thetennesseestar--2020-05-18--Ohio Voters Could Decide Constitutional Amendment to Help Cover the Cost of Unemployment Benefits

Ohio voters could decide a constitutional amendment to cover the cost of unemployment payouts in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic .
Senate Joint Resolution 4 , if passed , would allow voters to decide whether to issue the bonds “ to repay any federal borrowing in support of Ohio ’ s unemployment compensation program , ” Ohio Senate President Pro Tempore Bob Peterson , R-Washington Court House , said during a Senate Finance Committee hearing .
More than 1.1 million Ohioans – about one-fifth of the state ’ s workforce – have filed initial unemployment claims with the Ohio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Peterson said .
That equals the number of claims Ohioans filed during the past three years .
“ The State of Ohio in the past two months has faced unprecedented challenges as a result of the current COVID-19 crisis , ” Peterson said .
“ The spike in unemployment claims has put a significant strain on the state ’ s unemployment compensation fund.
” In March , Ohio ’ s unemployment rate increased to 5.5 percent from 4.1 percent , a level maintained for six months , Kimberly Murnieks , director of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Management said in a May 11 financial report .
“ The sharp rise in claims for unemployment compensation during the last two weeks of March and the continued elevated level through April and into early May indicates that employment has continued to fall.
” The federal government will loan unemployment funds to the state without interest for 12 months or more before charging interest .
The state will use the bonds if the interest rate is lower than the federal government ’ s rate .
Ohio previously borrowed during the Great Recession , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The bonds would be backed by employers , and the state would use fees from employers to retire the bonds .
They are “ not backed by the full faith and credit of the taxpayers , ” Peterson said .
“ The best thing we can do is get this economy going again , which is something we all want to do , ” the lawmaker told committee members in response to a question from state Sen. Nickie Antonio , D-Lakewood .
Peterson told Senate Finance Committee the conversation is just beginning , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how much the state might borrow and how long it will take to repay the bonds .
“ The resolution doesn ’ t solve the unemployment compensation issue , but it does implement a mechanism to make sure any borrowing is done at the lowest possible cost to Ohio businesses for the benefit of Ohio employers and Ohio employees , ” Peterson said .
“ I believe that this is a reasonable first step and starts the process of reforming our unemployment compensation system , ” Peterson added .
“ This is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue , not the end.
” Todd DeFeo is a contributor to The Center Square .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-18--Minnesota House Falls Short of Passing Mammoth $2.5 Billion Infrastructure Package

A two-and-a-half billion dollar infrastructure spending package – touted as a top legislative priority for 2020 by the DFL-controlled Minnesota House – fell short of the necessary three-fifths supermajority of votes needed to pass Saturday .
With a final count of 75-58 along party lines the measure missed by a scant six votes .
According to the Session Daily , HF2529 was a spending bill aimed to fund “ hundreds of capital investment projects , potentially creating thousands of jobs around the state ” by creating more than 2.03 billion in general obligation bonds .
The legislation added another $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a total of price tag of $ 2.52 billion .
With 2020 ’ s legislative deadline looming , lawmakers took to the floor Saturday in a last-ditch effort find the half-dozen votes they needed to send the package to the Republicans-controlled state senate .
However , soon after the debate began , Rep. Dean Urdahl ( R-Grove City ) articulated the Republicans ’ concerns .
“ This bill is higher than we on this side [ of the aisle ] can support , ” Urdahl said .
“ We still have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be responsible and cognizant of that .
It ’ s my fervent hope that an accommodation can be reached so that we can act on a bill in special session .
Or tomorrow.
” House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt ( R-Crown ) added , “ I think everybody knows we ’ re going to be back here in three weeks , so it ’ s not the end of the world.
” After the vote was recorded , House Speaker Melissa Hortman ( DFL-Brooklyn Park ) was visibly aggravated in an online press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DFLers ] have “ extended so many olive branches to Kurt Daudt that we ’ ve given his and entire olive tree ” and that he “ hit a new low ” with his characterization that the bond proposal was not bipartisan .
“ It ’ s time for Daudt to lead , follow or get out of the way , ” she said .
The House has until Sunday to pass a measure before the legislative deadline .

Eighteen individuals are now collecting petitions for Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District race as of last Friday.
Twelve people are collecting qualifying petitions for the GOP primary, three are gathering petitions for the Democrat primary, and three independents are also accumulating petitions.
The 12 Republicans listed on the Tennessee Secretary of State’s website as collecting petitions are former Speaker of the Tennessee House Beth Harwell of Nashville, businessman Baxter Lee of Nashville, Robby Starbuck of Franklin (listed as Robert Starbuck Newsom), Geni Batchelor of Lebanon, Natisha Brooks of Nashville, former Williamson County GOP Chair Omar Hamada of Franklin, Timothy Bruce Lee of Nashville, Annabelle Lee of Madison, Alan Clement Sharp of Nashville, David Vitalli of Brentwood, Stewart Parks of Nashville, and Richie Lee of Nashville.
Among the publicly announced candidates, Tennessee newcomer and former State Department spokesman Morgan Ortagus and retired Brig. General Kurt Winstead have not yet been listed as having begun their qualifying petitions process. Hamada has not yet made a decision as to whether or not he is officially entering the race.
Records show that Harwell, Starbuck, Brooks, Baxter Lee, Ortagus, Winstead, Batchelor, and Timothy Bruce Lee have also filed candidate paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission (FEC). Starbuck has raised $255,066.53 and has $138,741.16 on hand, which Brooks has raised $24,517.00 and has $19,655.34 on hand. The rest filed their FEC paperwork after the year-end December 31, 2022 deadline. The 2022 first quarter January 1-March 31 financial reports, which are scheduled to be released in mid-April, will cover all candidates who have reached the FEC reporting threshold.
Sources tell The Star that several Republican candidates are expected to have impressive fundraising totals.
Clay Faircloth, Richard H. Harris, and Joel Michael Hurbert, all from Nashville, are listed as collecting petitions for the Democrat primary.
Derrick Brantley of Nashville, Patrick O. Halfacre of Hohenwald, and Richard A. Shannon of Franklin are the independents who are collecting petitions. Shannon has appeared on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy. Only Brantley appears to have filed documents with the FEC.
In order to appear on the ballot, candidates are required to collect 25 valid signatures from registered voters and have until noon on April 7 to turn in those qualifying petitions. Candidates who qualify have until April 14 to withdraw their names from the ballot. The Tennessee Secretary of State’s Office told The Star, unless pending legislation changes things, that they will finalize the ballots on April 21.
The 5th Congressional District consists of parts of Davidson, Williamson, and Wilson counties, and all of Maury, Marshall, and Lewis counties.
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Aaron Gulbransen is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected] Follow Aaron on GETTR.
Photo “U.S. Capitol” by Martin Falbisoner. CC BY-SA 3.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-18--Gov. DeWine Prepared to Pull Plug on Ohio’s Reopening as His Strict Guidelines Lead to Penalties for

Gov. DeWine Prepared to Pull Plug on Ohio’s Reopening as His Strict Guidelines Lead to Penalties for Restaurants

Gov .
Mike DeWine said he is prepared to “ pull back ” on Ohio ’ s reopening .
The governor made the remark Sunday on CNN ’ s “ State of the Union.
” ” Candidly , we ’ ve worked with the attorney general … and we ’ re going to do what we have to do if these things in fact occur across Ohio.
” He called the reopening the most crucial and dangerous time .
Hospitalizations and deaths have been on a plateau for a month .
“ Every employee in Ohio is wearing a mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
DeWine : Ohio is 'prepared ' to 'pull back ' if necessary Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine reacts to photographs of crowded bars in his state : `` Candidly , we 've worked with the attorney general … and we 're going to do what we have to do if these things in fact occur across Ohio . ''
Posted by CNN State of the Union on Sunday , May 17 , 2020 Host Jake Tapper asked DeWine about the reopening of a Columbus bar named Standard Hall and showed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Tapper was quick to say the people did not appear to be wearing masks or to be practicing social distancing .
Tapper asked if DeWine was concerned .
The governor said the state did not issue any citations at Standard Hall , but did issue a citation at another bar .
The Columbus Dispatch said that is not the case , however .
Columbus Public Health spokeswoman Kelli Newman said — after DeWine spoke — that officials continually monitored Standard Hall on Saturday and issued repeated warnings about overcrowding .
The health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City Attorney Zach Klein for investigation of possible action against the restaurant-bar , Newman said .
She also said a virus-precautions warning violation was issued to Saturday to Ugly Tuna on Chittenden Avenue .
With DeWine ’ s limits , restaurant shaming has quickly become a trend .
In an echo of the Standard Hall incident , the owner of Lago East Bank restaurant said he followed all the state ’ s guidelines and did his best to thin the crowds out Saturday , but still was called out over a photo of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported .
“ Lago took great care to implement every guideline that has been set by the State of Ohio , ” owner Fabio Salerno said in a written statement .
“ There were times during our opening that tested those guidelines , and we took immediate measures to thin the ‘ crowded ’ areas .
The pictures are one moment , one angle , one second of time.
” However , Salerno went on to say he does not believe “ it is necessarily our responsibility to ‘ control ’ ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reynolds has more than 20 years ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-18--State Ban on Camping Threatens Michigan’s Bottom Line and Local Economies

