thetennesseestar--2020-11-26--Analysis: USA Today & Facebook Use Slanderous ‘Fact Check’ to Suppress Facts About Illegal Voting by

Analysis: USA Today & Facebook Use Slanderous ‘Fact Check’ to Suppress Facts About Illegal Voting by Non-Citizens

A “ fact check ” by USA Today is defaming a Ph.D.-vetted study by Just Facts that found non-citizens may have cast enough illegal votes for Joe Biden to overturn the lawful election results in some key battleground states .
The article , written by USA Today ’ s Chelsey Cox , contains 10 misrepresentations , unsupported claims , half-truths , and outright falsehoods .
Furthermore , Facebook is using this misinformation to suppress the genuine facts of this issue instead of honoring its policy to “ Stop Misinformation and False News.
” Compounding this malfeasance , a note at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states that USA Today ’ s “ fact check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.
” Starting with the most simplistic falsehood in Cox ’ s piece , she impugned the character of Dr. Andrew Glen , a Ph.D. scholar who specializes in data analytics and who examined Just Facts ’ study and found that it “ provides a credible data analysis that supports a strong hypothesis of non-citizens having a significant effect on this election.
” Cox did this by claiming that “ though he is attributed as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Military Academy , an ‘ Andrew Glen ’ did not appear in a search result on the website for the United States Military Academy , West Point .
Glen attended the school as a student , according to his LinkedIn profile page.
” That statement reveals that Cox and her editor were ignorant of the fact that a professor emeritus is one who has “ retired from an office or position.
” Thus , Dr. Glen would not appear on the webpage of current faculty to which she linked .
Had Cox conducted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found that West Point ’ s website lists Glen among a group of professors who wrote a reference work for its Department of Mathematical Sciences .
Cox could have also found proof of Glen ’ s professorship at West Point via a peer-reviewed journal , an academic book that he coauthored on the topic of computational probability , or the website of Colorado College , where Glen currently teaches .
After reading what USA Today published about Dr. Glen , current West Point adjunct professor Dr. Joseph P. Damore wrote : I can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Glen , COL USA , ret .
was an Academy Professor at West Point .
I know , because I was there with him .
And Ms. Cox , to imply that an Iraq war vet , a graduate of West Point , and a retired Colonel from the U.S. Army is somehow lying about his credentials is so egregiously offensive , that it demands your apology .
Instead of an apology , USA Today altered the article 18 hours after publication to remove this attack on Glen without issuing a correction .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that require reporters and media outlets to “ acknowledge mistakes ” and explain them “ carefully and clearly.
” Cox also assails the credibility of Dr. Michael Cook , another scholar who specializes in data analytics and reviewed Just Facts ’ study .
Cook found that the study is “ methodologically sound , and fair in its conclusions , ” but Cox dismisses him as a “ financial analyst , according to his LinkedIn profile page.
” However , Cook ’ s LinkedIn profile states that he is an “ applied mathematician and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , scientific research , statistical modeling.
” This experience , coupled with Cook ’ s Ph.D. in mathematics , make him eminently qualified to assess Just Facts ’ data-heavy study .
Cox also attempts to discredit both Ph.D. scholars by reporting that they “ are not election experts.
” Given that Cox gives no credence to their reviews of Just Facts ’ study , she is overtly implying that they are unqualified to assess it .
After reading this , Dr. Cook wrote : Though I am not an “ election expert , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statistical modeling , statistical inference , and sampling theory , which is the basis of my comments on Agresti ’ s methodology and approach .
Agresti , the president of Just Facts , is the author of the study .
Dr. Glen replied similarly while explaining the folly of Cox ’ s argument : Once elections happen , they leave the academic realm of sociologists and political scientists , and enter the realm of statisticians , data scientists , and operations research .
Analogously , biostatisticians are often not medical doctors and yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effects of public health , disease spread , and drug efficacy .
That a “ fact checker ” would be unaware of these types of interdisciplinary interactions that are common in scientific and academic fields displays a significant lack of qualification for the job and reflects poorly on the trustworthiness of USA Today .
Cox also mangles the facts about every major aspect of Just Facts ’ study .
She mainly does this by treating unsupported claims from progressives as if they were facts , while ignoring or dismissing actual facts .
Cox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of non-citizens ever register to vote , and “ that ’ s not going to change an election.
” Those words came from a lawyer named Robert Brandon , founder of the left-leaning Fair Elections Center .
In the article from which Cox quotes him , Brandon provides no evidence to support this statement .
He simply makes it .
Yet , Cox accepts this unsubstantiated claim as a fact .
Meanwhile , Cox disregards these rigorously documented facts that appear in Just Facts ’ study : • None , 13 % to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were registered to vote .
• None Database matches with voter registration records in 2008 suggest that the true rate of non-citizen voter registration is almost what they reveal in surveys .
• None show that the vast bulk of illegal immigrants use false identifications that would allow them to vote .
Without a hint of skepticism , Cox also relies on “ a 2007 report by the Brennan Center for Justice , a center-left institute ” that allegedly shows “ few people purposefully register to vote if they are knowingly ineligible.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justin Levitt , the report provides narrow , weakly sourced evidence that does not come close to supporting Cox ’ s broad claim .
For example , Levitt ’ s first piece of evidence that non-citizens rarely register to vote is a Seattle Times editorial chastising a lone person who challenged the citizenship and voting credentials of 1,000+ people “ based on the sound of their name.
” Levitt gives the false impression that an investigation was conducted , but the editorial says nothing of the sort .
Instead it says that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of such illegal voting , but “ that is not to say non-citizens did not vote or that non-citizens should vote.
” Levitt provides another fives examples that suffer from similar flaws , including arguments from silence , references to secondary sources , and the use of narrow probes with no capacity to root out voting by illegal immigrants who use false IDs .
All-in all , Cox does not provide a single fact to support her statement that “ few noncitizens register to vote in federal elections.
” She merely declares this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegations of two progressives—who she selects .
Then based on this , she claims that Just Facts ’ study “ is unfounded.
” Furthermore , Cox misrepresents the results of a seminal 2014 paper in the journal Electoral Studies .
She does this by quoting it out of context to convey the false impression that only “ some noncitizens ” vote .
She never mentions the study ’ s striking results , which are as follows : • None “ Non-citizen voting likely changed 2008 outcomes including Electoral College votes and the composition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best estimate ” for the number of non-citizens who voted illegally in the 2008 presidential election is 1.2 million , with a range “ from just over 38,000 at the very minimum to nearly 2.8 million at the maximum.
” • None “ Non-citizen votes could have given Senate Democrats the pivotal 60th vote needed to overcome filibusters in order to pass ” Obamacare .
# 6 First Attack on the Integrity of the Electoral Studies Paper Cox also tarnishes the Electoral Studies paper , and with this , the reputations of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she does this by treating unsupported and demonstrably false claims as if they were facts .
Citing an article in Wired magazine , Cox writes : “ Michael Jones-Correa , a political science professor at the University of Pennsylvania and one of the study ’ s critics , told Wired that any responses from noncitizens ” in the survey used for the study “ were included due to error.
” Neither Cox , nor Wired , nor Jones-Correa present any evidence to support that accusation .
Moreover , it is disproven by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question to its respondents : “ Which of these statements best describes you ?
… I am an immigrant to the USA but not a citizen.
” # 7 Second Attack on the Integrity of the Electoral Studies Paper Based on the same Wired article , Cox declares that “ Jones-Correa also said the sample size is too small for a representative sample of the noncitizen population.
” In reality , Jones-Correa makes a different claim ( debunked below ) , but neither Cox nor the Wired reporter seem to understand the difference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about sample size is based on a puerile notion debunked by a teaching guide for K–8th grade students , as well as other academic sources .
Snopes and PolitiFact previously made the same false argument , and for this reason , Just Facts ’ study provides a warning about this “ mathematically illiterate ” claim and a link to the facts that disprove it .
However , Cox completely ignores these facts and reports this untruth instead .
# 8 Third Attack on the Integrity of the Electoral Studies Paper The argument that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the survey sample for the study was unlikely to “ accurately represent ” non-citizens .
This has nothing to do with the sample size and everything to do with the fact that surveys can be highly inaccurate if they don ’ t use random samples of respondents .
As stated in the textbook Mind on Statistics , “ Surveys that simply use those who respond voluntarily are sure to be biased in favor of those with strong opinions or with time on their hands.
” However , the Electoral Studies paper directly confronts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” to produce “ a non-citizen sample that appears to be a better match with Census estimates of the population.
” As explained in the academic book Designing and Conducting Survey Research : A Comprehensive Guide , weighting “ is one of the most common approaches ” that researchers use to “ present results that are representative of the target population….
” The book goes on to explain that weighting is far from foolproof , and both Just Facts and the Electoral Studies paper directly state that .
This is one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study results as “ estimates ” five separate times and directs readers to these “ possible sources of error , some of which may produce overcounts and some undercounts.
” Nonetheless , weighting is a generally accepted means of making survey data representative , and Cox ’ s omission of this fact is grossly misleading .
Cox , Wired , and Jones-Correa are not the only ones to spread this half-truth .
PolitiFact and Brian Schaffner of UMass Amherst have done the same—despite the fact that the Electoral Studies paper addressed this issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that each of these people and organizations either did not read the full paper , did not understand it , or are deliberately trying to slander it .
Cox writes that “ registrants voting in a federal election supply evidence of their residence , ” but “ Agresti argues some noncitizens manage to vote in federal elections despite preventive measures.
” This mischaracterizes the facts on two levels .
First , proof of residency is not proof of citizenship .
And as Agresti pointed out in his study and in an email to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people to be U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in federal elections.
” Second , Agresti does not merely argue that “ some noncitizens manage to vote in federal elections despite preventive measures.
” He provides reams of facts from primary sources showing that : • None no state requires anyone to provide documentary proof of citizenship in order to register to vote because federal courts have stopped them from enacting this requirement .
• None the vast bulk of illegal immigrants use false identifications that would allow them to vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ database matches with voter registration records show that millions of non-citizens are registered to vote .
• None Barack Obama stated that there is no effective way to enforce the law that prohibits non-citizens from voting .
The sources cited by Agresti to prove these facts include : • None of Hispanic adults in the U.S. • None by the same scholars .
• None by the chief actuary of the Social Security Administration .
• None of California Senate Leader and Democrat Kevin De Leon stating that “ anyone who has family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entirely everybody has secured some sort of false identification.
” • None of Obama stating that non-citizens would not be deported if they voted because “ there is not a situation where the voting rolls somehow are transferred over , and people start investigating , etcetera.
” Yet , Cox describes this stunning array of documented facts with the phrase “ Agresti argues ” and then rejects all of them in favor of an unsubstantiated claim from a progressive lawyer .
That ’ s not fact checking but propagandizing .
Finally , Cox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public voter roll data from the Trump administration that could be used to prove how many illegal votes are cast by non-citizens .
She does this by linking to a summary of state policies on public access to voter lists .
She then points out that “ voter information is publicly available ” in the battleground states .
This is one of the rare cases where Cox actually presents facts to support her case , but she misinterprets them .
She does this by failing to account for the differences between : • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data provided in a format that can be analyzed to root out illegal votes .
Once again , all of the facts needed to understand these points are documented in Just Facts ’ study with links to credible primary sources , including the Federal Judicial Center and a statement from California ’ s Secretary of State .
Though California is not a battleground state , it provides a crystal clear example of the distinctions that Cox fails to recognize .
According to the link she provided , California ’ s voter rolls are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot measure committees , and to any person for election , scholarly , journalistic , or political purposes , or for governmental purposes , as determined by the Secretary of State.
” Yet , when Trump ’ s Commission on Election Integrity requested the data , California ’ s Secretary of State vowed that he would not provide it and promised lawsuits and “ opposition at every step of the way ” to keep the data from the Commission .
James D. Agresti is the president of Just Facts , a think tank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public policy issues .
Photo “ People Voting ” by Phil Roeder .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-26--Commentary: Marxism Nearly Killed the Pilgrims: The Real Story of the First Thanksgiving

