thetennesseestar--2020-10-22--Reports: Biden’s Tax Plan Would Increase Taxes Across the Board, Estimates Vary by How Much

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden ’ s proposed tax increases of nearly $ 4 trillion over the next 10 years , if passed , “ would be the highest in American history – indeed , in world history , ” an analysis of his plan determined .
Lew Uhler , founder and chairman of the National Tax Limitation Committee and National Tax Limitation Foundation ( NTLF ) , and Peter Ferrara a senior policy adviser to NTLF , made that conclusion in a new report published by The Hill .
A separate analysis by the nonprofit , nonpartisan , Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s tax plan would reduce the economy ’ s size by 1.47 percent in the long run .
It would also shrink capital stock by just over 2.5 percent and reduce the overall wage rate by a little over 1 percent , resulting in a loss of 518,000 full-time jobs .
Biden ’ s tax plan would raise roughly $ 3.05 trillion over the next decade on a conventional basis , and $ 2.65 trillion after accounting for the reduction in the size of the U.S. economy , the analysis found .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ income , investment income , business income and raise the capital gains tax to 40 percent , doubling the existing rate .
Biden ’ s plan also would fully repeal the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act components for high-income filers , impose a 12.4 percent Social Security payroll tax for wages above $ 400,000 , increase the corporate income tax to 28 percent , establish a corporate minimum tax on corporate book income , and double the tax rate on GILTI ( Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income ) and impose it country-by-country .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Trump administration , Uhler and Ferrara argue Biden would be raising taxes on the middle class , blue-collar families and American corporations no matter how large or small they were .
“ Such tax increases would return America ’ s corporate tax rate to close to 40 percent , the highest in the world , ” they argue .
“ Biden ’ s tax increases would raise taxes on middle-class families by over $ 2,000 a year , with a $ 1,300 annual tax increase on a median-income , single parent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ferrara , estimate .
Repealing President Donald Trump ’ s tax reform would also cut in half the child tax credit and standard deduction , which currently help lower-income families the most , they add .
But according to a Penn Wharton model produced by the University of Pennsylvania , Biden ’ s tax plan would raise $ 3.375 trillion in additional tax revenue from 2021 to 2030 and the richest taxpayers would pay roughly 80 percent of the additional taxes collected .
The Tax Foundation projects that on a conventional basis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead to about 6.5 percent less after-tax income for the top 1 percent of taxpayers and about a 1.7 percent decline in after-tax income for all taxpayers on average .
Bethany Blankley is a contributor to The Center Square .
Photo “ Joe Biden ” by Gage Skidmore .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-22--Don Barnett Commentary: A Republican Win Will Protect Quality of Life in Tennessee

Tennesseans are big-hearted .
In surveys , our state is routinely ranked as one of the nation ’ s friendliest .
That helps explain the net inflow of Americans from other states to Tennessee .
The state is also a popular destination for people from other countries .
If the Democrats win the White House and the Senate , immigration to the United States and Tennessee will be vastly expanded .
In fact , if they succeed in taking the presidency and Senate , there will be no way to stop their expansionist immigration agenda .
Whether conservative or liberal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him , Tennesseans who do not want practically open borders should vote for Trump and make sure that Republican Bill Hagerty fills Lamar Alexander ’ s Senate seat in Washington .
In 2018 , Tennessee was home to 350,000 foreign-born individuals , about 5 percent of the state population .
Of that total , 130,000 were here illegally .
Of course , most of these are fine , hardworking people and some amount of limited legal immigration is welcome .
But in the aggregate , current immigration patterns place added strains on social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and generally depress “ quality of life ” metrics .
Take our public school system .
Tennessee spends on average $ 9,150 per pupil per year .
We have about 1 million students enrolled in our K-12 public schools .
Nationally , 20 percent of K-12 students are children of immigrants .
We ’ re not that high yet , but our state is one of the nation ’ s fastest-growing immigrant destinations .
If we get to 20 percent , that will be more than $ 1.8 billion a year in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just the financial cost .
Many of our schools are overcrowded , and immigrant children contribute to that .
Many of these students also lack proficiency in English and require extra resources .
State and local governments in Tennessee picked up an additional 175 million in annual costs in 2019 for teaching English language learners and translation services according to a state official .
Health care is another area where high levels of immigration impose extra costs on Tennesseans .
Federal law requires hospital emergency departments to treat anyone who arrives , regardless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Memphis ’ s Regional One Health , almost half of the 35,000-plus emergency room visitors from July 2016 to June 2018 were uninsured .
For immigrants without insurance , especially those here illegally , emergency rooms are often their source for primary care .
Charity care and bad debts totaled more than $ 1 billion in uncompensated care for Tennessee ’ s 172 hospitals in 2015 .
Tennessee patients and taxpayers ultimately shoulder that cost .
According to the latest Census data , immigrants ( both legal and illegal ) account for 10.8 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 65 percent of those births are to mothers who are either uninsured or on Medicaid , a cost covered by the taxpayer .
And again , it ’ s not just the direct costs .
How long is the wait when you get to a typical emergency room ?
At Regional Medical Center , it ’ s an average 3 hours and 55 minutes .
Treatment for uninsured immigrants is surely contributing to that wait time .
Too-high levels of immigration particularly harm less-fortunate Tennesseans .
Here in the Volunteer State , 27 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ education .
They directly compete with native-born Tennesseans for positions at retailers , restaurants , and other employers that don ’ t require extensive education or advanced skills .
Tennesseans ’ votes in this election could influence the future of U.S. immigration policy — and thus determine whether we can readily find decent jobs , affordable housing , good schools , and quality health care .
It ’ s up to Volunteer State voters to choose wisely .
Don Barnett is a retired IT professional and freelance writer living in Williamson County .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 28 years of experience servicing U.S. government agencies , DoD , foreign governments , high-profile corporate , commercial and industrial clients , and property management companies .
Certified Protection Professional ( CPP-ASIS ) , Certified Master Anti-Terrorism Specialist ( CMAS – ATAB ) , Analytical Risk Management Certified , NRA Certified Instructor , Jurisdictional Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment Certified who migrated from the Washington , DC area .

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--2020-10-22--Shenandoah to Release New Music November 13

NASHVILLE , Tennessee – When I heard that Shenandoah was releasing a collaboration album , I thought it would be a greatest hits album .
What I didn ’ t expect was a record with all new songs paired perfectly with a plethora of current country artists .
It ’ s been 20 years since Shenandoah has put out a full-length album .
Buddy Cannon produced Every Road along with Marty Raybon and Mike McGuire and it is spectacular .
Shenandoah ’ s Raybon chatted with me about how the Every Road record came to be .
“ Who says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sing new songs with you ?
Years ago when we did the duet with Alison Krauss , “ Somewhere in the Vicinity of the Heart , ” we didn ’ t ask her if she wanted to sing one of the old ones.
” The songs picked for artists ’ duets are perfectly matched .
Raybon said , “ We wanted to send to the artists who we got for this project something that kind of sounded like what they did.
” Bandmate Mike McGuire , manager Cole Johnstone , and Raybon all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the artists .
When I heard the title track to Every Road I immediately thought of Dierks Bentley .
And who better to sing a fun summertime song than Luke Bryan ?
The Zac Brown Band are the perfect partners to take listeners down memory lane in the recently released , “ I ’ d Take Another One of Those.
” Carly Pearce lends her heartfelt vocals to the promising “ I ’ ll Be Your Everything ” while the fun-loving newcomer , Cody Johnson , croons about “ High Class Hillbillies.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had [ released ] , “ When a Girl Walks In , ” it could have worked either way , ” Raybon said .
The members of Lady A wrote “ Every Time I Look at You ” specifically for the Every Road collaboration and the two groups were able to record/sing it for Kelly Clarkston ’ s show recently .
I was also impressed by the variety of talent offered on the record .
Vocally , no two female country artists could be more different than Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ashley is , I love her presence and her spirit .
She ’ s such a real person .
Then you turn right back around with Carly , I love that cry and that break in her voice .
And even in the lyric of ‘ I ’ ll be Your Everything , ’ I ’ ll be the first beat of your heart , she just killed it.
” All of the songs on this album have been recorded since COVID hit .
“ We actually wanted to start before the COVID @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I hate that we couldn ’ t be in the studio together as artists recording the record together .
I hate that because of the fellowship we lost in it .
Still , in a way , it has been a blessing as it gave us a chance to record it without any type of interruption like being on the road , ” Raybon recalls .
Additionally , the artists who performed the duets were also available to record .
Now that the recording of songs is completely digital , performers can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mixed in the studio .
However , Raybon was able to be there when McBryde and Pearce made their recordings .
“ We were all masked-up and kept apart like were supposed to .
As much as I wanted to hug their neck and tell them I loved what they did , we kind of kept composed about things .
Everybody on this record was wonderful .
With Buddy Cannon producing and Tony Castle mixing and with all the artists , if we wanted to , we couldn ’ t have done it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Raybon helped write three of the songs , “ I ’ ll Be Your Everything ” ( Pearce ) , “ Make It Till Summertime ” ( Bryan ) , and “ High Class Hillbillies ” ( Johnson ) .
As fans know , Raybon took a break from Shenandoah for a few years but rejoined the group in late 2014 .
He is thrilled to be back .
He stated , “ I came back for this reason , ( to make this record ) .
I literally believed that we had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we could entertain people and that we still had something to say .
I believe that this record is the vehicle to do that.
” With Raybon ’ s distinctive voice which has been described as blending the soulfulness of rhythm and blues with the lonely intensity of great country music , Shenandoah has the traditional sound that many grew up with and love .
The collaborating artists themselves grew up listening to Shenandoah .
Partnering with the younger country stars is the perfect way to bring the traditional country music/lyrics/sound to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truly be appreciated .
Even though 2020 has been a bust , in the past four years , Shenandoah has seen crowds triple/quadruple in size .
“ The most amazing thing in the world to me to look at those 17 , 18 and 19-year-old kids and they are right in front of the stage and they are singing every lyric , ” Raybon said .
“ They are singing the words to songs that were recorded before they were even born.
” Because young people mostly stream their music , their tastes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what their parents listened to .
That makes it easy to pick and choose good music regardless of genre .
This is exactly what makes Every Road such a good album .
It combines the best songs from the best songwriters with popular performers singing new music in the traditional Shenandoah style that we all have come to love .
Raybon and I agree that Every Road is on track to be nominated for “ Album of the Year ” at the next CMAs and maybe even a GRAMMY® .
With every song @ @ @ @ @ @ @ various artists ’ fans , it will be loved by all who follow any type of country music .
Lady A ’ s Charles Kelley said , “ If this record doesn ’ t get a GRAMMY® , then nobody deserves one.
” Being released on November 13 , you can pre-order Every Road here .
Here is the songs on the album : Every Road Track List ( Produced By Buddy Cannon , Executive Producer : Cole Johnstone , Engineered & Mixed By Tony Castle ) : 1 .
“ I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( with Zac Brown Band ) Brett Beavers , Stephen Robson , Brett James *Zac Brown Band appears courtesy of Home Grown Music 2 .
“ Make It Til Summertime ” ( with Luke Bryan ) Dallas Davidson , Marty Raybon , Mike McGuire *Luke Bryan appears courtesy of Capitol Records Nashville 7 .
“ Every Time I Look At You ” ( with Lady A ) Dallas Davidson , Charles Kelley , Hillary Scott , Dave Haywood *Lady A appears courtesy of BMLG Records 8 .
“ Life Would Be Perfect ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Phil O ’ Donnell , Bill Luther *Brad Paisley appears courtesy of Sony Music Nashville 9 .
“ I ’ ll Be Your Everything ” ( with Carly Pearce ) Marty Raybon , Barry Hutchens , Mark Narmore *Carly Pearce appears courtesy of Big Machine Records You can follow Shenandoah on Instagram , Facebook , Twitter , and YouTube .
Bethany Bowman is a freelance entertainment writer .
You can follow her blog , Instagram , Twitter , and YouTube .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-22--U.S. Senate Candidate Bill Hagerty Warns Tennessee That Socialists Have Taken Over the Democratic Pa

