Progressive University , ” Republican professors account for only 7 % to 9 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6 % to 11 % in the humanities .
Conservative professors generally lie low until they are tenured—and often beyond .
They have to sit in meetings where conservative politics are ridiculed and Republican presidents are the butt of mischievous jokes .
( Example : “ Compassionate conservatism ?
Isn ’ t that an oxymoron ?
” ) They mentor graduate students who study subjects that align more with liberal than conservative interests – disarmament , not nuclear deterrence ; market failures , not government failures ; the threats of climate change , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; and Democratic , not Republican , presidents .
Conservative faculty solicit funding from liberal institutions , such as the Ford and Rockefeller foundations , and grimace as the MacArthur Foundation grants “ genius ” awards to mostly left-wing scholars and activists .
Meanwhile , conservative funding sources , such as the Koch , Scaife , and Bradley foundations are lesser known or stereotyped as ideological , not scholarly .
When conservative foundations stick around too long , liberal colleagues infiltrate their boards and take over .
That happened at the Pew Charitable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conservative foundations often sunset their giving and disappear after a generation .
The conservative Olin and Earhart foundations did that in recent years .
Despite this tilted terrain , I thoroughly enjoyed most of my time in the academy .
Overall , liberal colleagues were friendly and encouraging .
I received fellowships from both conservative ( Bradley and Hoover ) and liberal ( Ford and the Century Fund ) foundations .
I served on the board of a prominent academic journal and was selected by my colleagues to help lead the newly established @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington University .
A key pivot in my career occurred when I served in the Reagan administration .
From 1981 to 1983 , I was the senior staff member of the National Security Council , responsible for international economic policy and the economic summits of the Group of Seven leading industrial nations .
No academic friends joined me in the administration .
In fact , those friends were shocked that I supported Ronald Reagan .
Remember , Reagan was regarded by many liberals as “ racist ” and “ right-wing , ” polarizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
My own department refused to approve my request to remain a second year in the administration , a normal request , until I appealed to the president of the university , a rare conservative in that position .
After the Reagan years , the mood in the academy seesawed .
In the 1990s , the liberal left shuddered at the success of Reagan ’ s policies .
How could they explain the end of the Cold War and the spread of free markets ?
While I explained it in terms of Reagan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic strategies in my 1991 book “ The Myth of America ’ s Decline , ” they found other explanations , such as “ the information revolution ” or Mikhail Gorbachev .
For a moment in the 1990s , students who grew up under Reagan were more conservative .
They at least noticed the pictures on my wall of Reagan and me on Air Force One and asked what kind of leader Reagan was .
After 9/11 and the Afghanistan and Iraq wars , however , the mood turned rancid .
The diversity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over , and intolerance reached its peak in the 2016 election , when conservative students feared to reveal their preferences for Donald Trump .
How much politics mattered over all these years is hard to know .
It mattered some , for sure .
When colleagues accuse me of exaggerating , I suggest they spend their next life pursuing the same profession , but living in a thoroughly conservative – not liberal – community .
How comfortable , let alone successful , might they be ?
Most troubling , few colleagues today realize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ university has become .
Too many insist that I agree with the “ cancel culture ” or accept the status of a lower moral being .
Their sanctimony increasingly isolates them from the society they propose to educate .
Can the academy wake up ?
Can it have a real “ woke ” experience ?
I hope so , because conservatives in Washington and the larger society are here to stay .
Henry R. Nau is a professor emeritus of political science and international affairs with the Elliott School of International Affairs at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Photo : On sabbatical from George Washington University at the time , National Security Council staffer Henry R. Nau is seen here in May 1983 aboard Air Force One with then-President Ronald Reagan after a Group of Seven summit in Williamsburg , Virginia .
( Photo : White House photographer )


thetennesseestar--2020-11-23--Republican to Host Thanksgiving Gathering, Sends Walz and Ellison Invite

Representative-elect Erik Mortensen ( R-MN-55A ) , said he has invited Gov .
