thetennesseestar--2020-09-10--Crom Carmichael Discusses the Forced Unionization of Gig Workers in California

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 .
At the top off the third hour , Carmichael discussed the concept of gig workers and the unionization of this new group of people who typically identify as independent contractors .
He added that the unions are only designed to collect union dues from workers and are not interested in the welfare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is seven weeks and six days until the November 3 election .
And mercifully the unions out there are helping everyone , Crom , because they are so kind and generous .
I saw a report we were talking about during the break that they are out there helping protect gig workers from flexibility .
Carmichael : They are trying to .
( Leahy laughs ) And this is what is going on in California , where the state of California is trying to force Uber drivers and Lyft drivers to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s what the so-called trade-off is .
And I say so-called because of the stability that unions in the private sector offer , exist only so long as the companies that are unionized stay in business .
And if you look at the long history of labor unions , unfortunately , the record is that over time they over bargain and destroy the very companies that employ their union members .
I don ’ t know if every single car company in the US the big three , General Motors , Ford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at one time or another has gone bankrupt .
And then only in bankruptcy were they able to re-organize their union contracts .
The steelworkers bankrupted virtually every large steel mill in the country back in the 70s and 80s .
And the communications workers of America only were able to survive as long as AT & T was a monopoly and the government restrained all of the possible competitors .
And then once AT & T was broken up , then the communications workers became , I don ’ t even know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think they still exist .
Carmichael : And they are very small .
So the history of private sector unions is they benefit workers for a period of time , and then they end up destroying the workplace at a particular point in time .
But unions are now trying to organize what are called gig workers .
And gig workers ’ definition is people who work as independent contractors for one or more companies .
And usually , it ’ s the more .
For example , I do Uber but I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , do you also do Lyft ?
And they almost always say , oh yes , I ’ m also a Lyft driver .
And then we ’ ll get into a conversation of which one works better for them , because I ’ m just kind of interested .
And then I ’ ll ask questions of whether it ’ s a full-time job or a part-time job .
Most of the time its a part-time job .
Leahy : Most of the time it ’ s extra money for people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ condition in life .
Pay the bills .
Carmichael : Yes .
And so that would be an example .
Then you also have independent contractors who do technology work .
Leahy : And a lot of people who are in technology prefer to be independent contractors and not employees .
Because if you are an employee , there is a whole set of rules you have to follow .
If you are an independent contractor ’ you are contracted to perform particular tasks .
So it allows you to control your time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carmichael : If you bid on a technology job , then you are essentially required to finish the job within the bid .
Carmichael : So you have to figure out how many hours you think it ’ s going to take you or your team .
A lot of times these are small teams of people who bid on different contracts .
And then you have staffing firms like right here in Nashville .
You have Vaco Resources .
One of the premier staffing firms .
Carmichael : I was one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guys .
Great guys .
They have what they call consultants .
They are typically people with particular financial skills .
Then they have people with a particular technical skill .
Then you have people with particular skills to do work for short periods of time .
So they will call a staffing firm like Vaco to do that .
The largest one in that space is a company called Robert Half .
They are an international company .
Carmichael : These consultants are well-paid .
These are people who prefer to not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carmichael : Not so much spread the risk , but they want their own flexibility .
They want to be able to tell Vaco , I don ’ t want to work this summer .
So gig workers like the flexibility and the Democrats want the union dues .
The Democrats don ’ t care a bit about the lifestyle of the gig workers .
They only want the money .
They just want the money .
Leahy : It ’ s all about the money .
Carmichael : For them , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 “ Lyft Uber Car ” by Open Grid Scheduler / Grid Engine CC1.0


thetennesseestar--2020-09-10--Commentary: If Biden Wins, China Wins—and America Loses

The New York Times on Monday published a 3,100-word story headlined “ Joe Biden ’ s China Journey.
” The three reporters whose bylines appear on the article engage in a painfully obvious effort to explain away the former vice president ’ s long and cozy relationship with communist China .
Now , at long last , they suggest , Biden is ready to get really tough on China .
Tougher even than Trump .
Good luck to them selling that fractured fairy tale .
Biden has appeased China and advanced its interests for as long as I ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is to say since shortly after the Democratic presidential nominee arrived in Washington , D.C. , nearly a half-century ago and I arrived in Hong Kong with the Seventh Fleet .
American workers have paid a heavy price for the combination of naïveté and greed that has driven Biden ’ s views about China over the decades .
The naïveté came first , of course .
The greed came later .
In the 1990s , Biden pushed for and voted repeatedly to protect China ’ s “ most-favored-nation ” trade status , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flood America ’ s big-box stores .
Even worse , he championed China ’ s entry into the World Trade Organization under terms that heavily favored the Communist giant .
This blunder cost the United States 60,000 factories and 3.5 million jobs .
Biden did all this despite admitting that China had a “ reprehensible ” record on human rights and “ unfair trade practices.
” But with lifelong politicians , you have to look beyond the rhetoric to see what they actually do .
Biden ’ s actions with regard to Beijing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more recent years , his family .
The one exception to Biden ’ s “ Made in China ” agenda would seem to be his advocacy of Radio Free Asia .
Biden ’ s defenders invariably claim that he was instrumental in establishing a federally funded news media network to promote democratic values within China .
One of his Senate Foreign Relations Committee aides at the time , James P. Rubin , told the Times that Biden worked so hard to set up RFA because he realized China was a “ brutal system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around Tiananmen Square .
Not all of those who worked with Biden at the time , however , were impressed in the same way with Biden ’ s supposed change of heart .
I served as a commissioner on the Presidential-Executive Commission on Broadcasting to the PRC in the early ’ 90s alongside two commissioners handpicked by Biden .
Both fought against the establishment of RFA every step of the way and , in the end , both voted against it .
When those of us on the other side later met with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support for RFA , he tried to laugh off the defection of his two commissioners , talking about his personal support for the project .
If there were godfathers of Radio Free Asia , which finally won approval in 1994 , they were Senators Jesse Helms ( R-N.C. ) and John McCain ( R-Ariz. ) , not Joe Biden .
Then there was the September 2000 debate over whether or not to grant permanent most-favored-nation status to China .
Those of us opposed to the idea argued that the annual U.S. review of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the leverage it needed to help rein in China ’ s bad behavior at home and abroad .
Biden , however , voted to grant permanent most-favored-nation status to China .
He went on to support China ’ s accession to the World Trade Organization as well .
Biden early on fell for the myth that China ’ s rise was not only inevitable but that the United States should welcome it .
In fact , he has spent most of the past quarter-century attempting to sell Americans on the idea that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ development for not only China but for the U.S. and the rest of the world.
” As vice president , Biden ’ s efforts to enable China ’ s rise accelerated .
In May 2013 he helped engineer a “ memorandum of understanding ” with the PRC exempting Chinese corporations from U.S. securities statutes and regulations .
This meant that the Chinese Communist Party could raise trillions from our debt and equity markets on preferential terms , giving them an advantage over American firms .
Among other things , this MOU exempted Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ independent audits , allowing them to continue to cook their books while raising billions from unsuspecting U.S. investors .
On the human rights front , the then-vice president was largely missing in action .
When he did speak out in public it was often to soft-pedal CCP abuses , as when he said on a visit to China that he “ understood ” the need for the brutal one-child policy .
Biden ’ s record on Asian security issues is equally unimpressive .
As Barack Obama ’ s vice president , he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Asia , ” which was intended to reassure our allies in the region by countering China ’ s continuing military buildup .
Yet as China militarized the South China Sea and bullied smaller neighbors such as the Philippines and Vietnam into accepting its claims , Biden ’ s response was lackadaisical .
By the time he left office , we had added exactly one warship to the Seventh Fleet .
You may decide for yourself why he took his son , Hunter , to Beijing in December 2013 on Air Force Two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is at least curious that Biden did not publicly bring up China ’ s aggressive “ Air Defense Identification Zones ” and territorial claims in the South China Sea , or its massive violations of human rights while he was there .
Part of the reason for Biden ’ s silence may have come 10 days later , when Rosemont Seneca Partners , Hunter Biden ’ s boutique investment firm , landed a $ 1 billion dollar deal with the Chinese government , later increased to $ 1.5 billion .
Hunter also joined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company called BHR , which started buying up American firms that possessed dual-use technology of interest to the Chinese military and its modernization efforts .
Since leaving office , even as the danger that China poses to the United States and the world has become ever more apparent , the former vice president has continued his apology tour on behalf of the PRC .
Biden repeatedly has dismissed China ’ s threat to American national security and jobs , claiming as recently as 2019 that they ’ re not bad and not competition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poses a mortal threat to America in more ways than one .
Given the myriad ways that China has harmed U.S. businesses and workers—intellectual property theft , forced technology transfer , currency manipulation , dumping below-cost , predatory pricing by state-owned or controlled enterprises , and the widespread use of slave labor—fewer and fewer people outside of China regard its rise as anything but a disaster for America and the world .
More and more people understand that China is carrying out what it calls “ unrestricted warfare ” against the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yet the Democrats ’ nominee for president has not yet grasped this fact .
He does not yet understand that Beijing steals our jobs , our technology , and sickens the world not just to supercharge its own rise , but in order to bring about America ’ s defeat .
He still claims “ China is not our enemy.
” Why else would Biden suggest that he may end President Trump ’ s tariffs on China without getting anything in return for the United States ?
Why else would Biden not hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the world but instead—absurdly—is attempting to blame Trump for the outbreak ?
And why would his brief “ Build Back Better ” economic plan not even mention the name of the country that over the past two decades , in effect , has carpet-bombed the American industrial heartland with its ruthless and predatory policies ?
Biden ’ s benign view of China is such that he still imagines that we can make common cause with an expansionist Communist empire that wants to replace us as the dominant power on the planet .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and health security as areas of potential cooperation .
All three of these tired tropes are long past their sell-by dates .
Biden may be determined to shut down every last coal-fired power plant in the United States in the name of curbing climate change , but China is just as determined to keep building them , opening a new plant every two weeks or so .
What is there to discuss ?
Working with China on nuclear and missile nonproliferation agreements almost sounds like a serious policy proposal , until you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proliferator of both in the world today .
Pakistan , North Korea , and Iran are among the known beneficiaries of China ’ s assistance .
Biden ’ s plan to work with China on “ health security , ” on the other hand , sounds like a Babylon Bee parody , given that China deliberately unleashed a deadly coronavirus on the world and continues to lie about it .
Yet Biden is so determined to blame Trump for all the “ pain and suffering ” caused by the Chinese virus that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As we approach the November election , Biden finally has begun cautiously denouncing China as a “ dictatorship.
” This is like calling a Category 5 hurricane a “ summer breeze.
” The high-tech tyranny that dominates the Chinese people—and dreams of extending its writ to the entire world—is like no other adversary the United States has ever encountered .
The Chinese Communist Party , like all Communist parties , is a war party .
It is organized along military lines and is inherently expansionist .
Its leaders have long understood that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States , between “ socialism with Chinese characteristics ” and free-market democracy , and between the current U.S.-dominated international order and the Sinocentric one that Beijing hopes will replace it .
This means that there is no win-win scenario involving democratic America and Communist China .
There are only temporary truces .
The new Cold War between the United States and China is a zero-sum game , which will only be resolved when one system decisively triumphs over the other .
President Trump , post-pandemic , now understands this .
Biden does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s business dealings and the left-wing of his party— can not .
Instead , he obviously is trying to navigate through the current tensions with China with the goal of restoring the old status quo—the one that heavily favored China , not to mention the Biden family fortunes .
Few were surprised when National Counterintelligence and Security Center Director William Evanina issued a statement in August saying China was working to help Biden win in November .
The former vice president tried to laugh away the report .
But the threat posed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially if a candidate as compromised as Biden actually wins the presidency .
Steven W. Mosher is the President of the Population Research Institute and the author of Bully of Asia : Why China ’ s Dream is the New Threat to World Order .