U.S. Senate Candidate Bill Hagerty Warns Tennessee That Socialists Have Taken Over the Democratic Party

NASHVILLE , Tennessee — Republican U.S. Senate candidate Bill Hagerty warned Wednesday that the Nov. 3 election is “ a choice between freedom and socialism.
” Hagerty said this shortly after he voted early at the Bellevue Branch of the Nashville Public Library .
Hagerty stood in line for about 45 minutes to vote .
“ The Democratic Party platform is basically a platform of socialism .
The Democratic Party is being taken over by socialists , ” Hagerty told reporters after he voted .
“ I don ’ t think Democrats from 30 and 40 years ago would even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , among other things , what he said was the Democrats ’ embrace of the Green New Deal and their calls to defund the police and alter America ’ s judiciary .
Tennessee voters , Hagerty said , tell him they oppose socialism and fear they might lose the nation they love because of it .
Members of America ’ s political right have complained recently that officials at social media outlets such as Twitter and Facebook have censored their posts or suspended their accounts .
The Tennessee Star asked Hagerty to comment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in what has happened .
You have Twitter basically violating the First Amendment , preventing an age-old newspaper from publishing its position .
I think that was enormously shocking to Americans to see a platform like Twitter that operates under an exclusion to the libel laws potentially make itself an arbiter of truth , ” Hagerty said .
“ If they want to do that then they need to lose that exclusion .
I think we will see what happens over the next couple of days .
The Judiciary Committee may very well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But this is not appropriate at all .
They are trying to silence conservative voices at every turn on this platform.
” As The Star reported in August , Tennessee Republicans elected Hagerty as their nominee to compete in November ’ s general election .
Hagerty wants to replace the retiring U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander ( R-TN ) .
Also , as The Star reported that month , Hagerty ’ s opponent , U.S. Senate Democratic nominee Marquita Bradshaw , is an environmental activist , social justice advocate , and a former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-10-22--Tennessee Star National Correspondent Neil W. McCabe Explains His Story Regarding Bitter-Biden Curio

Tennessee Star National Correspondent Neil W. McCabe Explains His Story Regarding Bitter-Biden Curious Rep. Denver Riggleman at The Virginia Star

Live from Music Row Wednesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed Tennessee Star National Correspondent Neil W. McCabe to the newsmakers line to discuss his recent story at The Virginia Star about how Congressman Denver Riggleman has shocked the Virginia GOP .
Leahy : We are joined now by our Washington and National Correspondent for the Star News Network .
My good friend and former colleague at Breitbart News , Neil W. McCabe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : You have a great story today .
I love the headline ( McCabe laughs ) at The Virginia Star our affiliate in Virginia .
I ’ m going to read the headline and then you can add context to the headline .
Bitter-Biden Curious Representative Denver Riggleman Shocks Virginia GOP .
Now for our listening audience .
Crom is sitting here saying what bitter Biden curious means .
Explain first explain why he ’ s bitter .
And then explain why he ’ s Biden curious this GOP congressman .
McCabe : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man on earth because there ’ s a great congressman from Virginia five who had a drinking problem that was sort of exploited and his staffers went after him .
And basically , they created a situation where this congressman had to resign so close to the election that there was no time for a primary or anything .
So basically the Republicans in the district , the district committee had a quick vote and they nominated Denver Riggleman to replace this congressman .
And so at the last minute , he jumps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And this is a very Republican part of Virginia .
And he becomes a congressman .
Leahy : This is when 2016 or 2018 ?
McCabe : 2018 .
So the guy wins , you know a seat where there ’ s some controversy because of what happened with his predecessor for the nomination .
But basically in a Democratic year , Riggleman is elected to Congress and he spends the next two years annoying and angering his constituents to the point where a guy named Bob Good .
So Bob Good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University down in Virginia .
He runs against him and beats him in the primary .
Leahy : He ’ s bitter because he lost the primary because he wasn ’ t really a conservative Republican .
So that ’ s why he ’ s bitter .
And why is it so funny to use the phrase that he ’ s Biden curious ?
McCabe : I talk to people in Virginia for this story .
often , you know , some of them talk to me off the record some of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the record .
Rick Anderson the chairman of the Republican Party in the Virginia primary and Amanda Chase who is a state senator running for governor .
He basically did not accept his loss and campaign for Bob Good .
Now , you know in the old school what you ’ re supposed to do is if you lose the nomination you ’ re supposed to take your licks and take your medicine , and you ’ re supposed to campaign for the guy who won the nomination .
And then it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people will respect what you did .
Instead , what this guy does is he said that he invited the Cameron .
Leahy : Yeah , he worked for the other side .
McCabe : So the guy who ’ s running against a Democrat who ’ s running against Bob Good has an appearance at Riggleman family distillery where he basically says nice things about him .
And then he says on CNN that the president is wrong to not condemn QAnon which is basically from what I can gather it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a gossip site that they ’ re making the equivalent of Antifa .
And then he goes on CNN again and the host Anna Cabrera says , would you consider voting for Joe Biden ?
The guy says yes !
and it ’ s like what ?
So he ’ s making makes an appearance with the Democrat running to take his seat .
He goes on CNN to say that he ’ s considering voting against the president of the United States .
And frankly , Donald Trump endorsed the guy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump was big-time helping this guy .
McCabe : In the primary Mike .
In the primary that he lost Trump was with him .
And so there it is .
It ’ s an unfortunate thing in one way because you know you like to see party loyalty .
You like your integrity .
You like to see people who are part of the process and who will be loyal to a process .
But at the same time in these sorts of political seasons , you also see people ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the foliage .
True colors are coming out .
Leahy : Good ’ s going to win in that district .
McCabe : So this is one of the oldest congressional districts in the United States .
The first race for this set of this house seat was between James Madison and James Monroe .
And James Monroe won because he has the backing of the Patrick Henry machine .
Leahy : Oh James Madison one that one James Madison won that .
On that particular one , James James Monroe could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the backing of Patrick Henry but Madison came back , he didn ’ t want to run .
But Madison came back and ran and during that campaign as I ’ m sure you know , he was a new originally opposed to the Bill of Rights .
Right ?
Monroe said I will be for a Bill of Rights .
And Madison during that trip said yeah , I will be for a Bill of Rights if you ’ ll elect me .
That ’ s one of the reasons we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes from that congressional district .
But the put your point is this it ’ s an oft-told tale I think isn ’ t it Neil ?
An off told tale of the lack of gratitude and selfishness that we ’ re seeing here with this Denver Riggleman character .
McCabe : Riggleman is not really a conservative .
He didn ’ t want to get into public life to achieve an agenda or to represent , you know people who he thought needed a voice or a platform .
He ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted , you know , he wanted his name in lights .
He wanted the cachet of being a congressman and you know , it takes a while .
Sometimes it takes a little longer for someone to be seduced by Washington .
But didn ’ t take this guy long at all .
And you know , and he paid the price in the primary .
Leahy : Now he wants to run for governor there in 2021 .
McCabe : People have told me that on back channels .
I didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because you know , nobody ’ s really announced or whatnot .
But as you know , there is a governor ’ s race in 2021 .
Virginia ’ s one of those off-cycle elections .
And so we ’ ll see what happens in 2021 .
Carmichael : And the current governor can ’ t run for re-election .
Is that correct ?
McCabe : That ’ s it ’ s one of the weird quirks of Virginia that being the governor is a one-off .
and you know , of course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead of him in the Democratic Party because of his support of abortion and his war against gun rights .
McCabe : And nobody ’ s really sure if he was wearing blackface or Ku Klux Klan costume .
But either way , it seems fine with the Democrats because he ’ ll strangle a fetus with his own hands .
Leahy : Well , the other part about that Neil is when you look at Virginia , the 2021 gubernatorial race , there will be a bellwether for whoever wins the presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you remember when Bob McConnell won , right ?
That was a bellwether victory in 2009 indicating a precursor of the Tea Party success in taking of the House in 2010 .
You may have elements of that this time around .
In Virginia , you can serve as governor for one term take a term off , and run again .
The Clinton bag man known as former Governor McAuliffe , is he going to consider running ?
McCabe : I don ’ t know that .
but certainly , Justin Fairfax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate for governor unless the McAuliffe machine can somehow , you know keep Fairfax down .
There ’ s a lot of people who think that McAuliffe was behind some of those stories about Fairfax .
Of course , he was credibly accused of sexual assault .
Listen to the third hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ Denver Riggleman ” by Denver Riggleman @