The belated arrival of spring is finally due to arrive this weekend .
Those inclined to pack their tents or hitch their campers and trailers , however , are being told overnight visitors in the state ’ s campgrounds aren ’ t welcome .
Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ’ s executive order to suspend overnight camping during the coronavirus pandemic could impact Michigan ’ s state and local economies .
Camping is one of the state ’ s most dependable revenue streams to fund the Department of Natural Resources and upkeep of the state ’ s land and water resources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Service , visitors to Michigan parks contributed approximately $ 237 million to the state ’ s economy in 2018 .
The NPS reports “ 2.7 million park visitors spent an estimated $ 237 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Michigan.
” The bulk of that amount is in hotel ( 41 percent or $ 97.5 million ) and restaurant expenditures ( 21 percent , or $ 49.5 million ) , followed by groceries ( 9.35 percent , or $ 22 million ) and gas ( 8.6 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Camping represents 4 percent of visitor spending ; although relatively small comparatively , camping still generates nearly $ 9.5 million in revenue for state coffers and predominately rural economies .
Further , the NPS reports : “ These expenditures supported a total of 3,380 jobs , $ 112 million in labor income , $ 204 million in value added , and $ 339 million in economic output in the Michigan economy.
” The governor has closed Michigan ’ s state parks and recreation areas to overnight camping until June 21 .
Camping in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least June 9 , ” according to the Department of Natural Resources .
The DNR also noted dispersed camping is suspended until May 28 .
Dispersed camping is defined as any camping on state-managed property that isn ’ t a “ designated state park , recreation area , rustic state forest campground or game area .
The campsite must also be located more than one mile from a rustic state forest campground.
” Camping in dispersed areas is free , but campers still contribute to local economies .
The Michigan Freedom Fund @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revenue in the state because of the governor ’ s handling of the coronavirus pandemic .
According to the MFF , Michigan will lose $ 3.3 billion in potential revenue in fiscal year 2020 .
The MFF also stated the governor will be cutting government services to make up for a deficit of $ 2.6 billion .
According to the Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference held on Friday , Michigan ’ s General Fund revenue was adjusted $ 2 billion under the $ 9 billion forecast issued in January .
Bruce Walker is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He previously worked as editor at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy ’ s MichiganScience magazine and The Heartland Institute ’ s InfoTech & Telecom News .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-18--Analysis: Minnesota Has Highest Percent of COVID-19 Deaths in Long-Term Care Facilities in the Natio

Analysis: Minnesota Has Highest Percent of COVID-19 Deaths in Long-Term Care Facilities in the Nation

About 81.7 percent of Minnesota ’ s COVID-19 deaths were in nursing homes and residential care communities , the highest percentage state in the nation that reports such data .
That ’ s according to data from The Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity ( FREOPP ) , a Texas-based nonprofit think tank .
State data reports 537 deaths out of a total of 663 deaths took place in long-term care facilities ( LTCF ) .
Minnesota ’ s nursing home and residential care community COVID-19 fatality rates are much higher than neighboring states that reported data .
Wisconsin reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilities , the analysis says , while Iowa reported 56 percent .
LTCF residents account for less than 1 percent of Minnesota ’ s population , 13 percent of Minnesota ’ s COVID-19 cases , and 81 percent of COVID-19 deaths .
One in five nursing homes have cases , less than one in 10 assisted living facilities have cases , and most facilities with cases have one or two , Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm said last week .
State data says at least one COVID-19 case has been reported in 180 congregate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kris Ehresmann told The Center Square the state ’ s LTCF COVID-19 death rate is higher in Minnesota because of aggressive testing .
“ Our focus on LTC means we will have more deaths because we are testing in the age group where we expect to see more fatalities AND we have now identified everyone as a case – so their death will count , ” Ehresmann wrote in an email .
“ What that means is that if any of those long term care cases subsequently die – they will be included @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote .
“ If we had not been doing aggressive testing some deaths would have been missed and not counted as COVID .
Our aggressive screening and testing means that we are counting more cases and deaths than are missed .
We don ’ t know that that is happening in other states.
” Gov .
Tim Walz said last week the state is prepared “ to go on the offensive ” to reduce deaths and infections in long-term care facilities with a five-point plan .
The plan includes actively screening residents and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all symptomatic people in the facility , and performing a facility-wide test after a confirmed case or when people develop symptoms .
Malcolm said Tuesday it will take weeks until the plan is implemented .
COVID-19 hit LTCF nationwide as residents fall into two high at-risk categories : the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions that compromise their immune systems .
FREOPP research fellow Gregg Girvan and President Avik Roy estimate that about 1.6 percent of the nation ’ s population live in nursing homes or residential care facilities , but they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths in reporting states .
Scott McClallen is a staff writer covering Michigan and Minnesota for The Center Square .
A graduate of Hillsdale College , his work has appeared on Forbes.com and FEE.org .
Previously , he worked as a financial analyst at Pepsi .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-18--#FreeTN Rally Draws Attendees from Across Tennessee and Speakers on the Subject of Freedom

NASHVILLE , Tennessee – A third # FreeTN rally held Sunday included attendees from across Tennessee and out-of-state visitors as well as subject matter experts on the topic of freedom .
The event was held across the street from the Tennessee Department of Health in Nashville , which also happens to be the lawn that sits below the state capitol with a few hundred in attendance .
Counties as far away from Nashville as Carroll , Knox , Maury and Putnam were represented as were neighboring counties of Sumner , Robertson , Rutherford and Williamson .
Residents of other states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took time to attend .
Even the highly esteemed Dr. Alan Keyes – a champion of returning the United States to a God-honoring nation who served in the administration of President Ronald Reagan and more recently founding IamTV – made the drive from Sevier County .
He told The Tennessee Star that , as he has conducted interviews about the impact of the coronavirus , he wanted to see what the # FreeTN movement was all about .
While Kim Edwards spearheaded the non-partisan , grassroots # FreeTN movement to push for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pointing out that everyone is essential , it has evolved into protecting constitutional liberties from government overreach , as The Star reported .
In addition to the expansion in messaging , the latest # FreeTN rally also expanded in its program by including speakers on various aspects of freedom .
After opening with a prayer by Edwards ’ husband , Josh , Kate Taylor sang the national anthem .
Taylor , who is the founder and an instructor at the Concordia Arts Academy for children and teens that was forced into shut down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be reopening on June 1 and not closing again .
# FreeTN organizer Jennifer Greene of Cookeville is a graduate student in medical clinical health counseling , which has particular relevance in the age of , among other things , the social distancing being mandated during the coronavirus .
Greene , obviously from a knowing perspective , asked the attendees if anybody had been criticized , bullied , vilified or accused of wanting their grandmother or child to die since speaking out .
When the audience responded in the affirmative , Greene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gone so far that she has been censored by the leaders in her church .
As part of her graduate studies , Greene has learned that there are thousands of peer-reviewed articles on the devastating effects of isolation on physical , mental and emotional health .
While she commended Governor Bill Lee for opening Tennessee at a faster rate than other states , Greene expressed concern about some provisions that remain in place like contact tracing and the more offensive disclosure of the name and address of those who are tested positive to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the practice was met with boos from the audience .
Constitutional lawyer and civil rights attorney Robert Barnes , an East Ridge , Tennessee native who has handled such high-profile clients as Alex Jones and the students of Covington Catholic High School , reminded attendees that America ’ s founding began with a smallpox epidemic which occurred during the years of the Revolutionary War .
Barnes pointed out that when we live in a time period where a virus spreads indoors , but people are stopped from going outside , and are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be nothing other than a “ power grab.
” He went on to point out numerous inconsistencies in the guidance and policies , calling it “ a mass public psychology experiment.
” Barnes relayed a sense of urgency with the current situation , which requires public resistance and protests like the attendees were doing .
“ We must restore our rights now , ” said Barnes .
“ Like Tennesseans at the Alamo , if we don ’ t , freedom may be lost forever.
” Father of eight , husband and physician @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought he would have to speak so forcefully about freedom and liberty and not just about health .
Dr. Hutton made the point that decisions seem to come from those who stand to gain the most .
He suggested that health departments should focus on small , local and sustainable food production ; do research on the health impacts of what is sprayed on fields and field by the tons every single year ; stop worrying about giant research projects that benefit huge drug companies and focus on things that are known to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selenium and zinc ; and study the impact of wireless technology on health .
Dr. Hutton said that the health department has lost our trust when they share information about COVID-19 test results with local law enforcement without permission , consent or knowledge , something he was made aware of from a patient until he researched for himself .
Dr. Hutton urged support of the people who “ put their necks on the line ” at their own potential peril .
Dr. Dale Brown , a bare-footed Clarksville-based chiropractor also known as “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as “ a champion for medical freedom.
” Many of the rally attendees were so interested in what Dr. Brown had to say , they recorded his talk with their cell phones as he explained a situation he was involved with when a local government pushed a resolution that would have schools encourage parents to have their children get a flu shot .
During the meeting on the resolution , Dr. Brown testified that the flu vaccine has been around tens of years , yet the incidences of flu and pneumonia have gone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed , Dr. Brown said there would be a greater occurrence of flu-related deaths in children .
Meanwhile , as Dr. Brown describes it , he watched the health department tell lies and not use one bit of research in their presentation .
Dr. Brown telling patients in a health department waiting room about a CDC whistleblower who admitted to lying about vaccines causing autism , earned him a letter from a government attorney banning him from the health department .
Dr. Brown concluded that the collective ignorance and unknowing is played upon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , parents should at least be given the information so they can make their own decisions .
In keeping with the way it started , the rally ended with a prayer , with all dodging the forecasted thunderstorms .
Laura Baigert is a senior reporter at The Tennessee Star .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-19--Brentwood Couple in Critical Condition After Man Angry About COVID-19 Shutdown Allegedly Attacks The

Brentwood Couple in Critical Condition After Man Angry About COVID-19 Shutdown Allegedly Attacks Them With Machete