A 17-year-old student allegedly opened fire Friday at a high school in Santa Fe, Texas, killing 10 people and wounding another 10, authorities said.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott said police found explosive devices, including a Molotov cocktail, at the suspected shooter’s home and a vehicle, as well as around the Santa Fe High School where the shooting took place.
Law enforcement officials said the suspect, Dimitrios Pagourtzis, a junior at the school, was being held without bond on a capital murder charge.
Abbott said the suspect originally intended to commit suicide following the shooting but told law enforcement officials after he was arrested that he didn’t have the courage to go through with killing himself.
The governor said two guns were used in the attack — a shotgun and a .38-caliber revolver. He said the suspect’s father legally owned both guns.It was not clear whether the father knew his son had taken the weapons.
Abbott said there were “one or two” other people of interest being interviewed about the shooting.
Galveston County Sheriff Henry Trochesset said, “Injured students and staff have been transported to local hospitals.” He also said an officer from the Santa Fe Independent School District was among those shot.
U.S. President Donald Trump described the shooting as an “absolutely horrific attack,” one of many that have “been going on too long in this country.” Trump told the victims and their families that “we’re with you in this tragic hour and we will be with you forever.” He vowed to get guns “out of the hands of those who pose a threat to themselves and to others.”
An unidentified male student described fleeing the school during an interview with KHOU-TV in Houston. He said that after he heard three shots, “we all took off in the back, and I tried to get into the trees. I didn’t want to be in sight. I heard four more shots, and then we jumped the fence to somebody’s house.”
An unidentified female student said tearfully on cable channel CNN, “Nobody should have to go through this. Nobody should have to feel that pain.”
Facebook post
Pagourtzis had posted an image on Facebook of himself wearing a “Born to Kill” shirt, but the motive for Friday’s attack wasn’t known.
Abbott saidthat unlike previous school shootings, “there were not those types of warning signs” about the Santa Fe suspect. The governor saidthe early investigation had found no prior criminal history for Pagourtzis.
“The red-flag warnings were either nonexistent or very imperceptible,” Abbott said, though he acknowledged Pagourtzis’ posting of the photo on Facebook.
That same Facebook profile described Pagourtzis as planning to enter the U.S. Marine Corps next year, but the Marine Corps told The Associated Press it had reviewed its records and had found no one by that name as either a recruit or a person in their delayed entry pool.
Classmates described Pagourtzis as quiet and an avid video game player who routinely wore a black trench coat and black boots to class. He had played football on the school’s junior varsity squad and danced as part of a church group. Those who know him expressed shock he might be involved in the killings.
Calls for action
The latest incident came about three months after a shooter with a semiautomatic rifle killed 17 students and school staff members at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. It was the third-deadliest school shooting in American history.
The Democratic leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, said urgent action was needed to prevent gun violence.
“Congress must show as much courage as they have, and act now to ensure that no other community or family must endure the unthinkable horror of gun violence. Our children deserve real leadership: a vote to prevent gun violence now.”
Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin said Congress must implement reforms that lawmakers recently passed “to make schools safer and keep deadly weapons away from those who should not have them.”
“Our hearts are filled with grief over this horrific loss of life,” he added.
Santa Fe is located in southeastern Texas between the cities of Houston and Galveston.
– – –
Some information for this report came from Associated Press.
VOA News


thetennesseestar--2020-09-10--Tennessee Launches School District-Level COVID-19 Data Dashboard

The Tennessee Department of Education launched a new dashboard Wednesday to report COVID-19 case data on a school district level .
A majority of school districts have submitted information for the dashboard , but it does not reflect full reporting across all districts .
The department said it expects data from every school district to be reported and included on the dashboard by Sept. 22 .
Data will be updated on a weekly basis .
Because of stringent protection of student privacy under the Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act , schools with fewer than 50 students will not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporting fewer than five positive student or employee cases , the school will be listed without a specific number of cases .
“ This dashboard strikes an important balance in protecting student privacy while providing parents , educators , and community members with information they need to make the best possible decisions for their families , ” Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn said in a statement .
The dashboard includes numbers of new positive COVID-19 cases in districts and schools , as well as information on the methods of instruction , including virtual instruction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be viewed using a drop-down menu view to sort information by district , or using interactive maps of the state , county or region .
Dashboard data will include the number of schools conducting in-person learning , the number of schools using virtual instruction methods , and the number of schools employing a hybrid approach .
“ Tennessee has led the way in supporting districts for a safe return to school , opening classrooms for the new school year , and now providing the public with information around how COVID-19 may be impacting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Schwinn said .
Each district also will include a link to the district ’ s plan outlining how the district will continue the school year remotely .
The department clarified that positive cases reported among students and staff does not necessarily indicate that COVID-19 was contracted at the school building .
Vivian Jones reports on Tennessee and South Carolina for The Center Square .
Her writing has appeared in the Detroit News , The Hill , and publications of The Heartland Institute .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-10--Over Half of Double Voters in Georgia Primary Were Democrats, Secretary of State Announces

The Georgia Secretary of State announced Tuesday that about 1,000 Georgians face investigation for voting twice in the state ’ s June 9 primary , and 58 percent of them were cast for Democrats .
A Georgia voter must request a specific party ballot in the primary election .
“ While the investigation is still ongoing , initial results show that of the partisan ballots at issue , approximately 58 % were Democratic ballots , ” a spokesman for Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger told Breitbart News .
Raffensperger ’ s office said that voting twice is a felony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ And as secretary of state , I will not tolerate it.
” Double-voting is punishable by one to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $ 100,000 .
Georgia residents cast votes by absentee ballot and then went in person to polling places on June 9 and voted again , Raffensperger said .
Many double-voters are able to be stopped , but county election officials “ weren ’ t able to catch everyone , ” the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported .
“ A double voter knows exactly what they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of each and every voter that follows the law , ” Raffensperger said .
“ Those that make the choice to game the system are breaking the law .
And as secretary of state , I will not tolerate it.
” According to the paper , about 150,000 Georgians requested absentee ballots and showed up at polling places on election day , often because they never received their absentee ballots in the mail or decided to instead vote in person .
Most of them were intercepted , but 1,000 double-voted .
Raffensperger said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for five percent of all ballots .
In the June primary election , 50 percent of votes were mailed in .
One voter , Hamilton Evans admitted he intentionally voted twice to show it could be done .
The voter told Fox 5 Atlanta last week that he wanted “ to prove a point.
” “ It ’ s not set up right , ” Evans said .
“ If I did it , how many other people did it ?
” Catherine Smith reports for American Greatness .
Photo “ File : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Caitelizabeth5CC4.0 and “ Governor Votes Early ” by MDGovpics CC 2.0


thetennesseestar--2020-09-10--‘Unbearable Screams’: Uighurs Accuse China of Crimes Against Humanity, File International Court Comp

‘Unbearable Screams’: Uighurs Accuse China of Crimes Against Humanity, File International Court Complaint