thetennesseestar--2020-10-22--Joe Biden Denies That Hunter Profited off His Family Ties, Hunter Said the Exact Opposite Last Year

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said in an interview Tuesday that there was no basis “ whatsoever ” to say that his son , Hunter , has profited off of his family name , a claim which the younger Biden contradicted in an interview last year .
Joe Biden was asked in an interview with Wisconsin TV station WISN about comments from Sen. Ron Johnson , who asserted in a report that Hunter Biden has “ profited off the Biden name ” through his foreign business dealings .
Asked whether there was any truth to Johnson ’ s claim , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ None whatsoever.
” He said that Johnson , the Republican chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee , “ should be ashamed of himself.
” Biden also took a shot at Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani , who has investigated Hunter Biden ’ s overseas business dealings .
Giuliani has also been behind the release of emails purported to be from Hunter Biden ’ s laptop .
“ This is the same garbage Rudy Giuliani , Trump ’ s henchman , ” Biden began to say .
“ It ’ s a last-ditch effort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and my committee.
” “ The vast of the intelligence people have come out and said there ’ s no basis at all , ” he continued .
Despite Joe Biden ’ s remarks , Hunter acknowledged in an interview on Oct. 15 , 2019 that he believes he was asked to join the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma Holdings because his father was vice president .
“ If your last name wasn ’ t Biden , do you think you would ’ ve been asked to be on the board of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know .
I don ’ t know .
Probably not , in retrospect , ” Biden said in the interview .
“ I don ’ t think that there ’ s a lot of things that would have happened in my life if my last name wasn ’ t Biden , ” he said , adding , “ because my dad was Vice President of the United States.
” “ There ’ s literally nothing , as a young man or as a full-grown adult that — my father in some way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he continued .
It is unclear what Joe Biden meant by his reference to “ intelligence people ” in his comments to WISN .
Some Democrats have asserted that the release of Hunter Biden ’ s emails is part of a Russian disinformation effort .
Democrats have questioned Giuliani ’ s involvement in obtaining and releasing emails from the laptop because of the former New York City mayor ’ s links to a Ukrainian lawmaker sanctioned over his ties to Russia .
On Monday , 50 former intelligence officials signed a letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a plot to release Hunter ’ s emails .
Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe undercut the theory on Monday , saying that the laptop is not tied to a Russian disinformation effort .
The owner of a computer store in Delaware has said that Hunter Biden dropped off his laptop in April 2019 and never came back to retrieve the device .
The shop owner , John Paul Mac Isaac , said that he eventually turned the computer over to the FBI .
He also says he contacted a lawyer for Giuliani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ron Johnson ’ s office .
Despite Democrats ’ allegations , neither the Biden campaign nor Hunter Biden has disputed the store owner ’ s claim .
They have also not disputed the accuracy of any of the emails released so far from the laptop .
Chuck Ross is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Joe Biden ” by WISN 12 News .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-22--Houston Police Sgt. Killed By Repeat Offender After Soros-Funded D.A. Refused to Press Charges

A police sergeant in Houston , Texas was shot dead Tuesday morning by a suspect who was in police custody just two days earlier , but was allowed to go free when the Democrat district attorney refused to press charges .
HPD Sergeant Harold Preston had been with the Houston Police Department for 41-years and was due to retire at the end of the year , according to the Montgomery County Police Reporter .
The local pro-police paper is urging voters to oust the D.A.
, whose campaign for office was bankrolled by left-wing billionaire George Soros .
The suspect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felon with multiple prior assaults on his record .
He is in police custody after being hospitalized for a gunshot wound to the stomach .
Preston was hit “ multiple times ” in the head , according to Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo .
The gunman ’ s spray of bullets also struck another officer and the suspect ’ s son in their arms .
The 14-year old was transported to Texas Children ’ s Hospital after being shot in the arm .
Houston Police had been called to the same address twice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to the Montgomery County Police Reporter , HPD Officers responded to a domestic disturbance call from Manzano ’ s ex-wife on October 18 .
She told officers that Manzano was at the location brandishing a gun threatening her and her children .
Police arrested Manzano that day , but Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg declined to take charges , and instructed police to release him .
Ogg also told police to return the six bullets he had in his pocket , and to allow him to keep his gun which he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Had charges been accepted , Mr. Manzano might be back on the street , but his gun and ammunition would have been seized and held as evidence , ” the Police Reporter stated .
“ No gun would have meant no dead officer and injured officer.
” On Monday , officers responded to another call from Manzano ’ s ex-wife and Manzano answered the door with gunshots at point-blank range , according to Click 2 Houston .
The responding officers — a 3-year veteran officer , a 5-year veteran officer and Preston @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the woman who had called police .
She is the estranged wife of Manzano .
She was moving out , police say , and she wanted to get some items from the apartment .
HPD had two previous calls to the address over the weekend , Acevedo said .
The woman wanted to get her things , but the door was locked and she couldn ’ t get in .
Officers were in the parking lot speaking with the woman for close to an hour when at about 9:25 , the suspect ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s door .
The son saw the father had a gun and he told the officer that his father had a gun .
The suspect then shot at the officers , delivering multiple rounds , according to Acevedo .
Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott issued the following statement on Preston ’ s death : “ Our hearts are with the family of Houston Police Sgt .
Harold Preston , who was shot and killed in the line of duty this morning .
This tragic loss is a grave reminder of the dangers our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our communities safe .
Cecilia and I ask our fellow Texans to join us in lifting up Sgt .
Preston ’ s family in prayer in their time of need .
We also ask all Texans to pray for the speedy recovery of Houston Police Officer Courtney Waller who was shot while responding to the same incident and is recovering in the hospital .
The state stands ready to assist the Houston Police Department in bringing to justice the perpetrators of this horrific tragedy.
” The Police Reporter stated that the carnage was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions of Harris County DA Kim Ogg are inexcusable .
While Mr. Manzano pulled the trigger , Kim Ogg put the gun in his hands .
Her actions are directly responsible for the death of HPD Sergeant Harold Preston , ” the paper said .
“ DA Ogg ’ s fate is in the hands of Harris County voters NOW .
She is on the ballot today .
Vote to keep your streets , your neighborhoods , your homes , and your family safe .
Vote to keep the men and women of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hold Kim Ogg responsible for HPD Sergeant Preston ’ s death.
” Left-wing billionaire George Soros made a half-million-dollar advertising buy on behalf Ogg Harris during the County district attorney ’ s race in 2016 , according to the Houston Chronicle .
Soros-backed DAs in other cities such as Philadelphia , St. Louis , and San Francisco “ have fired scores of experienced prosecutors and , as promised , stopped prosecuting low-level quality-of-life crimes such as disorderly conduct , vagrancy and loitering , ” resulting in skyrocketing crime and frayed relationships with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In recent months , two Harris County prosecutors have resigned from Ogg ’ s office in protest .
Jessica Milligan , an animal cruelty task force attorney , left after working there for more than a decade .
In her resignation letter , Milligan claimed that Ogg was “ choosing which cases to prosecute based on politics and not justice.
” Former prosecutor Cheryl Chapell echoed Milligan ’ s concerns , saying : “ It ’ s made so clear that the public eye is her only concern and not justice , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” In a statement Tuesday afternoon , Ogg blamed the death of Sgt .
Preston on domestic violence , calling it a threat to “ our families and our police officers.
” “ It is with a heavy heart I inform you of another police officer ’ s death , Sgt .
Harold L. Preston , dead at the hands of an offender accused of domestic violence , ” Ogg wrote on Twitter .
“ Domestic violence is killing our families and our police officers and is a public safety priority for prosecutors.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ all first responders like Sgt .
Preston , who stand between killers and victims on the front lines .
”


thetennesseestar--2020-10-22--OxyContin Maker Purdue Pharma to Plead to Three Criminal Charges