November of 1621 marked one-year in the New World for a band of what began as 35 English religious separatists and 67 entrepreneurs who had landed on the shores of New England .
In their first winter , harsh conditions and diseases like pneumonia and scurvy led to the death of forty-five of the original 102 .
In keeping with an almost fifty-year-old English tradition , the remaining settlers along with some Wampanoag Indian tribe members came together for the first Thanksgiving feast .
But rather than the bounty that we often see depicted in pictures , the situation for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to William Bradford , the Governor of Plymouth for its first thirty years and author “ Of Plymouth Plantation , ” prior to sailing for the New World , the Pilgrims and the entrepreneurs signed a seven year contract stipulating that , “ all profits and benefits that are got by trade , traffic , trucking , working , fishing , or any other means of any person or persons ” shall be pooled for the common benefit .
That ’ s right , the Pilgrims started off trying to establish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of the seven years , the capital and profits , the houses , lands , goods and chattels , be equally divided betwixt the ‘ Adventurers ’ and Planters.. ” Food , drink , apparel and other provisions were provided out of the common stock and goods of the colony , meaning quite simply that those who worked hard got the same provisions as those who loafed .
The first two-years were a disaster with shortages and starvation as they youngest and strongest men complained that they had to work for other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay .
Needless to say , the lack of incentive to thrive caused additional privation , so while the first Thanksgiving in America likely was held on a day in late November in 1621 to celebrate the blessings that God had provided .
Bradford makes it clear that there was not abundance , but instead there was a food shortage .
After two-years , the Pilgrims decided that a change was needed , so they decided to end the common goods experiment by giving every family a plot of land based upon their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the colony .
Governor Bradford proclaimed the change to have created , “ …very good success , for it made all hands very industrious , so as much more corn was planted than otherwise would have been… ” “ The women now went willingly into the field , and took their little ones with them to set corn ; which before would allege weakness and inability ; whom to have compelled would have been thought great tyranny and oppression.
’ The Pilgrims no longer resented going into the field because they got to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bradford reports , “ Instead of famine now God gave them plenty , ” and that , “ … the face of things was changed , to the rejoicing of the hearts of many , for which they blessed God… .
Any general want or famine hath not been amongst them since to this day.
” Yes , the early days of the Plymouth colony proved that even amongst a very small , interdependent group , the socialist model is a failure .
Not just an academic exercise that went awry , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the original settlers their lives .
And the picture of abundance that is associated with the first Thanksgiving is more appropriately assigned to the third one , when corn was plentiful and the people could look forward to a long winter with sufficient provisions produced through their own labor .
If American schools still taught American history to our children , teenagers and college students , every single one would recognize that Karl Marx ’ socialist ideal almost killed the Pilgrim colony and it was only through private ownership of property and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through your own hard labor that a true Thanksgiving feast was established .
Having visited Plymouth for the 399th anniversary of the Pilgrim ’ s landing on what is now the shores of Massachusetts , it is hard not to be struck by how this simple message is obscured in official presentations and pomp .
The bounty was from free enterprise and private property ownership , and the Thanksgiving was to God , who makes all things possible and was the founder of their feast .
While death was rampant and the future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was nearly upon them , the Pilgrims celebrated with their new neighbors because while the previous year had been cataclysmic , the hope for a reconciliation with God through Jesus was reason enough to celebrate .
This Thanksgiving as we gather around with family either in person or virtually , remember back to that real first Thanksgiving where the people celebrated blessings from God during a time which was far more bleak than our current COVID crisis shutdowns .
And that is the real story of the first couple of Thanksgivings , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ front of a computer screen , remind everyone that while showing gratitude to your friends and others is a good thing , the real focus of Thanksgiving should be to our Father in heaven , the creator of all things .
Rick Manning is President of Americans for Limited Government .

by Joe Mueller
Attorneys general from 26 states are urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a lower-court decision upholding a California law banning the raising or importing pork, veal or eggs if the animals are confined.
The Supreme Court announced on March 28 that it would hear the pork industry’s challenge to California’s Proposition 12, a law restricting confinement practices in animal agriculture. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments on Oct. 11.
Prop. 12 was approved by 63% of California voters in 2018. The law established minimum space requirements based on square feet for calves raised for veal, breeding pigs and egg-laying hens. It banned the sale of products from those animals if they were “confined in a cruel manner,” defined as in areas below minimum square-feet requirements.
The case, National Pork Producers Council v. Karen Ross, the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, focuses on the regulation of animal products outside of California by prohibiting the in-state sale of products traceable to the animal being confined in a “cruel manner.” The Pork Producers and others argue the law violates the Interstate Commerce Clause and general constitutional restrictions against “extraterritorial regulation.”
The brief filed by the attorneys general states California consumes 13% of the nation’s pork and imports 99.87% of pork consumed. The attorneys general argue the “entire impact of Proposition 12 will be visited on out-of-state producers that, though they have no vote in California, must remodel their farms (or reduce their herds) to comply with the law.”
“Under no circumstances should the state of California be allowed to dictate to Missouri farmers and ranchers how they can raise and confine breeding pigs, egg-laying hens, and veal calves,” Missouri Republican Attorney General Eric Schmitt said in a statement. “Further, California is attempting to impose their will on Missouri farmers and ranchers by threatening to deny entry into the California market if those farmers and ranchers don’t comply with their pointless regulations. Missouri’s farmers and ranchers have been tending to their land and livestock for generations, they don’t need Californian politicians telling them how to do their jobs.”
Of the 19 briefs filed with the Supreme Court on the case last week, all urged the court to reverse the lower court’s decision, with the exception of two neutral parties providing economic information.
A brief filed to persuade the Supreme Court not to hear the case was filed last year by The Humane Society of the United States, Animal Legal Defense Fund, Animal Equality, The Humane League, Farm Sanctuary, Compassion in World Farming USA, and Animal Outlook. They stated the Pork Producers’ argument uses a “dormant Commerce Clause” to stop in-state sales of certain pork products from “animals confined in cruel and unsanitary conditions that threaten the health of California consumers. … Because that prohibition applies only to sales inside California, moreover, producers outside California are free to confine animals however they choose for products sold outside the state.”
States represented by the attorneys general are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.
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Joe Mueller covers Missouri for The Center Square. After seven years of reporting for daily newspapers in Illinois and Missouri, he spent the next 30 years in public relations serving non-profit organizations and as a strategic communications consultant.


thetennesseestar--2020-11-26--Judge Michael Warren Commentary: Thanksgiving’s Historical Relationship with Religion