Two Uighur organizations filed a complaint against China in the International Criminal Court alleging crimes against humanity and repression of minorities .
The International Criminal Court complaint represents the first time members of the minority group have attempted to hold the Chinese government accountable for alleged repression policies , according to NBC News .
Uighurs are a minority group of Muslim Turkic ethnicity numbering 11 million who mainly live in China ’ s Xinjiang region , according to BBC News .
“ I didn ’ t see , but I could hear the unbearable screams coming from both sides of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Uighur whose account of being detained in Xinjiang is one of many included in the ICC complaint , according to NBC News .
“ They should be punished for the crime they have done to us , ” he told NBC News .
“ It is my responsibility to give my testimony.
” The complaint specifically claims that China enforced birth control , carried out mass surveillance and committed massacres on the Uighur population inside the Xinjiang region , NBC News reported .
The Associated Press detailed China ’ s alleged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Xinjiang in a July report that referred to the policies as “ demographic genocide.
” Hundreds of internal Chinese government files were leaked in 2019 and published by The New York Times , which purport to expose China ’ s Xinjiang mass incarceration policies .
Hundreds of testimonies of Uighurs who have fled China were published by Amnesty International in February .
Beyond the alleged abuses they suffered in China , the testimonies alleged that the Chinese government pursues them after they flee .
The U.S. Department of State imposed sanctions on multiple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in July over the government ’ s alleged treatment of Uighurs .
It specifically condemned “ forced labor , arbitrary mass detention , and forced population control , and attempts to erase their culture and Muslim faith.
” “ The United States is taking action today against the horrific and systematic abuses in Xinjiang and calls on all nations who share our concerns about the CCP ’ s attacks on human rights and fundamental freedoms to join us in condemning this behavior , ” Sec .
State Mike Pompeo said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United Kingdom Liu Xiaoming repeatedly denied allegations of systematic Chinese Uighur repression in a July interview on BBC .
“ There is no so-called restriction of the population .
There is no so-called forced abortion and so on , ” Xiaoming told BBC anchor Andrew Marr .
Xiamoing added that the Uighur population has doubled .
However , Xinjiang government statistics show the population has actually plummeted , according to The AP .
Increased awareness of the Chinese government ’ s alleged abuse of Uighurs has put a spotlight on American corporations who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policies .
Both the NBA and Disney have had significant business interests in China , but have yet to condemn the government for alleged mistreatment of Uighurs .
Thomas Catenacci is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Uighur Protest ” by Malcolm Brown .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-10--Data Shows Pandemic Contributing to Opioid Crisis, Local Health Experts Report ‘More Relapses’

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has contributed to rising drug-related deaths and the ever-worsening opioid crisis in the United States , according to health officials said local data .
Individuals battling opioid addiction have experienced increased stress due to isolation during the pandemic , according to health experts and data collected by the Wall Street Journal reported .
Roughly 13 % of American adults surveyed in June said they had started or increased drug use , according to a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study .
“ I don ’ t think it would have been this high a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us , ” Ohio ’ s Franklin County coroner Anahi Ortiz said referring to the increasing drug-related fatalities , reported by the WSJ .
“ We ’ re seeing a lot more relapses , ” Ortiz said .
Franklin County , which surpassed the total number of 2019 overdose death total in August , is just one of many counties nationwide that have seen significant upticks in overdoses , according to The WSJ .
Overdoses rose 48 % in the first month and a half of the pandemic in the country ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , compared to the same period last year .
“ They ’ re indoors , they ’ re stressed , maybe they lost a job or a family member , ” Gary Tsai , Los Angeles County health department interim director of substance abuse prevention and control , told The WSJ .
Overall , suspected overdoses rose about 18 % after states began mandating lockdowns in March compared to pre-pandemic levels , according to data from the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program , The WSJ reported .
Further , 21 of the nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increased overdoses compared to past years , according to data obtained by The WSJ .
Twenty of the counties didn ’ t respond to the WSJ and others didn ’ t have pandemic numbers yet .
Counties in Nevada , California , Ohio , Indiana , Minnesota and Michigan have reported increases in overdose deaths , according to The WSJ .
“ I feel like all the work we did reducing overdoses just got tossed out the window , ” Jess Tilley , co-founder of Massachusetts harm-reduction group HRH413 , told The WSJ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. for years with about 900 Americans dying from opioid overdoses every week , according to the Council on Foreign Relations .
President Donald Trump declared a national emergency in March as coronavirus spread rapidly around the world .
Thomas Catenacci is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-10--Trump Releases List of 20 New Possible Supreme Court Picks

WASHINGTON , D.C. ( AP ) — Hoping to replicate a strategy that has long been seen as key to his appeal among conservative voters , President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced he is adding 20 names to a list of Supreme Court candidates that he ’ s pledged to choose from if he has future vacancies to fill .
The list includes Republican Sens .
Ted Cruz of Texas , Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Josh Hawley of Missouri — who have all been mentioned as possible 2024 Republican presidential candidates — as well as Christopher Landau , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Francisco , who argued 17 cases as the Trump administration ’ s top Supreme Court lawyer .
“ Every one of these individuals will ensure equal justice , equal treatment and equal rights for citizens of every race , color , religion and creed , ” Trump said as he made his announcement at the White House .
Trump also warned his Democratic rival , Joe Biden , would select “ radical justices ” who would “ fundamentally transform America , ” even though Biden has never outlined his list of potential choices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months before the election , is aimed at repeating the strategy that Trump employed during his 2016 campaign , when he released a similar list of could-be judges in a bid to win over conservative and evangelical voters who had doubts about his conservative bonafides .
The list includes several people who have worked for Trump , including Gregory Katsas , whom Trump nominated to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit .
Before that , Katsas served as a legal adviser to Trump and worked on some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including his executive orders restricting travel for citizens of predominantly Muslim countries and his decision to end a program protecting some young immigrants from deportation .
Francisco , the former solicitor general of the United States , also defended Trump ’ s travel ban , his push to add a citizenship question to the U.S. census and the decision to wind down the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that protects some 660,000 young people from deportation .
He also argued that a landmark civil rights law didn ’ t protect gay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in employment , a position the court ruled against 6-3 earlier this year .
The high court is currently divided 5-4 between conservatives and liberals .
While there is no current vacancy on the court , Ruth Bader Ginsburg , 87 , has been undergoing cancer treatment , and three others members of the court are in their 70s and 80s .
Trump has already remade the federal bench for a generation .
And any vacancy in the highest court would give the winner in November — whether Biden or Trump — the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come .
Trump has stressed that power as he has campaigned , claiming that the winner of the upcoming presidential election “ could have anywhere from two to four , to maybe even five ” Supreme Court justices to pick , though that would require an extraordinary level of turnover .
Trump released two lists with a total of 21 names of potential Supreme Court nominees during his previous presidential campaign and added another five names in 2017 after becoming president .
Trump ’ s two nominees to the court , Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were both drawn from Trump ’ s list .
Even in a race reshaped by the pandemic and the national reckoning over race , Trump ’ s appointments of Justices Gorsuch and Kavanaugh remain among his crowning achievements and Trump continues to highlight the brutal fight around Kavanaugh ’ s nomination as he tries to replicate the excitement it generated on the right and make the race an us-vs.-them battle over American values and cancel culture .
“ Did you ever see anything like that ?
Justice Kavanaugh .
People forget .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forget .
We don ’ t forget .
I don ’ t forget , ” Trump told a rally crowd last month in New Hampshire .
For the president ’ s allies , the list is seen as a way to excite his base as well as well as remind voters of what ’ s at stake come November .
“ I think it ’ s very important way for the president to reaffirm his commitment to an issue that many conservatives and Republicans see as a priority , ” said Leonard Leo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the conservative Federalist Society who participated in the Kavanaugh and Gorsuch confirmations .
“ This a great way to remind people pf the legacy he ’ s already established for himself in this area.
” Trump ’ s rival for the presidency , Joe Biden , has promised to nominate a Black woman to the high court if given the chance .
Biden , too , has said he ’ s working on a list of potential nominees , but the campaign has given no indication that it will release names before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would unnecessarily distract from Biden ’ s focus on Trump ’ s handling of the pandemic and the economy , while also giving the president and his allies fresh targets to attack .
“ We are putting together a list of a group of African American women who are qualified and have the experience to be in the court .
I am not going to release that until we go further down the line of vetting them as well , ” Biden said in June .
But Trump pushed back .
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war and peace , the nomination of a Supreme Court justice is the most important decision an American president can make ” and that , “ For this reason , candidates for president owe the American people a specific list of individuals they ’ d consider for the United States Supreme Court.
” Any list may also be meaningless .
Either man ’ s ability to get any future choice on the court depends on having a majority in the Senate , which confirms nominees .
Republicans currently hold 53 seats in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two independents who caucus with the Democrats .
The court ’ s oldest members are Justice Ginsburg and Justice Stephen Breyer , 82 , both liberals , and Justice Clarence Thomas , 72 , and Justice Samuel Alito , 70 , two conservatives .
Ginsburg made news this summer when she announced she is being treated for a recurrence of cancer but has no plans to step down .
Regardless of party , presidents tend to look for the same characteristics in potential Supreme Court picks .
Stellar legal credentials are a must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harvard or Yale law school , though Ginsburg left Harvard and graduated from Columbia .
And they tend to be old enough to have a distinguished legal career but young enough to serve for decades .
That generally means nominees are in their late 40s or 50s — something Trump especially has stressed .
Jill Colvin and Jessica Gresko are reporters with The Associated Press .
Associated Press writers Zeke Miller in Washington and Jonathan Lemire in New York contributed to this report .
About the Headline Photo : President Donald Trump speaks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House , Wednesday , Sept. 9 , 2020 , in Washington .
( AP Photo/Evan Vucci )


thetennesseestar--2020-09-10--NIH: Halted Vaccine Study Shows ‘No Compromises’ on Safety