WASHINGTON , D.C. ( AP ) — Purdue Pharma , the company that makes OxyContin , the powerful prescription painkiller that experts say helped touch off an opioid epidemic , will plead guilty to three federal criminal charges as part of a settlement of more than $ 8 billion , Justice Department officials announced Wednesday .
The company will plead guilty to three counts , including conspiracy to defraud the United States and violating federal anti-kickback laws , the officials said .
The resolution will be detailed in a bankruptcy court filing in federal court .
The deal does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executives or owners — members of the wealthy Sackler family — from criminal liability , and a criminal investigation is ongoing .
One state attorney general said the agreement fails to hold the Sacklers accountable , while family members said they had acted “ ethically and lawfully.
” The settlement is the highest-profile display yet of the federal government seeking to hold a major drugmaker responsible for an opioid addiction and overdose crisis linked to more than 470,000 deaths in the country since 2000 .
“ Purdue deeply regrets and accepts responsibility for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice in the agreed statement of facts , ” Steve Miller , who became chairman of the company ’ s board in 2018 , said in a statement .
No members of the Sackler family remain on that board , though they still own the company .
Family members , in a statement , expressed “ deep compassion for people who suffer from opioid addiction and abuse and hope the proposal will be implemented as swiftly as possible to help address their critical needs.
” The deal comes less than two weeks before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has taken a political back seat to the coronavirus pandemic and other issues .
It does give President Donald Trump ’ s administration an example of action on the addiction crisis , which he promised early in his term .
But to Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey , the Justice Department “ failed ” and she said in a statement that she was not done with either Purdue or the Sacklers .
“ Justice in this case requires exposing the truth and holding the perpetrators accountable , not rushing a settlement to beat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ed Bisch , who lost his 18-year-old son to an OxyContin overdose nearly 20 years ago , said he wants to see people associated with Purdue prosecuted .
“ The fact that they day this doesn ’ t grant anyone immunity , I ’ m heartened by that , ” he said after the deal was announced .
As part of the resolution , Purdue is admitting that it impeded the Drug Enforcement Administration by falsely representing that it had maintained an effective program to avoid drug diversion and by reporting misleading information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s manufacturing quotas , the officials said .
Purdue is also admitting to violating federal anti-kickback laws by paying doctors , through a speaking program , to induce them to write more prescriptions for the company ’ s opioids and for using electronic health records software to influence the prescription of pain medication , according to the officials .
Purdue will make a direct payment to the government of $ 225 million , which is part of a larger $ 2 billion criminal forfeiture .
In addition to that forfeiture , Purdue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fine , though that money probably will not be fully collected because it will be taken through a bankruptcy , which includes a large number of other creditors .
Purdue will also agree to $ 2.8 billion in damages to resolve its civil liability .
Purdue would transform into a public benefit company , meaning it would be governed by a trust that has to balance the trust ’ s interests against those of the American public and public health , officials said .
The Sacklers would not be involved in the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the settlement would go to aid in medication-assisted treatment and other drug programs to combat the opioid epidemic , the officials said .
As part of the plea deal , the company admits it violated federal law and “ knowingly and intentionally conspired and agreed with others to aid and abet ” the dispensing of medication from doctors “ without a legitimate medical purpose and outside the usual course of professional practice , ” according to a copy of the plea agreement obtained by the AP .
First lady Melania Trump , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on health issues such as this epidemic , tweeted that the agreement was “ another big step in defeating ” the crisis .
But even before the deal was announced , it was facing resistance from state attorneys general , Democratic members of Congress and advocates who wrote Attorney General William Barr asking him not to make the bargain with the company and the family .
They said it does not hold them properly accountable and they raised concerns about some of the details .
The Sackler family has already pledged to hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 3 billion to resolve thousands of suits against the Stamford , Connecticut-based drugmaker .
The company declared bankruptcy as a way to work out that plan , which could be worth $ 10 billion to $ 12 billion over time .
Family members said in their statement that the company ’ s value is more than twice as much as they profited from OxyContin .
About half the states oppose that settlement , and also wrote Barr to ask him not to make the federal deal that includes converting Purdue into a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be wrong for governments to rely on earnings from the sale of more OxyContin to fund programs to mitigate the toll of an opioid crisis wrought by prescription drugs as well as heroin and illicitly produced fentanyl .
The Sackler family was once listed among the nation ’ s wealthiest by Forbes magazine .
A 2019 court filing said they had made up to $ 13 billion over the years from the blockbuster drug , though a lawyer said they brought in far less after taxes and reinvestment in the company .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ name was on museum galleries and educational programs around the world because of gifts from family members .
But under pressure from activists , institutions from the Louvre in Paris to Tufts University in Massachusetts have dissociated themselves from the family in the last few years .
Michael Balsamo and Geoff Mulvihill are reporters for The Associated Press .
Mulvihill reported from Davenport , Iowa .
Photo “ Purdue Pharma LP Headquarters ” by John9474 .
CC BY-SA 4.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-22--Crom Carmichael Outlines How Joe Biden’s Domestic Policy and the Democratic Party Want to Crush the

Crom Carmichael Outlines How Joe Biden’s Domestic Policy and the Democratic Party Want to Crush the Middle Class

Live from Music Row Wednesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed the original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael to the studio to discuss the ways in which the Democratic Party intends to crush the middle class .
Leahy : Crom , you want to talk a little bit about Joe Biden ’ s very bad foreign policy but also now his very bad domestic policy as it regards to Texas .
Carmichael : Yeah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s the Democrat Party and especially the wing of the Democratic Party that now controls the Democrat Party .
They truly want to crush the middle class .
Carmichael : They want to crush them to ways .
They want to crush them with taxes and they want to crush them with healthcare costs .
So I want to read a quote .
Somebody sent me this quote of how the Democrats think about Obamacare .
There are four steps .
Here they go .
Number one in order to insure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the insured .
( Leahy laughs ) Number two .
Next , we require the newly uninsured to be reinsured .
Number three .
To reinsure the newly uninsured they are required to pay extra charges to be reinsured .
That ’ s the premium hikes and the increase in the deductibles .
Leahy : Somebody is benefiting and somebody is losing here .
Carmichael : Yes .
Yes , number four .
Well , it ’ s the state that benefits mostly .
Number four .
The extra charges are required so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then became reinsured can pay enough extra so that the original uninsured can be insured free of charge to them .
Leahy : There you go .
Carmichael : So let that kind of sink in .
That is what Obamacare is and it is what has driven premiums up over $ 5,000 per family and driven deductibles up over $ 10,000 .
If you are unfortunate enough to have two family members who have large healthcare costs in a single year , you are destroyed because of the Democrats ’ plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s what Biden wants to do .
And he ’ s very clear about this .
Biden wants to increase the tax rate on people making over $ 400,000 from 35 percent to 39.6 percent .
Well , that doesn ’ t sound all that terrible .
But here ’ s what else he wants to do .
He wants to take the cap off of social security for people over $ 400,000 .
Carmichael : That is 12.4 percent .
And by the way that 12.4 you pay taxes again on that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s not part of the tax deduction .
If you ’ re making over $ 400,000 and you live in New York under Biden ’ s plan .
Your marginal tax rate will go to 39.6 and you ’ ll be paying 12.4 and you ’ ll be paying state and local taxes .
You ’ ll be in the 65 percent tax bracket .
Leahy : You know what this reminds me of the old phrase ?
The beatings will continue until morale improves .
( Chuckles ) Carmichael : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liquidity crises .
And the liquidity crises that we had were due to the very high marginal tax rates .
Because people couldn ’ t do anything .
And by the way , Biden wants to move the capital gains tax to the same tax as the income tax .
Carmichael : A huge increase that would go from 20 percent to 40 percent .
Leahy : Capital gains is the tax you pay on returns from long term typically long-term investments in creating companies and other things .
Carmichael : Yes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freeze capital because people won ’ t sell .
They won ’ t sell an asset for a profit if they have to pay that kind of tax on it .
And by the way this the super-rich .
Tthe super-rich simply borrow against their wealth .
They borrow against their wealth in order to live whatever lifestyle they want .
So they don ’ t pay any taxes .
Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg , they don ’ t pay taxes .
They ’ re the wealthiest people .
And neither does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leahy : And he ’ s not volunteering to pay it .
Leahy : They know how to work the system .
Carmichael : But the super wealthy and this isn ’ t people with high incomes .
Somebody making $ 10 million .
Leahy : You ’ re talking about people who make well over a billion dollars .
Carmichael : No I ’ m talking about people over 10 billion .
I ’ m saying the super-wealthy , they are all Democrats .
Listen to the full third hour here : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ Joe Biden ” by Joe Biden .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-22--Commentary: The Antifa Industry at Work