Turkey and stuffing .
Detroit Lions Football .
Turkey Trots .
Parades and the arrival of Santa .
Followed by frenzied shopping on Black Friday and Cyber Monday .
Maybe a bit of charity on Giving Tuesday .
The ultimate American holiday .
What more could you need ?
Gratitude .
Blessings .
Humility .
Although historical debate surrounds the origins of Thanksgiving in colonial America , it has a deeply rooted core that today is overshadowed by consumerism and entertainment culture .
The Pilgrims – English religious dissenters from the Church of England – settled in Plymouth in 1620 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asylum of religious liberty and swearing to the Mayflower Compact – quite possibly the first written agreement among men about how to govern a new government .
They were quickly struck with the “ great sickness ” and began to starve .
In a year , nearly half died .
In 1621 , with the help of Wampahnoag Native Americans – especially Samoset and Squanto – they survived and actually flourished .
They held a huge 3 day feast – but it was not considered a thanksgiving by the Pilgrims .
That would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were facing a brutal drought .
Governor William Bradford led the People in fervent prayer to the Almighty for relief .
Although there was not a cloud in the sky , in a few hours the heavens opened with the perfect rain , and they were saved .
Bradford declared a day of Thanksgiving , including a large feast , giving homage to God for their gratitude .
Afterwards , colonial Governors periodically proclaimed days of Thanksgiving to the Supreme Being in response to various favorable events and conditions .
The first continental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Continental Congress declared a Thanksgiving for the victory at the Battle of Saratoga .
Others followed .
When George Washington became President , Congress asked him to declare a Thanksgiving for the amazing accomplishments of the first Congress , including the Bill of Rights and setting up a functioning federal government .
Washington declared a Thanksgiving for the fourth Thursday in November .
His proclamation recommended that the People devote the day “ to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all that good that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be ; that we may all unite in rendering Him our sincere and humble thanks for his Kind care and protection .
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for the signal and manifold mercies and favorable interpositions of His providence ” during the American Revolution , creating the federal Constitution , and protecting the “ civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed .
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” Presidents Adams and Madison followed suit – and then silence .
Thanksgiving ’ s resurrection occurred when Sarah Josepha Hale convinced President Lincoln to declare Thanksgiving during the Civil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Proclamation explained several reasons the nation should be thankful , and remarked with humility that “ No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things .
They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God , who , while dealing with us in anger for our sins , hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
” Lincoln recommended that “ while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings , they do also , with humble penitence for our national perverseness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace , harmony , tranquillity and Union.
” Since Lincoln , Thanksgiving is an annual tradition .
But like so much of our civic calendar , it has all but been gutted of its original meaning .
Perhaps now , in the wake of the most contentious election in modern times and in the grips of the worst pandemic in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foundations of this magnificent holiday .
This Thanksgiving , take stock of our great blessings , including our Declaration of Independence , Constitution , and prosperity .
Give thanks , express humility , and pray for your family and us all .
That would be a Thanksgiving worthy of America .
Judge Michael Warren is the co-creator of Patriot Week ( www.PatriotWeek.org ) , and host of the Patriot Lessons : American History & Civics Podcast .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-26--Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday in 2020

Retailers like Target and Walmart stretched out their traditional Black Friday sales throughout the whole month of November , but post-Thanksgiving shopping sprees will still be available .
Cyber Monday will feature big deals online as usual , and lesser-known Giving Tuesday and Small Business Saturday are especially important during COVID-19 .
American Express helped create Small Business Saturday during the 2010 recession , and in 2011 , the U.S. Senate passed a resolution supporting the day , according to the company ’ s website .
But small businesses need business this year more than ever .
“ In fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported that they need to see consumer spending return to pre-COVID levels by the end of 2020 in order to stay in business .
When you shop small this holiday season – and all year long – you can help create a big impact , ” the company states on their website .
American Express has a small business finder on their website , but shoppers can support any small business .
Giving Tuesday , held the Tuesday after Thanksgiving , isn ’ t just limited to financial donations .
GivingTuesday.org states , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giving of all types — some may choose to give a financial contribution to their favorite cause or a fundraising drive , others will opt to reach out to neighbors , start an advocacy campaign , donate goods or extra supplies , share gratitude to front-line workers and those keeping us safe .
If you can show generosity and share kindness , you have something to give !
” The first Giving Tuesday was held in 2012 .
“ Over the past nine years , this idea has grown into a global movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to give , collaborate , and celebrate generosity , ” states a release from GivingTuesday.org .
Givers can donate to their favorite non-profit , or find volunteer opportunities at VolunteerMatch.org .
The day after Thanksgiving has been a major holiday shopping day since the 1920s , according to BlackFriday.com .
However , the name “ Black Friday ” was born in the 1960s , in part to mark when retailers ’ accounting showed a transition from financial loss ( in the “ red ” ) to profit ( in the ‘ black ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complained about the busy streets due to the shopping spree , and in 1960 , they dubbed the day after Thanksgiving “ Black Friday , ” according to BlackFriday.com .
Big box stores have tried to spread out holiday shopping across November this year , but they ’ re also featuring sales on Black Friday .
Walmart will open new deals in its stores at 5 a.m. local time on November 27 , according to a press release .
Many stores also feature enhanced COVID-19 precautions .
“ Customers will form a single @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Associates will hand out sanitized shopping carts to customers to help with social distancing , and Health Ambassadors will be placed at entrances to greet customers and remind them to put on a mask , ” the Walmart press release states .
In addition to in-person deals , stores including Macy ’ s , Target , Walmart , and Best Buy already have sales live on their websites .
For a list of the best 2020 Black Friday deals , visit BlackFriday.com .
In 2005 , the National Retail Foundation coined the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increased online sales on the Monday after Thanksgiving .
As high-speed internet became more common , more people opted to shop online .
According to BlackFriday.com , the line between Cyber Monday and Black Friday is blurring as retailers feature more deals on their website .
However , there is still a distinction .
For online shopping , Black Friday features the best deals on TVs , toys , gaming consoles , and appliances , according to BlackFriday.com .
Save online purchases like computers , clothing , travel , and subscriptions for Cyber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reminder on Wednesday .
“ This Thanksgiving , we reaffirm our everlasting gratitude for all that we enjoy , and we commemorate the legacy of generosity bestowed upon us by our forbearers .
Although challenges remain , we will never yield in our quest to live up to the promise of our heritage.
” His Thanksgiving proclamation continues , “ As we gather with our loved ones , we resolve with abiding faith and patriotism to celebrate the joys of freedom and cherish the hope and peace of a brighter future ahead.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-26--Happy Kracken Day: Neil W. McCabe Weighs in on Sidney Powell’s Alleged Evidence and What Happens to

Happy Kracken Day: Neil W. McCabe Weighs in on Sidney Powell’s Alleged Evidence and What Happens to Democracy When an Election is Rigged

Live from Music Row Wednesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed Tennessee Star National Correspondent Neil W. McCabe to the newsmakers line .
During the third hour , McCabe weighed in on the recent alleged evidence claims made by attorney Sidney Powell who the Trump legal campaign has recently dismissed .
Towards the end of the segment , he went on to explain what happens to a democracy when the government is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Leahy : In the studio with me the original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael and on the newsmaker line is the superb Washington National Correspondent for the Star News Network Neil W. McCabe .
Good morning , Neil .
Leahy : Well Neil , we are lumbering towards December 14th .
That ’ s the date according to federal statute that the electors are supposed to meet and gather in the 50 state capitals and in the District of Columbia to cast their ballots for electors .
Any curve balls along the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Neil ?
McCabe : Well , of course , I want to wish both you of guys and all the listeners a Happy Kraken Day .
Leahy : Oh , that is a line , my friend !
Happy Kraken Day Crom !
McCabe : Well , of course , today is the day that Sidney Powell unleashes The Kraken .
And everything there had been a mystery to us before will now be revealed .
And there we have it .
Carmichael : Is this the day that she said she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leahy : Is it today or by this week Friday , this Kraken day ?
McCabe : Listen , I mean I laugh because I hurt .
This is not what I wanted to be talking about a month ago .
( Laughter ) It ’ s my understanding that Sidney Powell of course was working with Rudy Giuliani and the legal team .
And they reached a point where you know , the Trump legal team was not getting the information that Powell said she had .
They were supposed to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not acting as a true co-counsel .
And so they had to sort of make a break .
Some of the press made this out as it wasn ’ t really a falling out .
This isn ’ t like the Beatles breaking up right ?
It ’ s just a practical matter there .
People are operating as co-counsel , but they ’ re not sharing information .
They don ’ t understand why hey , I can ’ t tell the press what ’ s going on because I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re supposed to tell the other lawyers that you ’ re working with .
The other problem is that you can ’ t have commingling of funds if the Trump legal team is being paid for by the Trump campaign and Sidney Powell is being financed through her own fundraising apparatus or fundraising efforts .
Once you commingle those funds , that creates all sorts of other legal problems .
And so Powell is on her own and she says she ’ s got the goods that can flip the election .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Republican or a Democrat nobody wants a rigged election to stand .
and so we want to know .
Now I was looking back over some of the things that we talked about and some of the columns I did for the Tennessee Star and I looked at two articles I wrote in the summertime .
One of them was that Ali Alexander said that the rookies running the Trump campaign were blowing it .
And the other was that the Republicans had a very good chance of capturing control of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were going to lose the House more so .
We ’ ll lose more seats .
And so I think that no one was predicting that President Trump would get to 73 or 75 million votes .
Certainly , nobody was predicting that Joe Biden would get 15 million more votes than Barack Obama got in 2012 .
And so you can see that there were opportunities there that were missed and there were people who are supposed to be watching the store and looking out for this kind of corruption in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And so here we are .
It ’ s a really sad state of affairs when the Trump campaign rests on a Kracken .
Leahy : Yeah , and so the Kraken day that she promised was evidence .
Hard evidence that would show support her allegations that this Dominion software was flipped illegally and votes were changed .
That ’ s what she alleged .
Carmichael : Not just votes changed , but just votes added .
Neil , I would like to push back on one thing that you said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to win with a crooked election .
Now if this is a crooked election , then logically speaking that must by definition be an incorrect statement because the only way that you can be crooked is to actually act in a crooked way .
And if you act in a crooked way you do so intentionally so you must want the outcome .
McCabe : Well , you know , we ’ re on the cusp of Advent and I just want to approach this with a good heart .
Carmichael : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leahy laughs ) That is a very logical explanation .
( Laughter ) Leahy : That ’ s a very good explanation .
And yet Neil , let me bring this to your attention .
Leahy : All of which are true .
Leahy : There you go .
Oh , my we are on a roll today Crom .
Neil is Kracken and Crom has a good iHeart .
Carmichael : I don ’ t remember which movie it was but it was quite a monster .
Leahy : Well , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about Neil on all of this .
So Sidney Powell , you know , if she were to present this information , it would confirm what virtually every Trump voter according to a recent poll says it ’ s like 90 percent of Trump voters believe this election was stolen .
And there ’ s nothing that I see on the horizon that ’ s going to change that viewpoint .
If it proceeds as the mainstream media claims and if we reach December 14th , and there are more than 270 electors… @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eight .
Carmichael : That ’ s the day they have to be picked .
That ’ s six days prior to when they show up .
McCabe : The states have to certify in all have everything in order and then the actual electors go to the capital and do the voting .
And then those votes are then sent to D.C. Leahy : The votes are sent not the electors to D.C .
But I thought and maybe you have more info than I do on this Crom .
I thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the certification and maybe a few days after December eighth to intervene .
Carmichael : I ’ m going to tell you what my understanding is and I think I ’ m correct in that the electors actually have to be selected by December eighth and that ‘ they meet ’ and I ’ m putting that in quotes on the 14th .
McCabe : So Michigan has I think their legislature sort of confirms everything Monday .
When push comes to shove , you know this thing has all the momentum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or consensus it looks like Biden is going to be inaugurated as president .
And what the real question is , either we have a democracy or we don ’ t .
The reason why you want a democracy is not because it ’ s nice , but because it ’ s a superior system when your government is lined up with the wishes and intents of the people .
McCabe : And so when you have a rigged election , it ’ s like yes you have ceased power .
But because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will of the people , it can ’ t work properly and it creates disorder .
And so democracy works not because we want it to work and not because we ’ re nice people but because it ’ s the way we want to have a system of prosperity and freedom and we can have businesses and families and careers and art and culture and everything that we want is best facilitated in democracy .
And so when you tamper with that , you can ’ t get away with it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ bad things will happen when you steal an election because things aren ’ t lined up the way they ’ re supposed to line up .
Carmichael : Neil is right on .
I ’ ve said for a year now since I ’ ve been on Mike ’ s show , the Democrat Party is unfortunately the party of government .
It represents the government and not the people which is why you have the problems .
Leahy : Neil McCabe thanks for joining us .
A very insightful analysis .
Listen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-26--Crom Carmichael Discusses the Nature of Free Markets, Competition, and Federalism

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 end of the second hour , Carmichael broke down the concepts of free markets , competition , and federalism in relation to the concept of nationalizing public policy which he claimed would be a disaster if people weren ’ t allowed to experiment with ideas .
Leahy : It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael .
Crom , we were talking a little bit about our country in the importance of what we have to give thanks for .
One of the things I give thanks for Crom is our Constitution .
And there are two foundational concepts in the Constitution .
One is the separation of powers and the other is a concept called federalism .
And federalism is important because it has a key role in the promotion of free markets .
Carmichael : Yes , and let me talk a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I ’ m going to start from the end and go backward .
And that is sometimes I ’ ll talk about the nature of a thing .
And so what is the nature of markets ?
And what is it that only markets can provide ?
And let me answer that question by telling a really quick story .
Years ago I sat next to an AT & T executive just at the same time that AT & T was broken up .
And but nothing had happened yet .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This AT & T executive said that prices for telecommunications we ’ re going to go through the roof because AT & T was the most efficiently run company in the world .
And I said listen with all due respect , I don ’ t know anything about telecommunications , but I do know that AT & T has a monopoly .
And I said , how can you know that it ’ s the most efficiently run company in the world when you have nothing to compare it to ?
Well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And so and so the nature of markets .
Let ’ s say you ’ re a merchant your merchant a and there ’ s a merchant down the street who is a competitor called merchant b .
And I come in with a product from merchant a .
Merchant a decides that merchant a ’ s customers are not going to be interested in my product .
And so they don ’ t buy it .
Now they don ’ t buy it not because they want to hurt me but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their customers will want it .
So I go down to merchant b and merchant B says , you know what I ’ ll give that a try .
I ’ ll buy six of them and see if my customers like them .
And low and behold the customers like them .
And merchant a notices that merchant b ’ s customers like the product that he did not buy from me .
Well , what will he do ?
Carmichael : He ’ ll pick up the phone and say I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me again .
I ’ d like to buy your product .
And so what the market did there was it provided information .
And that ’ s the key .
It provides information .
That ’ s what markets do .
So let ’ s now take that to federalism .
Now the state of Oregon has passed a law .
Leahy : Federalism in the Constitution gives certain powers to the national government .
Carmichael : All the rest to the state .
Leahy : All the other powers reserved for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ninth maybe they all address that to the state and to the people .
Carmichael : Oregon has just changed the law to make the possession of heroin and cocaine legal within the state .
Now it doesn ’ t make it legal to deal in it but it makes it legal to have small amounts of it .
Now , I don ’ t know if that ’ s a good idea or a bad idea .
My sense of it is I ’ m a little bit like merchants a. I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a good idea .
But if Oregon wants to try it guess what ?
In a few years , we ’ ll be able to see whether or not that ’ s a good idea or a bad idea .
So I ’ m not opposed to it as I ’ m living in Tennessee , that the people in Oregon might want to try that .
Because they ’ re trying to reduce their prison population and they ’ re trying to reduce crime .
I don ’ t know that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it will and more power to them for trying .
Now if it fails my guess is a fella just like my next story is in Stockton California .
Stockton , California is actually a city within California .
So this even goes lower than the state .
Well a few years ago Stockton , California elected a thirty-year-old mayor name , Mr. Tubbs .
Mr. Tubbs was a Black man and still is .
And he was very very liberal .
Stockton is a very poor town .
It ’ s 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poverty .
Nearly twice as many as statewide .
And only half as many people have a bachelor ’ s degree .
A little over 17 percent compared to statewide at 33 percent .
He put in two policies .
One was a $ 500 .
cash a month guaranteed wage for low-income people .
$ 500 .
a month they got and he tried to raise some money from philanthropists because there a lot of billionaires in California who say they want to help low-income people .
And then the other thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paid violent offenders not to commit crimes .
Leahy : ( Chuckles ) What could go wrong ?
Carmichael : Well as it turns out neither initiative worked .
Violent crime hasn ’ t decreased in fact homicides are up 40 percent .
And so Mr. Lincoln who ’ s a Latino Marine he runs for mayor against Mr. Tubbs , and he beats Mr. Tubbs by 12 percent .
So this is an example of the voters in the local community voting for somebody who had some ideas that some people wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea has failed and so they changed horses and elected a former Marine .
Now here in the United States , the worst thing we could do is to nationalize public policy .
Because then you have no way of comparing it to see whether or not it works or not .
Leahy : You could have a bad idea at the national level .
And you could spread it throughout the country and you ’ d be stuck with a bad idea .
Carmichael : And we ’ ve had lots of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ programs .
Now looking back if we had known then what we know now we never would have passed it .
Carmichael : Utter failures and they ’ ve hurt the very people they ’ re supposed to help .
Now my last example is the Buckeye state in Ohio .
Carmichael : Yeah , they have just increased the eligibility for vouchers in the state to 250 percent of the poverty line .
This now raises the number of people and families that are eligible for vouchers to 50 percent of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only worth $ 4,500. , but that $ 4,500 .
still gives families from lower-income families the opportunity to find a school other than the failing school .
What ’ s interesting about Ohio is where the vouchers have been implemented the most .
The government-run schools in those areas have gotten better because they had to compete .
Carmichael : And they realized the principals and the teachers realized if we don ’ t do a better job our schools are going to disappear .
And that ’ s the nature of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of markets .
That ’ s the nature of federalism .
And that ’ s what we need to hold dear to .
And I don ’ t care whether you ’ re Democrat or Republican .
If you want things to get better , then you ought to let people experiment with ideas in ways that don ’ t affect the entire country so that you can find out if they ’ re good or bad .
If they ’ re good they ’ ll proliferate .
If they ’ re bad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s what we want bad ideas to do .
Listen to the full second hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-26--COVID Death Rates Are Falling as Treatment Improves, Experts Say

Death rates from the coronavirus are falling in the United States showing that treatments for the coronavirus are advancing , infectious-disease experts told the Wall Street Journal .
Data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington ( IHME ) shows that the virus is only killing about 0.6 % of those infected , the WSJ reported .
This death rate has improved since April when the COVID death rate was at about 0.9 % , the publication reported .
There have been 260,322 reported COVID deaths in the United States , according to data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the United States has reported over 12.5 million confirmed cases of the virus .
Coronavirus deaths per million have also been on the rise in the United States for the past several weeks .
Columbia University infectious-disease modeler Jeffrey Shaman told the publication that the current death rate may be much lower than what the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation has reported , suggesting the death rate could be about 0.15 % which compares to the 0.1 % death rate for seasonal influenza .
This improvement in the death rate may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to younger people who are less at risk , experts told the Wall Street Journal .
But the experts also said that the improvements in the death rate may be “ largely linked ” to improved patient management and improved patient treatment .
Doctors have discovered less invasive ways to oxygenate patients and do not necessarily need to rely on mechanical ventilation , the publication reported , according to the WSJ .
IHME director Christopher Murray also told the publication that using anti-clotting drugs and the steroid dexamethasone has probably contributed to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned the WSJ that death rates may rise due to rising coronavirus cases .
“ When cases go up , as they are here and in Europe , hospitals get overcrowded and death rates rise , ” professor of vaccinology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Florian Krammer told the WSJ .
Mary Margaret Olohan is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-26--Stacey Abrams Peddles Her Erotic Romance Novel to Back Warnock and Ossoff

Former Georgia House Minority Leader and failed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams shared that she would auction a copy of her first romance novel to back Democratic candidates Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff .
For just under a decade , Abrams wrote erotic romance novels under the pen name “ Selena Montgomery.
” Abrams tweeted about her contribution to the runoff election on Wednesday .
The funds raised from Abrams ’ book will go to Romancing the Runoff , an initiative to raise money to back Warnock , Ossoff , and Democratic voting rights organizations .
“ Thank you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m privileged to be one of you .
For the cause , I ’ d like to throw in an autographed copy of my first novel , Rules of Engagement , in the rare hardback version .
Both Selena & Stacey will sign.
” The auction site lists Abrams ’ book value as “ priceless.
” This isn ’ t the first time Abrams ’ romance novels caught the public ’ s eye – her smutty writing turned heads during her run for governor in 2018 .
Abrams described her writing as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She added that her writing has prepared her for political leadership .
“ Leadership requires the ability to engage and to create empathy for communities with disparate needs and ideas .
Telling an effective story – especially in romantic suspense – demands a similar skill set .
Effective storytelling takes the reader into a life that is both familiar and foreign , enough of both to make space for others to feel empowered to tell their stories.
” Abrams also founded Fair Fight PAC and Fair Fight Action , the latter a purported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ registration and turnouts amongst minority and young voters .
However , the homepage on the shared website for the two Fair Fight initiatives asks visitors to donate to help Democrats take back the Senate through Warnock and Ossoff .
Abrams founded Fair Fight following her 2018 loss against Governor Brian Kemp , after claiming that the election wasn ’ t fairly conducted .
Fair Fight is one of many Democratic organizations receiving funding from Win Both Seats , an initiative founded by presidential candidate Andrew Yang and a coalition of other activists .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yang expressed his intentions to move to Georgia to help Democratic candidates Warnock and Ossoff .
The activist clarified that he wouldn ’ t vote in the election , after other Democratic activists suggested that individuals exploit Georgia ’ s residency requirement laws by living there temporarily to vote for Warnock and Ossoff .
The top bid for Abrams ’ book was $ 1,230 at the time of press .
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Georgia Star News and the Star News Network .
Follow her latest on Twitter , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Photo “ Stacey Abrams ” by Stacey Abrams .
Photo “ Jon Ossoff ” by Jon Ossoff .
Photo “ Raphael Warnock ” by Raphel Warnock .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-26--U.S. Army Corp of Engineers Grants Enbridge Final Permit for Line 3

The U.S Army Corp of Engineers ( ACE ) on Monday issued Enbridge its final federal construction permit for its $ 2.6 billion Line 3 oil pipeline .
Calgary-based Enbridge could begin construction as early as next month , a project expected to create 4,200 construction jobs and inject millions of dollars into Northern Minnesota .
“ This decision is based on balancing development with protecting the environment , ” ACE Col. Karl Jansen , St. Paul District commander , said in a statement .
“ Our decision follows an exhaustive review of the application and the potential impacts associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federally protected waters.
” Now , Enbridge must receive a stormwater construction permit from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to protect surface waters from runoff during construction and for approval from the independent Public Utilities Commission .
The commission has already approved the project several times .
“ We have now received all federal permits required for replacing Line 3 , an essential maintenance project that will better protect Minnesota communities and the environment , ” Vice President of Line 3 Execution Leo Golden said in a statement .
“ These permits reflect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which now moves closer to the start of construction , hopefully before the end of the year .
Final state permits and authorizations are still needed before work can begin.
” The Enbridge project would replace Line 3 ’ s 337-mile long , 34-inch pipeline in Minnesota , which currently operates at 51 % capacity due to corrosion , with a new 36-inch wide pipeline .
The replacement would boost average oil flow to 760,000 barrels per day .
Supporters say the project will create 8,600 jobs .
Enbridge says it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ property taxes in the project ’ s first functional year .
Project critics argue the project crosses 700 acres of wetlands in Minnesota and heightens the risk for a possible oil spill , similar to the 2010 accident in the Kalamazoo River in Michigan .
“ Today ’ s decision is a gift by [ President Donald ] Trump to the oil industry and a slap in the face to the rest of us , ” Midwest Tar Sands Coordinator at MN350 Andy Pearson said in a statement .
Scott McClallen is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Center Square .
A graduate of Hillsdale College , his work has appeared on Forbes.com and FEE.org .
Previously , he worked as a financial analyst at Pepsi .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-26--Michigan Attorney General Investigating Threats Against Wayne County Election Officials

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel on Tuesday confirmed her department is investigating threats made against members of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers .
Last Tuesday , Republican Wayne County Canvassers Monica Palmer and William Hartmann originally deadlocked a 2-2 certification vote , precipitating hours of sometimes ugly online public comments .
Wayne County residents and others doxxed – researched and published private information , usually with malicious intent – the two and their families .
The Republicans reversed their vote afterward but later attempted to rescind their “ yes ” votes , citing harassment and threats to themselves and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aiyash , D-Detroit , divulged which city Palmer lived in and where her daughter might attend school .
Others threatened to contact their career supervisors and demand they be fired .
Palmer told the Board of State Canvassers on Monday that she received threats against her family and graphic photos of naked , dead women and a photo of her daughter “ letting me know that that ’ s what ’ s going to happen to my daughter.
” Palmer said she was told , “ my entire family should be fearful for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican on the Board of State Canvassers , said he had received threats , including “ nasty emails telling me my family ’ s at risk.
” “ I had one person even suggest you got ta vote ‘ yes ’ to certify ‘ for the safety of your family , ' ” Shinkle said .
Nessel said her Criminal Investigations Division initiated its investigation shortly after Tuesday ’ s Wayne County Board of Canvassers meeting and invited anyone with a specific complaint about election fraud , misinformation , or threats against public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We will investigate any credible complaints of threats to government officials , elected or appointed , and will prosecute criminal conduct to the fullest extent of the law , ” Nessel said in a statement .
“ Serving the people – regardless of party – is an honorable but sometimes difficult and thankless task .
And while many of us have been subjected to hateful and often obscene insults , threats of violence and harm will not be tolerated.
” Scott McClallen is a staff writer covering Michigan and Minnesota for The Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , his work has appeared on Forbes.com and FEE.org .
Previously , he worked as a financial analyst at Pepsi .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-26--Ohio Governor and Chief Medical Advisor Asked About Speeding Up Delivery of Therapies to COVID Patie

Ohio Governor and Chief Medical Advisor Asked About Speeding Up Delivery of Therapies to COVID Patients

The Ohio Star reported that Ohio Governor Mike DeWine called a special press conference on Monday alongside the Ohio Hospital Association leaders to address the state ’ s COVID hospitalization rise .
As reported , during the briefing doctors who lead each of Ohio ’ s three zones ( the state is segmented into three areas ) disclosed staffing shortages due to COVID quarantine orders , which had further depleted caregiving capacity already run thin by upticks in COVID hospital cases around the state .
The Star has received inquiries from readers describing their situations .
One woman told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he had been exposed to COVID and within days began exhibiting symptoms .
When he called his doctor seeking preventative therapies , he was denied .
The man was later admitted to a hospital for days , where he received therapeutic treatments that aided his recovery .
Consequently , The Star took the opportunity during DeWine ’ s twice-weekly COVID presser on Tuesday to ask the following question : Two-part question : how does the level of hospital capacity right now compare to 2018 and 2019 ?
We ’ re hearing that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them with outpatient visits , or outpatient ER visits , but they ’ re having to be admitted in order to get Remdesivir , HCQ and other things that they could take orally .
Is it possible to get therapies to people more proactively ?
And would that help take some of the pressure off hospitals and would it help lower the number of people who are getting seriously ill from the virus ?
DeWine : Well , let ’ s ask a man who has been working in hospitals for a long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in terms of hospital capacity – our hospitals are extremely busy .
I think you undoubtedly heard that yesterday from the three zone leads .
I can tell you as someone who has been responsible for helping guide one health system through this response that ’ s very , very real .
Any time that you have a single diagnosis that is occupying 20 % -30 % of the beds in your hospitals , you ’ re extremely busy because that ’ s unheard of , to have a single diagnosis using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So that ’ s the capacity question .
The question that you are asking about access to medications in the ambulatory arena is a really , really good one , but what we have to understand is that most of the medications that have been available , that we ’ ve had – emergency use authorizations , or have been otherwise released for us to use , have in fact been targeted to the very sick patients who are in the hospital .
And the research has demonstrated their effectiveness in that environment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently that we ’ ve had medications that have come to us that are really targeted to the outpatient environment .
And the best example are these new monoclonal antibodies .
We , in Ohio , received those medications just toward the end of last week .
And in many instances , within 12 hours of receiving them , our health systems around the state were already putting them into – because these are infusions – putting them into patients .
So , it ’ s a good question .
But , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting what can be given in the outpatient arena there – we ’ re waiting for more to come .
Ohio has 27,288 inpatient beds , 4,798 ICU beds , and 5,280 ventilators , according to numbers released on the state hospital dashboard .
As of Tuesday , the number and percentage use of each was as follows : • Inpatient beds – 4,449 used by COVID patients , approximately 16 % of capacity ; • ICU beds – 1,046 used by COVID patients , approximately 22 % of capacity ; • Ventilators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approximately 11 % of capacity .
As of Wednesday , there Ohio hospitals have reported 25,069 COVID patients year-to-date , according to the state COVID hospital metrics page .
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) currently lists Emergency Use Authorization for therapies convalescent plasma , REGIOCIT , Remdesivir , Fresenius Propoven and MultiFiltrate PRO System .
On the list , therapies to treat COVID – Remdesivir and plasma – must be administered with infusion/intravenously , according to the administration .
Remdesivir , early studies showed , was most effective when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Five days ago , the FDA granted emergency use of another intravenous treatment .
According to the FDA release : Arguably the most controversial of prospective COVID treatments , HCQ was a drug Governor DeWine chose to stockpile .
According to Statehouse News Bureau , Ohio purchased two million doses at a cost of $ 602,629 .
Then in June the FDA revoked the Emergency Use Authorization of Hydroxychloroquine ( HCQ ) and chloroquine .
On July 20 , the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy outlawed the dispensation of HCQ , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The order reversal and stockpile become headline topics now as controversial doctor Vladimir Zelenko releases a peer-reviewed study in the December issue of Internal Journal of Antimicrobial Agents .
According to the report , the study is the first COVID outpatient research based on risk stratification and early antiviral treatment at the beginning of the disease .
Low-dose hydroxychloroquine , zinc and azithromycin were administered to 141 COVID patients , according to Dr. Zelenko .
The study found “ the odds of hospitalization of treated patients was 84 % less than in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a 71-year old female health worker who contracted COVID despite masking and following distancing and sanitizing protocol .
In the report it was noted that she received – at her request – early dispensation of HCQ , zinc , high levels of vitamin C and an anticoagulant .
It was also written that she began felling better almost instantly .
According to the interview , the woman and her 73-year old husband , who also contracted the contagion , both recovered .
It is not clear whether there are other treatments available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or if there those coming down the pipeline that would be able to be administered orally , or without hospital admission .
It is also not clear whether Ohio medical providers can provide the HCQ drug cocktail or other therapies on an outpatient basis .
If not , Governor DeWine may consider exercising the pressure he did back in March when he contacted President Trump and insisted the FDA approve Columbus-based Battelle ’ s N-95 mask decontamination technology .
The request spawned FDA authorization .
The Governor ’ s full address can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Editor and an Investigative Reporter at The Ohio Star .
Windsor is also an Investigative Reporter at WMFD-TV .
Follow Jack on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-26--RNC Blasts Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock for Fundraising for Out-of-State Dollars

Members of the Republican National Committee are warning Georgians about what they describe as Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Jon Ossoff ’ s out-of-state fundraising and Raphael Warnock ’ s questionable past .
This , according to a press release that RNC members posted on their website this week .
Ossoff and Warnock want to represent Georgia in the U.S. Senate .
U.S. Sen. David Perdue ( R-GA ) and U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler ( R-GA ) are on the January 5 , 2021 ballot for the U.S. Senate against Ossoff and Warnock , respectively .
The RNC press release accused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump ’ s tax cuts , do away with the U.S. Senate filibuster , and dismantle the Second Amendment .
The same press release also said Warnock has verbally attacked law enforcement and supports the former , and now-deceased , Cuban President Fidel Castro .
Campaign staff for both Ossoff and Warnock did not return The Georgia Star News ’ requests for comment Wednesday .
“ Ossoff kicked-off his recent fundraising push with a flight out to his supporters in Silicon Valley .
The Democrat raised $ 3.37 million from the Golden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than double the $ 1.64 million he raised from Georgians , ” according to the RNC press release .
“ In total , 83 percent of the funds Ossoff has raised for his Senate campaign have come from donors outside of the State of Georgia , ” according to the RNC press release .
The RNC press release also said that Ossoff supports the Green New Deal and aligns himself ideologically with U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders ( R-VT ) and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-NY-14 ) .
The press release also said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the military , anti-Semitism , police officers , Communist leader Fidel Castro , and the Second Amendment are at odds with what Georgians want from their elected officials.
” “ Nearly 80 percent of the funds Warnock has raised for his campaign have come from out-of-state far-left donors who support his views .
Warnock has defended anti-Semitic pastor Jeremiah Wright and praised Marxism Warnock ’ s mentor called for the ‘ destruction of everything white ’ and argued white Christians are ‘ satanic.
’ In 2019 , Warnock signed a letter comparing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the press release .
“ In 1995 , Warnock worked at a church which hosted brutal Cuban dictator Fidel Castro , where the head pastor prompted chants of support from the audience .
Warnock supports eliminating the Trump tax cuts , which gave a majority of hard working middle-class families a tax break .
Earlier this year , Warnock was accused by his wife of running over her foot with his car after they got in an argument .
In 2002 , Warnock was accused of hindering a police investigation into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News reported this week , members of a left-leaning environmental group have announced that Georgia ’ s two U.S. Senate races are the key to them and their political allies in Washington , D.C. enacting the Green New Deal into law .
Members of this group , the Sunrise Movement , announced their intentions late last week .
According to an emailed Sunrise Movement newsletter , members think they can use the Georgia U.S. Senate elections “ to transform this country.
” The newsletter did not identify which of the four primary U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goals .
The Green New Deal , however , is a Democratic Party initiative .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Jon Ossoff ” by Jon Ossoff .
Photo “ Raphael Warnock ” by Raphael Warnock .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-26--Top Players in Defund the Police Movement Back Warnock and Ossoff

Top players leading the movement to defund the police have declared their support for Democratic Senate candidates Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff .
The two candidates ’ backers include Black Lives Matter , Working Families Party , Mijente , and Black to the Future .
These groups supporting Warnock and Ossoff claim that systemic racism exists , and that police are a major component of it .
They advocate for limiting police interaction and diverting funding from police into other programs , such as mental health assistance .
One of the main initiatives supporting those groups in funding the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cofounders are a coalition of political candidates , activists , and the Hollywood elite , including : Andrew Yang , Martin Luther King III , Susan Taylor , Kumail Nanjiani , Jaden Smith , and Sophia Bush .
Win Both Seats is owned and operated by Defeat by Tweet , a super PAC whose sole expenditures are against Republican candidates .
Donors to the PAC include ex-Goldman Sachs partner Mike Novogratz , Facebook , John Legend , Microsoft , Google , and Liberty Mutual .
Initiatives set forth by these groups align with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
These include demilitarization of police , as well as decriminalization of drugs and illegal immigrants .
Unlike these groups , Warnock and Ossoff stop short of expressly advocating for defunding the police .
However , both candidates have promised to demilitarize police .
That would entail restrictions on no-knock raids , federally-funded military equipment , and SWAT teams .
Both candidates also promised to end the cash bail system .
Warnock promised to reimagine policing , decriminalize marijuana and non-violent drug-related offenses , and end for-profit prisons .
He has publicly denounced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and a danger to children .
Ossoff came closer to publicly supporting defunding the police .
In an interview this past summer , Ossoff warned that police funding needed to be “ on the line.
” However , his campaign later stated that Ossoff was referring to supplemental funding , not all funds .
Months later , Ossoff disavowed defunding the police .
Ossoff has also promised to legalize marijuana , decriminalize non-violent drug-related offenses , and establish more sanctuary cities .
Conversely , Ossoff also declared that he would increase federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human trafficking , and espionage .
Overall , both candidates align with many of the issues that groups aiming to defund the police advocate : demilitarizing police , decriminalizing non-violent drug-related offenses and illegal immigrants , ending private prisons , and ending cash bail .
It appears that Warnock and Ossoff stop short of defunding the police .
Both men only go so far as to say they would consider modifying funding for police .
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Georgia Star News and the Star News Network .
Follow her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Defund the Police Sign ” by Mike Shaheen .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-26--Politics at the Thanksgiving Table: Legislators on Holiday

Virginia ’ s legislators recently completed a long special session , and are preparing for the regular session in January .
Additionally , Virginia ’ s state elections are just a year away , so many of them are launching campaigns for office .
The Virginia Star asked several legislators how they ’ re escaping the stress this Thanksgiving .
“ We rotate between eating , playing games and watching football , ” Cox said .
He ’ ll be celebrating with his wife , sons , and his brother ’ s family , who live nearby .
They ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep everybody safely distanced .
Cox said his family loves sports .
He ’ ll be rooting for the Cowboys , but the big game tomorrow isn ’ t a football game .
“ We always play disc golf , so we ’ ll play that in the morning , ” Cox said .
“ We ’ re a really competitive family , so we split up into teams , usually , for bragging rights.
” Cox thinks his team will win .
On top of disc golf , he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cox said they ’ ll banter over sports while they eat traditional Thanksgiving food .
He and his brother are looking forward to mincemeat pie .
“ We sort of grew up on it , my mother made it , and we think its great.
” Cox said he and his brother will split one pie .
“ No one else will eat it.
” Cox said he ’ s thankful for health and the support he ’ s received from the community after announcing his campaign for governor .
“ I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family [ at ] home , ” Cox said .
“ We ’ re all very close.
” Davis is heading to Knotts Island , North Carolina , to celebrate with family .
He said his family is planning turkey , ham , and potato salad .
Davis said , “ Something I ’ ve always loved , going to my grandmother ’ s for Thanksgiving , was collard greens.
” He said , “ There ’ s probably nothing I don ’ t like .
The one thing I miss , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was monkey bread .
If you ’ ve never had monkey bread you ’ ve missed out , and since her passing that hasn ’ t always been a staple at the Thanksgiving dinner , so that ’ s something that I miss.
” “ The men of the family and some of the ladies are big football people , ” Davis said .
He ’ ll be rooting for the Cowboys tomorrow .
“ I ’ m a huge Dallas fan , I grew up a Dallas fan , don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think all of us are thankful for every year is our health and the health of our family members , ” Davis said .
“ And I think as we ’ re all reflective on this past year , that all of us are doubly thankful.
” Chase is spending the holiday in Myrtle Beach , South Carolina with her family , according to her spokesman Philip Search .
She and her immediate family will be playing board games , talking about school , girlfriends , and boyfriends .
“ I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News , ” Search said .
“ She ’ s going to have to always check her Facebook , see what ’ s going on.
” Search said , “ It ’ s a time for her and Mike and the kids to get together and get away , ” Search said .
“ I don ’ t know what they ’ re eating , probably some kind of seafood , ” he said .
“ I know the Senator loves seafood.
” “ She ’ s respecting people ’ s feelings about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ She ’ s being very respectful of people ’ s feelings , she ’ s watching out for her loved ones .
She loves giving hugs to those who want to hug .
She is a hugger.
” Search said , “ She ’ s thankful for her family , thankful for her campaign team , she ’ s thankful to be able to represent Virginia in the governor ’ s race.
” Kiggans said she did her big Thanksgiving celebration last Friday with a small group of Young Republicans , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family .
One of her sons is locked down at the Naval Academy , but her other three children will be home .
“ We were going to bring him a turkey and a honey-baked ham and all these delicious sides , and they have canceled Thanksgiving at the Naval Academy .
And no one can leave the yard , and no one can come into the yard there , ” Kiggans said .
“ They have promised that they will make him turkey.
” Kiggans is a Navy veteran .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the only holiday where the Navy will cancel [ his ] family plans.
” Kiggans said her husband does the cooking , and they ’ ll have turkey , ham , green beans , stuffing , and mashed potatoes .
She ’ ll probably go for a run after the big meal , and the family will go see Christmas lights at the beach .
“ I ’ m thankful for the awesome country we live in , the beautiful city I live in of Virginia Beach .
It ’ s been a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in ] , ” Kiggans said .
She ’ s also grateful to be healthy and have a healthy family .
She added , “ I ’ m thankful for my job , and that we still have jobs to go to , and I ’ m thankful for being able to participate in the leadership of Virginia.
” All four legislators will probably talk politics .
Cox said his family is very political and excited about his campaign .
Davis is running for Lieutenant Governor , and he thinks his family will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll be no friends and family this year , then we can talk politics as much as we want , ” Kiggans said .
“ Thankfully my husband and I usually see eye-to-eye.
” She added , “ It seems like every meal turns into politics these days .
Our poor kids , they ’ ll actually eat faster and leave the table.
” Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-11-26--Most Popular Thanksgiving Side Dishes by State

Thanksgiving is all about spending quality time with family and friends away from the everyday responsibilities such as work and school , but the holiday really centers around the large afternoon feast where so much food is consumed that a nap is usually required immediately afterward .
And everybody knows that Turkey is the mainstay of traditionally Thanksgiving meals , hence the nickname Turkey Day , but what about the side dishes ?
Which classic sides are more popular than others ?
Zippia , a career expertise website , analyzed Google trends to found out which Thanksgiving side dishes are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the results are actually quite interesting .
In Virginia , the most popular side dish is surprisingly mac and cheese .
One would assume that the Commonwealth would naturally go for mashed potatoes or some type of casserole , like many other states , but no .
Virginians apparently love to get some gooey , cheesy pasta to go along with their turkey .
Virginia is not alone though .
Mac and cheese is also the most popular side in North Carolina , South Carolina , Georgia , Maryland and Delaware .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recipe can be found here .
However , the overall most popular side dish in the United States is mashed potatoes , about as unoriginal as you can get .
Mashed potatoes are the favorite in ten states spanning all parts of the country except the South .
Those states include : Connecticut , California , Washington , Wisconsin , Illinois and Colorado , among others .
When it comes to Thanksgiving food it ’ s hard to beat the classics .
Here is a quick and easy recipe for some basic mashed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dish is green bean casserole with seven states .
But there are also multiple states that like a different form of casserole the most .
Alaska enjoys hash brown casserole , Florida and Tennesse go for some sweet potato casserole , and Kentucky prefers broccoli casserole .
In total , 11 states enjoy some type of casserole , one more than mashed potatoes .
This green bean casserole recipe only takes 25 minutes all together and can be topped with crispy French fried onions and cheddar cheese .
Most of the Northeast region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regular stuffing .
Additionally , several states ’ favorite side dish is definitely more off the beaten path , pardon the cliche .
Indiana ’ s most popular dish is deviled eggs while Oregon ’ s is just biscuits .
West Virginia and three other states enjoy simple rolls , Wyoming prefers brown gravy and Arkansas likes white gravy , New Hampshire goes for some cranberry sauce and Maine fancies side salad .
Louisiana ’ s favorite is cornbread dressing and not shockingly Iowa and Kansas enjoy corn and cream corn respectively .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ many people already know : Americans across the country have very different tastes and interests when it comes to food .
Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Follow Jacob on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-11-26--Carol Swain Nets Several Votes as a Write-in Candidate Against Jim Cooper

Exactly 1,605 people in Davidson County voted for former Nashville mayoral candidate Carol Swain as a write-in candidate against U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper ( D-TN-05 ) , who ran unopposed in this month ’ s U.S. Congressional elections .
Swain said Wednesday that she encountered many people who told her they wrote in her name for Cooper ’ s seat when they voted .
“ I am certainly humbled by the fact that so many people , on their own initiative , wrote me in .
I think it is unfortunate that Jim Cooper was able to run unopposed and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate on the Republican side.
” “ I have learned from my mayoral bid never to say never .
I am firmly convinced that unless you are independently wealthy , unless you can put $ 1 million into a campaign , it is almost hopeless .
Whoever runs against Jim Cooper or any sitting member of Congress has to be independently wealthy or they have to be able to raise several million dollars .
I would not want a situation where all of my time was spent on the phone all the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Swain said .
“ That would be a deterrent , but I do believe it is important for the voters to have leaders who are statesmen who are not there because they want to serve in political office but are there because they are needed .
They care and they want to lead .
They need people willing to do the hard things and then know when it ’ s time to pack up and go home .
I get the same question about the mayorship .
I get asked if John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his unexpired term .
I would certainly consider it , but if people want me to serve in office they need to come up with the money .
I don ’ t want the empty promises .
The people that promised me the last time that they were going to deliver , they did not deliver .
They left me literally holding the bag.
” In addition to Davidson County , the Fifth Congressional District also includes all of Dickson County and part of Cheatham County , according to Cooper ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cheatham counties did not return The Star ’ s requests for information on how many , if any , votes Swain might have gotten there .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-11-27--Puneet Ahluwalia Wants to Bring Pro-Business Leadership Back to Virginia as Lieutenant Governor

Northern Virginia lobbyist and consultant Puneet Ahluwalia is running for lieutenant governor to offer a fresh perspective in state politics and provide a pro-business mindset to help Virginians overcome the current economic challenges .
Originally from India , Ahluwalia announced his bid for the 2021 Republican lieutenant governor nomination in September and is one of many people who started campaigns for the position in the last couple months .
“ I believe that I am a citizen soldier , ” Ahluwalia said in an interview with The Virginia Star .
“ I believe that I have to stand up and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the American dream , which is still alive , and fight against the overreach of the government in Virginia that is choking small to midsize businesses .
“ Mine is an American story , so that is the reason why I want to share it with all these large , colored minority groups who do not see what the Republican party has to offer , ” Ahluwalia continued .
“ So I am the message and the messenger.
” Like some of the other Republican candidates , Ahluwalia said his decision to run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Democratic-controlled General Assembly and progressive state politicians , which he believes are negatively impacting hard-working Virginians .
Ahluwalia ’ s main priorities include the expansion of broadband to rural areas , ensuring good education for all Virginians , solving inherent racial issues , empowering law enforcement , job creation and boosting the economy for local businesses .
“ I am focusing on helping small businesses , ” Ahluwalia told The Star .
“ I ’ ve been part of a financial crisis before and I want to lead the way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find a way to resurrect yourself .
That is what ’ s needed : a pro-business leader standing next to the governor who is basically helping to be that pivotal ward for conservative resolutions and legislation.
” “ I am going to work with the governor to serve the people of Virginia and create jobs , ” Ahluwalia continued .
“ Because what we will need is not only job creation , but also getting people back to work because the economic , emotional and psychological challenges people will face are going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an Indian immigrant his message will resonate with minority communities throughout the Commonwealth who feel left out and that he can bring a new wave of political participation among those groups , he said .
Ahluwalia resides in McLean , Virginia , a suburb of Washington D.C. , with his wife , Nadia , and three children .
Ahluwalia currently works as a managing partner at New World Strategies and is consultant with The Livingston Group .
Additionally , Ahluwalia is the founder of the Proud American Political Action Committee , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections at all levels of government in Virginia .
“ I will earn Virginians trust and I will work hard to win their support .
I just need an opportunity to show what I can do for Virginia as I have done as a business person , ” Ahluwalia said .
Joining Ahluwalia on the Republican ticket is Del .
Glenn Davis ( R-Virginia Beach ) , former state legislator Tim Hugo and veteran Lance Allen .
Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman has been rumored to be entering the race .
The Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( D-Roanoke ) , Del .
Hala Ayala ( D-Prince William ) , Del .
Elizabeth Guzman ( D-Prince William ) , former Democratic Party of Virginia Chairman Paul Goldman , lobbyist Xavier Warren as well as former NAACP President Sean Perryman .
Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Follow Jacob on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Background Photo “ Virginia Capitol ” by Skip Plitt – C ’ ville Photography .
CC BY-SA 3.0 .

by Thomas Catenacci
A group of 27 Republican congressmen urged President Donald Trump to order a Justice Department-appointed special counsel investigation of “legitimate questions” about election irregularities.
The Republican congressmen asked Trump to direct Attorney General William Barr to appoint the special counsel, according to a letter obtained by Politico that was sent to the White House on Wednesday. Reps. Lance Gooden, Paul Gosar, Louie Gohmert, Scott Perry and Jody Hice were among the 27 congressmen who signed onto the letter.
“The American people deserve a definitive resolution to the uncertainty hovering over the outcome of our election, but legitimate questions of voter fraud remain unanswered,” the congressmen wrote.
Barr said on Dec. 1 that the Department of Justice has yet to find any evidence of election fraud that could sway the result, sparking criticism from conservatives. Trump hesitated when asked if he still had confidence in Barr.
“The Department of Justice has been asked on multiple occasions to launch an investigation into this matter, but inaction from the Department along with public comments made by the Attorney General indicate a lack of willingness to investigate the irregularities your campaign and other elected officials across the nation have alleged,” the Republican congressmen continued.
“The appointment of a Special Counsel would establish a team of investigators whose sole responsibility is to uncover the truth and provide the certainty America needs,” they added.
Several news organizations including The Associated Press and Fox News declared former Vice President Joe Biden the winner of the election on Nov. 7. Trump’s campaign has filed numerous lawsuits alleging widespread fraud, but courts across the country have handed the campaign many defeats.
Texas filed a new lawsuit against Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin Tuesday arguing the states altered their election procedures illegally. Alabama and Louisiana have expressed interest in joining the suit, according to Newsweek.
“Our Country stands at an important crossroads,” the lawsuit said. “Either the Constitution matters and must be followed, even when some officials consider it inconvenient or out of date, or it is simply a piece of parchment on display at the National Archives.”
“We ask the Court to choose the former,” it continued.
– – –
Thomas Catenacci is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation.


thetennesseestar--2020-11-27--Seven Ways the 2005 Carter-Baker Report Could Have Averted Problems With 2020 Election

They called on states to increase voter ID requirements ; to be leery of mail-in voting ; to halt ballot harvesting ; to maintain voter lists , in part to ensure dead people are promptly removed from them ; to allow election observers to monitor ballot counting ; and to make sure voting machines are working properly .
They also wanted the media to refrain from calling elections too early and from touting exit polls .
All of this may sound eerily similar to the issues in the prolonged presidential election battle of 2020 .
But these were among the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bipartisan Commission on Federal Election Reform , known informally as the Carter-Baker Commission .
The bipartisan commission ’ s co-chairmen were former Democratic President Jimmy Carter and former Secretary of State James Baker , a Republican who served in the George H.W .
Bush administration .
The commission was created to address voting and election integrity issues raised by the tumultuous 36-day postelection battle of 2000 , which was settled by the U.S. Supreme Court decision that resulted in awarding Florida ’ s 25 electoral votes and the presidency to Republican George @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Had Congress and state governments adopted many of the panel ’ s recommendations , the 2020 postelection mess between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden might have been avoided , said Carter-Baker Commission member Kay C. James , now the president of The Heritage Foundation .
“ So many of the problems we ’ re now hearing about in the aftermath of the 2020 election could have been avoided had states heeded the advice of the Commission on Federal Election Reform , ” she said .
Several state legislatures adopted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ID proposals .
However , Congress reportedly was unenthusiastic about the report .
Major media outlets have called the race for Biden , but election litigation is still playing out in courts , and votes are still being counted .
However , 70 % of Republicans do not believe the 2020 election was free and fair , according to a Politico/Morning Consult poll .
Before the election , just 35 % of Republicans didn ’ t believe the election would be free and fair .
The shift was different among Democrats , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fair afterward , compared with 52 who said the same before the election .
Here ’ s a look at the 2005 panel ’ s recommendations relevant to this year ’ s elections .
With the vast expansion of mail-in voting this year , voter ID requirements were less likely .
Today , states have a patchwork of voter ID laws , with 36 states either requiring or requesting voters to present identification at the polls , according to the National Conference of State Legislatures .
The conference says only six states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Indiana , Kansas , Mississippi , Tennessee , and Wisconsin .
The Carter-Baker Commission called for voter ID standards nationwide in its 2005 report .
“ To ensure that persons presenting themselves at the polling place are the ones on the registration list , the Commission recommends that states require voters to use the REAL ID card , which was mandated in a law signed by the President in May 2005 , ” the Carter-Baker Commission report said .
“ The card includes a person ’ s full legal name , date @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a digital image ) , a photograph , and the person ’ s Social Security number .
This card should be modestly adapted for voting purposes to indicate on the front or back whether the individual is a U.S. citizen .
States should provide an [ Election Assistance Commission ] -template ID with a photo to non-drivers free of charge.
” Carter , when speaking months after the release of the report , said other countries not known for being examples of democracy had fairer elections than the United States , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It ’ s disgraceful and embarrassing , ” the former president said in May 2006 .
On IDs , Carter said , “ Americans have to remember you have to have the equivalent to what we ’ re requiring to cast a ballot to cash a check or board a plane.
” In a brief filed supporting the Trump campaign ’ s Pennsylvania litigation over mail-in ballots , a group of Republican state attorneys general reference the Carter-Baker Commission report among other items regarding mail-in voting and ballot harvesting .
The 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mailed-in votes were counted .
Further , many questions have emerged about the point of origin for ballots .
Specifically , the report called on states to prohibit third parties or political operatives from collecting ballots—a practice commonly known as “ ballot harvesting.
” The report stated : “ Absentee ballots remain the largest source of potential voter fraud.
” “ State and local jurisdictions should prohibit a person from handling absentee ballots other than the voter , an acknowledged family member , the U.S .
Postal Service , or other legitimate shipper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2005 commission report said .
“ The practice in some states of allowing candidates or party workers to pick up and deliver absentee ballots should be eliminated.
” However , this year , as mail-in voting veered into becoming a partisan issue , the Carter Center issued a statement promoting support for mail-in voting , but maintaining safeguards against ballot harvesting .
The Carter Center , founded by the former president and first lady Rosalynn Carter , is affiliated with Emory University and promotes peace and democracy efforts globally and domestically .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the commission report “ noted among its many findings and recommendations that because it takes place outside the regulated environment of local polling locations , voting by mail creates increased logistical challenges and the potential for vote fraud , especially if safeguards are lacking or when candidates or political party activists are allowed to handle mail-in or absentee ballots.
” “ However , the Carter-Baker Commission found that where safeguards for ballot integrity are in place—for example in Oregon , where the entire state has voted by mail since 1998—there was little evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center statement continued .
Carter himself is quoted in the press release saying , “ I urge political leaders across the country to take immediate steps to expand vote-by-mail and other measures that can help protect the core of American democracy—the right of our citizens to vote.
” In Nevada , the Trump campaign asserts there were potentially thousands of out-of-state votes cast in one of the most closely contested states .
The Carter-Baker Commission report called for states to make it easier to track registered voters who move from one state to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The report states , “ Invalid voter files , which contain ineligible , duplicate , fictional , or deceased voters , are an invitation to fraud.
” “ In order to assure that lists take account of citizens moving from one state to another , voter databases should be made interoperable between states , ” the Carter-Baker report stated .
“ This would serve to eliminate duplicate registrations , which are a source of potential fraud.
” The report calls for states to maintain and update their voter registration lists .
“ When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to another , the state to which the voter is moving should be required to notify the state which the voter is leaving to eliminate that voter from its registration list , ” the report said , adding : In Pennsylvania , Michigan , and Nevada , Republicans have complained that qualified election observers have been prohibited from watching the counting .
The Carter-Baker Commission report stressed the need for election observers to maintain the integrity of the ballots .
“ All legitimate domestic and international election observers should be granted unrestricted access @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they accept election rules , do not interfere with the electoral process , and respect the secrecy of the ballot , ” the 2005 report said .
Voting machines have also been a significant issue in 2020 , particularly in Michigan , as one county there flipped from Biden to Trump after a hand recount showed the machine count to be inaccurate .
The Carter-Baker Commission suggested that machines print out paper receipts for voters to verify their vote was accurately counted .
“ States should adopt unambiguous procedures to reconcile any disparity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paper ballot tally , ” the 2005 report says .
“ The Commission strongly recommends that states determine well in advance of elections which will be the ballot of record.
” On election night , Fox News Channel was the first to call the state of Arizona for Biden , prompting outrage in the Trump camp .
Moreover , major media outlets have projected Biden to have won the election , even as vote counting and litigation continue .
The 2005 commission report also addressed problems with the media , suggesting news outlets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show restraint in calling a state for one candidate or the other .
The First Amendment would prevent any such rule from being mandatory .
“ News organizations should voluntarily refrain from projecting any presidential election results in any state until all of the polls have closed in the 48 contiguous states , ” the report states .
“ News organizations should voluntarily agree to delay the release of any exit-poll data until the election has been decided.
” The Carter-Baker Commission suggested that federal and state prosecutors should more aggressively monitor voter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years , the U.S. Department of Justice should issue a public report on its investigations of election fraud , ” the report says .