WASHINGTON , D.C. ( AP ) — The suspension of a huge COVID-19 vaccine study over an illness in a single participant shows there will be “ no compromises ” on safety in the race to develop the shot , the chief of the National Institutes of Health told Congress on Wednesday .
AstraZeneca has put on hold studies of its vaccine candidate in the U.S. and other countries while it investigates whether a British volunteer ’ s illness is a side effect or a coincidence .
“ This ought to be reassuring , ” NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When we say we are going to focus first on safety and make no compromises , here is Exhibit A of how that is happening in practice.
” Scientists have been scrambling to develop a vaccine against the coronavirus since the outbreak began , and the U.S. has launched the world ’ s largest studies — final-stage testing of three leading candidates , with three more trials set to come soon that will each recruit 30,000 test subjects .
Public health experts are worried that President Donald Trump will pressure the Food and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is proven to be safe and effective , a concern senator after senator echoed on Wednesday .
“ When it comes to a COVID-19 vaccine , we can ’ t allow President Trump to repeat his alarming pattern of putting politics ahead of science and public health , ” said Sen. Patty Murray of Washington , the committee ’ s ranking Democrat .
The U.S. has invested billions of dollars in efforts to quickly develop multiple vaccines against COVID-19 .
But public fears that a vaccine is unsafe or ineffective could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions of Americans .
Collins said the public needs to understand the process behind telling when any vaccine candidate is ready for widespread use — one that by design is keeping both manufacturers and politicians in the dark until the evidence gels .
About 150 COVID-19 infections in a study of 30,000 people should be enough to tell if that candidate really is working — and an independent group of experts , not the FDA , gets to do the counting .
Every vaccine trial is overseen by a “ data and safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These boards include scientists and statisticians who are experts in their fields but have no ties to either the government or the vaccine makers .
The top priority : watching for safety concerns , like the one that sparked a DSMB in Britain to pause AstraZeneca ’ s vaccinations and alert its U.S. counterpart .
But this is the group that also will decide when each vaccine is ready to be evaluated by regulators .
In each 30,000-person study , about half the participants are given the real vaccine and half get dummy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctors know which is which .
Only the DSMB has the power to unlock the code of who got which shot and peek at how the volunteers are faring before a study is finished .
The FDA can ’ t even begin to consider approving a vaccine until the DSMB says the data is good enough for that debate , Collins stressed .
Once that happens , the FDA has pledged to bring each candidate before a public vaccine advisory committee .
The FDA already has told manufacturers it won ’ t consider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 % effective .
Say one vaccine trial records that 150 volunteers have gotten sick .
The DSMB finds that 100 had received dummy shots and 50 had received the real vaccine .
The expert group might decide that ’ s a promising enough vaccine to stop the study early so that the FDA can debate its merits , even before getting final outcomes from all 30,000 volunteers , said Dr. Larry Corey of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Institute , who is overseeing the U.S. government ’ s vaccine studies .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the vaccine and placebo groups got infected , the DSMB might declare a vaccine futile , he told The Associated Press .
These panels also can calculate infections even before that 150 threshold is met , at set time points in each study .
“ If your vaccine is at least 50 % effective , you ’ re going to know it because you ’ re going to see a big skewing ” of infections , NIH ’ s Collins told the Senate ’ s health , education , labor and pensions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and you know whether it worked or not.
” Answers Unlikely Before the U.S. Election Getting the right math before November , as Trump has promised , is “ incredibly unlikely , ” Corey said .
Collins expressed “ cautious optimism ” that one of the vaccines being tested will pan out by the end of the year but warned : “ Certainly to try to predict whether it happens on a particular week before or after a particular date in early November is well beyond anything that any scientist right now could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study has a spate of infections large enough to prove the effectiveness question , the DSMB also must be comfortable that there ’ s enough evidence of safety before opening the books to the FDA .
Generally , the FDA is requiring safety data from at least 3,000 people , Surgeon General Jerome Adams told the Senate panel .
This process isn ’ t new — Phase 3 studies of vaccines and therapies are always done this way , though rarely in so bright a spotlight .
It ’ s not uncommon for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unexpected health complaint is really related to a vaccine or not , Collins told senators worried about what the AstraZeneca suspension means for the nation ’ s year-end goal .
“ The reason we ’ re investing not in one but six different vaccines is because of the expectation that they won ’ t all work , ” Collins said .
AstraZeneca gave no details on the illness , but Collins said it involved a “ spinal cord problem.
” Earlier-stage studies hadn ’ t revealed any serious side effects , but that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever-larger phases of research — to widen the search for any reactions .
Final testing of two other vaccines is continuing , one created by the NIH and manufactured by Moderna Inc. , the other made by Pfizer and Germany ’ s BioNTech .
Those two vaccines work differently than AstraZeneca ’ s , and the studies already have recruited about two-thirds of the needed volunteers .
Several vaccine candidates made by Chinese companies are in late stages of testing in various countries , but with smaller numbers of volunteers .
Most health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine success by Russia , which has test results from just a few dozen people .
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .
About the Headline Photo : In this Wednesday , June 24 , 2020 file photo , a volunteer receives an injection at the Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital in Soweto , Johannesburg .
This is part of Africa ’ s first participation in a COVID-19 vaccine trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Britain in conjunction with the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca .
( Siphiwe Sibeko/Pool via AP )


thetennesseestar--2020-09-10--Ohio Star Managing Editor Jack Windsor Discusses Gov DeWine’s Moving Mask Mandate and the 2020 Elect

Ohio Star Managing Editor Jack Windsor Discusses Gov DeWine’s Moving Mask Mandate and the 2020 Election