Commentary: The Antifa Industry at Work

When , in 2008 , then-candidate Barack Obama ’ s career as a community organizer was lampooned at the Republican National Convention , few understood what the words meant .
Most sympathetic voices in the media stressed “ community , ” evoking images of soup kitchens , clinics , and shelters .
Republicans had every reason to look more darkly at what this kind of work meant and , probably due to Obama ’ s race , were inclined to associate the candidate ’ s time “ organizing ” in Chicago with New York racial demagogues and shakedown-artists like Al @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mark , but the full truth was deeper and considerably more sophisticated ; left-wing organizing is a robust intellectual universe .
Thanks largely to talk radio , conservatives soon learned the name Saul Alinsky and began to digest his now-infamous Rules for Radicals .
After several brilliant investigative pieces into Obama ’ s time among left-wing organizing meccas like the Northwest Academy , Stanley Kurtz wrote the valuable Radical-in-Chief .
Unfortunately , for much of the public , the thread frayed shortly after the election that November ; emboldened by Democratic control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ newly elected Obama would use what he ’ d learned from Chicago activism to instigate and win battles on more pressing political issues .
For those eight years , the organizing ecosystem that would eventually erupt into Antifa and Black Lives Matter street violence and direct-action grew in strength , sophistication , and funding .
Obama ’ s own career in Chicago should ’ ve been a kind of clue : the former president served on the boards of Public Allies , the Woods Fund of Chicago , and the Joyce Foundation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollars to various local left-wing groups—some of which themselves were organizing for street-level direct action .
Antifa , of course , is far more than an “ idea ” —even as ideas , themselves , can be serious threats with which it is necessary to contend .
But it is also far more than just an organization .
Even as it traces its origins to pre-war Germany , one might think of “ Antifa ” as a relatively new product line from a larger industry that has existed for decades .
That industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and organizing , with its own history , pedagogy , institutions , as well as tens of thousands of career professionals operating in the open , and funded every bit as well as the staid network of establishment conservative think tanks and magazines that tend to cluster along the Acela corridor .
Writing at the American Mind last month , Michael Anton , author of The Stakes : America at the Point of No Return , brought attention to a war game report issued by the Transition Integrity Project , an ad hoc @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Integrity Project .
Anton ’ s widely read essay , “ The Coming Coup ?
” was heavily discussed on social media and by conservative talk show hosts including Dan Bongino , Mark Levin , Rush Limbaugh , and Glenn Beck .
What conservatives found so alarming was that the Transition Integrity Project urged Trump ’ s opponents to wage a “ street fight , not a legal one ” in the near-certain event of a contested election .
In other words , forces arrayed against the president ’ s reelection should abandon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of election victory not on the Constitution-mandated quest for the most electoral votes , but upon the street mobilization and direct-action capabilities of Antifa and the Left ’ s other professionally-staffed organizing groups .
As a heavily contested Election Day approaches , it is crucial for both conservative activists and officials in law enforcement to understand that left-wing organizing for direct-action and “ nonviolent ” civil disobedience is being planned by career organizing professionals working within well-funded , interlocking organizations .
Americans watching videos of Black Bloc activists tearing apart Portland , Seattle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results of thousands of training sessions , budgets in the tens of millions , and a carefully mapped radicalization process as extensive as those used by Islamists or any other ideological on-ramp toward extremism .
For tactical reasons , much of the expected actions will take place in heavily Democratic cities—as well as in the nation ’ s capital .
Breitbart ’ s Joel Pollack recently identified a document called “ Stopping the Coup : The 2020 Guide , ” distributed by one such group , Shutdown DC .
As he notes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guide by The Disruption Project , seeking to use , in its words , “ uprisings , resistance and mass direct action ” in order to prevent President Trump from “ stealing ” the election .
Shut Down DC was founded in 2019 as a coalition of DC-based direct-action groups , initially launched around the climate change agenda , and focused primarily on agitating for the Green New Deal .
The group was sponsored by All Out DC , a local Antifa group with a professed objective of , according to its Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Plantation.
” The group ’ s ambitions are greater than the November election , of course ; its members are not simply Democratic partisans .
The Disruption Project urges its supporters to “ stand up and take action against the unjust systems of racial capitalism , the heteropatriarchy , white supremacy and settler colonialism.
” Its more immediate goals include an effort to While Anton and others have been attacked by the New York Times for warning of a “ coup ” when reporting on scenarios laid out by groups like the Transition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the word far more liberally .
Possibly due to polling , many if not most of these organizers have foreclosed the idea of a legitimate Trump victory .
And , thanks to a highly partisan and disciplined media , they have also foreclosed the possibility of voter fraud .
Any legitimate objections or potential lawsuits challenging election law violations or seeking to identify alleged voter fraud will be seen as totalitarian election meddling .
In this understanding , any Trump victory will be treated as a “ coup.
” This is a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ documents and statements from anti-Trump partisans in left-wing organizing and media alike , from more mainstream groups like the Transition Integrity Project to Antifa .
A candidate being declared the projected victor—what was once a completely normal tradition of America ’ s election night drama—has been transmogrified , through intense hatred of the president and indulgence in projection , into an authoritarian scheme justifying extraordinary measures .
It ’ s unsurprising , then , that groups like Shut Down DC plan demonstrations beginning on Election Day .
It proposes an initial occupation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the evening of the election , November 3 .
Shut Down DC plans multiple disruption operations from November 4-7 , aimed at preventing the Trump campaign from declaring an election day victory .
From November 8-11 , the focus shifts to Capitol Hill , as Congress is expected to return for the lame-duck session .
The days and weeks leading up to the election are crucial , too .
In an October 8 update on planning operations , Shut Down DC offered a timeline urging affinity groups to begin scouting targets , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state , and federal law enforcement tasked with responding to upcoming unrest should be particularly aware of individuals conducting surveillance and reconnaissance of likely targets within the next 7-14 days .
The project has been soliciting and recruiting affinity groups seeking to participate .
The online registration form coyly warns participants not to include any “ incriminating ” information about their plans .
As recently as last year , Shut Down DC ’ s directors were Liz Butler and Patrick Young , both veteran professional organizers with decades of experience between them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Earth ’ s Vice President of Organizing and Strategic Alliances , Butler played a role in Inauguration Day protests against President George W. Bush in 2001 .
She also assisted in organizing IMF protests a year later , leading to over 600 arrests , as protesters targeted multiple locations throughout the city , and threw rocks and smoke bombs at police .
Washington , D.C. was subsequently sued for its aggressive ( though largely effective ) crowd dispersal tactics in a long-running case that was finally settled in 2016 .
Shut Down DC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , markets himself as a professional direct-action organizer for hire , offering “ training , action support , strategic research , and digital campaign support.
” After a stint at the Service Employees International Union ( SEIU ) , America ’ s second-largest labor union , Young is currently employed by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters .
On his LinkedIn page , he touts his volunteer experience with the Continental Collective of Rising Tide North America , an environmental direct-action group .
On his website , Young writes about “ Where and How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He ends the piece by warning , The language is identical to that which appears in Shut Down DC ’ s “ Timeline to a Meltdown , ” highlighting the perceived need to “ take to the streets ” in response to an apparent Trump victory on election night .
It is not clear whether Young or his group envision any scenario in which President Trump is reelected fairly—or whether such a victory would influence his commitment to seeing him removed from office .
Meanwhile , the group boasts of an October 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fithian .
She previously played a role with Disrupt J20 , the effort to interrupt the Trump Inauguration Day ceremony , and became infamous for her roles in the 2008 Republican National Convention , Occupy Wall Street and the Black Lives Matter protests in Ferguson , Missouri .
The Shut Down DC document cites another document on the effort to influence the post-election situation , entitled , “ Hold The Line : A Guide to Defending Democracy , ” authored by Hardy Merriman , Ankur Asthana , Marium Navid , and Kifah Shah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Hold the Line , is advertising a series of two-day training seminars conducted on Zoom , over the course of the next two weeks .
“ Hold the Line ” mirrors Shut Down DC in its timeline and scenarios in some ways but differs in style and some substance .
While Shut Down DC is clearly aimed at bringing hardcore anarchist and Antifa affinity groups into the streets , “ Hold the Line ” appears to be aimed at a slightly less radical audience ; unlike the Disruption Project document , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Unlike most other Antifa and Resistance tracts , the document at least pays lip service to the integrity of the voter ’ s choice in the election , conceding the possibility that Trump could win legitimately , and that victory should be accepted .
Yet the authors of “ Hold the Line ” —identifying themselves as , “ researchers , organizers , and activists who ’ ve seen how people-powered movements have protected freedom and democracy around the world ” —propose several future scenarios calling for “ civil resistance , ” including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declare victory on election night .
The document quotes from the Transition Integrity Project as part of its justification for “ civil resistance.
” Like Shut Down DC and countless other left-wing organizing groups , the authors of “ Hold the Line ” are veteran professionals in what they do .
The document ’ s chapter on “ civil resistance ” was authored by Hardy Merriman , the president and CEO of the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict ( ICNC ) .
One might say that helping to train activists to overthrow governments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Founded by Peter Ackerman , an investment banker who Business Insider called “ notoriously secretive , ” ICNC is an international nonprofit that specializes in training activists to overthrow governments—including playing a key role in training activists responsible for ousting U.S. ally Hosni Mubarak in the 2011 Arab Spring revolution in Egypt .
Merriman transferred to ICNC from the Albert Einstein Institute , another activist training operation founded by Ackerman and the “ Machiavelli of non-violence ” Gene Sharp known for his role in theories promoting “ Color Revolutions.
” Meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both employees of M+R Strategic Services , one of a constellation of progressive public relations firms focusing on supporting progressive non-profit organizations .
M+R appears to be providing some level of media support for the “ Hold the Line ” project , given that it held a roundtable promoting the guide .
Like Shutdown DC ’ s Patrick Young , Navid worked at SEIU prior to working with M+R , as a digital organizer .
She got her start in the organizing field as the Communication Coordinator for the Los Angeles chapter of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Finally , Kifah Shah is currently the senior campaign manager for Mpower Change .
Its executive director is notorious Islamist activist and former Women ’ s March leader Linda Sarsour , known for anti-Semitism and calling for a “ jihad ” against President Trump .
The two groups are curious in their similarities and differences .
While the Shutdown DC group appears to be made up of environmental anarchists—and sponsored by a self-described Antifa group—its organizers are seasoned and professionally-trained , and at least one is a union organizer .
“ Hold the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; it draws its organizers from the non-profit advocacy and digital tech worlds .
Because of its focus on nonviolent street action and mobilization , this document appears to be targeting liberals closer to the mainstream .
These two approaches—tailored to two specific types of audiences along the radicalization path—work together in what left-wing organizers have long called , “ diversity of tactics.
” Without using the term , the authors of “ Stopping the Coup : The 2020 Guide ” addressed this point .
Participants in nonviolent efforts must not be made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others in the coalition .
Rather than a moral or ethical objection to violence , this is a strategy that allows both violent and non-violent approaches to exist on a continuum .
While politicians , law enforcement , and even some conservative commentators may criticize Antifa and other violent direct-action anarchists , all are publicly insisting that Antifa are merely unwanted agitators in the midst of legitimate protests .
But this is wrong .
In any given protest , the “ agitators ” and the “ legitimate protestors ” are , instead , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exist in a symbiotic relationship , and may even share overt memorandums regarding agreement on tactics .
While Antifa relies upon the mass protest in order to hide among the crowd , the public destruction committed by Antifa draws attention and adds urgency to the political demands of the larger movement .
At their roots , both expressions of what could be called the Antifa industry are staffed with professionals preparing to engage in profoundly illegitimate revolutionary street politics .
Their radicalization long precedes the politics of 2020 ; at the leadership level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system “ fascist ” for decades before the candidacy of Donald Trump .
They are veterans of countless far-left radical causes , protest events , and political warfare communications efforts .
And they ’ re good at what they do .
Come November 3 , we are likely to see the full force of this industry at work .
The media will show the streets appear to creak with both Antifa agitators and protestors , possibly with claimed numbers in the millions .
It will be said they are normal , patriotic Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump .
Conservatives must be prepared to recognize what they are seeing as a form of theater—the product of decades of infrastructure , tens of millions of dollars in funding , and the work of tens of thousands of direct-action tacticians , public relations flaks , and professional organizers .
An elaborate stage show is being choreographed right now to play out on America ’ s streets designed to convince both regular citizens and opinion-makers that a scary authoritarian regime has just seized power and extraordinary measures are justified in removing it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
David Reaboi is a strategic communications consultant and national security and political warfare expert .
He has written extensively on the Middle East , the Arabian Gulf , and Sunni Islamist movements .
Follow him on Twitter @ davereaboi Kyle Shideler is the director and senior analyst for homeland security and counterterrorism at the Center for Security Policy .
Follow him on Twitter @ ShidelerK Photo “ Antifa Supporters ” by cantfightthetendies .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-22--Crom Carmichael Explains How Joe Biden’s Foreign Policy Will Take Us Back to the Days of the Bushes

Live from Music Row Wednesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed the original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael to the studio .
During the second hour , Carmichael explained how a vote for Joe Biden would be a vote for the foreign policies of Bushes ’ past administrations .
He added that he felt it was America ’ s job to lead and not to intervene .
Leahy : And we are joined in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday , Wednesday , and Friday by our good friend and the original all-star panelist , Crom Carmichael .
Crom , good morning .
Carmichael : Good morning Michael .
How are you ?
Did you have a hard time driving in this morning ?
Was there a traffic problem ?
I ’ ve heard reports are some traffic problems out there .
Carmichael : Well , not on not on the Hillsboro Road .
Leahy : If you ’ re coming in on Hillsboro Road , you ’ re okay .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Highway 40 going west there are some problems out there so you should be careful .
Carmichael : Yes , we are repairing Weir re topping Hillsborough Road .
So it ’ s you feel you feel like you ’ re grinding up your tires if you ’ re driving downhill .
Because they ’ ve taken off the darn thing where you can take off the top before you put down the new surface .
Leahy : But it ’ s an excellent example of Joseph Schumpeter ’ s idea of creative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crumbling road to build a brand new .
Carmichael : We ’ ll have one soon , I ’ m sure .
Leahy : So Joe Biden is been in his basement the past couple of days .
They put a lid on this campaign .
You know , there is there are all sorts of allegations of corruption swirling around .
And a lot of them that are fact-based .
What ’ s Joe Biden ’ s plan for the next day or two as he prepares for the debate tomorrow night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are some interesting articles , and I think this will come up in the debate .
At least I hope I hope foreign policy comes up at least a little bit .
I really do because it ’ s so important .
But here ’ s something interesting .
There was an article written by a guy named William McRaven .
And I really thought it was and I thought it was a spoof article at first .
Leahy : Not in the Babylon Bee ?
Carmichael : Not in the Babylon Bee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was talking about what a great leader Joe Biden is .
So I assumed and I truly thought it was .
Leahy : You thought it was a parody .
Carmichael : No , it wasn ’ t this guy .
This guy , he ’ s just a he would be a Democrat Never-Trumper .
Now that ’ s really quite something .
But I just want to talk a little bit about the world as it is today and the world as it was when Trump came into office .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But this guy right has a quote about George Bush .
It says that ’ s at the end of chapter Bush at the last chapter of the book A World Transformed .
By the way , George H.W .
Bush happened to be president when the Soviet Union fell .
The Soviet Union fell because of Ronald Reagan ’ s policies .
Nothing George Bush had anything to do with .
But he says it ’ s what he says .
The importance of American engagement has never been higher .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ there will be no leadership .
If we fail to live up to our responsibilities and if we shirk the role that only we can assume if we retreat from our obligation to the world and indifference , we will one day pay the highest price once again for our neglect and shortsightedness .
Now , what does that say ?
Leahy : It says let ’ s intervene this everywhere .
Carmichael : That ’ s essentially what this author believes is America ’ s role .
Leahy : Where is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carmichael : The Bush family is a very nice group of people .
What they did as two presidents that 12 years is terrible .
They were both and I just have to say it .
They were both lousy presidents .
They were because they believed exactly what this is .
That it is the United States ’ role to essentially solve the world ’ s problems and be the world ’ s policeman .
And maybe what the role of the United States is is to lead by example , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ persuasion rather than lead by force .
Leahy : I really like that phrasing .
Carmichael : What did I say ?
Leahy : The role of the United States is to lead by example and not by intervention .
That is a profound statement , Crom .
And it ’ s only 6:38 a.m. in the morning and you ’ ve said something very profound .
Carmichael : Well , I ’ ll accept the compliment .
But what this article goes on to talk about it goes on to talk about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if that ’ s the right way of expressing it .
Carmichael : Of his foreign policy and there are there very few people that I would say have a worse foreign policy record than the Bushes .
And Joe Biden is one of them .
Carmichael : In fact , I can ’ t think of anyone literally .
I can ’ t think of anyone who has been on the wrong side of foreign policy issues when he has taken a position .
He is just terrible .
and he and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s going to do .
So , let ’ s look at the world .
Let ’ s look at the world when Trump came into office .
You had the Paris Climate Deal , which was destroying manufacturing in the United States and bolstering manufacturing in China .
That is essentially what the Paris deal did .
Biden says I ’ ll get back in it .
Now , why would Biden get back in ?
Carmichael : And he loves all the money that his family ’ s getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be absolutely just straight .
Now even before he was getting money though , Joe Biden was a China apologist .
And let me say this , there are a lot of people in Washington who for 35 to 40 years thought that China once they became economically strong would become more like us .
Leahy : There is the ultimate myth .
The false premise upon which American foreign policy has been based for 30 years .
Carmichael : Yeah .
And now anyone with half a brain can see that China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enemy .
Carmichael : Yes .
There are essentially four categories now , then there can be things in between .
There are competitors .
There are adversaries and there is an enemy .
And a competitor would be someone that you just compete with but you ’ re not an ally but you compete with them on trade and things like that .
And they ’ re not necessarily , in fact , they are not bad .
They are a competitor .
But then you get into the adversary and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without direct military force .
And then an enemy is someone who is trying to destroy you at the time that you call them an enemy .
And China is at least an adversary and is moving in the direction of being an enemy because we don ’ t know .
We do not know whether or not the coronavirus was intentional or not .
We do not know .
What we do know is that it hadn ’ t affected the Chinese people nearly as much as it is as affected the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Let ’ s just go through kind of the the the institutions of the world .
You ’ ve got to the World Health Organization , which is clearly in the tank for China and they ’ ve done just a terrible job .
You have the United Nations which recently appointed to the Human Rights Council China , Cuba Pakistan , Russia , Uzbekistan .
Leahy : These are all just bastions of oh , I don ’ t know crushing .
Crushing individual liberty .
Carmichael : So the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Leahy : It ’ s actually less than worthless .
Carmichael : I was getting ready to say it may be harmful .
And then you ’ ve got the EU .
Leahy : The European Union .
And by the way , the French TV crew that was in here for the Arte Channel , funded by the EU .
So you can imagine what their worldview was .
We had a different worldview .
We have a nice exchange with them .
Carmichael : Yeah , and we talked about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are 27 members of the EU and in some cases , in order to move they have to have a unanimous vote .
Which means they don ’ t .
And which means they can ’ t move .
Leahy : They can vote for bathroom breaks and the adjourning .
Leahy : Somebody said that once .
And that would be you .
Leahy : You have so many things and you say .
Carmichael : I ’ m feeling a little bit like Biden .
Did I say that ?
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yesterday or even earlier today .
Leahy : You would make a much better president .
Carmichael : Well , you ’ re nice .
But when you look at the international organizations and the organizations that Biden wants to become a bigger part of his ideas of foreign policy are to take us back to the days of the Bushes .
That ’ s why I started with the Bushes because what the Bushes did in foreign policy was terrible for our country .
They might think that they must do this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you lead .
You don ’ t force and you don ’ t intervene .
You lead by example , not by intervention .
Listen to the full second hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-22--Lance Himes Email Riles Up Ohioans, Many Believe ODH Will Mandate COVID Vaccine

An email from Ohio Department of Health ( ODH ) Interim Director Lance Himes riled-up Ohioans .
The email was sent Tuesday to prospective attendees of an ODH webinar on the state ’ s vaccine plan .
In the email , Himes wrote , “ It is important to note that the Ohio COVID-19 Vaccination Program strategy is a draft framework outlining how to implement mandatory requirements once more details of a vaccine are known.
” The Ohio Star reached out to the governor ’ s office , the ODH and Ohio lawmakers seeking insight on the email .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ODH Press Secretary Melanie Amato wrote , “ The governor or the Ohio Department of Health will not be requiring anyone to get the vaccine .
This refers to mandatory requirements for providers who choose to administer the vaccine .
Not patients.
” This message is consistent with insight from Ohio State Senator Andrew Brenner ( R-19 ) who told The Star “ the ODH liaison said that the mandate is relating to parameters involving those who will administer the vaccine.
” DeWine Press Secretary Dan Tierney echoed Amato and Brenner in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ the message is from a webinar for medical providers who will carry the vaccine – for storing safely and administering safely a vaccine that is for those who choose to get it.
” The Star received a copy of the interim draft discussed in Wednesday ’ s webinar , the 55-page Vaccination Plan can be found here .
Himes ’ email seemed to contradict comments made earlier Tuesday by the governor .
Consequently , posts to Facebook and Twitter with screengrabs of the email flooded newsfeeds .
Messages to The Star from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gave during Tuesday ’ s COVID briefing during which the Columbus news outlet asked DeWine : Former ODH Health Director Amy Acton said that her dream was to have immunity certificates that would allow people to reclaim their freedoms and be admitted back to “ normal life.
” She also indicated the desire to eliminate any exemptions for vaccines .
Dr. Fauci has signaled that the first vaccines may not be highly effective .
So , given the fact that Acton was so adamant , and is still giving this administration insight per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 ) Is it your position to require vaccination and immunity proof in order to go back to normal life ?
2 ) Or , will you backdoor mandate the vaccine by allowing businesses and schools to shut people out who don ’ t choose to vaccinate ?
The governor started his answer by saying , “ Jack , I ’ m sorry you ’ re still attacking Dr. Acton .
I ’ m sorry you feel it necessary to do that.
” To which The Star reporter responded : “ I didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just indicated what she stated.
” DeWine then went on to say “ we ’ re not going to require anyone to get a vaccine .
That ’ s not going to be any requirement .
We hope people will get vaccines.
” Then he said that as people see others get the vaccine , hear what the CDC says , watch what the experts say , then people are going to feel very confident about the vaccine .
However , one of the leading COVID vaccines is produce by AstraZeneca who had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. due to an unexplained illness in one of the study volunteers , according to Becker ’ s Hospital Review .
The trial is still on pause .
On Wednesday , The Washington Post reported that a candidate in the AstraZeneca trial in Brazil died , but that the trial volunteer took the placebo instead of the COVID vaccine .
AstraZeneca ’ s spokesperson said they could not comment on individual cases in an ongoing trial due to regulations .
However , the trial is continuing in Brazil .
Yahoo !
News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meningitis vaccine – which raises more concerns because the meningitis vaccine has been around since circa 1974 .
DeWine did not say whether he would allow businesses and schools to prohibit attendance for people without a vaccine and/or immunity certificate .
The Star sent an additional inquiry to both the governor ’ s office and ODH and will report back when information is available .
Ohio law currently honors vaccine exemptions for children : religious , philosophical and medical .
However , Senator Brenner remains concerned the state will mandate a COVID vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccines will eventually become required , ” said Brenner .
He continued “ Because of this , I ’ m working on legislation that would make vaccinations in adults in Ohio voluntary .
Please note , I ’ m not afraid of vaccines and I ’ m open to taking them myself , but government should not force people to take them against their will.
” Senate President Larry Obhof was contacted for comment on whether he would support such legislation authored by Brenner .
Obhof had not responded by the time this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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--2020-10-22--Nashville’s Mr. Smith Goes to the White House

Brad Smith wasn ’ t planning to go to Washington DC to work .
But a few months into 2020 , he found himself reporting to the President of the United States of America and briefing the nation on television .
How did he go from running a business in Nashville to working in the West Wing of the White House ?
I was able to sit down with Brad recently to learn a little bit more about his story .
As background , Brad grew up in East Tennessee , where his mom was a dentist and his dad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After attending Harvard and then Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar , Brad returned to Tennessee , where he served as the founding executive director of the education non-profit Tennessee SCORE and then as chief-of-staff at the Tennessee Department of Economic Development , helping recruit companies to the state .
After his grandmom passed away in 2009 , Brad launched Aspire Health , a company that provides care to some of the country ’ s sickest patients in the comfort of their own home .
Brad grew Aspire into the nation ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 700 employees caring for patients in 25 states and over 70 cities .
After selling the company to Anthem in 2018 , Brad became Chief Operating Officer of Anthem ’ s healthcare services group , a $ 2 billion division that included five businesses .
In 2019 , Brad received a call asking if he would be interested in joining the Trump Administration to run the agency responsible for healthcare innovation .
In what has been a very interesting year , Brad ended up not only doing the job he was hired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role in the nation ’ s response to the coronavirus and was recently promoted to be Deputy Assistant to the President and President Trump ’ s top advisor on healthcare and education .
In this role , he is leading work on lowering drug prices , advancing school choice , and delivering better and more affordable care for Americans .
Brad and his wife Lauren recently welcomed their second daughter into the world and plan to return home to Tennessee after his government service ends .
Here are some excerpts from our recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave Nashville and go to Washington to serve in the Trump Administration ?
Last summer , I received a call out of the blue from someone in the Trump Administration asking if I would consider moving to Washington DC to run the CMS Innovation Center , the agency responsible for healthcare innovation .
At first , I said I was not that interested , as I was looking to build another healthcare company in Nashville and my wife Lauren and I had just had our first daughter Harper .
However , after prayerful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals in the Trump Administration as well as with my wife , I decided it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity I could not refuse .
While I love living in Tennessee and running businesses , the chance to serve at the highest levels of government is an opportunity that doesn ’ t come along that many times , so Lauren , Harper , and I loaded up our car in January and moved up to DC , where we have been living for the past ten months .
What is the CMS Innovation Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work impact Tennesseans ?
CMMI was created by Congress to test new and innovative ways to improve Medicare and Medicaid .
Our mission is to lower costs and improve the quality of care for Americans by developing innovative models that deregulate health care and give flexibilities to physicians and other providers .
Over 100 different medical groups and hospitals across Tennessee have participated in CMMI models , including providers from Bristol to Memphis .
In March , CMMI launched a new model that will allow seniors across the country – including seniors in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans where they can purchase insulin for $ 35 a month , saving seniors using insulin an average of $ 446 ( 66 % ) in out-of-pocket costs per year .
In August , we announced a new rural healthcare model that will invest up to $ 75 million in 15 rural communities to test innovative ways to improve healthcare for rural Americans .
Over 90 % of Tennessee is rural , and I hope that some of the rural healthcare providers in Tennessee will consider applying to be part of this model @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new kidney care model at an event at HCA Healthcare in Nashville that will increase access to life-saving transplants and home dialysis for End Stage Renal Disease ( ESRD ) patients .
How did your experience in Tennessee state government and founding a business help prepare you for your role in DC ?
My experience in Tennessee state government helped me understand the challenges of advancing good ideas through a complex bureaucracy .
I believe government should run more like a business , and I ’ ve tried to bring some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DC .
During my first few weeks in DC , I conducted a top-to-bottom review of CMMI ’ s operations and models , and I quickly realized that the agency was losing billions of dollars a year .
I brought my team together and we developed a strategy to cut costs , streamline operations , and prioritize programs that will result in over $ 1.5 billion of savings over the next several years .
I was surprised that many of these common sense business practices were not more common in government .
Can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what you did as part of the federal COVID-19 response ?
On March 12 , I was called over to the White House to assist with the COVID-19 response .
At that time , COVID cases were starting to increase rapidly across the country , and the White House was pulling together a team of experts with a wide range of problem-solving skills to help rapidly scale up the federal government ’ s response .
Over the past few months , I have worked on various projects including helping expand testing , sourcing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first responders , and expediting life-saving therapeutics .
One of the most memorable experiences was briefing the President on our work on COVID in April , and him asking me to come to the press briefing room with him to give the same briefing to the American public .
It was an honor of a lifetime , but there is still much work to be done .
I am especially optimistic about the work we are doing through Operation Warp Speed – a massive project similar to the Manhattan Project – to significantly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distribution of a vaccine in less than a year .
I am hopeful that we will have a successful vaccine in the coming months and be able to turn the page on this awful virus .
You also recently joined the White House as Deputy Assistant to the President on healthcare and education .
What has that experience been like and what are your priorities and vision ?
It has been a humbling experience .
After my work on COVID-19 , I was asked to join the White House staff as the President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It has been really exciting work that has leveraged both my private sector healthcare experience at Aspire as well as my experience in education helping found the Tennessee State Collaborative on Reforming Education ( SCORE ) , a non-profit focused on bringing diverse stakeholders together to improve education in Tennessee .
The President has a bold healthcare vision focused on three things : more choice , lower cost , and better care .
I am especially excited about the work we are doing to end surprise medical billing and lower the cost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we believe that local school districts and parents know what is best for their students and children , and we want to localize decision making and increase the choices that are available to families and students .
What are your plans after this job ?
I don ’ t have any concrete plans , but I will definitely be heading back to Tennessee .
While I have been honored to serve in DC , Tennessee is home , and Lauren and I can ’ t wait to get back to be with our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely start a few more companies to improve healthcare , and Lauren and I are planning to launch a foundation to invest back in Tennessee and missionary work around the world .
What do you do for fun ?
Lauren and I were blessed with a second baby girl who was born in October , which has been taking up much of my time !
Our favorite activity is definitely watching SEC football on a fall Saturday .
She went to Auburn ( I will forgive her for that ) , and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up in Knoxville .
There is nothing like a football Saturday at Neyland Stadium .
Photo “ Brad Smith ” by Nashville Institute for Faith and Work .