Tim Walz ( DFL ) and Attorney General Keith Ellison ( DFL ) to his home for a Thanksgiving celebration this week .
Their presence at Mortensen ’ s home , of course , would be a violation of the governor ’ s four-week prohibition on social gatherings with people from other households .
Gov .
Walz announced sweeping new restrictions on the economy and private events in an executive order issued last week .
“ We should be rejecting tyranny , like I ’ ll be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encourage everybody else to go ahead and have safe , responsible get-togethers this holiday season , ” said Mortensen , who will be having some friends over to his home the night before Thanksgiving .
Technically , Mortensen ’ s actions could be punishable by a $ 1,000 fine or up to 90 days in jail .
Walz ’ s new order also allows Ellison ’ s office to investigate “ threatened violations ” of the mandate .
“ Those invitations are in the mail .
I would suspect that they ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Mortensen said , referring to the invites he mailed to Walz and Ellison .
“ I hope to see them there because they ’ re going to hear firsthand how many lives they have decimated in Minnesota .
They ’ ll hear stories firsthand from people who have been severely impacted by these illegal and unconstitutional orders , ” he added .
Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News .
He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform , and reported for The Daily Caller .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-23--Ohio Public Health Advisory System – Indicator Seven, ICU Occupancy

The Ohio Public Health Advisory System ( OPHAS ) is the color-coded map that assigns a health emergency threat level to each of Ohio ’ s 88 counties based on seven indicators .
Those seven alert indicators are listed below , links are embedded for the first six indicators that will direct to a story The Ohio Star has reported .
The seventh indicator is the topic of this report .
• New cases per capita – triggered if greater than 50 cases per 100,000 residents over the last two weeks .
• Sustained increase in new cases – triggered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consecutive days in overall cases by onset date over the last three weeks .
• Proportion of cases not in congregate setting – triggered if proportion of cases that are not in a congregate setting goes over 50 % in at least one of the last three weeks .
• Sustained increase in Emergency Department ( ED ) visits for COVID-like illness – triggered if increasing trend of at least five consecutive days in the number of visits to the emergency department with COVID-like illness or diagnosis over the last three weeks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-like illness – triggered if increasing trend of at least five consecutive days in the number of people going to a health care provider with COVID symptoms who then receive a COVID confirmed or suspected diagnosis over the last three weeks .
• Sustained increase in new COVID hospital admissions – triggered if increasing trend of at least five consecutive days in the number of new hospitalizations due to COVID over the last three weeks .
• Intensive Care Unit ( ICU ) bed occupancy – triggered if percentage of occupied ICU beds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for at least three days in the last week , and more than 20 % ICU beds are being used for COVID positive patients for at least three days in the last week .
Ohio hospitals are all categorized in one of six regions that roll up into three zones .
Sustained increase in ICU bed occupancy is the most relevant of the bunch comprising the OPHAS indicators because it measures total ICU utilization and specifically looks at COVID patients in intensive care .
Giving hospitals time to prepare for a surge in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state ’ s early orders , including one that postponed Ohioans ’ rights to elective care .
Right now , we are in a crucial time in this battle .
What we do now will slow this invader so that our healthcare system will have time to treat those who have contracted COVID-19 and also have time to treat those who have other medical problems .
Time is of the essence .
– Ohio Governor Mike DeWine during a March 23 press briefing Ohio logged 2,092 COVID cases by onset date on October @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grew to 6,087 according to the Ohio COVID dashboard .
Despite the run-up in cases and a spike in hospitalizations – which have not correlated to a matching percentage of deaths ( which continue to hold well below peaks from April ) no county in Ohio has tripped indicator seven .
ICU admissions , to some degree , are comprised of patients transferred from the ED .
Consequently , there is a possibility that someone in the ED for a COVID-like illness could be tagged COVID-positive and then counted as a COVID ICU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and an Investigative Reporter at The Ohio Star .
Windsor is also an Investigative Reporter at WMFD-TV .
Follow Jack on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-23--Ohio State Representative Cross Records His Hometown at 10:00 p.m. on Saturday

In a video that ends with a plea from Ohio State Representative Jon Cross ( R-Kenton ) to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine , Cross asks for Ohio to be opened and his district to be relieved from measures that are choking out businesses and workers .
Cross represents Ohio ’ s 83rd District , comprised of Findlay , Kenton and an area with over 119,000 Ohioans .
“ This is not an attack on the Governor .
This is my artistic way of drawing attention to the situation.
” In the video , Cross says : We are fighting for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our livelihood .
We are fighting for our economy .
Tone and tenor matters .
Facts matter .
Science and data matters .
Our Constitution matters .
We all stood down here in on this well of the floor , put our hand on the Bible and we swore to protect and defend this constitution .
And what you don ’ t do in the middle of a crisis is you don ’ t open the doors up and fling the Constitution out .
We ’ re protecting our rights and freedoms .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ re protecting the Ohio worker to send a message that we have the backs of all Ohioans .
In an exclusive interview with The Ohio Star , Cross said the goal of his video is to “ show people of Ohio and the Governor the economic distress of my hometown due to government regulations and curfews.
” “ Just like they talk about the hospitals being overrun , you can ’ t see it .
Last night we filmed the video and I got done editing it at 3:00 a.m .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hardin County looked like on a Saturday at 10:00 p.m. , ” said Cross .
“ Governor , please sign House Bill 621 , ” that ’ s the direct message , said Cross .
He continued , “ look at the devastation being caused .
This is why we are writing legislation.
” Cross noted that in his district “ you have a bigger city like Findlay and smaller communities like Kenton ” and that the area can not sustain the economic distress that bigger cities like Cincinnati , Cleveland and Columbus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bartender , a guardian of her two great grandchildren , is used to taking home hundreds of dollars in tips a week and is now taking home $ 40 , that ’ s a huge problem .
The economic distress caused on our constituents should not be as deadly as the virus.
” Cross said that the legislature and Ohioans need to “ begin thinking about recovery ” and “ to get a vaccine to Ohioans to end the virus ; to help constituents who will have extremely expensive COVID health care bills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ The Governor can not do this by himself , ” said Cross – “ he will need our help .
We need to start thinking about the recovery .
The financial recovery and our health care recovery.
” Asked whether he believes Governor DeWine will change course , Cross said “ we can only hope ; but he won ’ t change course if he doesn ’ t see it .
You can ’ t just fly around and stop at airports for 30 minutes .
We are living it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Jack Windsor is Managing Editor and an Investigative Reporter at The Ohio Star .
Windsor is also an Investigative Reporter at WMFD-TV .
Follow Jack on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-23--Former Portsmouth Police Chief Angela Greene Tells Her Story

Angela Greene says she was fired for upholding the law .
The former Portsmouth Police Chief was placed on administrative leave after her department announced felony charges against leader Senator Louise Lucas ( D-Portsmouth ) and others alleged to have been involved in damaging the city ’ s Confederate monument in June .
The charges were dropped on November 16 , the same day Greene was fired .
In an interview with The Virginia Star , Greene and her attorney Thomas Plofchan told her story .
“ As far as my employment with the City of Portsmouth before the monument @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I ’ ve never had any issues , any concerns , any questions about my leadership , so there ’ s never been an issue there up until the monument incident , ” Greene said .
Greene started her career as a patrol officer in Richmond in 2001 ; she was eventually promoted to captain .
In 2016 , the City of Portsmouth hired her as Assistant Chief of Police .
Then , in 2019 , she was promoted to Chief when Tonya Chapman was ousted .
“ There were individuals , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public officials out on June 10 concerning our Confederate monument that we have in the City of Portsmouth that decided to deface and destroy the monument , ” Greene said .
“ After I exhausted all options of having outside agencies investigate this matter , ” Greene said , “ it was incumbent on me to allow my team of detectives and supervisors to investigate the matter to find what if any charges could be brought against these individuals that conspired to destroy the monument.
” Greene said her team found probable cause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protest .
They presented the case to a local magistrate .
“ The magistrate reviewed the probable cause and agreed that it was sufficient to issue felony arrest warrants for those individuals , ” Greene said .
Plofchan said other coverage suggested it was unusual to not go through Commonwealth ’ s Attorney Stephanie Morales ( D ) for the felony charges ; however both Plofchan and Greene emphasized that having the magistrate issue the charges was normal for a property crime .
Morales was listed as a witness by the police department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involvement as prosecutor in the case .
In October , a judge denied the subpoena against Morales and ordered the department to share case documents with the prosecutor .
In September , Greene was placed on administrative leave without explanation at the same time as the arraignment for those charged in the protest .
Then , on November 16 , Greene was fired .
That same day , a court dismissed the charges against Lucas and the others , in response to a Motion to Dismiss filed by Morales ’ office .
Greene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the days she was placed on leave and then terminated .
“ I believe that I ’ m being wrongfully terminated , because I upheld the law , because I performed my sworn duty as the chief of police , and because I believe no one is above the law.
” Plofchan repeatedly emphasized that the key to Greene ’ s position as Police Chief was her political neutrality .
“ One of the things that ’ s very important about Chief Greene and her position as a police officer is , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political beliefs , ” Plofchan said .
“ As a neutral officer who has sworn to uphold the Constitution , her personal beliefs have no play.
” “ I ’ m a Black female Chief of Police in a position which is race neutral , ” Greene said .
“ Yet I was retaliated against because I refused to treat criminal behavior differently because of the alleged offenders race , creed , gender , or political affiliation.
” As the case moved through the court , Virginia Democrats lionized Lucas , who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s termination .
Meanwhile , the Portsmouth Tea Party called for Greene to be reinstated , and Republicans statewide have taken the opportunity to criticize Lucas for her involvement in alleged crimes at the June protest .
Greene said Portsmouth police officers also support her .
“ I ’ m receiving overwhelming support from one side of the community , but ironically , it ’ s divided on racial lines , ” Greene said , “ although I was being colorblind and race-neutral , while enforcing the law , which is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted that some Black community members did support Greene .
“ But the leaders of those who purport to represent the African-American community , and we don ’ t know how legitimate that leadership is , that leadership has certainly been hostile to you , ” he said .
Greene ’ s still keeping her opinions about politics and policy under wraps , but she hopes she can use her case to influence Portsmouth for the better .
She ’ s working with Plofchan to pursue a legal claim against the city of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ [ It ’ s ] not just about clearing my name per se , but it ’ s also about bringing to light a lot of the issues and problems we ’ ve been seeing around the nation with the political interference during this civil unrest in how law enforcement has been hampered in doing their duties , ” Greene said .
“ I ’ m hoping that if we do pursue legal action that it will be for the betterment of the City of Portsmouth ’ s citizens and police officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationwide , ” Greene said .
“ We can not allow political leaders and city officials to interfere in law enforcement duties for their own political agenda and self interest.
” Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-23--Glenn Davis is Determined to Make Second Run at Virginia Lieutenant Governor a Success

Virginia State Delegate Glenn Davis ( R-Virginia Beach ) says he wants to restore the Commonwealth as a bastion of business and help bring increased equity to education throughout the state if elected as lieutenant governor in 2021 .
Davis , 47 , announced his second run for the position back in September and was the first Republican candidate to enter the 2021 Virginia lieutenant gubernatorial election , which will take place next November .
“ I had the opportunity to grow up here in Virginia and others have provided a climate that has allowed me to have a great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start a family , and we need to make sure that we provide that opportunity for this next generation , ” Davis told The Virginia Star .
“ Unfortunately that opportunity , the chance at the American dream , is starting to dwindle away with the burdens that have been placed on small businesses , the economy and also the mishandling of the COVID pandemic.
” Davis added : “ I think that we need to protect opportunities for the next generation for economic prosperity , level playing fields for education and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , also for our law enforcement to provide for safe neighborhoods.
” According to Davis , a member of the Virginia House of Delegates since 2014 , the platform he will be running on has two distinct parts .
The first is to make sure that all Virginians regardless of wealth , job status or skin color have an equal shot at attaining the American dream and a first-rate education .
The second part of Davis ’ platform focuses on the current economic downturn and bringing Virginia back to the number one state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as creating an environment that allows small businesses and entrepreneurship to flourish .
If elected next November , Davis said he will put the people over partisan politics .
“ For me , it ’ s the people first not the party , ” Davis told The Star .
“ I don ’ t make decisions based on politics unlike some elected officials who play games with legislation .
I don ’ t play games with people ’ s lives .
Politics and governance for me are two separate things .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; you ’ re elected to govern and that ’ s the way I ’ ve always viewed it.
” Davis also maintains that his desire to run for Lt .
Gov.
, the second-highest-ranking elected official in the state , does not come from a motivation to use the position as a stepping stone to the Executive Mansion or to just sit around presiding over the Senate for four years .
Instead , Davis is interested in pushing an agenda “ of job creation and equality for all , ” which he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lt. Gov .
role .
Davis first ran for Lt. Gov .
in 2017 , losing a three-way race for the Republican nomination .
Davis ended the GOP primary in distant third to State Senators Jill Vogel ( R-Fauquier ) and Bryce Reeves ( R-Spotsylvania ) , receiving just 17 percent of the vote .
For much of that campaign , Davis lived out of an RV and traveled to all different corners of state hosting events and meeting prospective voters , even while the Virginia General Assembly was still in session .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is you can ’ t represent a whole state until you understand a whole state and every part of the [ Commonwealth ] has different opportunities and challenges , ” Davis said .
“ The travels before allowed me to become engrossed in those differences and also make a lot of friends.
” This time around , Davis is very confident that he can win the election and still plans to visit places throughout the Commonwealth , but , given the coronavirus pandemic , his intrastate travel plans will be more limited than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and what I ’ m willing to sacrifice and what my family is willing to sacrifice for this run , I know I can win because regardless of money no one is going to out work me , ” Davis said .
On the Republican ticket , Davis is joined by former state delegate Tim Hugo , veteran Lance Allen and lobbyist Puneet Ahluwalia .
Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman has been rumored to be entering the race .
The Democratic candidates include : Del .
Sam Rasoul ( D-Roanoke ) , Del @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Del .
Elizabeth Guzman ( D-Prince William ) , former Democratic Party of Virginia Chairman Paul Goldman , lobbyist Xavier Warren as well as former NAACP President Sean Perryman .
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--2020-11-23--President Trump Asks for Georgia Recount That Would Match Absentee Ballot Envelope Signatures

President Donald Trump ’ s legal team on Saturday said they had filed a petition for a recount in Georgia , one that would match signatures on absentee ballot envelopes , which the state did not do in the previous effort .
The team made the announcement in a statement .
Today , the Trump campaign filed a petition for recount in Georgia .
We are focused on ensuring that every aspect of Georgia State Law and the U.S. Constitution are followed so that every legal vote is counted .
President Trump and his campaign continue to insist on an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to include signature matching and other vital safeguards .
Without signature matching , this recount would be a sham and again allow for illegal votes to be counted .
If there is no signature matching , this would be as phony as the initial vote count and recount .
Let ’ s stop giving the People false results .
There must be a time when we stop counting illegal ballots .
Hopefully it is coming soon .
Trump tweeted , “ Almost ZERO ballots rejected in Georgia this election .
In years past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible .
Must have signature check on envelopes now .
Very easy to do .
Dems fighting because they got caught .
Far more votes than needed for flip .
Republicans must get tough !
@ BrianKempGA “ .
Meanwhile , the Cobb County Board of Elections and Registration is defending itself after videos surfaced of it shredding election documents during Georgia ’ s controversial recount , The Georgia Star News reported Sunday .
Trump attorney Lin Wood questioned if absentee ballot envelopes were being shredded .
The envelopes are crucial in verifying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Trump campaign has called for a real audit of the Georgia election results , not just a recount of potentially illegally cast mail-in ballots .
The audit must include a verifiable signature match of the envelopes that the absentee ballots were mailed or delivered in .
The ballots have already been separated from the envelopes , which contain the signatures and name and address .
So the ballots themselves can ’ t be checked .
However , if an audit of envelopes finds that there is more than a .09 inaccuracy rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thrown into question .
“ Georgia Gov .
Kemp ( R ) last night called on SOS Brad Raffensperger ( R ) to do a sample audit of envelopes in key precincts where Biden ’ s mail in vote was extraordinarily high and one-sided , ” Fredericks said .
Making matters worse , the state of Georgia arbitrarily changed state law on signature verification of absentee ballots via a March 2020 judicial consent decree with Georgia Democrats — without ever going to the state legislature , Robert Romano , vice president of Public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
It changed the statutory requirement that the signature must match the signature on the voter registration card to simply matching the signature on the absentee ballot application .
Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes .
John Fredericks is the publisher and editor-in-chief of The Virginia Star .
He is also a Trump 2020 delegate and the chairman of the Trump Virginia Delegation .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-23--Commentary: How to Parler

Commentary: How to Parler

Are you tired of Big Tech deciding what posts you see on social media ?
Do you feel anxious posting your political opinions online ?
Do you wish you could exercise your right to free speech without worrying about political correctness or being “ cancelled ” ?
If you answered yes to any of these questions , Parler may be the best thing to happen to you in 2020 !
It ’ s been a year , we all need some good news , so please read on .
Parler is a growing social media platform that focuses on free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has experienced explosive growth with nearly 5 million new users in just the last couple of weeks .
A letter from CEO John Matze to the Parler community explained the company is working on performance improvements to accommodate its growth and create an optimal user experience .
While offering similar perks as other popular social media , Parler is unique because it doesn ’ t censor or use complex algorithms to dictate which content you see in your feed .
Here ’ s how Parler compares to Facebook and Twitter : Parler respects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their users .
Unlike their competitors , Parler ’ s values emphasize freedom and transparency .
They ’ ve built a trusting relationship with their users through upholding their Community Guidelines , Privacy Policy , and User Agreement , all of which are easily found on their website .
If you haven ’ t already , go to Parler.com or download the app to create an account .
Once you ’ ve created an account , you can easily update your profile and find people to follow .
I recommend following @ Parler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ updates and useful information for your Parler experience .
Also of course , don ’ t forget to follow Americans for Limited Government ( @ LimitGov ) and myself ( @ MeganMarzzacco ) .
Tip 2 : How to Post on Parler aka .
how to Parley A post on Twitter is called a tweet .
A post on Parler is called a Parley /par-lay/ .
Just think of this rhyme , “ Yay , time to parley !
” It sounds like yay time to party , which fits the vibe and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using the app .
On the mobile app , you can post on Parler by tapping the Parler symbol in the bottom right corner .
Then you can type your post and add any links , pictures , videos , GIFs , and memes .
A parley can have up to 1000 characters , and it lets you know how many you have remaining as you craft your parley .
Now you can parley to your heart ’ s content !
Tip 3 : How to Engage with Parleys From Others and Understand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you follow will appear in your home feed .
When scrolling through your feed you can comment , echo , upvote , and share parleys .
Commenting allows you to share your thoughts and opinions on parleys .
Echo-ing allows you to share the post with your followers ( similar to retweeting if you ’ re a Twitter user ) .
You can also echo with a comment , which allows you to share the post and your thoughts on it with your followers .
Up-voting is a way to show your approval @ @ @ @ @ @ @ created below to see what each of these look like .
You ’ ll also notice a small eye symbol at the top of the post just under the username .
This symbol is for impressions , which tell you how many times the parley appeared in people ’ s feeds .
You can see this on any parley .
For your own parleys you can click the graph to the right of the upvote button to see more details on engagement , such as the number of impressions , views , votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information is only available in the app , so if you ’ re a social media manager like myself and you post most parleys from your desktop , make sure you ’ re checking the app to see these details !
The desktop version shows you the eye symbol with impressions , but the breakdown of views , votes , echoes , and comments can only be viewed by clicking the graph in the app .
Here ’ s an infographic to illustrate what this looks like using one of our top performing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also click “ show conversation ” at the bottom of a parley and read other people ’ s comments .
You can respond to comments , upvote , or downvote them .
Down-voting is a way to show you disagree with someone ’ s comment , and down-voting can only be done on comments , not parleys .
You can also share parley ’ s with people not on the app by clicking the share button in the bottom right corner of the parley .
Although Parler offers similar features to other social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rise as a freedom-friendly alternative to agenda-driven Big Tech companies .
As conservatives , we need to be authentic and courageous in sharing our beliefs face-to-face and online .
One of my favorite things about Parler is the freedom to post and interact with a community that doesn ’ t try to cancel you .
We still need to be brave on every social media , but it is very refreshing to finally have a platform where you don ’ t have to worry about censorship .
Since Parler is still relatively new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it ’ s also a sweet relief to parley without anxiety that a liberal friend or family member could attack you with Facebook comments or a long Twitter thread .
Whether you ’ re outspoken or shyer conservative online and in real life , remember we ’ re on the right side of history and we must stay strong in the face of adversity .
Never let anyone try to take away your freedom or make you feel like your voice doesn ’ t matter , especially a “ tolerant ” leftist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not your personhood .
Big Tech and the far Left will try to intimidate and outnumber us , but we ’ re the “ silent majority ” that needs to speak up !
We don ’ t have time for their negativity and we can ’ t stay silent forever .
The clock is ticking , and we have a country to save !
Let us know if you found this intro to Parler helpful , and we ’ d be happy to publish more tips and tricks !
If you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us @ LimitGov and me @ MeganMarzzacco Megan Marzzacco is a contributing editor at Americans for Limited Government .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-23--Following FBI Search of His Home, Ohio PUCO Chairman Resigns

Four days after FBI agents removed boxes from his home , and three days after Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine said he didn ’ t see any indication the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio chairman was a target of an investigation , Sam Randazzo resigned as chairman Friday .
DeWine said on Wednesday that he was waiting for more information before calling for Randazzo ’ s resignation .
The FBI confirmed the search was part of a sealed investigation but said no arrests were planned at this point .
PUCO Vice Chairman M. Beth Trombold will serve as acting PUCO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Regardless of disclosures of prior business relationships to you and your team prior to my PUCO nominating council interview , the impression left by an FBI raid on our home , the statement included in FirstEnergy Corp. ’ s filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission [ Thursday ] and the accompanying publicity will , right or wrong , fuel suspicions about and controversy over decisions I may render in my current capacity , ” Randazzo wrote in his resignation letter .
On Thursday , FirstEnergy Corp in its filing showed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other senior executives last month over what it described as a questionable $ 4 million payment in early 2019 .
The filing read the payment was made to “ an entity associated with an individual who subsequently was appointed to a full-time role as an Ohio government official directly involved in regulating the Ohio Companies , including with respect to distribution rates .
At this time , it has not been determined if the payments were for the purpose represented within the consulting agreement.
” Earlier this month , the PUCO initiated an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with corporate separation laws and regulations .
Already , the commission is investigating the company ’ s Ohio distribution utilities political and charitable spending .
Though not named in a federal indictment in a $ 60 million bribery and racketeering scheme that led to the arrest of former Ohio Speaker of the House Larry Householder , FirstEnergy or Energy Harbor , which was formerly FirstEnergy Solutions , continue to reportedly be linked to HB 6 .
An Ohio native , J.D .
Davidson is a veteran journalist with more than 30 years of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Alabama and Texas .
He has served as a reporter , editor , managing editor and publisher .
Davidson is a regional editor for The Center Square .