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 Ohio Star Managing Editor Jack Windsor to the newsmakers line .
During the third hour , Windsor highlighted Governor DeWine ’ s press conference in Ohio on Tuesday where he relayed a question of a parent about the wearing of masks for K-12 students .
He added that DeWine cited experts that recommended the validity of the mask mandate but gave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the studio with Crom Carmichael , the original all-star panelist , and joining us on the line right now , a good friend and the managing editor of The Ohio Star , which we also own in addition to the Tennessee Star , Jack Windsor .
Good morning Jack .
Windsor : Michael , good to be with you and Crom .
Thank you for choosing me today .
Leahy : Jack , you are such a trouble maker .
( Laughs ) Leahy : Every time you turn around , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time .
People in Tennessee look at that and say well he ’ s a Republican .
A lot of Republicans up there in Ohio , from what I ’ m reading , are wondering where his loyalties lie , because his actions are more like a Democrat .
You pressed him at a press conference yesterday about this mask mandate for K-12 students .
Tell us what you asked him and how he responded .
Windsor : So I was able to ask a question on behalf of a parent who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question started by saying that the CDC said that kids are not getting seriously sick with coronavirus , and not passing it to teachers .
The White House medical advisor said the same and went on to say that kids should not be wearing masks and distancing .
Governor , these are experts , yet we are putting a lot on our kid ’ s tough emotions , educational handicaps , and then we are making them feel responsible for the health of their teachers and adults .
He ’ ll often say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll kill grandma .
The state site says that the hospitalizations peaked 10 days before the state mask mandate .
As a parent , I am concerned about those masks bacterial and viral infections but also the emotional consequences .
Why aren ’ t we letting parents and grandparents take the ultimate responsibility and let our kids be without masks in school at any point ?
And of course , the governor ’ s answer , as he often does , is he ’ ll not answer the whole question .
But to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long question .
His response was the science on masks is overwhelming .
Leahy : He said the science on masks is overwhelming as it relates to children ?
Leahy : Did he cite any experts ?
Windsor : He said , when we got ready to put our final order on in regards to schools , I had on the phone people from children ’ s hospitals from all over the state of Ohio .
Their recommendation was very firm that every child K-12 should have a mask on .
That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leahy : Did any of those children ’ s hospital directors go on the record , or is he just saying that ?
Windsor : Well at the time we don ’ t get a whole lot of questions ( Inaudible talk ) , well governor why don ’ t you list the hospitals and directors ?
However , in July a doctor from Nationwide Children ’ s Hospital named Sarah Body , primary care pediatrician and a medical director at Nationwide Children ’ s Hospital , told a Columbus news outlet increased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cleaning the masks daily and children playing with them and fiddling with them would be required for masks to be effective .
So there ’ s one expert that seems to be going against the current .
Leahy : I notice here in Tennessee , a lot of these decisions on masks in K-12 public schools are made at the county level .
It ’ s hard to keep up with what the school systems are doing .
The rules apparently change from version 1.35 to version 1.57 , and you never know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here in Williamson County , Tennessee , they are requiring , from what I saw , for K-12 students to wear masks .
I think it ’ s just crazy personally .
Some of the other counties aren ’ t .
Is he going to get back to you , the governor of Ohio , with the list of experts ?
Or is that up to you man ?
Windsor : That ’ s up to me .
( Leahy laughs ) I will put pressure on his press secretary to find out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the original state mask mandate from July 23rd , masks are not required for kids under 10 .
So even there has been a shift .
I have a seven-year-old daughter and can only speak from personal experience .
She wore a mask twice , and she already started breaking out around her face .
She said , dad I have a hard time breathing when I wear this .
My answer to her was well then take it off .
Leahy : Take it off .
I ’ m curious about Ohio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeing it happen .
There is a lot of unhappiness with Governor DeWine ’ s conduct in terms of managing the coronavirus .
A lot of people say that he ’ s actually more friendly towards Joe Biden then he is to Donald Trump .
We ’ ve seen a lot of that .
There was a poll , and the polling has had even or slightly for Trump .
I saw a Rasmussen poll the other day that said Biden is up by four in Ohio .
Where do you see Ohio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Biden , or is it in play ?
Windsor : I think its absolutely in play .
My gut tells me that we are probably up five or six if you are a Trump supporter .
But keep in mind the governor is absolutely more aligned with Joe Biden .
There has actually been a rumor circulating for the last week that if Biden gets the spot , then DeWine might be tapped as the US attorney general .
Leahy : Oh .
Please save us from that .
I heard the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former US attorney in the Southern District of New York .
In any event , I do think it ’ s troublesome .
There is a big separation up there in Ohio that we don ’ t have here in Tennessee , or other states the establishment pro-Kasich , pro-DeWine group , and the policies seem to be very Democratically oriented .
Then you have the populous sort of grassroots , Tea Party folks .
I saw a report in the Columbus Dispatch that South Dakota governor Kristi Noem came in and spoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state , and explained why she ’ s not done any lockdowns or mask requirements in South Dakota .
I saw a report in the Columbus Dispatch that the Republican women were chanting impeach DeWine , impeach DeWine .
Is that true ?
Windsor : Yes .
I did hear that .
It ’ s been confirmed .
Somebody actually recorded it and posted it on Twitter .
It is a really interesting dynamic in Ohio .
There was a Columbus news station that did a poll two-and-a-half weeks ago , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question then was , should Governor DeWine be removed from office .
Not to just be impeached , but removed from office .
83 % of the respondents said he should be removed from office .
I can tell you , if you just look at his social media feed , how bad it shifted in the past two months .
And you are right , there is the establishment Republicans , and then there are the grassroots Republicans .
My understanding is that when the articles of impeachment came out , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The establishment said look , if you step out against this governor in a presidential year again , then good luck getting funding .
I think there is a lot more going on behind the curtain , but they are just not able to safely go out publicly and say it .
Leahy : So later today you are going to a rally with Donald Trump Jr. up there .
Tell us about that .
Windsor : Yes , so Donald Trump Jr. is going to be hosting part of a Make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University of Northeastern Ohio event center .
That is set to kick off at noon , and he ’ ll be making remarks , and we will be there to listen and ask some questions hopefully of Trump Jr. Leahy : If you had to guess , what are going to be the big issues over the next 55 days up there in Ohio , that could change the outcome of where Ohio ’ s electoral college votes go on November 3 ?
Windsor : I think it ’ s going to come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ronald Reagan who said once , there is a recession and you can get concerned when you lose your job and it ’ s a depression .
The economy here there are still a lot of small business owners that are struggling , but I think we ’ ll see more of those go out .
I think the issue of the economy .
I think the issue of civil liberties and where we are with little things such as masking , and can we go to a bar after 10 o ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to be super important .
To me , I don ’ t think that Biden has a four-point lead in Ohio .
I could be wrong , I ’ m wrong a lot .
But do I have the freedom to go do what I want ?
And do I have more money in my pocket because I ’ m able to go to work ?
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ Mike DeWine ” by Office of the Governor CC4.0 and “ First Day of School ” by Dan Gaken CC2.0


thetennesseestar--2020-09-10--#DELETED: Big Tech’s Battle to Erase the Trump Movement Author Allum Bokhari Highlights Elements of

#DELETED: Big Tech’s Battle to Erase the Trump Movement Author Allum Bokhari Highlights Elements of His New Book

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 Breitbart News colleague Allum Bokhari to the newsmakers line .
During the second hour , Bokhari discussed his new book which # Deleted which talks about Google and other big tech platforms strategies to suppress conservative content and limit visibility to conservative or pro-Trump platforms .
He added that both sides of the aisle in government were taking donations from Silicon Valley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which now protects big techs from any legal due process .
Leahy : We are joined now by my good friend , Breitbart colleague , relentless journalist and author of the new book coming out on September 22nd called # Deleted : Big Tech ’ s Battle to Erase the Trump Movement and Steal the Election .
Allum Bokhari , good morning Allum .
Bokhari : Good morning .
Great to be on .
Leahy : I can ’ t wait to read this book .
By the way , a tip of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discovered one of the most important and chilling videotapes I ’ ve ever seen .
In 2018 you had this one-hour videotape of Google employees like the day after Donald Trump was elected president .
Just describe how you got that tape and what was found on that videotape .
Bokhari : So that one-hour tape was an all-hands company meeting at Google .
They used to record these for their employees and distribute them to their employees .
And one of the employees , who was very alarmed by what he saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to me anonymously by the way .
We don ’ t know who sent it , because they didn ’ t use their real name .
It had the top leaders of Google and the co-founder Sergey Brin , Larry Page , CEO , and multiple other Google executives .
Two days after the election of Donald Trump in 2016 , as you can imagine they were all in absolute meltdown mode .
They were completely open about their response to their election .
Sergey Brin described it as an offensive election and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more disturbingly , they started talking about what their plans were next in response to the election .
This is where they went beyond personal feelings and personal opinions about the election , about how to use their technological power to make sure it didn ’ t happen again .
We saw executives talking about Google ’ s anti-extremism program , which redirects people away from certain search results .
And they were talking about that not in the context of ISIS terrorists , but in the context of Trump voters .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Walker , that the populist movement needed to be a blip or hiccup in history .
It was more than just a company-wide group hug .
It was that , but it was also a planning session of how to use Google ’ s vast control over information to make sure the Trump movement was contained .
Leahy : You spent four years since 2016 investigating these internet giants .
Google , Twitter , YouTube , and Facebook .
All a bunch of lefties in my view .
According to your book description @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plot to cease control of the flow of information , and utilize that power to its full extent to censor , manipulate , and ultimately sway the outcome of our democratic elections by basically using that power to influence undecided voters .
Tell us more about what you ’ ve discovered , and what ’ s new in your book coming out on the 22nd of September .
Bokhari : It ’ s certainly not an exaggeration .
My sources inside of these and other companies , they ’ ve been following this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve told me that all of the controls of these companies placed information after 2016 which they said in public were to control so-called misinformation .
So-called fake news also called hate speech .
They also have departments to now monitor what they call election integrity .
They don ’ t tell us what that means .
But what my sources tell me is all the people that have joined the new departments were the most anti-Trump people at the company .
All these new ways they use to control information , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and staffed almost by the most anti-Trump people at the companies .
And that ’ s certainly not an accident because I think all of Silicon Valley , much like the elitist establishment in America , were caught off guard and were caught flat-footed by the election of Donald Trump in 2016 .
And I think Silicon Valley especially felt guilty for allowing it to happen .
( Inaudible talk ) Leahy : 56 days , I think now , until the election .
From what you ’ ve seen , are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bokhari : Well there is plenty of stuff they ’ ve done out in the open .
We ’ ve seen in the last four years that they ’ ve banned numerous high profile Trump supporters from their platform .
These are people who had hundred of thousands of followers and reached millions of people .
People like Paul Joseph Watson , Laura Loomer , Tommy Robinson in the UK , who is also a global phenomenon .
They are censoring populists around the world .
We ’ ve seen also at Breitbart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost by 97.3 % .
That ’ s how much visibility we ’ ve lost on Google search since the 2016 election .
They ’ ve completely suppressed us as the leading source of conservative news on the internet .
So we ’ re seeing that happen in the open .
What we don ’ t see , and what the book illuminates , is it goes behind the scenes and how big tech covertly suppresses content it doesn ’ t like .
And it does this through algorithms that sort the content @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or in your search results .
When you log on to one of these platforms you ’ re going to see something at the top of your screen , and that means there will be thousands and thousands of links that won ’ t appear at the top of your screen .
What decides that ?
Big tech decides that .
But they don ’ t tell us how they decide that .
My sources point out that there is a whole political consideration that might go into what big tech places in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leahy : Do you think in the next 56 days there will be any action taken at any level by any legal entity or political opposition to stop this trend ?
This nefarious plot , if you will , of Facebook , Google , YouTube , and Twitter to twist the outcome and steal the 2020 presidential election ?
Bokhari : We are seeing some movement in the administration and in the Senate .
Today we had a major bill being introduced by Republican senators to reform Section 230 .
That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ability to censor without suffering any real legal consequences .
It ’ s very difficult to take these companies to court if your account has been unfairly terminated .
Which is absolutely crazy by the way .
If you are renting commercial property , and your landlord evicts you for arbitrary reasons , then you can take them to court .
They have to follow a strict legal due process .
But if your entire business depends on Facebook or YouTube , you can ’ t really take those companies to court , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court , thanks to this law , that they can suspend or ban people for any reason or for no reason .
So we ’ ve seen Republicans introduce a bill to amend that today .
I don ’ t think it will get passed by the House , because Democrats know they need big tech censorship .
We also see the administration putting a petition before the FCC to narrow the bounds of that crucial law .
So we ’ ll see what happens there .
I don ’ t think anything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I think Republicans have really left it too late .
And one of the reasons it happened , I think , is because big techs flood Republican lawmakers and Republican think tanks with donations .
They try and control both sides of the aisle .
Leahy : You said something very important there .
It ’ s not just the donations from Google , Facebook , YouTube , and Twitter to Republican lawmakers .
Conservative think tanks get a lot of money from these guys too .
Bokhari : That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ argument published in whatever publications these think tanks tend to like , like National Review saying well , if we interfere in these companies , or if we try and reform Section 230 , or if we try and regulate them , or stop them from stealing or interfering in elections , or impose any type of oversight , then we are somehow interfering in the free market .
It ’ s a completely bogus argument , because they own their dominating position in the marketplace to these special legal privileges that Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that no other industry enjoys .
That ’ s not a free market .
That is a market that is propped up by government handouts .
It tends to come from these so-called conservative think tanks .
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 .
Photo “ Allum Bokhari ” and “ # DELETED ” from Hachette Book Group .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-10--A Walk Through Downtown Portland