thetennesseestar--2020-10-22--Lieutenant Governor’s Race Crowded with Hopefuls for Future Governor

Ten candidates have officially announced runs for the 2021 Virginia Lieutenant Governor ( LG ) primaries , and more are reported to be eyeing the seat .
According to the Virginia Constitution , the LG ’ s primary role is the president of the Senate ; however , he has no vote unless the Senate is tied .
Candidate and former Democratic Party of Virginia Chair Paul Goldman told The Virginia Star , “ People are going to say , ‘ If I get to be lieutenant governor , I ’ ll be the next governor in four years .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ thinking .
That ’ s what they ’ ve always thought . '
” Goldman added , “ You look at who ’ s been elected , nominated , attorneys general and lieutenant governors have tended to have a big leg-up .
That might not be true every year , it might not be true this year.
” The seat is also the worst-paid office of the top three state-level elected executives ; according to Ballotpedia , incumbent LG Justin Fairfax earns $ 36,321 , while the attorney general and governor both earn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is second-in-line for the governor ’ s office , according to the office of the lieutenant governor , and serves on several committees .
While the office has few constitutional powers , Goldman said the office should be used for public involvement and advocacy .
Goldman added that he ’ s not planning to use the office as a stepping stone for governor .
“ It ’ s a platform to advocate for the public .
It should be a pure platform to advocate for the public , ” he said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said the low salary and part time role can be a benefit , since they allow the LG to keep another job .
“ It ’ s a little misnomer to say it ’ s part-time .
You don ’ t have that many responsibilities , that ’ s why it ’ s part-time , ” he said .
“ That ’ s the best job because you can still make what you were making and get the extra salary and you get driven around by the State Police.
” Republican challengers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( R ) , veteran Lance Allen ( R ) , Delegate Glenn Davis ( R-Virginia Beach ) , and former Delegate Tim Hugo ( R-Fairfax ) .
Also , Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman is rumored to be considering the race .
On the Democratic side , challengers are Delegate Hala Ayala ( D-Prince William ) , former Democratic Party of Virginia Chair Paul Goldman ( D ) , Delegate Elizabeth Guzman ( D-Prince William ) , Fairfax County NAACP President Sean Perryman ( D ) , Delegate Sam Rasoul ( D-Roanoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D ) .
According to The Washington Post , Prince William County School Board Chair Babur Lateef ( D ) and Norfolk City Councilmember Andria McLellan ( D ) are also exploring runs for the seat .
Goldman thinks the race will narrow .
He said , “ It would be unusual for 10 people to actually be running hard on primary day , that would be unprecedented .
I think the most we ’ ve ever had was four people at the end.
” Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-10-22--‘Calmer Heads’ Could Have Minimized Riot Damage, Police Union President Says

Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis President Bob Kroll was interviewed on Alpha News ’ Facebook live Monday night by Devin Foley , CEO of the Charlemagne Institute .
Kroll is now best known around the country as the man who dealt with Black Lives Matter protesters outside of his house in Hugo , Minnesota , this summer .
Kroll has been a Minneapolis police officer since 1989 .
He grew up in St. Paul and always knew he would end up as a law enforcement officer .
When asked what was going through his head during the protest outside his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think we have to back up a little bit to the actual riots.
” “ There was the short video clip that was taken of the George Floyd incident .
We had the governor , the mayor , the attorney general , the commissioner of public safety , and the police chief all come out and call those four officers murderers and , if you ask me , incite the violence that ensued for the following week , ” he said .
Kroll said the Police Officers Federation called on the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any rash decisions .
He said , “ Justice will be served .
We have a process that is the criminal justice system — the best one in the world — in this country.
” The left targeted the union and Kroll as a scapegoat .
“ And things spiraled over the summer to the point that we had a large-scale protest outside of our house , ” he said .
At a minimum , it was disorderly conduct , according to Kroll .
DFL House candidate John Thompson was a key participant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ house .
Democrats have largely refused to condemn Thompson for his involvement in the vulgar , disruptive protest .
House Speaker Melissa Hortman would not condemn him out of fear that there would be a protest at her house as well , which has happened before , Kroll suggested .
“ What kind of a leader is that ?
” he asked .
The police union let the criminal justice system proceed as it would in any case , limiting the union ’ s involvement and reserving judgment .
The federation said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again , we have the best criminal justice system in the world .
Let it take place , ” Kroll stated .
The lack of leadership in the George Floyd incident and the abundance of immediate murder accusations from state officials incited violence and led to mass destruction that did not need to occur , according to Kroll .
“ The way our leaders handled it was completely wrong , ” he said .
The National Guard should have been called in earlier , and the officers in the streets should have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also discussed the abandonment of the Third Precinct .
He said , “ I think … the motivation with the political leaders there is that it would be a symbolic victory , that they would give it away , and they would go home .
The reality is it was just the opposite.
” The Third Precinct officers are now working out of the Minneapolis Convention Center with far fewer resources , and when the department tries to rent other space , protesters intimidate whatever business is planning to sell or rent to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the smallest Kroll has ever seen it , as officers are leaving in record numbers either for early retirement , to join a different police force , or to leave the career altogether .
Kroll expressed worry at the low number of people interested in joining the police force now , with less than 200 applicants per 35 positions .
That number was 800 applicants at the time of Kroll ’ s enrollment .
The administration can not be as selective with so few applicants , but can still perform extensive background @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look for officers of good character .
“ Certainly , character is the key … find people with good quality character : trustworthy , integrity , honesty , ” Kroll said .
Foley asked Kroll about the insinuation that police officers are violent , racist people .
“ It ’ s completely untrue .
We ’ ve got the most diverse board in the history of the MPD , ” Kroll said .
“ Racism is not tolerated.
” Foley and Kroll also addressed the issue of rising homicide cases in Minneapolis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 2-3 shootings per night instead of per every 3-4 nights .
Kroll encouraged Minnesotans to vote for public officials who will be true leaders in times like these .
“ If calmer heads and leadership would have prevailed , and just said , ‘ let this process work , ’ it may have had a minimizing effect on the damage that was caused in the city of Minneapolis , ” he said .
Rose Williams is an assistant editor for Alpha News .
Photo “ Minneapolis Riot Damage ” by Tony Webster @ @ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-10-22--COVID Lockdowns a Boon for Virginia Lottery

The Virginia Lottery recorded $ 2.15 billion in sales during 2020 , slightly lower than the 2019 figure , despite facing statewide shut downs in the spring and the growing economic downturn brought on by the coronavirus pandemic .
Kevin Hall , executive director of the Virginia Lottery , gave a presentation Tuesday to members of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee , providing updates on the current trend and forecast as well as the implementation of expanded gaming options coming to the state .
“ Considering the competitive pressure that we faced for much of the year – historical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global health crisis and that sharp impact on the overall economy – we were very pleased [ to see ] what we consider to be solid performance for FY 20 , ” Hall told the committee .
Hall first discussed the impact from COVID-19 on lottery retail sales by showing a month-to-month comparison of 2020 and 2019 sales between January and September .
Before the virus hit the United States , lottery sales were just slightly behind the 2019 figures , but decreased significantly in March , dropping to minus 21 percent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public awareness and concern about coronavirus first took hold .
It ’ s when business restrictions and shelter in place guidance took effect , ” Hall said .
“ We saw a sudden dramatic drop in lottery sales activity in March , which continued through much of April.
” April was not nearly as bad with retail sales decreasing by eight percent compared to April of 2019 .
Starting in May and spanning through September , 2020 lottery sales increased by at least nine percent or more for those months , the largest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jump .
Hall said the spring rebound could be attributed to several factors including retailers retrofitting their stores with plexiglass barriers on counters and other coronavirus adjustments as well as consuming becoming more comfortable in public spaces and specific business restrictions .
Although the Virginia Lottery did not meet or exceed the total sales of 2019 ( $ 2.3 billion ) , they were able to exceed the fiscal year 2020 sales goals by one-tenth of a percent and revenue expectations by 1.5 percent , according to Hall .
This resulted in $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ K-12 programs , albeit lower than 2019 proceeds of $ 649 million .
When talking about the launch of online lottery games , under the term iLottery , Hall said , “ we continue to believe [ iLottery ] will strengthen overall lottery sales by reaching consumers anywhere they are , anytime they want ” and since implementation traditional products have experienced significant sales growth , signaling that more accessible online games do not have an adverse effect on things like scratch tickets .
Hall also touched on the progress of bringing mobile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2021 , a process that has been ongoing for several months now .
Currently , the lottery has begun accepting applications from mobile sports betting operators such as FanDuel , DraftKings , Penn National Gaming and others , and has 90-days to review many aspects of the applicant companies .
The process for bringing casinos to multiple cities in Virginia , including the possibility of one in Richmond , was also discussed by Hall and committee members .
During a short question and answer period , Senate Minority Leader Thomas Norment ( R-James @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of gaming options and asked “ is enough enough at this point ?
” In response to Norment , Hall said : “ The unique , perhaps once in a generation impact of the public health emergency , has prompted a push by the gaming industry for further expansion .
“ Sufficient to say there will always be an industry interest in pushing the envelope forward and using whatever opportunity or tools are available .
Virginia as a commonwealth is somewhat late to the conversation , but I believe is moving forward in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Follow Jacob on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Virginia Capitol ” by Martin Kraft .
CC BY-SA 3.0 .