A homeless man who allegedly and repeatedly struck a married Brentwood couple with a machete Sunday said the COVID-19 shutdowns prompted him to lash out and attack the two individuals .
Officials at the Nashville Rescue Mission also infuriated the man , Kelvin D. Edwards , 35 , ( pictured above ) when they turned him away from their facility .
This , according to a statement Nashville officials put out Monday .
Authorities charged Edwards with two counts of attempted murder for what they call an “ unprovoked and random machete attack ” Sunday as the husband and wife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facility on Fifth Avenue South .
Edwards is a convicted felon , according to the statement .
Nashville Rescue Mission spokeswoman Cheryl Chunn told The Tennessee Star Monday that facility operators rejected Edwards for a reason .
“ All guests that are requesting a bed are expected to have a COVID-19 test done before entering .
He was not part of the original 400 people tested in March .
Because he was not , we need to have all guests be tested , and we asked him to do so .
The testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we directed him there , ” Chunn said in an email .
“ If and when he got the test , he could come back to the Mission with the slip stating that he received a test .
He would have been given a bed ticket in a dorm with other guests awaiting the results of the test .
This is standard procedure during this pandemic .
We have 400 or more men here and can not risk someone coming in without knowing if they are positive for COVID or not.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who come there , unless they are “ of harm to themselves or others.
” “ We do not do background checks at the Men ’ s campus and therefore have no idea about their criminal record , ” Chunn said .
“ In fact , he has been a guest with us in the past.
” Nashville Police spokesman Don Aaron told The Star the following in an emailed statement Monday night : According to the press release , Edwards entered the office and , without warning , repeatedly struck the victims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were on the floor badly bleeding .
Authorities sent the two victims , Kevin Craft , 55 , and Leanne Craft , 50 , to Vanderbilt University Medical Center .
Six MNPD officers used their special training in trauma care to apply multiple tourniquets to the victims in an effort to control the bleeding and save their lives .
“ The investigation , which is being led by Detective Brent Fisher , shows that Edwards , who is homeless , had a bin at Public Storage , which apparently contained the machete .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Edwards spoke of his anger over the COVID-19 shutdowns and his inability to get into the Rescue Mission , ” the press release said .
“ It appears Edwards retrieved the machete from his bin and explained that he decided to demonstrate his anger in the violent attack on the Crafts , who he did not know .
The Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call about the attack at 2:47 p.m .
Officer Phillip Claibourne was on the scene quickly and had Edwards in custody at 2:50 p.m. After the attack , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , threw the machete down , and stood in the street raising his hands as the siren of Officer Claibourne ’ s approaching police car got louder.
” Edwards , who on Sunday carried an Arkansas driver license with a Little Rock address , has been in Nashville since at least 2016 , the year of his first arrests here .
He was convicted of felony vandalism in 2017 and , while in jail , was charged with deliberately spitting on two Davidson County Sheriff ’ s deputies .
They prosecuted him on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convicted on both charges , the press release said .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]

by Bethany Blankley
Nineteen attorneys general, led by Indiana, have filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of a lawsuit filed by Texas and Missouri against the Biden administration.
They’re asking the Supreme Court to uphold a lower court’s order instructing the Biden administration to follow the law to fully reinstate the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), otherwise known as the “Remain in Mexico” policy.
“No one is above the law in America, and we are simply insisting that the Biden administration follow the law,” Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita said (pictured above).
“The rule of law is the framework that enables American liberty to survive and thrive,” he added. “The situation at our southern border provides the perfect example of how going soft on the rule of law gives rise to anarchy, chaos, and ultimately the erosion of our freedom and safety.”
In January 2021, President Joe Biden announced via executive order that he was terminating MPP. Months later, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas began dismantling it and other immigration policies. Southern border encounters then surged to historic levels. In Biden’s first year in office, Customs and Border Protection and Border Patrol agents encountered or apprehended roughly 2 million people entering the southern border illegally. This number excludes the several hundred thousand who are estimated to have evaded law enforcement.
At the same time, Mayorkas implemented a wide range of policy changes to effectively halt most deportations. CBP and Border Patrol agents were directed to release illegal immigrants into the U.S. en masse instead of sending them back to Mexico to go through the immigration process.
Texas and Missouri sued, District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk of the Northern District of Texas granted their request for a permanent injunction and ordered the administration to reinstate the MPP. He ruled the administration violated the Administrative Procedure Act when it halted the MPP.
The administration appealed to the Fifth Circuit and U.S. Supreme Court and lost. Both courts denied its request to stay Kacsmaryk’s ruling.
After its Supreme Court loss, the administration said it was appealing Kacsmaryk’s ruling, vowing to “vigorously challenge it.” In a statement, it said, “As the appeal process continues, however, DHS will comply with the order in good faith. Alongside interagency partners, DHS has begun to engage with the Government of Mexico in diplomatic discussions surrounding the Migrant Protection Protocols.”
But compliance hasn’t happened, as evidenced by the flood of illegal immigrants the administration is releasing into the U.S. and by the tactics it’s used in court to circumvent the law, the AGs argue.
“From the beginning of this Administration, the United States has been forthright about its intention to terminate MPP simply because it did not like the program, and its conduct demonstrates its readiness to do anything – including ignore the APA’s requirements – to accomplish that objective,” they argue in the brief.
“The Administration’s ‘act now, justify later’ approach began on Inauguration Day, when it summarily paused MPP,” they add.
Throughout the appeals process, “the Fifth Circuit correctly concluded that the United States’ efforts to avoid judicial review violated basic principles of procedure,” they argue.
An unprecedented number of people are expected to come through the southern border after the administration ends the Title 42 public health authority May 23, the attorneys general have argued, necessitating the urgency for the Supreme Court to weigh in.
Implemented under President Donald Trump in January 2019, the MPP led to a reduction in the number of people entering the U.S. illegally. The Trump administration also invoked Title 42 to enable CBP and Border Patrol agents to quickly expel illegal immigrants and prevent entry to a greater number of people during a public health emergency.
Current law requires those not authorized to enter the U.S. to be detained, to stay in Mexico, or be “paroled” into the U.S. based on narrowly defined case-by-case circumstances including “urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.”
The Biden administration has been issuing paroles en masse to release illegal immigrants into the U.S., the attorneys general argue, violating the law.
The administration maintains it’s inherited a flawed system, and its policies are more humane than the previous administration’s. White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters last December after the administration lost another court battle in the case, “it is not our preference to be reimplementing and reinstituting the Migrant Protection program. … we still feel that the program is inefficient, inhumane, and we are not – we weren’t, we were – did not eagerly reimplement it.”
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Bethany Blankley is a regular contributor to The Center Square.
Photo “AG Todd Rokita” by AG Todd Rokita.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-19--Commentary: Trump Soars in Approval as America Begins Reopening, Challenging China

President Donald Trump continues to see his highest approval ratings of his first term in office , hitting 49 percent in the most recent Gallup survey ( 48 percent disapprove ) and 51 percent in the Hill/HarrisX poll ( 49 percent disapprove ) as the Trump administration continues its response to the China-originated COVID-19 pandemic and states begin reopening .
President Trump has demanded China release any and all information about the true origin of the virus out of Wuhan even while Beijing has sought to sow narratives that first it was planted by American military or later that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus began in early December , China would not confirm human to human transmission until Jan. 20 and by Jan. 24 had Wuhan on lockdown .
Besides the response to the massive disruptions caused by the pandemic both from a public health and economic perspective , Trump ’ s demands for accountability could be a critical factor shaping public sentiment about the virus and who to blame , with 48 percent who now have a negative view of China on account of the virus , according to Hill/HarrisX .
All told , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negative view of communist China , 36 percent of Democrats and 49 percent of independents .
Above the age of 65 , views toward China have soured to 57 percent , negative , from 50-64 , to 55 percent , and 35-49 , to 45 percent .
A large plurality in all categories said the pandemic made no difference about their opinion .
As the election campaign wears on , and those views solidify , it could also begin to whittle down support for former Vice President Joe Biden , whose prior positions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exploit .
In May 2019 , Biden said at a campaign stop in Iowa , “ China is going to eat our lunch ?
Come on , man…they can ’ t even figure out how to deal with the fact that they have this great division between the China Sea and the mountains in the east , I mean in the west… they can ’ t figure out how they ’ re going to deal with the corruption that exists within the system .
I mean , you know , they ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guess what , they ’ re not , they ’ re not competition for us.
” In a fundraising call in April 2019 , Biden claimed world leaders were begging him to run for president , “ I get calls from people all over the world — world leaders are calling me — and they ’ re almost begging me to do this , to save the country , save the world.
” Overall , on approval , Trump appears to winning almost every demographic , with 50 percent approval among 50-64 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is 35-49 , with 59 percent approval .
On the latter end of 35-49 , of note , that ’ s the generation that grew up when Ronald Reagan was president .
All that , despite more than 23 million jobs lost since the pandemic began , shows resilient support for the incumbent administration .
Oddly enough , the issue of the economy appears to have been neutralized , with voters blaming the virus-directed closures for the economic fallout and not anything that had been wrong policy wise .
Now , with states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is possible that labor markets have already hit their bottoms or are near their bottoms , and will be recovering by the time November rolls around .
Such an accelerated jobs surge , as the pandemic becomes a memory , could make Trump an unstoppable force in November , with echoes of 1984 , when the incumbent Reagan trounced former Vice President Walter Mondale .
Is Biden like Mondale ?
We ’ re about to find out .
Robert Romano is the Vice President of Public Policy at Americans for Limited Government .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-19--Mark Green Introduces the Bring American Companies Home Act

U.S. Rep. Mark Green ( R-TN-07 ) on Monday introduced an act that he said would pay the moving costs for American companies that move their production back to the United States from China .
In a press release , Green called it the Bring American Companies Home Act .
“ Attracting investment in America is essential to reigniting our economy .
But one of the big disincentives for American companies moving back to our soil is the cost .
For many companies , it ’ s too expensive and too risky to undertake an international move at a time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill incentivizes American companies to move back from China by covering 100 percent of their moving costs and paying for it with the tariffs President Trump has levied on China , ” Green said in the press release .
“ China has made clear it is not a reliable partner .
To get America growing again , and to reduce our dependence on China , let ’ s open the doors of opportunity and incentivize investment right here in our country .
My bill is a pro-growth , common-sense policy to do just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SOS ACT ( Secure Our Systems Against China ’ s Tactics ) , which prevents China ’ s strategic acquisitions during the pandemic by incentivizing American investors to back vulnerable companies that are critical to U.S. national security .
As The Tennessee Star reported last month , Green sent a letter to Congressional leadership urging them to include incentives for American companies to move back from China .
Specifically , Green said in the letter that members of Congress should do this through any upcoming legislation they might consider while fighting COVID-19 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ many American companies had moved their operations to the People ’ s Republic of China ( PRC ) , lured by incentives like lower costs and an abundance of cheap labor .
However , over the past three years , the Trump Administration and U.S. Congress have gone to great lengths to make the United States the best place in the world to do business .
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act slashed taxes , the President ’ s energy agenda has led to cheaper utilities , and right-to-work laws have made many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the letter .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-05-19--‘Pelosi Basically Lost Me:’ White House Says Checks for Illegal Aliens a No-Go for Stimulus Negotiat

‘Pelosi Basically Lost Me:’ White House Says Checks for Illegal Aliens a No-Go for Stimulus Negotiations

White House adviser Peter Navarro swatted down the possibility that the coronavirus stimulus package passed by House Democrats would be acceptable by the Trump administration .
Navarro said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi “ lost ” him with her party ’ s stimulus bill during a Sunday morning appearance on ABC ’ s “ This Week ” with George Stephanopoulos .
The legislation includes cash assistance for eligible illegal aliens , protections for sanctuary cities and other progressive provisions .
“ So , Nancy Pelosi basically lost me with that package when she has $ 1,200 checks for illegal immigrants — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Navarro , the director of Trade and Manufacturing Policy within the administration , said Sunday when asked about the bill .
“ What we have to do , George , is basically go with the fiscal and monetary stimulus that we have been going through .
We ’ ve got a lot coursing through the system now , ” Navarro said .
“ We may need more .
I ’ ll let others above my pay grade negotiate that.
” “ What I ’ m focused on , George , and this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to be the structural adjustments we ’ re going to have to make , ” he continued , suggesting that the United States would need to replace lost service jobs by creating more opportunities in the manufacturing industry .
The interview came after House Democrats passed their $ 3 trillion HEROES Act on Friday night .
The bill , which includes massive assistance to states and local governments suffering from the coronavirus lockdown , would allow those who use taxpayer identification numbers to be eligible for direct cash assistance , paving the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t have Social Security numbers to be eligible for the $ 1,200 checks .
House Republicans introduced an amendment that would have prevented illegal aliens from receiving the stimulus checks , but Democratic lawmakers shot it down before passing the bill on Friday .
The legislation also calls on Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) to reduce its detainee population , and bars the administration from withholding federal grant money from localities that refuse cooperation with federal immigration authorities .
The bill is not expected to survive in the GOP-controlled Senate .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-19--Money and Politics Behind Anti-Hydroxychloroquine Bias, New Report Suggests

Remdesivir , an antiviral medication that was developed by the biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences , has been widely touted as the most promising drug to treat COVID-19 , even though – so far – the new and expensive drug does not seem to be terribly effective at fighting the disease .
The anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine , on the other hand , is cheap , has been used safely for decades , and has shown great promise as a weapon in the fight against the coronavirus – yet after President Trump mentioned it as a promising potential treatment for the disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ touting an “ unproven ” and potentially unsafe drug .
As Full Measure reported Sunday night , the two camps have divided along political lines , with conservatives siding with hydroxychloroquine and the left-leaning media backing Remdesivir .
The FDA seems to have taken a side too , green-lighting emergency use of remdesivir for severely ill coronavirus patients , while warning that chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine should only be taken in the hospital or as part of a formal study due to reports of “ serious heart rhythm problems.
” Investigative reporter Sharyl Attkisson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who told her that the anti-hydroxychloroquine bias in the media has been “ unwarranted , ” “ harmful , ” and has even “ cost lives.
” Attkisson also “ followed the money ” to find out why the two drugs are being treated so differently .
Not surprisingly , she found that many of the people promoting Remdesivir have major conflicts of interest .
She first spoke with cardiologist Dr. William O ’ Neill , a medical director at the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit , Michigan , where both remdesivir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Neill told Attkisson that the media ’ s attempts to “ disprove and discredit ” hydroxychloroquine has been “ very harmful.
” “ I think those of us that are actually involved in the scientific endeavor feel that there is some value to it and it has to be tested , ” he said .
Joining many other doctors who have gone on the record to praise hydroxychloroquine as a promising treatment for coronavirus , O ’ Neill said that he ’ s seen improvement in every coronavirus patient to whom he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the other hand , leaves him cold .
“ There ’ s a lot of hype for the drug , ” he said .
“ I saw the original new England Journal article study and I saw the Lancet study and to me it ’ s just like a big Ho Hum .
I just don ’ t see a big benefit to it , ” O ’ Neill told Attkisson .
Attkisson noted that “ a draft version of a study was accidentally published last month showing remdesivir did not help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side effects , 18 test subjects were taken off the drug.
” O ’ Neill is currently leading a hydroxychloroquine study in Michigan , but says the media ’ s bias against the drug is making things difficult for him .
“ Now people are scared to use the drug without any scientifically valid concern , ” he explained .
The doctor characterized the media ’ s hostile coverage of hydroxychloroquine as “ fake news and fake science.
” Attkisson also talked to Dr. Steven Hatfill , a biomedical scientist who studies pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the press running medicine in the United States ?
” he asked .
“ This is not right.
” Hatfill told the reporter that there ’ s an unwarranted campaign against hydroxychloroquine .
“ You think lives were lost because it wasn ’ t used ?
” Attkisson asked .
The scientist said the drug should be used as a prophylaxis for healthy critical workers going back to work , as well as high risk populations such as people with “ chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , ex-smokers , diabetics , obesity.
” A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been unfairly disparaged , and had a pretty good theory as to why .
Dr. Jane Orient , is the head of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons .
“ How do you account for the difference in medical and scientific opinion about this drug ?
” Attkisson asked Dr. Jane Orient , head of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons .
“ That ’ s a very good question , ” Orient replied .
“ But the ones who have the most experience are very enthusiastic about the possibilities.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ VA report that denigrated hydroxychloroquine , saying it was “ little more than a list of cases with crucial details missing.
” And one of the report ’ s authors , Attkisson found , received major research funding from Gilead , the company that makes Remdesivir , “ including a 247-thousand dollar grant in 2018.
” “ I think we have to look at the money , ” Orient said .
“ There ’ s no big profits made in hydroxychloroquine.
” Dr. Hatfill told Attkisson that some of the decisions being made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be rational ” and that when what seems like a clear path is not taken , “ very often , money is somehow involved.
” The experts on a government panel that devised the coronavirus treatment guidelines talked up remdesivir but downplayed hydroxychloroquine .
Full Measure checked into their financial ties to see if there were any conflicts of interest there .
“ We found that of 11 members reporting links to a drug company , nine of them named relationships to Remdesivir ’ s maker Gilead , ” Attkisson said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s possible that both drugs could be helpful in the right settings .
O ’ Neill answered that that “ absolutely ” could be .
“ I think that it ’ s just still very early in this disease process that we ’ re going to learn lot , ” he explained .
“ There ’ s 600 studies that are being done in the United States right now on Covid to see all sorts of different kinds of infections and combinations .
We ’ re going to be a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So I think what I would just say to everybody , just hold your powder.
” Debra Heine is a reporter at American Greatness .
Image “ Anti-Hydrochloroquine Media Bias ” by Full Measure with Sharyl Attkisson .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-19--Metro Council Member At-Large Steve Glover Weighs in on Mayor Coopers 32 Percent Property Tax Increa

Metro Council Member At-Large Steve Glover Weighs in on Mayor Coopers 32 Percent Property Tax Increase and What it Means for You

Monday 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 was joined in the studio by Carmichael and on the newsmakers line by Metro Council member At-Large Steve Glover .
During the third hour , Glover expressed concern over the proposed 32 % property tax hike stating that the consequences will be devastating .
He added that we can ’ t keep going to the taxpayers to fix the problems of Metro Nashville government and instead need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leahy : On the line with us is our good friend and metro council member-at-large , Steve Glover .
Steve , Mayor Cooper wants to increase property taxes by 32 % .
I ’ m seeing reports that you don ’ t like that very much .
Glover : Well and I ’ m seeing the opposite .
From what everybody is telling me on the council everybody is good with that .
I guess we have conflicting information .
Leahy : What do you say about it ?
Leahy : Do you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do you think I say ?
No .
There is no way in the world at 32 % .
If we do that it will be so devastating to our economy that it is not even , there ’ s nothing funny about what ’ s happened over the last several months .
So , we just can ’ t do it , period .
And if we do it then the consequences will be greater than the position we ’ re in right now .
I realize the other side feels like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bind is all we do is reach into your pocket and fix it .
No .
We need to fix it from the inside out and then sit down and have a logical conversation and say , alright here ’ s the plan .
And now here ’ s how we ’ re going to get through today , tomorrow , next year , etc .
Carmichael : Steve let me ask you a quick question .
I thought the voters 10 or 12 years ago passed a referendum that put a limit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ property tax rates without coming back to the voters ?
My understanding was that when Bob Mendes recommended a 16 % increase he picked that number because that was the maximum that he could do it under that referendum .
Glover : You could actually go to about 47 % to 49 % with that referendum .
Carmichael : Well , then what was the point of the referendum ?
What did it supposedly do ?
Boy , at the time it passed it was such a big deal .
Glover : It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Don ’ t hold me to that but I ’ m pretty close on the numbers there .
Nobody anticipated the property values would escalate the way they have .
Nobody made a mistake on it .
They just said , hey look you can ’ t go above where it is right now .
The voters voted on it .
And that is the confusion when people say , oh my goodness .
And that ’ s what the other side is doing right now .
They are saying , oh , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As far as the taxation .
But the values have escalated so drastically .
Over the last five or six years , we collected before all the pandemic and before the tornado , and then we collected an excess of 23 % more revenues without a property tax increase .
And we squandered it .
That ’ s what we did with it .
Leahy : Steve , can you tell us where this stands right now ?
Has the Mayor submitted this ?
When will the council be voting on it ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have an alternative ?
Glover : First of all yes .
The Mayor has submitted a 32 % property tax increase .
Let ’ s just say you ’ re paying a $ 100.00 right now on the property taxes , it just went to $ 132.00 unless you can figure out something in the middle or of something lower .
I don ’ t know if we ’ ll get to the middle of what because too many people don ’ t want to ‘ give up anything ’ even though we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afford .
Yes , there will be other substitutes out there , and yes I have a substitute .
I was prepared to try and talk about it today but of course , this is going to shock you , your both sitting down right ?
Glover : Alright good .
Everything I did they said , you can ’ t do that , you can ’ t do this , you can ’ t do that .
And so I will be working diligently over the next week or so to figure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ budget come in and be legal and make sure it meets the ever-changing rules we have to play with downtown .
Leahy : Can you give us a hint as to the bottom line property tax increase or change that would be in your proposal ?
Glover : Well I can give you a hint .
It ’ s much less than what the Mayor has done .
There are reductions in departments .
There are reductions across the board in almost every department and mine .
I don ’ t want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I want to let you know one of my aces that I think I have in my hand that I am holding on to try and figure out to see if I can make some things temporary .
I don ’ t want to go much further than that .
I ’ m trying to avoid your question but I just need to make sure what kind of legal battles I would get into on that .
Carmichael : Steve , are you getting any support from any of the other media outlets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to try to do is this , if somebody lives in a house right now and just bought it a year ago for $ 300,000.00… Glover : Their house is worth $ 268,000.00 now today .
Carmichael : I ’ m just trying to focus on one other thing first .
If they paid $ 300,000.00 for a house and they ’ ve paid property taxes one time already .
What did they pay in property taxes that one time ?
Glover : I don ’ t remember that .
But what I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plus around $ 730.00- $ 750.00 .
Glover : Crom , I don ’ t remember the exact number .
All I remember is how much it ’ s going to go up on the average priced home of $ 300,000.00 .
It ’ s roughly $ 750.00 for the year .
Carmichael : OK , so that ’ s the property tax increase for somebody who just paid $ 300,000.00 for a house is going to see on a $ 300,000.00 house .
That ’ s interesting .
And I guess the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to get crushed with a giant property tax increase on their buildings even though they are losing tremendous amounts of money .
Glover : Well yes .
They are losing a tremendous amount of money .
Number one .
Number two , I did a show the other day with Carey Bringle over at the Peg Leg Porker and he ’ s paying like $ 55,000.00 per year is what he said .
If the 32 % goes through he ’ ll be paying an excess of $ 72,000.00- $ 75,000.00 somewhere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretty massive .
That ’ s a massive increase especially when the Mayor shut the city down and he wasn ’ t able to even get open .
I went over there the other day and he ’ s got a scattering of people in there .
I assure you , all these people that have lost their jobs and these businesses are holding on with a thread , 32 % is astronomical .
What could you be thinking when you think that you ’ re allowed to ask people to give you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ have it ?
Carmichael : That ’ s the part that I wonder if the media outlets even have a clue .
You know we were talking about Chuck Todd being somebody who just reports what he ’ s told to report and isn ’ t allowed to think and so he doesn ’ t .
I ’ m just wondering if the other media outlets in this town are at all interested in the small business owners , the restaurant owners , and what not of how they are going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when their fixed costs of doing business are going to skyrocket while they ’ re still losing money .
It makes no sense .
Glover : They are trying to figure out how to get back in business .
So when we come back , make sure we talk about 850 and 43 .
Those are two very key numbers and the time span on those numbers is extremely different , however extremely significant with what we have going on in our economy here in Nashville .
Leahy : It ’ s like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t want to be put together .
Glover : But I ’ m going to make it go together one way or another .
Listen to the full third hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-19--Illegal Aliens Can Begin Applying for Cash Assistance in California

Illegal aliens can apply for direct cash assistance from the California state government as of Monday , marking the implementation of the first relief program of its kind .
California Gov .
Gavin Newsom , a Democrat , announced in April the launch of The Disaster Relief Fund , a $ 125 million coronavirus relief program for illegal aliens living in the state who don ’ t otherwise qualify for assistance from the federal government .
The program , which is being funded in large part by private donations , will also require millions more from the state .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and friends , should know that California is here to support them during this crisis , ” the governor said during the announcement .
“ We are all in this together.
” The Disaster Relief Fund will proceed despite pushback from California GOP lawmakers , a minority in the state legislature , and a lawsuit challenging the legality of the program .
Judicial Watch , a conservative legal firm , filed a temporary restraining order against Newsom May 5 to keep him from spending state taxpayer funds on the program .
The group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law because Newsom did not receive explicit authority from the state government to distribute money to illegal aliens .
Federal immigration law typically bars undocumented aliens from being eligible for state or local public benefits .
Only through laws enacted by a state legislature can a state government distribute financial assistance to undocumented aliens .
The relief fund , nevertheless , enjoys strong support from the state ’ s Democratic Party .
“ California is showing the rest of the nation what true leadership looks like , ” Rep. Tony Cardenas , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 29th District , tweeted on Monday .
The California program is being implemented after Democrats in Washington , D.C. , passed another relief bill , the HEROES Act , that would make illegal aliens eligible for billions in federal relief .
California expects to distribute cash to about 150,000 illegal aliens in the state .
The governor added at the time of the announcement that as much of 10 % of California ’ s workforce is undocumented — and deserving of financial assistance during the coronavirus pandemic .
The relief program is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in funds being covered by California taxpayers and another $ 50 million by philanthropic organizations .
The fund will dole out one-time cash payments of $ 500 to each eligible adult , and a cap of $ 1,000 per family household .
Private donors to the relief program include the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative , the James Irvine Foundation , Emerson Collective , California Endowment and Blue Shield Foundation .
Newsom ’ s administration is distributing the funds to a dozen nonprofit groups that have served immigrant communities in the past , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to these organizations directly .
Illegal aliens interested in the program can apply until June 30 or until money runs out .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-19--Crom Carmichael Explains How Obama Appointees Are Similar to the Host of ‘Meet the Press,’ Chuck Tod

Crom Carmichael Explains How Obama Appointees Are Similar to the Host of ‘Meet the Press,’ Chuck Todd

Live from music row Monday 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 am to 8:00 am – host Leahy welcomed the original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael to the studio .
During the top of the third hour , Carmichael weighed in on the information that is surfacing around the Obama administration ’ s illegal surveillance of General Mike Flynn .
He ended the segment by discussing how the host of Meet the Press , Chuck Todd is not only a high paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leahy that he is a complete tool after watching his so-called ‘ apology ’ which aired a misleading Bill Barr interview .
Leahy : In the studio with us the original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael .
Crom , it just seems like new information is piling up all over the place about how the Obama administration was out to get Mike Flynn .
Carmichael : Well there ’ s information piling up on many different aspects of the Obama administration in the closing days as well as your report that they were after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leahy : There was a complaint filed by a whistleblower according to the whistleblower ’ s statement made to Neil McCabe at the Tennessee Star that lead to the filing of a complaint in March of 2017 .
Now we haven ’ t confirmed that with the Treasury but nonetheless the complaint said , hey you ’ ve been collecting data about the bank records of Mike Flynn since 2015 .
You shouldn ’ t be doing that .
Carmichael : What you are saying is that a whistleblower followed the actual whistleblower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general of his or her department and then the inspector general sat on it .
Leahy : Apparently the Obama appointee Richard K. Darma has had this according to our source reported by Neil McCabe hasn ’ t done anything with this complaint for three years and two months .
We will follow up with the Treasury Department to see if they have filed that report .
But it ’ s one of many things going on .
Carmichael : Yes .
Yes .
This is hysterical to me that the left-wing media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( Leahy laughs ) Carmichael : When Adam Schiff leaks information he ’ s doing a public service and he ’ s a patriot .
When Republicans do it they are nefarious evil people . )
But apparently Crowdstrike which is the technology firm that supposedly did the investigation on the DNC servers that were supposedly hacked by the Russians .
When the president of that firm had to testify behind closed doors .
Under oath , he said they had no evidence .
Leahy : Of course with no evidence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Carmichael : They had no evidence that the Russians had ex-filtrated .
Leahy : Ex-filtrated .
As opposed to infiltrated .
What ’ s the definition of ex-filtrate ?
Carmichael : Getting the information from .
Pulling the information out of .
They said they found zero evidence that any Russians pulled information off the Democratic servers .
By the way , it was the Crowdstrike , the so-called Crowdstrike report that said that the Russians did hack which now turns out to be exactly false .
Completely backward .
That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreed was true .
And now we know that it ’ s 17 agencies were buffaloed or they were Obama appointees which are similar to Chuck Todd .
( Leahy chuckles ) I ’ m going to take that over to a segway to Chuck Todd ’ s apology over the weekend were on the previous Sunday show he took a sentence that Bill Barr said in an interview with Catherine Harris and he cut it in half .
Or at least I thought he had cut it in half .
Leahy : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ audience of what Barr said .
Carmichael : The sentence was cut in half .
In his apology , he made it clear that he wasn ’ t the one who cut it in half and that his producers and editors are the ones who cut it in half and he didn ’ t know .
Leahy : I thought he was in charge of everything he ’ s saying ?
Carmichael : No .
Michael , what we have said and I have stipulated , all of these people on these big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollars to say what they are told to say .
They are not intelligent enough .
They truly aren ’ t intelligent enough to look at what they ’ re told to say and question it .
And they don ’ t .
And Chuck Todd has admitted it .
Carmichael : He has now admitted it .
Leahy : He admitted that he ’ s just what ?
Leahy : ( Chuckles ) He has admitted it .
Carmichael : Anyone who has not seen his apology needs to go to YouTube @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is priceless how clearly he states that he ’ s a tool without using the tool word .
( Leahy laughs ) But the rest of its right there .
Listen to the full third hour : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 am to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-19--New Poll Shows Overwhelming Support for Candidates Promising to ‘Make America Self-Sufficient’

A new Arizona opinion poll shows overwhelming public support for a “ plan to make America self-sufficient ” by producing more food , energy and medicine at home .
In the statewide public opinion poll , conducted by OH Predictive Insights , 75 percent of respondents said that they would be more likely to support a candidate that had a plan to make the United States more self-sufficient in those three areas .
The question had majority support from all demographics , including gender , age and region groups .
Only six percent of respondents said they would be less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ placed a priority on self-sufficiency in the United States .
Two out of three liberals and about 90 percent of conservatives and Republicans said they would be more likely to support such a candidate .
Biden supporters were the least likely to vote for a candidate who had a plan to make America more self-sufficient , with 28 percent saying they would not .
Oddly enough , the Arizona poll also shows that Biden tops President Trump 50 percent to 43 percent in a presidential match-up , despite Trump ’ s promise to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bringing jobs back to the United States .
The fact that most Arizona voters support Biden suggests that they believe he would be a better “ America First ” president than Trump .
Yet Biden supported NAFTA in 1993 , which led to massive offshoring and outsourcing of jobs .
And as vice president , he fought for passage of the job-killing Trans-Pacific Partnership ( TPP ) .
Trump ’ s campaign meanwhile claims that the president has been able to bring jobs back to the U.S. through “ tough negotiations with China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TPP , and successfully negotiating a new U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade deal .
In better news for the president , a new Gallup poll showed 49 percent approval for Trump among voters nationwide .
“ At 49 % , Trump is a hair away from the generally accepted 50 % -51 % approval political experts consider a lock to win reelection , ” The Washington Examiner reported .
Yet another poll had good news for the president , Monday .
The latest Economist/YouGov survey showed that only one-third of voters blame Trump for the virus-crushed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s attempts to pin the blame on him .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-19--Nashville Felon Who Legally Wasn’t Supposed to Have a Gun Uses One in Alleged Carjacking Attempt

A man Nashville Police described as “ a dangerous felon with a gun ” allegedly tried to carjack a woman in Nashville , but police later arrested the suspect , according to a press release .
Jamontez Deshun Howse , 20 , of Enchanted Circle , is jailed in lieu of $ 105,000 bond on charges of attempted carjacking , theft of a Cadillac Escalade , and theft of a .45 caliber loaded semi-automatic pistol that he dropped moments before his arrest , according to a Nashville press release .
As a felon , Howse legally could not own a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a couple on Lynnwood Boulevard reported to a West Precinct officer that a 2018 Cadillac Escalade had been stolen from their home earlier in the day .
The couple said OnStar tracking on the vehicle was enabled .
The OnStar service told police the vehicle was on Putnam Drive in North Nashville .
A police helicopter flew into the area and spotted the SUV entering onto Briley Parkway , ” according to the press release .
“ At the MNPD ’ s request , OnStar sent a signal to the Escalade causing it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a stop on the side of Briley Parkway near Dickerson Pike .
Howse bailed from the vehicle and , with pistol in hand , ran down the exit ramp of Briley Parkway .
He went up to a car on the ramp and ordered the 41-year-old female driver to ‘ get the f*** out of the car ’ while trying to open the door .
With officers and West Precinct undercover detectives quickly arriving , Howse threw the gun down and was taken into custody.
” Someone previously stole a pistol from an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ General Bate Drive .
That was the gun Howse carried , the press release said .
“ Howse remains under investigation in regard to numerous vehicle burglaries in West Nashville which are being committed by several teens/young adults apparently working in concert with each other , ” according to the press release .
“ During the last two weeks , 80 vehicles have been burglarized in West Nashville , 40 of them unlocked .
In 23 others , the thieves used blunt objects to break out windows .
On a few occasions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access to victims ’ garages where they searched through cabinets and any additional vehicles .
In at least one case , the burglars fired a shot to scare away the property owner who caught them in the act.
” This is not the first time authorities in Tennessee have arrested a convicted criminal for allegedly having a firearm — even though the person legally wasn ’ t allowed to have it .
As The Tennessee Star reported last week , an ex-convict in Tennessee is in jail once again this week for allegedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As The Star reported in February officials charged a Madison man with carjacking , brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence , and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm .
Officials charged Devan Javon Thompson , 31 , of Madison .
As The Star reported last year , Justin Jerome Jones pleaded guilty in November in U.S. District Court to three counts of being a convicted felon in possession of firearms .
The Star also reported that authorities sentenced a Nashville man , Kevin Mark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 years in prison for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-05-19--President Trump: ‘I Happen to be Taking’ Hydroxychloroquine

President Donald Trump casually let slip Monday afternoon that he ’ s been taking hydroxychloroquine , the anti-malarial drug he ’ s touted as a promising treatment for Covid-19 patients that has become a lightning rod for controversy .
“ A couple of weeks ago , I started taking it , ” Trump told reporters during a roundtable at the White House with restaurant executives and industry leaders .
“ I was just waiting to see your eyes light up when I said this , ” Trump added .
The stunning announcement came after the president blasted two “ fake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the past year , Ukraine “ whistleblower ” Eric Ciaramella and Dr. Rick Bright , a high-ranking government scientist who is accusing the Trump administration of prioritizing politics over science .
Bright was demoted at the Department of Health and Human Services ( HHS ) after he refused a White House directive to “ drop everything and make hydroxychloroquine widely available to the American public.
” During an interview on CBS ’ s 60 Minutes , Sunday night , the doctor said he never believed that hydroxychloroquine would be “ a game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in fact be dangerous .
“ It could have negative side effects .
And it could even lead to death , ” he told CBS reporter Norah O ’ Donnell .
When asked if he thought the Trump administration retaliated against him , Bright replied that he did .
“ I believe my last ditch effort to protect Americans from that drug was the final straw that they used and believed was essential to push me out , ” he said .
Trump called Bright a “ fake whistleblower ” and suggested that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He encouraged reporters to investigate any potential conflicts of interest .
“ See whether or not he ’ s been a big contributor to the Democrats , ” Trump said .
“ See whether or not he wanted the Democrats to win.
” The president also pointed out that Bright signed an application to make the controversial drug available—so if he thought it was so dangerous , why would he do that ?
“ A lot of bad stuff coming out about him , ” Trump declared .
The president argued that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come out about the hydroxy , ” and that front line doctors and nurses are using it .
“ The front line workers , many , many are taking it , ” Trump said , adding , “ I happen to be taking it.
” He said that he started taking the medication about a week and a half ago because he thinks it ’ s a good preventative measure .
“ I ’ m still here , ” he cracked .
“ I ’ ve heard good stories , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not good , I ’ ll tell you right ?
But I ’ m not going to get hurt by it .
It ’ s been around for 40 years for malaria , for lupus , for other things.
” The president told reporters that he ’ d received “ many ” letters from doctors expressing confidence in the drug , including a doctor from Westchester , New York who claimed he ’ d given the hydroxychloroquine , azithromycin and zinc cocktail to “ over 300 patients ” and hadn ’ t lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study by the Department of Veterans Affairs that found no benefit and more deaths among COVID-19 patients taking the drug .
“ If you look at that phony report that put out … the hydroxy was given to people who were in extraordinarily bad condition … people that were dying.
” Trump said that he ’ d consulted with his presidential physician about the drug and the doctor said he could take it if he wanted to .
Two White House employees were recently diagnosed with COVID-19 in recent days , Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pence ’ s top spokesperson .
Trump told reporters that he had nothing to gain from touting the drug .
“ I just want the people of this nation to feel good , ” he said .
Following his announcement , many media outlets and reporters , including Fox News ’ Neil Cavuto , stressed in their reports that the president was taking an unproven and potentially dangerous drug .
Cavuto warned that people in certain risky populations “ will die ” if they take the drug .
“ It will kill you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can not stress this enough .
This .
will .
kill .
you.
” Investigative reporter Sharyl Attiksson did a deep dive into the hydroxychloroquine controversy and found that money and politics were behind much of the opposition to the drug .
Her full report , which aired Sunday , can be viewed at Full Measure .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-19--Al Qaeda Linked To Deadly Shooting At US Military Base In Florida, Investigators Say

The Saudi national who shot three Americans at a military base in Pensacola , Fl.
, in December had been in contact with Al Qaeda before the attack , according to law enforcement officials .
Cell phone evidence links Second Lt. Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani , a Saudi Air Force cadet who trained at the Naval Air Station Pensacola alongside American military officials , to the terrorist organization , according to government officials who spoke with the New York Times .
The FBI discovered cell phone communication between Alshamrani and an Al Qaeda operative from before the December 2019 shooting spree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed through the encryption on one of two phones belonging to the gunman , according to the sources .
Apple reportedly did not help investigators bypass the security features , the NYT reported .
Attorney General William Barr is expected to give details about the new discovery during a press conference on Monday .
It ’ s not immediately clear to what degree the Al Qaeda operative directed Alshamrani to carry out the deadly December 6 shooting , which ultimately killed three sailors and wounded another eight individuals .
However , an audio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula claiming responsibility for the attack .
Alshamrani , a member of the Saudi Royal Air Force , had obtained a state hunting license and bought a Glock 45 9-millimeter handgun , which was used in the deadly shooting .
The attack prompted U.S. lawmakers to demand a change in how foreign military students are vetted .
After the shooting , federal authorities began to investigate whether Alshamrani might have been radicalized after a trip to Saudi Arabia in 2018 .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-19--Senator Lindsey Graham Sets Vote to Subpoena Comey, Brennan and Dozens More in Oversight of Crossfir

Senator Lindsey Graham Sets Vote to Subpoena Comey, Brennan and Dozens More in Oversight of Crossfire Hurricane

The Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on June 4 whether to authorize subpoenas for documents and testimony from more than 50 current or former government officials , including James Comey and John Brennan , as part of the panel ’ s investigation into abuse of the surveillance process during Crossfire Hurricane .
The committee will debate and vote June 4 on whether to issue the subpoenas , said Sen. Lindsey Graham , the chairman of the Judiciary panel .
Graham is seeking documents and testimony from 53 individuals in all .
Committee rules require Graham , a Republican , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the committee or to obtain a majority vote in order to issue subpoenas .
Graham is seeking documents and testimony referenced in the Justice Department inspector general ’ s report on the FBI ’ s Crossfire Hurricane probe .
The FBI committed 17 “ significant ” errors and omissions in applications for surveillance warrants against former Trump campaign aide Carter Page , the report stated .
The FBI relied heavily on the unverified Steele dossier to obtain the spy warrants .
FBI officials withheld information that undermined the credibility of the dossier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the IG report noted .
Graham is seeking the testimony of any current or former government official involved in Crossfire Hurricane , or any current or former government official who handled the Steele dossier .
Graham included the following list of individuals he plans to subpoena : Graham announced May 14 that he would be scheduling a vote on the subpoenas .
He also said that he plans to hold hearings about revelations of Obama administration officials making requests to “ unmask ” the identity of Michael Flynn in intelligence reports .
Chuck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News Foundation .
Photo “ Senator Lindsey Graham ” by Benny Johnson .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-19--About 400 Complaints Lodged Against Nashville Businesses During COVID-19 Reopening, City Official Sa

About 400 Complaints Lodged Against Nashville Businesses During COVID-19 Reopening, City Official Says

Nashville officials have received 400 complaints about businesses since the city entered Phase One of its planned reopening after COVID-19 , Metro Public Health Director Michael Caldwell said at a press conference Monday .
“ Most of these complaints are about employees not wearing facial coverings properly .
We are following up with each one of these businesses .
What we are finding out is that a lot of these businesses just didn ’ t really understand the rules .
We will continue our education and observations this week , if we find that , after we have already communicated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to not be in compliance then we will start fining , ” Caldwell said .
“ We have issued four citations previously and will not hesitate to do it again.
” Caldwell said city officials will “ use every means necessary to be able to reach out to individuals by phone , by mail , [ and ] by personally delivering a summons to their home.
” “ We have found some people are difficult to reach , and we have found that when we have provided information directly to someone ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us .
Everybody we have talked to for the most part has been cooperative .
If they are not cooperative [ then ] we try to find ways that we can build trust with them so they can be compliant .
We have not fined anybody for not speaking with our contact tracers at this time , although that is something we can consider if we feel we are having a problem with compliance.
” As The Tennessee Star reported last month , Nashville Mayor Cooper issued a four-phased plan to reopen Nashville @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for each of the four phases Nashville is in , city officials will only advance to the next phase if the area meets one of two benchmarks .
The website said either the number of COVID-19 cases in Davidson County must remain stable or the number must decline over a 14-day period .
Alex Jahangir , who chairs Davidson County ’ s Metro Coronavirus Task Force , said at the time that city officials will slow the process down “ if something worrisome presents in those metrics.
” According to Jahangir , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • In Phase One retail businesses will open and restaurants will have dine-in services , all at half-capacity and added guidelines and restrictions and operations will be present .
Employees will be screened daily to ensure that they are symptom free and they will be required to wear cloth face coverings .
Other public gatherings will be limited to 10 people or less .
Everyone out in public should wear cloth masks and , if you are able , still work from home .
• In Phase Two , businesses and restaurants can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In addition , personal hygiene businesses like hair and nail salons will open but only for appointments , no walk-ins , and limited to 10 people inside the building at one time .
Playgrounds , tennis courts , and basketball courts will open .
Other public gatherings , including worship services , will be limited to 50 people and with adherence to strict physical distancing protocols .
• In Phase Three businesses and restaurants will go to full capacity .
In addition , bars and entertainment venues will open at half capacity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Other gatherings will be limited to 100 , again with adherence to strict physical distancing protocols .
• In Phase Four , bars and entertainment venues will be at full capacity , and sport venues will open with adherence to physical distancing protocols and best practices .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-05-19--Commentary: John Brennan and the Plot to Subvert an American Election

Let ’ s talk about John Brennan a bit .
You remember John Brennan .
He was Barack Obama ’ s director of the CIA .
Once upon a time , he was an enthusiast for Gus Hall , the Communist candidate for president , for whom he voted in 1976 .
I can ’ t think of any better background for the head of the country ’ s premier intelligence service under Obama .
In 2014 , having put childish things behind him as St. Paul advised , Brennan spied on the Senate Intelligence Committee .
He denied it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the truth .
We wouldn ’ t do that .
That ’ s just beyond the scope of reason in terms of what we ’ d do.
” But that was before irrefutable evidence of the CIA ’ s spying transpired .
Then Brennan apologized , sort of .
Senators were outraged .
They shook their little fists .
“ What did he know ?
When did he know it ?
What did he order ?
” asked one of the Lilliputians .
Guess what happened to John Brennan for spying on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said “ Nothing , ” go to the head of the class and collect your gold star .
Nothing happened to Brennan for spying on U.S. senators .
If he could get away with that , what else could he get away with ?
How about starting the bogus investigation into fictional “ collusion ” or “ coordination ” between the Russians and the campaign , and then the administration , of Donald Trump ?
How about that ?
In Ball of Collusion : The Plot to Rig an Election and Destroy a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McCarthy offers a meticulously researched overview of the origins and character of Special Counsel Robert Mueller ’ s investigation into possible links between Trump and the Russians .
That began in May 2017 , shortly after Trump fired James Comey from his post as Director of the FBI .
McCarthy also looks carefully at the background to that investigation , operation “ Crossfire Hurricane ” and several tributary investigations into possible Russian collusion with various U.S. persons and entities .
Crossfire Hurricane began on July 31 , 2016 , about three months before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beginning of the Obama Administration ’ s inquiry into Donald Trump ’ s possible connections with “ the Russians ” ?
No , the inquiries begin even earlier .
You may remember the excited article in the New York Times , “ How the Russia Inquiry Began , ” from December 20 , 2017 .
According to this story , it all started in London in May 2016 .
It was a dark-and-stormy night—or at least a night of “ heavy drinking ” —when “ George Papadopoulos , a young foreign policy adviser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ startling revelation to [ Alexander Downer ] Australia ’ s top diplomat in Britain : Russia had political dirt on Hillary Clinton.
” ( In fact , the “ heavy drinking ” consisted of “ a couple of gins and tonic , ” but , hey this is the New York Times .
Details are for the little people . )
So was it ?
Was this wet-behind-the-ears minor factotum the fons et origo of the Russian inquiry ?
Nope .
“ In truth , ” as McCarthy notes in his book , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on for several months—since at least the latter half of 2015 , not long after Donald Trump entered the GOP nomination chase and before most anyone had ever heard of George Papadopoulos.
” Ball of Collusion is a herculean investigatory effort .
But McCarthy sadly concludes that both the origins and the exact nature of the inquiry remain shrouded in mystery .
“ When did the investigation start ?
” he asks .
“ Why did it start ?
What kind of investigation was it ?
It has proved impossible to get straight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how odd this situation is .
Several writers have compiled timelines of the investigation .
The one by Sharyl Attkisson is one of the best .
But at the end of the day , we are left with sodden black swampiness where answers should be .
When did the inquiry start ?
Why did it start ?
Who started it ?
The public does not have answers to these questions , but recent revelations about the concerted efforts to entrap General Michael Flynn , President Trump ’ s first national security advisor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children ’ s game of find-the-treasure .
We ’ re not quite there yet , but we ’ re getting warmer , we ’ re getting warmer .
I suspect that John Brennan is a key player in this story .
As journalist Lee Smith noted in February 2018 , it was Brennan who first leaned on James Comey to take an interest in the salacious dossier compiled by Christopher Steele from July through December 2016 .
Indeed , Brennan once took credit for starting the inquiry .
“ I was aware , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Press , ” “ of intelligence and information about contacts between Russian officials and U.S. persons that raised concerns in my mind about whether or not those individuals were cooperating with the Russians , either in a witting or unwitting fashion , and it served as the basis for the FBI investigation to determine whether such collusion—cooperation occurred .
.
.
.
I made sure that anything that was involving U.S. persons , including anything involving the individuals involved in the Trump campaign , was shared with the bureau.
” Smith parses this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the summer of 2016 , the FBI sent counterintelligence agents , one of whom was Peter Strzok—remember him ?
—to London to meet with Downer to describe his meeting with Papadopoulos .
So where are we ?
Over the last week or two , we have learned that the FBI set a perjury trap for Flynn .
They induced him to plead guilty to a charge of lying to the FBI by threatening to charge his son with a process crime .
When Flynn ’ s then-lawyers objected that they thought him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them part of the case .
We know all this partly because of the heroic efforts of Flynn ’ s new lawyer , Sidney Powell , who managed to get the Department of Justice to disgorge various documents damaging to the FBI .
The pièce de la résistance were the notes of a meeting taken by senior FBI official Bill Priestap .
“ What is our goal ?
” Priestap asked , “ Truth/Admission or to get him to lie , so we can prosecute him or get him fired ?
” Or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to admit to breaking the Logan Act , give facts to DOJ + have them decide.
” That gun was still smoking when Richard Grenell , acting director of national intelligence , released the names of 39 top Obama officials who made 53 requests to “ unmask ” Flynn ’ s name from intelligence reports between Election Day 2016 and the end of January 2017 .
Among the requestors were Joe Biden , James Clapper ( then director of national intelligence ) , Samantha Power ( then U.S. ambassador to the United Nations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s chief of Staff .
Andrew McCarthy has shown how the most significant thing about these unmaskings may be the dog that didn ’ t bark—there was no unmasking request for December 29 , 2016 , the date that Flynn , then on holiday in the Dominican Republic , made his famous call to Sergei Kislyak , then the Russian ambassador to the United States .
McCarthy speculates that the call was intercepted by “ an intelligence program not subject to the masking rules , probably by the CIA or a friendly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on January 5 , Obama met with Susan Rice , his national security advisor , Biden , Comey , Clapper , Sally Yates , and—yep—John Brennan to discuss the Russian inquiry in general and Flynn in particular .
On January 20 , 2017 , the day that Donald Trump was inaugurated , just moments before leaving her position , Susan Rice took the unusual step of writing an email for the file summarizing that January 5 meeting : Let ’ s have an instant replay of that last bit : “ Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
.
.
we are mindful to ascertain if there is any reason that we can not share information fully as it relates to Russia.
” Again : The outgoing president tells his senior intelligence staff to think about whether to tell the incoming administration the truth about a major national security issue .
It ’ s almost as if they didn ’ t believe there had been an election on November 8 , 2016 .
Not a real election anyway , because , after all , the American people had chosen the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were to save the day by keeping the incoming fellow in the dark .
And they had reasons , lots of them .
It ’ s true that Obama scoffed at Mitt Romney when he said during the 2012 campaign that Russia was the single biggest geopolitical security threat .
“ The 1980s are now calling , ” he said , “ to ask for their foreign policy back.
” But that was before the advent of Donald Trump .
No one really took Trump seriously at first , but still .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s deal with Iran , alarming things about NATO , alarming things about wanting to get along with Vladimir Putin , not to mention all the alarming things he said about immigration , trade deals , federal judges , regulation , Islamic terrorism , and taxes .
Again , it ’ s true that it was Obama who told Putin ’ s stand-in Dmitry Medvedev that he would have “ more flexibility ” after the election .
But now there seemed to be Russian meddling in our politics : maybe it involved Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intelligence indicating that Russia wanted Hillary , a known quantity , to win , not Trump .
That went against The Narrative .
A recent article by Margot Cleveland in The Federalist asks the essential question : “ Why did Obama tell the FBI to hide its activities from the Trump administration ?
” Answer : because those activities amounted to an effort to undo the results of a free open and democratic election .
Mollie Hemingway is right : what we are coming to see is “ not just a typical battle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ example of media bias against political enemies .
Instead , this entire operation was a deliberate and direct attack on the foundation of American governance.
” That ’ s why I have repeatedly called it “ the biggest political scandal in our nation ’ s history.
” It was an effort to overturn the results of an election by stealth .
It ’ s not , I think , that the central figures in this drama—Comey and Clapper , Page and Strzok , Brennan , McCabe , Rice , and Obama himself—it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Let ’ s mount a coup d ’ état against Donald Trump.
” No , it was less straightforward and more discreditable .
They said to themselves , “ Donald Trump is impossible .
The people made a mistake .
We know better .
Let ’ s mobilize the police and intelligence power of the state to make sure that virtue—that is , our political agenda—prevails.
” That way lies tyranny , which is always more palatable when swaddled in the conviction of its own virtue .
I am uncertain to what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ farce understand the extent of their culpability .
I hope that Attorney General William Barr and U.S. Attorney John Durham will be on hand to enlighten them .
This must never be allowed to happen again .
Roger Kimball is editor and publisher of The New Criterion and the president and publisher of Encounter Books .
He is the author and editor of many books , including The Fortunes of Permanence : Culture and Anarchy in an Age of Amnesia ( St. Augustine ’ s Press ) , The Rape of the Masters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mind : The Use and Abuse of Intelligence from Hegel to Wodehouse ( Ivan R. Dee ) , and Art ’ s Prospect : The Challenge of Tradition in an Age of Celebrity ( Ivan R. Dee ) .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-19--Ohio Health Czar Acton Extends Dining Provisions Until July 1, Gov. DeWine Assembles Restaurant Poli

Ohio Health Czar Acton Extends Dining Provisions Until July 1, Gov. DeWine Assembles Restaurant Police Force to Threaten Removal of Liquor Licenses

Between Health Director Dr. Amy Acton sneaking in an extension of her dining orders until July 1 and Governor Mike DeWine assembling a restaurant police force , one may wonder if Ohio is really reopening .
Late last Thursday , following the final press conference of the week , Acton issued the “ Director ’ s Dine Safe Ohio Order , ” which is available here .
The order allowed outside restaurant dining as of last Friday .
The Health Department director mentioned , “ The sacrifices and incredible efforts that Ohioans have undertaken , make it possible to begin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that were needed during the initial phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
” Acton gave permission for restaurants bars and such businesses to reopen for “ full , dine-in service within the State so long as all workplace safety standards are met.
” Such requirements included forcing customers to keep six feet apart in line , placing a limit of 10 people per reservation , and telling customers to sit down while eating or drinking .
Restaurants received permission to not to have to remove fixtures like video games and billiards .
Customers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and workers in most cases must wear masks or the business must provide written justification , among other requirements .
Two paragraphs in the 10-page order address the fact that Acton ’ s original March 15 order is being amended in regards to on-site restaurant consumption for patio and indoor dining but otherwise her order stands until July 1 .
I hereby ORDER that restaurants and bars may reopen or continue to operate as set forth in this Order .
This Order shall remain in full force and effect until 11:59 p. m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Director of the Ohio Department of Health rescinds or modifies this Order at a sooner time and date .
Meanwhile , DeWine on Monday said he is creating a task force to investigate and punish restaurants that do not comply .
The enforcement team will operate as part of the Ohio Department of Safety ’ s Ohio Investigative Unit ( OIU ) and will conduct safety compliance checks in crowded bars and restaurants .
Businesses found violating the Stay Safe Ohio order will receive administrative citations that could result in the revocation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will also work with municipal prosecutors to take potential criminal actions against business owners who do not follow the order , which includes the requirement that patrons remain seated while eating/drinking and that parties stay six feet apart .
So , even as daycares , campgrounds and sports leagues prepare to open , people are encouraged to work from home , wear masks and keep their distance , and the restaurant police are watching restaurants and bars until at least July 1 .
Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years ’ experience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sizes .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-19--Commentary: When It Came Time for Joe Biden to Pick Black America or China, Joe Biden Chose China

There is a rich irony in Joe Biden running as the “ black savior ” candidate .
Perhaps because establishment Black Democrats played such a prominent role in saving the Party from nominating the hopeless socialist , Bernie Sanders , Biden ’ s campaign and a credulous media class have convinced themselves that black turnout will sweep the former vice president and the Democrats back to victory in Michigan and other closely-contested states .
The sheer lengths the left goes to recast the vice president of the first black president in a savior role are astounding .
Once you sift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his supposed role in the Civil Rights Movement and his downright lies about being arrested by police for the Apartheid regime on the way to see Nelson Mandela in South Africa , Joe Biden doesn ’ t offer Michigan ’ s black community much of anything .
In fact , Biden ’ s actual record would indicate the exact opposite .
If you went looking for a standard bearer for undoing the progress African-Americans have made in the last three and half years and returning to the exact policies that devastated the black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump took office , you would be hard pressed to find a better one than Joe Biden .
For more than 30 years in the U.S. Senate , Joe Biden was one of the leading proponents of the globalist “ free trade ” agenda that created the “ Made in China ” world .
Starting in the early 1980s , he repeatedly voted to exempt Chinese goods from the restrictions that we normally apply to totalitarian communist countries with horrendous human rights records .
In the 1990s , Biden doubled down on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a growing toll on American workers .
He voted for the North American Free Trade Agreement , which , according to one study , destroyed over 36,000 jobs held by Black Americans in just the first three years after its implementation , mostly in manufacturing .
Detroit , with an economy dominated by a single giant industry , was hit particularly hard since automakers could achieve immediate and substantial cost savings by moving production to Mexico .
Despite the obvious warning that NAFTA offered against further globalization , President Bill Clinton offered to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation ” status permanent , and Joe Biden was right there to vote to ratify it .
A few years later , China was allowed to become a member of the World Trade Organization , despite its long record of duplicity and deceit .
After that , America ’ s trade deficit with China more than quadrupled and American factories closed by the tens of thousands , hollowing out entire communities — and again , no one was hit harder than African-Americans in the Midwest , who for decades had relied on America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the middle class .
Nothing changed when Joe Biden got to the White House on Barack Obama ’ s coattails , except that he added to his resume of failure by presiding over the slowest economic recovery since World War II and a Black unemployment rate that reached an inexcusable 16.8 percent at a time when the economy wasn ’ t even contracting .
Biden still hadn ’ t learned his lesson about trade , either , advocating for the “ Trans-Pacific Partnership ” that would have removed even more protections for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wider to cheap Chinese goods .
President Trump ’ s America First agenda , on the other hand , brought us record-low Black unemployment , rising incomes and net worth for Black families , higher Black homeownership rates , rapid Black-owned business creation , and the greatest narrowing of the black-white employment gap in American history .
This President did more to empower the Black community in just three years than Joe Biden did in three decades — to hold us back .
The Biden campaign might want to rethink the “ black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a small business owner and President of Tarver Consulting .