A Walk Through Downtown Portland

Portland has seen several months of demonstrations , fluctuating between protests and riots since the death of George Floyd .
Downtown Portland has been scarred by the unrest with graffiti and wooden barricades protecting businesses evident across the area .
Government buildings are boarded up and appear abandoned .
Defenses have been put up to protect law enforcement buildings , though those too are vandalized .
Graffiti targeting police , the president , Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler , the United States as a whole , and calling for communism , anarchy , violence and revolution is everywhere .
Businesses are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plywood boards , though it ’ s unclear if the messages are meant to show sympathy or just protect the businesses from another round of attacks .
Other businesses , especially banks require heavier fortification on entrances .
A church boarded up its windows and what appears to be it ’ s Sunday school or daycare area is protected by high wooden walls .
In some areas , anti-police , anti-capitalism , and other far-left literature and graphics is scattered across the ground and hung from street art and signs .
With protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Portland will return to normal .
A disturbing , new normal has arisen as many businesses operate as best they can with boarded up windows , private guards , and the constant threat of riots and looting .
Ben Kolodny is a reporter at The Ohio Star and the Star News Network .
Follow Ben on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-09-10--Music Spotlight: Highway Women

Music Spotlight: Highway Women

Nashville , Tennessee – The Highway Women is an all-female country blend ( country , rock , pop ) music band like no other bringing a musical movement to support other women in country music and beyond .
They are comprised of singers Kristen Kae , Drew Haley , Bailey James , and Heather Harper .
The group started in 2016 and has had various members since then , but the current group has been together for about a year .
They don ’ t have a lead singer as they try to equally share the singing responsibilities .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find out more about their group .
The girls are each accomplished solo artist and were invited by the Heart Songs Records CEO Jill Pavel to form this “ supergroup.
” Even though they did not know each other prior , they were “ thrown together and we meshed well , ” said Kae .
The girls are from all over the country and have unique vocal qualities but somehow their harmonies blend remarkably well which creates a sound that is all their own .
Earlier this year , the girls recorded the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Right.
” The lyrics Ooh , I ’ m proud of what I see./ Ooh , the reflection staring back at me/ I ’ m big , I ’ m small/ I ’ m black , I ’ m white/ I ’ m representing every single girl tonight .
/ Ooh , I ’ m beautiful .
/ God made me right have become a girl-power theme and empowerment message .
The Highway Women admit they have been treated differently by industry execs because they are women .
James moved to Nashville when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 17 ) .
“ That ’ s when it really started .
You would go into situations and performances and be treated differently , ” James said .
“ You have to really fight to get airplay.
” “ It is the same everywhere you go .
Texas ’ music scene is completely different than Nashville ’ s but we have that problem here as well , ” she said .
“ For the local venues , it seems like the same group of men gets asked to play over and over .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ stage and the radio and we are slowly starting to see a change.
” During COVID , Texas-native Harper admits to face-timing a lot especially since she is now expecting a baby in November .
For now , they are doing everything over the phone/computer .
In the meantime , they have been writing songs for themselves and the group .
“ Writing for yourself is easy , ” James said .
“ But when you have to open your mind to three other ladies , it is completely different.
” The group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Dust ” is a contemplative number that encourages the listener to go after what you want in life regardless of what anyone else says .
While reflecting on the song , Harper stated , “ If it ’ s what you really want to do , [ such as pursue a music career ] don ’ t let anyone stop you from doing it .
Do it.
” The Highway Women will release another single in October and soon after , an EP .
They plan to go back on tour after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Highway Women on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , Spotify , and YouTube .
Bethany Bowman is a freelance entertainment writer .
You can follow her blog , Instagram and Twitter , and YouTube .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-10--Commentary: September 11 – Lest We Forget

As we approach the 19th anniversary of September 11 , 2001 we should never forget the loss of 2,977 innocent American lives .
Many were simply at their desks and had no idea that September 11 would be their last day on earth , while others such as brave first responders and the “ Let ’ s Roll ” passengers and crew of flight 93 who willingly sacrificed their lives so others might live .
September 11 , 2001 brought us together as a nation against the common foe of terrorism , but unfortunately today as we approach this November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asunder by unchecked violence in our cities petty bickering , and hyper partisanship , none of which contributes to moving our great nation forward .
It is hard to believe that many who will be voting this November are not aware of the sacrifices made on 9/11 .
Many gave their lives for the cause of liberty – not for socialism which is the latest cause célèbre for many of our younger generation .
Yes , those who died on 9/11 did so that we , today , would have the freedom to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protest without resorting to anarchy and violence .
I lost 27 good friends and co-workers in the Pentagon and think and pray for them and their families every day .
They made the ultimate sacrifice proving with their lives that freedom truly is not free .
Many of them had spent years away from their families on extended six to eight-month deployments at sea and their tour in the Navy Command Center was going to be their last assignment before a well-deserved retirement and time spent with their families .
Last summer my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of visiting the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley , California with our daughter , her husband , and our grandchildren .
It was an experience I will never forget .
Across political affiliation , I believe , history will judge Ronald Reagan as one of our greatest presidents .
He stood tall against our former adversary the former Soviet Union , thus ending the Cold War ; he pulled the nation out of a deep recession ; and most of all he made us , both Republicans and Democrats , proud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to believe that in the short span since his death rancor , divisiveness , vice , compromise , and misunderstanding have polarized our nation ’ s political system .
Reagan ’ s most endearing quality was his innate ability to first listen to all sides of the issues , a quality sorely lacking in today ’ s politicians .
Without compromising his principles , he was able to formulate a plan of action for the greater good .
If only today ’ s leaders on both sides of the isle would follow his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the aisle to work with political adversaries , but he made a conscious effort to reach across generations—then both the greatest generation and baby boomers .
Unfortunately , today ’ s politicians attempt to appeal to only a small segment of our populace , be they millennials , Generation “ Xers , Zers , ” etc .
As I departed the Reagan Library , I pondered what the future will be like for my grandchildren who will soon be young adults .
Did my “ shipmates ” in the Pentagon sacrifice their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that has gripped this nation for the last three years ?
I sincerely hope and pray their sacrifice was not in vain .
On the anniversary of this horrific event , let us try to put aside our differences , if only for a day , and work together to find common ground for the good of the nation .
Honor their death and always remember this day because we have a duty to those who died .
Our duty is to one day bring America fully back to unity , life , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not too late .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-10--Coffee Shop Owners Expose Reality of Forced Closures Under Minnesota’s Gov Walz’s Executive Orders

A viral post from The Coffee Nest shared it was forced to close after the state threatened the local business with imprisonment , fines , and more .
They have since deleted the post , citing an influx of private hate messages .
Most commenters expressed frustration over the negative impacts of Governor Tim Walz ’ s executive orders .
The owners issued this statement to The Minnesota Sun : “ Our customers and community are at the forefront of every business decision we make .
Our state inspections have shown that we have always taken cleanliness and sanitation very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small business while not adhering to our government ’ s overreach by Governor Walz .
We believe his mandates are illegal and unconstitutional , and as such we will not enforce or adhere to them .
We respect every person ’ s right to choose not to enter our establishment , and welcome those who choose to come in .
Tuesday , we were visited by the state .
While we passed our annual inspection with flying colors , we were found ‘ defiantly non-compliant to all executive orders.
’ We were threatened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , cease and desist , etc .
Due to the nature of the threats , my husband and I decided to continue to stand for our freedom and close our doors to avoid further action from the state .
While we understand the financial risks involved , we have faith that we will be supported by our community when we are able to reopen .
The outpouring of support from near and far has been unimaginable , and for that we are grateful.
” Stress under pandemic-related regulations have caused countless Minnesotan businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Star Tribune estimates 150 closures , not including churches and bigger events such as concerts or sports .
The state also lost approximately $ 5 billion in tourism revenue from May to August .
Nationally , over 80,000 small businesses closed permanently by the end of July .
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration ’ s Office of Advocacy , small businesses make up over 44 percent of economic activity , and 99.5 percent of Minnesota ’ s businesses are small .
They employ nearly 50 percent of the workforce .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Health ( MDH ) projected that thousands of deaths would occur each month – even with extended regulations .
Deaths total 1,869 currently .
70 percent of the deaths occurred in long-term care or assisted living facilities .
The current recovery rate is at 90 percent in Minnesota .
Walz will call a special session of the legislature to extend his pandemic emergency powers another thirty days .
Walz first called the peacetime emergency on March 13th – six months ago .
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Minnesota Sun and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter , or email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ The Coffee Nest ” by The Coffee Nest .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-10--Thousands of Ohioans Must Return Unemployment Overpayments

COLUMBUS , Ohio ( AP ) — Around 48,000 Ohioans were notified they received an overpayment of unemployment benefits during the pandemic and must repay the state , The Associated Press reported .
That ’ s about 6 % of the nearly 800,000 Ohioans who have been paid regular unemployment benefits since the start of the pandemic in March , according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services .
“ To preserve the integrity of the program , federal and state law require states to seek reimbursement of any overpaid amounts resulting from claimant error , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services spokesperson .
In June , The Ohio Star reported that nearly 24,000 people who received unemployment benefits would have to pay the state back .
ODJFS Director Kimberly Hall said there was nothing she could do about the overpayments because it ’ s a federal issue , not a state issue , according to News5Cleveland .
“ Any overpayment has to be repaid , whether or not it was due to fraud or due to lagging wage information , ” she said .
About 1.7 million Ohioans filed jobless claims during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state has paid out $ 6.2 billion in state unemployment compensation to almost 800,000 people and distributed more than $ 5.4 billion in federal payments .
In most cases , the overpayments are the result of individuals not reporting or underreporting money they made during weeks they filed claims for , Crow said .
A smaller number of overpayments was the result of agency mistakes because of the huge number of claims during the pandemic .
Overpayments as the result of a state error don ’ t have to be repaid .
Those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a repayment have three weeks to file an appeal .
If overpayments aren ’ t paid back , the money could be taken from future benefits or a collections process could begin .
More information on making repayments is available on the ODJFS Office of Unemployment Insurance Operations portal here .
FAQs for employees are available here .
The Associated Press wrote this story .
Star News Network reporter Jason M. Reynolds contributed to this report .
He has more than 20 years ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes @


thetennesseestar--2020-09-10--State Watchdog Seeks Probe of Utility Tied to Bribery Scheme

CLEVELAND , Ohio ( AP ) — Ohio ’ s consumer watchdog has asked a regulatory agency to conduct an independent investigation of the state ’ s largest electric utility , FirstEnergy Corp. , that federal authorities have tied to a $ 60 million bribery scheme involving one of Ohio ’ s most powerful politicians .
The Ohio Consumers ’ Counsel in a motion filed late Tuesday with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio has asked that outside investigators examine whether money collected from consumers “ was improperly used for any activities in connection with HB6 instead of for electric @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tainted piece of legislation that , in part , created a $ 1 billion bailout of two Ohio nuclear power plants owned by a FirstEnergy subsidiary until early this year .
The law requires a charge on all Ohio ratepayers ’ electric bills to fund the nuclear bailout .
The Consumers ’ Counsel also asked that the investigation and a management audit determine whether FirstEnergy violated any state laws or regulations .
The investigation should examine FirstEnergy ’ s corporate governance and its “ corporate relationships ” with other FirstEnergy subsidiaries , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through the Legislature last year by then-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder .
It also includes a provision potentially worth hundreds of millions of dollars to FirstEnergy that customers would pay for .
PUCO spokesman Matt Schilling in an email said the agency is required to conduct “ management and financial audits of nuclear resources receiving funds from HB6.
” The nuclear plants were transferred through bankruptcy court earlier this year to a company created by creditors of a FirstEnergy affiliate to a new , separately owned company called Energy Harbor .
The bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customers $ 444 million over the next six years to subsidize two coal-burning power plants .
The plants are owned by a number of electric utility companies , including the newly created Energy Harbor .
One of the plants is in Ohio .
The other is in Indiana .
First Energy officials have long maintained the nuclear plant bailout would not benefit the corporation itself , yet nearly all of the money used to fund the bribery scheme , an FBI affidavit said , came from FirstEnergy Corp. FirstEnergy spokeswoman Jennifer Young said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s most recent earnings call that FirstEnergy paid about 25 % of the funds referenced in the Justice Department ’ s affidavit .
Householder and four others have been indicted on federal racketeering charges in the alleged bribery scheme that prosecutors said was funded by FirstEnergy .
He has pleaded not guilty and FirstEnergy officials have denied any wrongdoing .
Householder was removed as speaker a week after an FBI affidavit detailing the bribery scheme became public .
The Consumers ’ Counsel filing said that before HB6 was approved , FirstEnergy had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 1999 state deregulation law that created competition and was supposed to end such subsidies .
A second part of Tuesday ’ s filing asks the PUCO to reopen a 2017 case in which the regulatory agency ordered an audit of a previous ruling allowing FirstEnergy to charge customers for modernizing its electric grid .
The audit found peculiarities , the counsel ’ s filing said , including the PUCO not stopping FirstEnergy from using customers ’ grid modernization charges to create a pool of cash from which its affiliates could borrow money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The counsel and others filed an appeal with the Ohio Supreme Court to overturn the grid modernization charge , which cost customers roughly $ 465 million by the time justices said the charges were unlawful and unreasonable and revoked them , the filing said .
The PUCO complied with the court ’ s ruling to end the modernization charge , but did not order FirstEnergy to pay back the $ 465 million it had charged to customers before the Supreme Court made its ruling .
PUCO spokesman Schilling said that case remains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responses to the Consumers ’ Counsel motion .
Mark Gillispie is a reporter for The Associated Press .


thetennesseestar--2020-09-10--U.S. Ambassador Jim Gilmore Weighs in on the Fraudulent Election in Belarus and the Resulting Peacef

U.S. Ambassador Jim Gilmore Weighs in on the Fraudulent Election in Belarus and the Resulting Peaceful Protests

Live from Virginia Wednesday morning on The John Fredericks Show – weekdays on WNTW AM 820/ FM 92.7 – Richmond , WJFN FM 100.5 – Central Virginia , WMPH AM 1010 / FM 100.1 / FM 96.9 ( 7-9 PM ) Hampton Roads , WBRG AM 1050 / FM 105.1 – Lynchburg/Roanoke and Weekdays 6-10 am and 24/7 Stream – host Fredericks welcomed US Ambassador to the Trump administration Jim Gilmore to the show .
During the show , Ambassador Gilmore explained the current situation in Belarus and the next steps the OSCE will take to ensure a fair and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the name of democracy .
Fredericks : Joining us now live from Vienna Ambassador Jim Gilmore .
You know Jim Gilmore .
He ran for Senate , but he was governor when Republicans did actually win in Virginia .
He was governor .
Now he ’ s a US ambassador for the Trump administration for the Organization of Security and Operation .
And he ’ s live in Vienna .
Ambassador great to have you with us , sir .
Gilmore : Great to be on .
And once again great to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about this diplomacy we are doing over here .
Fredericks : I know you are doing a lot of it .
Talk to us about what is going on with Belarus ?
Gilmore : The first thing I want to say to your listeners is to remember the importance that Europe is to American security .
The US policy is to not allow a hostile power to dominate either the Pacific or Europe .
That ’ s been our policy .
And that ’ s our job over here , which is to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The interesting issue we ’ ve got at OSC is Belarus .
That ’ s the fact that the dictator there , Lukashenko , stole the election , but he did it crudely .
He declared he had an 80 % vote , and that ’ s of course ridiculous .
So he ’ s really saying to the people of Belarus , I ’ m going to steal your democracy , and I don ’ t even care if you know it .
Then what ’ s really happened now is hundreds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the streets in Belarus , and they want freedom .
They want their democracy , and they want a chance to elect their own people .
They aren ’ t necessarily anti-Russian , and the United States isn ’ t anti-Russian in this situation .
But our interests are always served when a country becomes more democratic and people can choose their own government .
That ’ s certainly the American position .
But its really bad right now .
The vote was fraudulent and once people began to object by going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , beating people , and torturing people , and abducting people .
And now they ’ ve turned to taking the leadership of the opposition , and abducting them and then throwing them into other countries .
Yesterday we had a case where Marina Kalashnikova was actually taken to the border , and they tried to throw her into the Ukraine , which is more or less a safe country .
She tore up her passport and said she wouldn ’ t go .
And I think that ’ s a real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you say the election was fraudulent , outline that for us , Mr .
Ambassador , to your knowledge .
Gilmore : There is no evidence that the president of Belarus is supported by 80 % of the people .
That ’ s a near-unanimous thing .
And the opposition was afforded 7 % or 8 % .
It ’ s just ridiculous .
The reports are that there was ballot stuffing .
That there were ballots that were presented for counting that were fraudulent and didn ’ t exist , but were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and adding to the numbers in precincts .
That kind of behavior was going on .
This is not a subtle thing .
This is a straight-up miscounting and reporting of a fraudulent number in order to create a vote total .
So that ’ s what complaints are , and that ’ s what the reports are everywhere from Belarus .
Fredericks : So then regular people took to the streets to protest that .
Tell us about the protests .
Have they been peaceful ?
Have they been violent ?
Gilmore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they ’ ve actually been peaceful .
They haven ’ t gone out there and attacked anybody .
They haven ’ t attacked the police .
They haven ’ t asserted that they wanted to do that .
They haven ’ t done violence or vandalism or smashed windows or doing any of those kinds of things .
They are simply doing peaceful protests and carrying signs , because they just want a legitimate right to a democracy .
That ’ s what they want to do .
But the numbers have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s been very persistent .
There was some concern that maybe with people being arrested and tortured , and that being so prominently displayed , that the people would be cowed and intimidated and would just stay home from now on .
But that ’ s not happening .
People continue to go into the streets .
OSCE is a very large security organization with 57 countries in it .
But it includes not just the United States and its western allies , but it also includes Russia and Belarus .
The principles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , freedom , human rights , non-torture , non-abduction , and non-criminal activity .
Right now we are proposing that the three leaders of the organization , the past , future , and current chairpeople that they call the Troika , will go to Belarus to try to create some sense of stability and add to the safety within the country .
So far the dictator has not invited our people to come in .
So it ’ s just going to continue to fester for a while unless the OSCE can make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fredericks : Well will the peaceful resolution include that the leader leaves the post ?
Gilmore : I don ’ t think there is any choice here other than to have another election that is monitored internationally .
The OSCE does monitor , but it requires time to prepare so the OSCE can pronounce the election legitimate .
They were not given the invitation in time to be able to do that for this past election , and the result is an election that doesn ’ t confirm any legitimacy .
OSCE could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ answer to your question is there is just going to have to be another election .
And what I ’ ve said in my statement is look , Lukashenko , the fellow who is claiming to be the dictator of Belarus , times have changed , John .
People are not any longer settling for that kind of thing here in the 21st century .
This is not Checkoslavikia 1968 or Hungary in 1956 .
This is not Stalin .
The times have changed in Europe .
People see too much information and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and they know what liberty actually is and they are demanding it .
What I ’ ve said is look , the Belarus president is not going to be able to govern by doing a fraudulent election , and then beating up and abducting all the opposition and intimidating people .
It just doesn ’ t work in the 21st century .
It may take a little time to work it out , and it may take months or years , but the people of Eastern Europe are no longer going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fredericks : I got to tell you , Mr .
Ambassador , you made a pretty determined tough statement on the Navalny alleged poisoning by what appears to be the Russian government .
And in this statement you made , you really didn ’ t pull any punches with that .
Can you elaborate on that ?
Gilmore : Yes .
I can ’ t resist comparing the actual democracy that is the United States .
There have been a lot of silly statements about how the democracy is teetering in coups here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing .
But in Europe , we actually see this stuff .
The disturbing thing is that this is now an opposition figure in Russia that is seeking to emerge and to provide an actual independent political voice .
And he was poisoned .
And this is not the first occasion of course .
We saw the Russians in the United Kingdom who actually were poisoned also using the same poison .
Its Novichok military-grade poison .
And it was applied in the United Kingdom and now here we are seeing it again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was poisoned in order to intimidate or destroy this independent voice .
So you are right .
I just made a statement that it was reprehensible , and we did it at the primary council meeting at the OSCE , and I made this declaration in public and in front of all the other 57 countries .
And I just said it was unacceptable and demanded an investigation .
And in a separate security form , I did so today as a matter of fact , because the Russians pushed back and basically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we didn ’ t do it .
And they said , who could possibly gain from poisoning this guy .
And of course , my retort on that was well you would ( Fredericks chuckles ) if you are trying to run a dictatorship and you are trying to destroy anybody else from emerging as an independent voice , you kill the guy .
That not only ruins his voice , but anybody else that might consider coming out who would want to participate in Russian politics would be scared and intimated that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the full show here :


thetennesseestar--2020-09-10--Virtual Learning Outages Hit Many Virginia School Districts on First Day

School districts across Virginia struggled with increased demand Tuesday , as thousands of virtual learning students logged on for their first day of classes .
Districts including Chesterfield County Public Schools ( CCPS ) , Virginia Beach City Public Schools ( VBCPS ) , and Arlington Public Schools ( APS ) all suffered major system outages .
Other districts reported a high volume of callers needing technical help .
“ I sincerely hope there will be full disclosure on what happened .
It sure appears to be lack of planning which is unacceptable from a Director [ of ] IT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeted to CCPS .
CCPS tweeted , “ We ’ re aware of an issue limiting capacity on our network at this moment .
This is preventing some students from successfully logging onto their morning class.
” Norfolk Public Schools announced on Twitter that their content filter provider Securly had an outage .
“ Our Internet filtering company , Securly , has fixed the connectivity issues we , along with school divisions up and down the East Coast , have been experiencing over the last couple of hours , ” the school district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ VBCPS , according to The Daily Press , and Charlottesville City Schools , according to NBC29 .
“ We had a glitch this morning with StudentVUE , that is the platform that we use for our online learning .
For about an hour and 15 minutes , we had students having some difficulty accessing the system , ” Eileen Cox , the Williamsburg-James City County Schools spokeswoman told The Daily Press .
In a blog post , APS announced that their firewall did not have the capacity to handle the volume , preventing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We knew there would be a high volume of traffic on the first day of school , ” the blog post said .
“ We believed we had taken all necessary steps to prepare for this in advance , and unfortunately this morning we discovered an additional adjustment was needed.
” York County School Division tweeted that although they had no outages , they were receiving high amounts of calls .
Petersburg Public Schools told NBC12 that they would be adding additional help desk staff on Wednesday to meet increased demand .
Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there might not have been system-wide outages , many users in other districts also had trouble connecting to their classes .
Some parents ’ comments were positive , noting only minor hiccups with the new systems , while other parents were more frustrated .
“ There have been plenty of challenges today but I have been very impressed with the creativity of the teachers and their set ups .
The first day of school is always a little crazy and for a first day of school in distance learning , I think it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could , ” Sharon Rosenfield wrote on the Loudoun County Public Schools Facebook page .
On the Prince William County Public Schools Facebook page Betty Courtland wrote , “ My kid is crying in frustration , unable to connect for his [ first ] day of middle school .
This school board should be ashamed .
ABSOLUTE disgrace of a county that has collected so much in taxes and funding and kids are being subjected to this total emotional abuse !
” Some parents frustrated with virtual learning have turned to private schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has praised Thales Academy .
“ I could sense the spirit in the room — the enthusiasm the children feel for being back in school , which is where we want all of America ’ s children to be , ” Pence said after visiting a classroom at the academy ’ s North Carolina campus .
Thales Academy ’ s Glen Allen campus accepts children K-2nd grade .
Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-09-10--Senate Passes Two Parole Board Bills, Advances More Policing Reforms

RICHMOND , Virginia – The Senate on Wednesday passed two bills relating to the parole board and continued to advance more policing legislation .
The first bill on the Virginia Parole Board , introduced by Sen. Mark Obenshain ( R-Rockingham County ) , aims to provide the public with more transparency on the decisions made by requiring monthly reports on the inmates released and providing the felonies the prisoner was serving time for , among others .
“ What this bill now does , it helps to ensure that the parole board does comply with their existing requirements , particularly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notifying victims prior to the release of inmates , ” Obenshain said .
Obenshain also said the bill stipulates that the Department of Corrections will not release a prisoner until the notice is given to law enforcement and the victim or the victim ’ s family and has many transparency measures .
Senate Bill ( SB ) 5050 did not garner any disagreement from Senate Democrats with the bill passing by a vote of 39-Y 0-N .
The second parole board bill , however , sponsored by Sen. David Suetterlein ( R-Montgomery County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5012 calls for the individual votes of the parole board members to be applicable to Freedom of Information Act ( FOIA ) requests so they can be available to the public after a decision to release a prisoner has been made .
“ The parole board as everyone knows has immense power in making decisions if inmates will be released for parole , ” Suetterlein said .
“ This has an [ incredible ] impact on both the public and the individuals affected by that decision and unfortunately no one knows how those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the votes are not public.
” Sen. Adam Ebbin ( D-Fairfax County ) was the first member to speak in opposition of the bill arguing that making the votes public will not help shed a light on the board ’ s internal operations because lots of other information – counselor reports , letters from victims , risk assessment scores – is used to arrive at the decision to vote in favor or against granting parole , but that information would not be applicable to FOIA requests .
Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant ( R-Henrico County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to members of the parole board read aloud by Ebbin , saying that threats on social media against public servants is not a reason to withhold transparency from the public .
The bill passed on a vote of 29-Y 10-N with all of the nay votes coming from Democrats .
The Senate then considered several policing reform bills on their second reading , including legislation that would authorize the state attorney general to file civil action or a civil investigative demand against law enforcement officers for any unlawful pattern or practice .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Louise Lucas ( D-Chesapeake ) , was engrossed by the Senate and advanced to its third reading .
The final bill considered by the body was an omnibus bill , which incorporates legislation from four other senators relating to a number of policing issues .
Included in the broad bill is language that prohibits law enforcement from acquiring military equipment , establishes training standards and requirements for people applying to become law enforcement as well as the recertification of officers , de-escalation training and many more .
The main disagreement between Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ session came over a proposed substitute from Sen. William Stanley ( R-Pittsylvania County ) on collective bargaining for police unions and how that allows bad cops to stay in the force .
“ Police unions like these exist and , more importantly , what they do is command the discipline process , they negotiate the protection of their union members in a way that allows those union members , who may be bad cops , to stay on the job , [ keep being ] paid by taxpayer money , ” Stanley said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) and Scott Surovell ( D-Fairfax County ) spoke in opposition of the amendment offering various reasons , one being that a similar bill had already been killed in committee and another on the effects the amendment will have on law enforcement pay .
Sen. Bryce Reeves ( R-Spotsylvania County ) , a former law enforcement officer , spoke in favor of the legislation backing up his conservative colleague : “ Nothing will do more harm to getting rid of bad officers than allowing union shops to come in and start protecting those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of those folks and the data doesn ’ t lie.
” Ultimately , Stanley ’ s amendment was rejected ( 19-Y 20-N ) before the bill was engrossed and advanced to its third reading .
The Senate will reconvene Thursday at noon .
Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Follow Jacob on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ]