thetennesseestar--2020-10-02--A Curious Series of Events: Host Leahy and Council Member at-Large Steve Glover Review Go Back and U

A Curious Series of Events: Host Leahy and Council Member at-Large Steve Glover Review Go Back and Unwind the Shutdown of Nashville Restuarants

Live from Music Row Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed Metro Nashville ’ s City Council Member-At-Large Steve Glover to the studio to discuss the series of events that led to the shutting down and the reduction of restaurant capacities due to a fake “ record ” number of coronavirus provided by the Cooper administration .
Leahy : In the studio with us our good friend Steve Glover Metro Council member-At-Large .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steve .
On July the 2nd , Mayor Cooper held a press conference , and he announced that because of record cases .
Glover : A big spike .
They work the entire weekend prior to the entire weekend .
Leahy : Yeah , and they found that there was a record case though .
Glover : They were getting phone calls record country .
It was terrible .
Leahy : Of coronavirus traced to bars .
And because of that , he was shutting down all bars in the city .
Glover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was so terrible .
Leahy : Shutting down and then also was reducing restaurant capacity .
Glover : This was to protect people .
To save lives .
Leahy : Now later .
Way later .
Glover : In about 37 to 39 minutes in that press conference .
Leahy : So the the the reporter from I think that WPLN asked Well you said record .
Can you give us some more on that ?
And then this Alex Jahangir character who ’ s the chairman of the Metro task force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an orthopedic surgeon .
I guess not an epidemiologist .
But he said vaguely , yeah we saw an uptick about 30 cases , but he didn ’ t say really where .
That was all he said .
so subsequently that story came out .
And then Dennis Ferrier , the greatest reporter of television local news in Nashville got the details on what was the basis for that claim of record cases .
June 30 in an internal email from I think Leslie Waller asked by Ben Eagles to give him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers were 19 cases .
19 count em .
One , nine cases .
Glover : Was that in the bars ?
19 ?
Leahy : Three in the bars , 19 in the restaurants .
These basic facts were reported by Dennis Farrier , right ?
And he basically said , you know , this is information that was not shared .
So this came out and the mayor ’ s people went crazy because the facts were out there and then they got a henchman at CNN to misrepresent it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ facts by CNN , I think as a result of that the Fox corporate people , not the local people , but the corporate people took that posting down .
Fox News kind of backed away from it and Steve Doocy did .
Tucker Carlson Tucker never did .
Glover : Tucker never did .
I was gon na say that ’ s another great reporter right there .
Glover : I don ’ t know exactly moderator or a talk show host .
Whatever it is you got the facts .
Leahy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Yeah , he was on it and he never apologized .
What he said was we may have told something , you know , but we ’ re going to stay on top of it .
And let me say this they have .
Leahy : And let me just say also we are delighted to have you here in the studio after your appearance on Tucker Carlson , which was you know is quite a platform to have .
Leahy : You were the lead story interviewed by Tucker Carlson .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fault story which we wrote and debunked entirely by the CNN guy who had his facts all wrong .
Leahy : And you know he was reporting to data that we ’ ve been reported more than a month after the Draconian July 2 decision by Mayor Cooper based upon really no evidence of quote record cases in bars .
There wasn ’ t a record case .
There were only 19 .
It was ridiculous .
Out of at that time , you know a total of more than 10,000 .
Glover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past week or was it this week ?
My times are at my times kind of melting .
There ’ s only a 146 or part out here totality .
146 .
We have destroyed our economy in downtown Nashville over 146 cases .
Leahy : Out of 25,000 less than one half of one percent .
Glover : I don ’ t know .
25,000 but yeah , let ’ s just that ’ s what it is .
Yeah , let ’ s assume it is .
Leahy : That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so this Dennis reports us actually late Tuesday night .
It was a fabulous report .
It ’ s a fact now the tyrannical mayor with his thugs in his office and I ’ m going to say the thugs are Chris Song who is his spokesperson and this Ben Eagles character who is going around trying to intimidate people .
and just tell us a little bit about your interaction with this little this guy been Eagles who is arrogant beyond all arrogance .
Glover : Well the last time I had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in October .
So almost a year ago .
Then on Friday night after the and there wasn ’ t I didn ’ t think a retraction .
Glover : I thought there was a very soft apology in that .
Glover : We may have said some things incorrectly which we found out .
Leahy : They didn ’ t say it .
But just so you know , so the story went on the brakes on Wednesday and Thursday to stories right with the facts and they are on the air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ locally and then they do internet stories on the internet based upon that those reports Wednesday and Thursday .
Then what happens is the CNN story breaks with all the falsehoods in and all the bad stuff .
And the people start to go back on it .
The pooh-bahs at Sinclair Broadcasting not here , but at their headquarters , you know flinch and they take down those two accurate reports .
And because they ’ ve taken down the CNN guy says , oh proves us wrong .
not true at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been reported by Dennis Ferrier is simply a continuation of that story , and that ’ s where he ’ s up .
So anyways go .
So this Ben Eagles character .
Glover : Well , we don ’ t have a lot of time left-right here if so , I guess what we ’ ll do that in the seventh come out dude .
Yeah , we ’ ll talk about the apply .
I ’ m going to close with this in this particular segment .
Any time a politician @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demanding an apology , you better make sure you go back and re-look at your I ’ s and cross your T ’ s because I promise you if they ’ re screaming that loud there are flames .
It isn ’ t just smoke .
There are flames .
Leahy : There ’ s this little arrogance staffer are based upon the false reports of CNN , which we ’ ve totally debunked .
Totally debunked .
Then he reaches out to you after not talking to you for nine months or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and asks you for an apology .
Glover : And I ’ m going to paraphrase .
Yeah , you know , I hope one of the things that you ’ ll be doing in the very near future is something like that is an apology .
And I went no .
No .
Never .
Leahy : Yeah , and by the way know when we come back , we will lay out the case in detail why the only people that need to be apologizing to Nashvillian ’ s today are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bob Mendes , and the little arrogant , you know what ’ s who are in the mayor ’ s office including Ben Eagles .
Ben , we ’ re talking to you !
Come in here and try to defend yourself because you are a coward and a bully and you won ’ t do it .
We ’ ll be back after this .
Listen to the full second hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ Lower Broadway ” by Michael Stokes .
CC BY 2.0 .

Live from Music Row Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville’s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed Metro Nashville’s City Council Member-At-Large Steve Glover to the studio to discuss the series of events that led to the shutting down and the reduction of restaurant capacities due to a fake “record” number of coronavirus provided by the Cooper administration.
Leahy: In the studio with us our good friend Steve Glover Metro Council member-At-Large. Now going back on this story as Steve. On July the 2nd, Mayor Cooper held a press conference, and he announced that because of record cases.
Glover: A big spike. They work the entire weekend prior to the entire weekend.
Leahy: Yeah, and they found that there was a record case though.
Glover: They were getting phone calls record country. It was terrible.
Leahy: Of coronavirus traced to bars. And because of that, he was shutting down all bars in the city.
Glover: And he looked very somber. It was so terrible.
Leahy: Shutting down and then also was reducing restaurant capacity.
Glover: This was to protect people. To save lives.
Leahy: Now later. Way later.
Glover: In about 37 to 39 minutes in that press conference.
Leahy: So the the the reporter from I think that WPLN asked Well you said record. Can you give us some more on that? And then this Alex Jahangir character who’s the chairman of the Metro task force advising and coronavirus and who’s an orthopedic surgeon. I guess not an epidemiologist. But he said vaguely, yeah we saw an uptick about 30 cases, but he didn’t say really where.
That was all he said. so subsequently that story came out. And then Dennis Ferrier, the greatest reporter of television local news in Nashville got the details on what was the basis for that claim of record cases. June 30 in an internal email from I think Leslie Waller asked by Ben Eagles to give him some numbers. And yeah, the numbers were 19 cases. 19 count em. One, nine cases.
Glover: Was that in the bars? 19?
Leahy: Three in the bars, 19 in the restaurants. These basic facts were reported by Dennis Farrier, right? And he basically said, you know, this is information that was not shared. So this came out and the mayor’s people went crazy because the facts were out there and then they got a henchman at CNN to misrepresent it.
And because of the misrepresentation of the facts by CNN, I think as a result of that the Fox corporate people, not the local people, but the corporate people took that posting down. Fox News kind of backed away from it and Steve Doocy did. Tucker Carlson Tucker never did.
Glover: Tucker never did. I was gonna say that’s another great reporter right there.
Leahy: Tucker Carlson is fabulous.
Glover: I don’t know exactly moderator or a talk show host. Whatever it is you got the facts.
Leahy: He got the facts.
Glover: Yeah, he was on it and he never apologized. What he said was we may have told something, you know, but we’re going to stay on top of it. And let me say this they have.
Leahy: And let me just say also we are delighted to have you here in the studio after your appearance on Tucker Carlson, which was you know is quite a platform to have.
Glover: It was phenomenal.
Leahy: You were the lead story interviewed by Tucker Carlson. Now after all that is when the fault story which we wrote and debunked entirely by the CNN guy who had his facts all wrong.
Glover: Correct.
Leahy: And you know he was reporting to data that we’ve been reported more than a month after the Draconian July 2 decision by Mayor Cooper based upon really no evidence of quote record cases in bars. There wasn’t a record case. There were only 19. It was ridiculous. Out of at that time, you know a total of more than 10,000.
Glover: I think did Dennis report this past week or was it this week? My times are at my times kind of melting. There’s only a 146 or part out here totality. 146. We have destroyed our economy in downtown Nashville over 146 cases.
Leahy: Out of 25,000 less than one half of one percent.
Glover: I don’t know. 25,000 but yeah, let’s just that’s what it is. Yeah, let’s assume it is.
Leahy: That’s what’s reported. So so this Dennis reports us actually late Tuesday night. It was a fabulous report. It’s a fact now the tyrannical mayor with his thugs in his office and I’m going to say the thugs are Chris Song who is his spokesperson and this Ben Eagles character who is going around trying to intimidate people. and just tell us a little bit about your interaction with this little this guy been Eagles who is arrogant beyond all arrogance.
Glover: Well the last time I had spoken or heard from him was back in October. So almost a year ago. Then on Friday night after the and there wasn’t I didn’t think a retraction.
Leahy: There wasn’t a retraction.
Glover: I thought there was a very soft apology in that.
Leahy: From Fox 17.
Glover: We may have said some things incorrectly which we found out.
Leahy: They didn’t say it. But just so you know, so the story went on the brakes on Wednesday and Thursday to stories right with the facts and they are on the air. Dennis Ferrier reports on Fox 17 locally and then they do internet stories on the internet based upon that those reports Wednesday and Thursday.
Then what happens is the CNN story breaks with all the falsehoods in and all the bad stuff. And the people start to go back on it. The pooh-bahs at Sinclair Broadcasting not here, but at their headquarters, you know flinch and they take down those two accurate reports.
And because they’ve taken down the CNN guy says, oh proves us wrong. not true at all. The data that’s been reported by Dennis Ferrier is simply a continuation of that story, and that’s where he’s up. So anyways go. So this Ben Eagles character.
Glover: Well, we don’t have a lot of time left-right here if so, I guess what we’ll do that in the seventh come out dude. Yeah, we’ll talk about the apply. I’m going to close with this in this particular segment. Any time a politician jumps out that hard and that fast demanding an apology, you better make sure you go back and re-look at your I’s and cross your T’s because I promise you if they’re screaming that loud there are flames. It isn’t just smoke. There are flames.
Leahy: There’s this little arrogance staffer are based upon the false reports of CNN, which we’ve totally debunked. Totally debunked. Then he reaches out to you after not talking to you for nine months or 10 months. Whatever the number is and asks you for an apology.
Glover: And I’m going to paraphrase. Yeah, you know, I hope one of the things that you’ll be doing in the very near future is something like that is an apology. And I went no. No. Never.
Leahy: Yeah, and by the way know when we come back, we will lay out the case in detail why the only people that need to be apologizing to Nashvillian’s today are Mayor John Cooper and Metro Council Member-At-Large Bob Mendes, and the little arrogant, you know what’s who are in the mayor’s office including Ben Eagles. Ben, we’re talking to you! Come in here and try to defend yourself because you are a coward and a bully and you won’t do it. We’ll be back after this.
Listen to the full second hour here:

– – –
Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510. Listen online at iHeart Radio.
Photo “Lower Broadway” by Michael Stokes. CC BY 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-02--Founder and Editor and Chief of Inside Arabia, Elisabeth R. Myers Explains Her Recent Article Questi

Founder and Editor and Chief of Inside Arabia, Elisabeth R. Myers Explains Her Recent Article Questioning Billions of Dollars in Military Aid to Egypt

Live from Virginia Thursday morning on The John Fredericks Show – live weekdays on WNTW AM 820/ FM 92.7 – Richmond , WJFN FM 100.5 – Central Virginia , WMPH AM 1010 / FM 100.1 / FM 96.9 ( 7-9 PM ) Hampton Roads , WBRG AM 1050 / FM 105.1 – Lynchburg/Roanoke and Live Weekdays 6-10 am and 24/7 Stream – host Fredericks welcomed Inside Arabia ’ s founder and editor and chief , Elisabeth Myers to the show to discuss her recent piece questioning why the United States continues to give Egypt one point three million dollars in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us now is Elisabeth Myers .
To tell you a little bit about her .
She ’ s worn many hats over her career including a lawyer , a law professor , strategist , journalist , communications expert , and an arts advocate .
She ’ s even a musician .
As a lawyer , she ’ s tried cases before the U.S. courts and tribunals for a quarter of a century .
In April of 2018 , She was named founding Editor in Chief of the online magazine Inside Arabia in Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is a publication dedicated to deduce dispelling myths about Arabs and Muslims .
But the thing is it gives you the truth .
It ’ s not a government-run organization not matching names .
Okay doesn ’ t have any government money behind it .
It ’ s just a site with advertisers trying to get the truth out .
It ’ s my favorite kind .
Always striving to teach , Elisabeth Myers has presented seminars and webinars , online courses on Facebook Live , and Instagram Live .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of directors etc .
She ’ s also an adjunct law professor at her alma mater the Washington College of Law at American University .
And she ’ s now based in Morocco .
And I wanted to have her on because she had a great piece on why do we continue to send $ 1.3 billion annually to Egypt for military aid ?
I ’ ve been questioning this for a decade .
And as I said and the thing about it is with these with this foreign aid .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This stuff never gets reviewed .
Do we have an ROI on it ?
Why are we doing it ?
Don ’ t they have their own money ?
I mean what why are we still involved in this stuff ?
Especially when the president says , you know , NATO has to pay their fair share .
I mean , I ’ d love to ask the question what exactly are we getting out of this money that we keep sending them over and over .
And joining us now to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is Elisabeth Myers .
Professor Myers great to have you .
Myers : Great to be on the show .
Thank you very much , John .
Fredericks : I hope I set this up the right way was I reasonably accurate here ?
Myers : Oh , yes , absolutely .
And thanks for the plug on Inside Arabia .
That was a labor of love and its founding in early 2018 .
Fredericks : I am an Inside Arabia true believer .
I go there ’ s the first thing I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get the overnight news but I get analysis and I get deep reporting that you just don ’ t find anywhere else .
Coupled with the fact that there ’ s no political agenda .
They are just trying to give you the analysis based on what they found .
You have some great writers .
I ’ ve made some fabulous relationships .
And James Dorsey and others come to mind many many many many others .
But go to insidearabia.com .
Okay , you have a piece up questioning why we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Can you elaborate ?
Myers : Yep , absolutely .
Well , if you look at over the course of history , it ’ s actually amounted to over $ 84 billion in bilateral foreign aid .
That ’ s not adjusted for inflation .
Bilateral foreign aid including military and economic assistance .
And originally the purpose was as an adjunct to the peace accords at Camp David which involved of course peace between Israel and Egypt .
In 1978 it seemed to make a lot of sense to be sending both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This was something of a quid pro quo for the peace between its next-door neighbor and it .
But now we ’ re as you say we ’ re up to a 1.3 billion per year and it ’ s been that for quite a long time as you say without review .
And what we ’ re getting for it right now though is Egypt ’ s situation has changed dramatically , especially since 2013 when there was a coup that overtook the only duly elected democratically elected president in its history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over in a military coup .
And since then there has been quite a crackdown on all kinds of liberties and freedoms that Egyptian citizens actually formally had in comparison to what they had now .
Fredericks : Do these ever get reviewed ?
I mean one of the things I ’ m a Trump supporter as you know .
I ’ m chairman of the Trump campaign in Virginia just for a full disclaimer .
One of the core tenets of Trump running was that all of this foreign aid was going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to hold these countries accountable and we were going to get our fair share from NATO .
So what is the review process to spend another $ 1.3 billion send it again to Egypt of our taxpayer money ?
Is there a review process in the state department ?
Does somebody question it ?
Does anybody ask the questions that you ’ ve asked and your and your article ?
Myers : Well on the executive side , no .
There ’ s been no review .
It ’ s simply been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same level with no caveats .
No conditions .
Nothing related to the human rights abuses that have been going on .
And my article documents and narrates a whole bunch of things .
And that ’ s only the tip of the iceberg .
Where there has been review however is not in the executive branch but in Congress .
So on September 9 , there was a hearing before this House Subcommittee on Foreign Affairs where there was a parade of witnesses that basically went through example after example of human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Censorship .
Torture .
Just all kinds of things in order to repress any kind of free expression in Egypt or without Egypt .
And I say without Egypt meaning outside of Egypt because one of the measures that el-Sisi regime does is to detain the family ’ s family members of people who have spoken out .
And I ’ m talking about specifically American citizens who are originally Egyptians who still have family there like Mohamed Soltan .
He was incarcerated for nearly two years in various Egyptian prisons and detailed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how he was transferred a number of different times .
And every time was met with a welcoming committee if you will of guards that would beat him and taunt him .
Leave razor blades in his cell to try and get him to kill himself .
After he was released and after going on a major hunger strike .
And let me emphasize that he is an American citizen .
After he was released several of his cousins were arrested and also his father has been in detention actually for years now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was moved somewhere .
He disappeared somewhere .
And there ’ s been at least as of the time I wrote this article there has been no update as to his whereabouts .
So Mohamed Soltan does not know even where his father is .
Why ?
Because he has a lawsuit under the Victim Protection Act which is a U.S. statute against Egyptian officials for the treatment that he received over those nearly two years in prison in Egypt .
And it ’ s retaliation , his uncle was told specifically tell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let his cousin ’ s go .
This is according to his testimony before the House hearing on September 9 this year .
So this is what we ’ re getting for these billions of dollars that we sent to Egypt right now .
Fredericks : So Elisabeth , this $ 1.3 billion in foreign aid , I checked this .
Let me tell you how far back it ’ s gone Trump , Obama , George W. Bush , Clinton , George H. Bush , Reagan , Carter , and Ford .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to Richard Nixon to get to the bottom of this .
It ’ s just $ 1.3 billion dollars they get in military aid in perpetuity .
Right now 2020 October 1 , what is the benefit that the U.S. gets out of this 1.3 billion specifically earmarked for military aid .
Now I get to the beginning of it I get when Carter did it .
I get all that .
But you know , but that ’ s 50 years ago .
2020 .
What do we get out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show here :

Live from Virginia Thursday morning on The John Fredericks Show – live weekdays on WNTW AM 820/ FM 92.7 – Richmond, WJFN FM 100.5 – Central Virginia, WMPH AM 1010 / FM 100.1 / FM 96.9 (7-9 PM) Hampton Roads, WBRG AM 1050 / FM 105.1 – Lynchburg/Roanoke and Live Weekdays 6-10 am and 24/7 Stream – host Fredericks welcomed Inside Arabia’s founder and editor and chief, Elisabeth Myers to the show to discuss her recent piece questioning why the United States continues to give Egypt one point three million dollars in military aid.
Fredericks: And joining us now is Elisabeth Myers. To tell you a little bit about her. She’s worn many hats over her career including a lawyer, a law professor, strategist, journalist, communications expert, and an arts advocate. She’s even a musician.
As a lawyer, she’s tried cases before the U.S. courts and tribunals for a quarter of a century. In April of 2018, She was named founding Editor in Chief of the online magazine Inside Arabia in Washington, D.C. I love Inside Arabia. This is a publication dedicated to deduce dispelling myths about Arabs and Muslims.
But the thing is it gives you the truth. It’s not a government-run organization not matching names. Okay doesn’t have any government money behind it. It’s just a site with advertisers trying to get the truth out. It’s my favorite kind. Always striving to teach, Elisabeth Myers has presented seminars and webinars, online courses on Facebook Live, and Instagram Live. And she served on numerous enterprises and boards of directors etc.
She’s also an adjunct law professor at her alma mater the Washington College of Law at American University. And she’s now based in Morocco. And I wanted to have her on because she had a great piece on why do we continue to send $1.3 billion annually to Egypt for military aid? I’ve been questioning this for a decade.
And as I said and the thing about it is with these with this foreign aid. It’s been one point three billion forever. This stuff never gets reviewed. Do we have an ROI on it? Why are we doing it? Don’t they have their own money? I mean what why are we still involved in this stuff?
Especially when the president says, you know, NATO has to pay their fair share. I mean, I’d love to ask the question what exactly are we getting out of this money that we keep sending them over and over. And joining us now to explain this to me and to you is Elisabeth Myers. Professor Myers great to have you.
Myers: Great to be on the show. Thank you very much, John.
Fredericks: I hope I set this up the right way was I reasonably accurate here?
Myers: Oh, yes, absolutely. And thanks for the plug on Inside Arabia. That was a labor of love and its founding in early 2018.
Fredericks: I am an Inside Arabia true believer. I go there’s the first thing I do when I get up because they get the overnight news but I get analysis and I get deep reporting that you just don’t find anywhere else. Coupled with the fact that there’s no political agenda. They are just trying to give you the analysis based on what they found.
You have some great writers. I’ve made some fabulous relationships. And James Dorsey and others come to mind many many many many others. But go to insidearabia.com. Okay, you have a piece up questioning why we keep giving Egypt $1.3 billion. Can you elaborate?
Myers: Yep, absolutely. Well, if you look at over the course of history, it’s actually amounted to over $84 billion in bilateral foreign aid. That’s not adjusted for inflation. Bilateral foreign aid including military and economic assistance.
And originally the purpose was as an adjunct to the peace accords at Camp David which involved of course peace between Israel and Egypt. In 1978 it seemed to make a lot of sense to be sending both military and economic aid to Egypt. This was something of a quid pro quo for the peace between its next-door neighbor and it. But now we’re as you say we’re up to a 1.3 billion per year and it’s been that for quite a long time as you say without review.
And what we’re getting for it right now though is Egypt’s situation has changed dramatically, especially since 2013 when there was a coup that overtook the only duly elected democratically elected president in its history of Mohamed Morsi when el-Sisi basically took over in a military coup. And since then there has been quite a crackdown on all kinds of liberties and freedoms that Egyptian citizens actually formally had in comparison to what they had now.
Fredericks: Do these ever get reviewed? I mean one of the things I’m a Trump supporter as you know. I’m chairman of the Trump campaign in Virginia just for a full disclaimer. One of the core tenets of Trump running was that all of this foreign aid was going to get reviewed and that he was going to hold these countries accountable and we were going to get our fair share from NATO.
So what is the review process to spend another $1.3 billion send it again to Egypt of our taxpayer money? Is there a review process in the state department? Does somebody question it? Does anybody ask the questions that you’ve asked and your and your article?
Myers: Well on the executive side, no. There’s been no review. It’s simply been repurposed in the budget again at the same level with no caveats. No conditions. Nothing related to the human rights abuses that have been going on. And my article documents and narrates a whole bunch of things. And that’s only the tip of the iceberg.
Where there has been review however is not in the executive branch but in Congress. So on September 9, there was a hearing before this House Subcommittee on Foreign Affairs where there was a parade of witnesses that basically went through example after example of human rights abuses. Civil liberties abuses. Censorship. Torture.
Just all kinds of things in order to repress any kind of free expression in Egypt or without Egypt. And I say without Egypt meaning outside of Egypt because one of the measures that el-Sisi regime does is to detain the family’s family members of people who have spoken out.
And I’m talking about specifically American citizens who are originally Egyptians who still have family there like Mohamed Soltan. He was incarcerated for nearly two years in various Egyptian prisons and detailed in his testimony before the House subcommittee how he was transferred a number of different times.
And every time was met with a welcoming committee if you will of guards that would beat him and taunt him. Leave razor blades in his cell to try and get him to kill himself. After he was released and after going on a major hunger strike. And let me emphasize that he is an American citizen.
After he was released several of his cousins were arrested and also his father has been in detention actually for years now. After he was released the father was moved somewhere. He disappeared somewhere. And there’s been at least as of the time I wrote this article there has been no update as to his whereabouts.
So Mohamed Soltan does not know even where his father is. Why? Because he has a lawsuit under the Victim Protection Act which is a U.S. statute against Egyptian officials for the treatment that he received over those nearly two years in prison in Egypt.
And it’s retaliation, his uncle was told specifically tell Mohammad to drop the suit and will let his cousin’s go. This is according to his testimony before the House hearing on September 9 this year. So this is what we’re getting for these billions of dollars that we sent to Egypt right now.
Fredericks: So Elisabeth, this $1.3 billion in foreign aid, I checked this. Let me tell you how far back it’s gone Trump, Obama, George W. Bush, Clinton, George H. Bush, Reagan, Carter, and Ford. I mean, you got to go back to Richard Nixon to get to the bottom of this.
It’s just $1.3 billion dollars they get in military aid in perpetuity. Right now 2020 October 1, what is the benefit that the U.S. gets out of this 1.3 billion specifically earmarked for military aid. Now I get to the beginning of it I get when Carter did it. I get all that. But you know, but that’s 50 years ago. 2020. What do we get out of it now?
Listen to the full show here:
– – –


thetennesseestar--2020-10-02--GOP Says DFL Candidate Should Apologize for Mocking Rep. Stauber’s Use of Hearing Aid

The Minnesota Republican Party is calling on DFL congressional candidate Quinn Nystrom to apologize for seemingly mocking U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber ’ s use of a hearing aid .
Nystrom is the DFL-endorsed candidate challenging Stauber in Minnesota ’ s Eighth Congressional District , which Republicans flipped in 2018 after the retirement of former U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan .
The DFL candidate doesn ’ t think Stauber is listening to his constituents , so on Tuesday she tweeted a GIF of him adjusting his hearing aid .
“ Minnesotans : We ’ re choosing between medications and groceries .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care .
Please vote to lower the costs of life-saving prescriptions , ” said Nystrom , followed by the clip of Stauber .
The GIF was taken from a Monday online debate between the two candidates .
Republican Party Chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan said Nystrom “ crossed a major line ” with the jab .
“ Ms .
Nystrom needs to apologize immediately for her behavior , ” said Carnahan .
“ Congressman Stauber ’ s hearing loss came as a result of serving the people of Minnesota for 23 years as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for that service by belittling him on social media for adjusting his hearing aid during a debate on Monday.
” Since Nystrom has “ zero chance of winning ” the race , she has “ resorted to shameful bullying , ” said Carnahan .
“ To mock someone for a disability is out of bounds in Minnesota politics and she should be ashamed of her actions.
” Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News .
He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform , and reported for The @ @ @

by Anthony Gockowski
The Minnesota Republican Party is calling on DFL congressional candidate Quinn Nystrom to apologize for seemingly mocking U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber’s use of a hearing aid.
Nystrom is the DFL-endorsed candidate challenging Stauber in Minnesota’s Eighth Congressional District, which Republicans flipped in 2018 after the retirement of former U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan.
The DFL candidate doesn’t think Stauber is listening to his constituents, so on Tuesday she tweeted a GIF of him adjusting his hearing aid.
“Minnesotans: We’re choosing between medications and groceries. We’re going bankrupt trying to afford health care. Please vote to lower the costs of life-saving prescriptions,” said Nystrom, followed by the clip of Stauber.
Minnesotans: We're choosing between medications and groceries. We're going bankrupt trying to afford healthcare. Please vote to lower the costs of life-saving prescriptions!@PeteStauber: pic.twitter.com/w2A1EIxcAJ — Quinn Nystrom (@QuinnNystrom) September 29, 2020
The GIF was taken from a Monday online debate between the two candidates. Republican Party Chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan said Nystrom “crossed a major line” with the jab.
“Ms. Nystrom needs to apologize immediately for her behavior,” said Carnahan. “Congressman Stauber’s hearing loss came as a result of serving the people of Minnesota for 23 years as a police officer. Nystrom showed her appreciation for that service by belittling him on social media for adjusting his hearing aid during a debate on Monday.”
Since Nystrom has “zero chance of winning” the race, she has “resorted to shameful bullying,” said Carnahan.
“To mock someone for a disability is out of bounds in Minnesota politics and she should be ashamed of her actions.”
– – –
Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News. He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform, and reported for The Daily Caller.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-02--Henrico Withdraws Funding for Police Oversight Attorney

Henrico County Manager John Vithoulkas has withdrawn funding for a new position in the Commonwealth ’ s Attorney Shannon Taylor ’ s office .
The new deputy attorney would have been tasked with oversight of police-community relations as part of a general push in Henrico to make sure citizens ’ concerns are being heard and shift the county towards a community-policing model .
Taylor and Henrico County Human Resources had already offered the position to Misty Whitehead , who had accepted the role .
Vithoulkas told The Virginia Mercury that Whitehead ’ s social media posts showing an anti-police bias @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I saw what I saw I immediately thought , you know , this is not what Shannon Taylor and I discussed , ” he said .
“ A County Manager can ’ t tell a Commonwealth ’ s Attorney who to hire , but he can recommend whether or not local funds are included to supplement that salary .
And in this case , I absolutely will not do it under any circumstances.
” Taylor announced the creation of the Deputy Commonwealth ’ s Attorney for Police Integrity and Compliance position in late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Although I am pleased that Henrico police patrol officers wear body-worn cameras and that we make every effort to view this footage , I have determined this is insufficient .
My responsibility as Henrico Commonwealth ’ s Attorney is to keep citizens safe , and this is an important part of that.
” Taylor told The Virginia Star that Whitehead was honest before she was hired about her advocacy on social media .
“ Not only did she talk about holding bad actors accountable , but she also then gave praise to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things , ” Taylor said .
“ So , her positions with respect to Black Lives Matter and to the idea of wanting to allow law enforcement officers to be able to give them support , to be able to speak out when they see bad things happen , is not unlike the public statements I had made .
To me , those positions were consistent with what I probably would have said.
” “ Our role is to make sure that the justice system is being operated in an equal and fair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had already begun dissolving her partnership in the legal firm she worked at when the county withdrew funding .
Now , Whitehead is working to start a new firm that will focus on social justice issues .
“ I ’ m heartbroken , really , because I think that we were really going to do good work .
I feel like the loss of this position hurts law enforcement because police officers don ’ t want to be viewed as the enemy , any more than the citizenry want to feel like police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told The Virginia Star .
Taylor doesn ’ t know if the county will provide funding to hire another candidate .
“ When this position was shared with the community back during the summer , the response that I received was very positive .
It is my hope that I will be able to find a way to still move forward with this position.
” County Manager John Vithoulkas did not respond to a request for comment .
Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] Photo “ Hennepin County Sheriff ’ s Office ” by Hennepin County Sheriff ’ s Office .

Henrico County Manager John Vithoulkas has withdrawn funding for a new position in the Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor’s office. The new deputy attorney would have been tasked with oversight of police-community relations as part of a general push in Henrico to make sure citizens’ concerns are being heard and shift the county towards a community-policing model. Taylor and Henrico County Human Resources had already offered the position to Misty Whitehead, who had accepted the role.
Vithoulkas told The Virginia Mercury that Whitehead’s social media posts showing an anti-police bias were a primary concern. “When I saw what I saw I immediately thought, you know, this is not what Shannon Taylor and I discussed,” he said. “A County Manager can’t tell a Commonwealth’s Attorney who to hire, but he can recommend whether or not local funds are included to supplement that salary. And in this case, I absolutely will not do it under any circumstances.”
Taylor announced the creation of the Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney for Police Integrity and Compliance position in late June, when she said, “Although I am pleased that Henrico police patrol officers wear body-worn cameras and that we make every effort to view this footage, I have determined this is insufficient. My responsibility as Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney is to keep citizens safe, and this is an important part of that.”
Taylor told The Virginia Star that Whitehead was honest before she was hired about her advocacy on social media. “Not only did she talk about holding bad actors accountable, but she also then gave praise to the times when law enforcement were doing great things,” Taylor said. “So, her positions with respect to Black Lives Matter and to the idea of wanting to allow law enforcement officers to be able to give them support, to be able to speak out when they see bad things happen, is not unlike the public statements I had made. To me, those positions were consistent with what I probably would have said.”
“Our role is to make sure that the justice system is being operated in an equal and fair manner,” Taylor said.
Whitehead had already begun dissolving her partnership in the legal firm she worked at when the county withdrew funding. Now, Whitehead is working to start a new firm that will focus on social justice issues.
“I’m heartbroken, really, because I think that we were really going to do good work. I feel like the loss of this position hurts law enforcement because police officers don’t want to be viewed as the enemy, any more than the citizenry want to feel like police officers are the enemy, ” Whitehead told The Virginia Star.
Taylor doesn’t know if the county will provide funding to hire another candidate. “When this position was shared with the community back during the summer, the response that I received was very positive. It is my hope that I will be able to find a way to still move forward with this position.”
County Manager John Vithoulkas did not respond to a request for comment.
– – –
Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “Henrico County Sheriff’s Office” by Henrico County Sheriff’s Office.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-02--TRUMPDATE: Latest from the Team Trump Virginia Campaign for October 2

Welcome to the Friday edition of our daily Virginia Trump campaign update !
We will provide our readers with daily updates on the Trump Virginia campaign from today to November 3 ( and after…if need be ! )
.
It ’ s officially 32 days until the election on November 3 – and 29 days until early voting in Virginia closes .
The deadline to register to vote in time for the 2020 election is October 13 .
The media in Virginia continues to craze over polling and surveys showing voters either preferring Joe Biden or disapproving of President Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues .
An article out earlier in the week by WAVY-TV in Norfolk cited a number of surveys that say voters would rather have Joe Biden handling the response to the COVID-19 pandemic over President Trump , or that they just favor Biden more over Trump in general .
The Left will continue to paint the president as a boisterous racist bully , while they continue to downplay Joe Biden ’ s ineffectiveness as a career politician .
Virginia has voted Democrat the last few election cycles , but it seems like the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continuing to count out the Trump effect .
The Biden campaign seems to believe Virginia will be won fairly easily , so they aren ’ t going to invest the resources into campaigning in the commonwealth .
Meanwhile the Trump Victory campaign is out actually talking to voters and supporters , making phone calls and knocking on doors .
Also coming up on Friday , the Warren County Republican Party will be holding a Trump supporter rally at the party headquarters in Front Royal .
The rally runs from 6-9 p.m. and will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Wendy Gade , Chuck Smith and Bill Wiley .
Supporters are encouraged to wear their Trump hats , bring Trump signs and flags , and wear your Trump shirts .
Check back every day for more Trump Virginia campaign updates !
If you want to join the volunteer team or if you need signs email Fredericks or Justin Rice .
To Donate to our Virginia campaign click here .
For more information , or to sign up to become a volunteer , click here .
John Fredericks is the publisher and editor-in-chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also a Trump 2020 delegate and the chairman of the Trump Virginia Delegation .

Welcome to the Saturday edition of our daily Virginia Trump campaign update! We will provide our readers with daily updates on the Trump Virginia campaign from today to November 3 (and after…if need be!).
It’s officially 24 days until the election on November 3 – and 21 days until early voting in Virginia closes. The deadline to register to vote in time for the 2020 election is October 13, three days from today.
President Trump joined conservative talk radio icon Rush Limbaugh on Friday for what was touted as the largest campaign rally ever. Limbaugh, who has been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and had been out for most of the week receiving treatment, returned to the host seat for the special occasion. Trump surprised Limbaugh back in February at the State of the Union by awarding Limbaugh with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The president and Limbaugh talked about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the president recovering from his own COVID-19 diagnosis, the media, the presidential campaign, foreign policy and more. You can watch the full video below:
There are two great events taking place in Virginia today and tonight that you don’t want to miss out on.
The Greene County Republicans are putting on their 41st annual Pig Roast. The event starts at noon and is being held at October Hill Farm. Because of the ongoing pandemic, there will be food trucks versus the traditional roasting and cutting up of the pig. Attendees can also look for speeches from candidates at the state and federal level, as well as remarks from John Fredericks, host of The John Fredericks Show and chairman of the Trump Virginia Delegation. The event is free to the public!
And tonight the Young Republican Federation of Virginia welcome Steve Bannon, former Senior Adviser to President Trump and host of War Room Pandemic, at an event at Madison on Madison Hill (323 N Madison Rd., Orange, VA 22960). Mr. Bannon has made it clear the Democrats plan to steal the 2020 election. This is a golden opportunity to hear about that and how you can work to make sure a fair election takes place on November 3. You can register for tickets to the event here.
Check back every day for more Trump Virginia campaign updates! If you want to join the volunteer team or if you need signs email Fredericks or Justin Rice.
Justin Rice: [email protected]
John Fredericks: [email protected]
To Donate to our Virginia campaign click here.
For more information, or to sign up to become a volunteer, click here.
– – –
Photo “Trump Limbaugh” by The White House.
John Fredericks is the publisher and editor-in-chief of The Virginia Star.
He is also a Trump 2020 delegate and the chairman of the Trump Virginia Delegation.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-02--Thales Academy Glen Allen Adds Third Grade After Huge Success of K-2 Programs That Opened in July

Thales Academy Glen Allen will add the third grade to their K-2 programs in the 2021-2022 school year , after a successful first quarter .
Applications are accepted on a first-come , first-serve basis .
The Glen Allen location first opened on July 20 of this year – it is the first Thales Academy in Virginia .
Thales Academy Glen Allen is one in a college preparatory network of Pre-K-12 independent schools founded in North Carolina .
The Pre-K-5 programs use a Direct Instruction ( DI ) educational model .
DI groups and paces children based on their skill levels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classifies itself as “ rigorous , college-prep academics that emphasize learning to mastery ; character formation ; real world skills development ; personalized attention and affordable tuition with no extra fees or fundraising.
” It emphasizes an approach to teaching students “ how to think , not what to think.
” During this pandemic , school leaders report that each Thales Academy location has used ventilation systems to ward off outbreaks .
Thales Academy Glen Allen Administrator Ashley Dundas reported zero cases throughout their first quarter .
“ We are proud to say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progress for our students this quarter , we had no reported cases of COVID-19 at our campus during our nine weeks of in-person instruction , and the extensive precautions we have in place to ensure the safety of our students and staff have been appreciated by our families , ” stated Dundas .
According to the Center for Disease Control ( CDC ) , COVID-19 is spread primarily through respiratory droplets in the air .
Ventilation systems are one of the recommended tools to combat disease spread effectively in schools .
The Glen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their first and second grade classes .
Their second quarter begins October 12 .
A free coursework trial is available virtually to interested parents of K-5 children ; no enrollment in the academy is necessary to access the trial .
Parents and guardians can request more details or schedule private tours by contacting Dundas via email .
Further information and applications are available on their website .
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Network .
Follow her latest on Twitter , or email tips to [ @ @ @ @

Thales Academy Glen Allen will add the third grade to their K-2 programs in the 2021-2022 school year, after a successful first quarter. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The Glen Allen location first opened on July 20 of this year – it is the first Thales Academy in Virginia.
Thales Academy Glen Allen is one in a college preparatory network of Pre-K-12 independent schools founded in North Carolina. The Pre-K-5 programs use a Direct Instruction (DI) educational model. DI groups and paces children based on their skill levels, rather than age.
Thales Academy classifies itself as “rigorous, college-prep academics that emphasize learning to mastery; character formation; real world skills development; personalized attention and affordable tuition with no extra fees or fundraising.” It emphasizes an approach to teaching students “how to think, not what to think.”
During this pandemic, school leaders report that each Thales Academy location has used ventilation systems to ward off outbreaks. Thales Academy Glen Allen Administrator Ashley Dundas reported zero cases throughout their first quarter.
“We are proud to say that in addition to achieving strong academic progress for our students this quarter, we had no reported cases of COVID-19 at our campus during our nine weeks of in-person instruction, and the extensive precautions we have in place to ensure the safety of our students and staff have been appreciated by our families,” stated Dundas.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), COVID-19 is spread primarily through respiratory droplets in the air. Ventilation systems are one of the recommended tools to combat disease spread effectively in schools.
The Glen Allen location still has several openings in their first and second grade classes. Their second quarter begins October 12.
A free coursework trial is available virtually to interested parents of K-5 children; no enrollment in the academy is necessary to access the trial.
Parents and guardians can request more details or schedule private tours by contacting Dundas via email. Further information and applications are available on their website.
– – –
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Network. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to [email protected].


thetennesseestar--2020-10-02--‘Out of an Abundance of Caution:’ Trump Goes to Walter Reed Medical Center

WASHINGTON , D.C. ( AP ) — President Donald Trump will spend a “ few days ” at a military hospital after contracting COVID-19 , the White House said Friday , as the virus that has killed more than 205,000 Americans spread to the highest reaches of the U.S. government .
Trump “ remains fatigued , ” his doctor said .
Trump was to depart the White House by helicopter late Friday for Walter Reed National Military Medical Center .
The White House said the visit was precautionary and that he would work from the hospital ’ s presidential suite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to continue his official duties .
“ President Trump remains in good spirits , has mild symptoms , and has been working throughout the day , ” said press secretary Kayleigh McEnany .
“ Out of an abundance of caution , and at the recommendation of his physician and medical experts , the president will be working from the presidential offices at Walter Reed for the next few days.
” Earlier Friday the White House said Trump had been injected with an experimental antibody cocktail by the White House physician .
First lady @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president said , and several others in the White House have , too , prompting concern that the White House or even Trump himself might have spread the virus further .
The president ’ s physician said in a memo late Friday that Trump received a dose of an experimental antibody cocktail by Regeneron that is in clinical trials .
Navy Commander Dr. Sean Conley said Trump “ remains fatigued but in good spirits ” and that a team of experts was evaluating both the president and first lady in regard to next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is 50 , has a “ mild cough and headache , ” Conley reported , and the remainder of the first family , including the Trumps ’ son Barron , who lives at the White House , tested negative .
Both Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris have tested negative , their campaign said .
Vice President Mike Pence tested negative for the virus Friday morning and “ remains in good health , ” his spokesman said .
Trump ’ s Supreme Court nominee , Judge Amy Coney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many others on Saturday and has been on Capitol Hill meeting with lawmakers , also tested negative , the White House said .
Trump ’ s diagnosis was sure to have a destabilizing effect in Washington and around the world , raising questions about how far the virus has spread through the highest levels of the U.S. government .
Hours before Trump announced he had contracted the virus , the White House said a top aide who had traveled with him during the week had tested positive .
“ Tonight , @ FLOTUS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately , ” Trump tweeted just before 1 a.m. “ We will get through this TOGETHER !
” White House chief of staff Mark Meadows on Friday tried to assure the public that Trump was conducting business as usual , even as he confirmed that the White House knew Hope Hicks , the aide , had tested positive before Trump attended a Thursday fundraiser in New Jersey .
“ I can tell you in terms of Hope Hicks , we discovered that right as Marine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Meadows .
Several staffers were pulled from the trip , but Trump did not cancel and there was no direct evidence that her illness was connected to his .
Many White House and senior administration officials were undergoing tests Friday , but the full scale of the outbreak around the president may not be known for some time as it can take days for an infection to be detectable by a test .
Officials with the White House Medical Unit were tracing the president ’ s contacts .
Trump ’ s reelection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all events featuring Trump and members of his family but that Pence would resume campaigning since he tested negative .
Trump was last seen by reporters returning to the White House on Thursday evening and did not appear ill .
He is 74 years old and clinically obese , putting him at higher risk of serious complications from a virus that has infected more than 7 million people nationwide .
In a tweet Friday morning , Biden said he and his wife “ send our thoughts to President Trump and First Lady Melania @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will continue to pray for the health and safety of the president and his family.
” World leaders offered the president and first family their best wishes after their diagnosis , as governments used their case as a reminder for their citizens to wear masks and practice social distancing measures .
Trump ’ s announcement came hours after he confirmed that Hicks , one of his most trusted and longest-serving aides , had been diagnosed with the virus Thursday .
Hicks began feeling mild symptoms during the plane ride home from a rally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity to disclose private information .
She was isolated from other passengers aboard the plane , the person said .
Hicks had been with Trump and other senior staff aboard Marine One and Air Force One en route to that rally and had accompanied the president to Tuesday ’ s presidential debate in Cleveland , along with members of the Trump family .
The Trump contingent removed their masks during the debate , in violation of the venue rules .
Multiple White House staffers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including Pence ’ s press secretary , Katie Miller , national security adviser Robert O ’ Brien and one of the president ’ s personal valets .
An RNC official confirmed Friday that Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel learned she had tested positive Wednesday afternoon .
She has been at her home in Michigan since last Saturday and did not attend the debate .
As for Trump ’ s attendance at Thursday ’ s fundraiser , press secretary Kalleigh McEnany said , “ He socially distanced .
It was an outdoor event , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Operations for him to attend that event.
” It is unclear where the Trumps or Hicks may have caught the virus , but in a Fox interview , Trump seemed to suggest it may have been spread by someone in the military or law enforcement in greetings .
The White House began instituting a daily testing regimen for the president ’ s senior aides after earlier positive cases close to the president .
Anyone in close proximity to the president or vice president is also tested every day , including reporters .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to test positive for the virus , which previously infected Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson , who spent a week in the hospital , including three nights in intensive care .
Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was hospitalized last month while fighting what he called a “ hellish ” case of COVID-19 .
Jim Colvin and Zeke Miller are reporters for The Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo : President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk to board Air Force One to travel to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday , Sept. 29 , 2020 , in Andrews Air Force Base , Md .
( AP Photo/J .
Scott Applewhite )

by Jim Colvin and Zeke Miller
WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) — President Donald Trump will spend a “few days” at a military hospital after contracting COVID-19, the White House said Friday, as the virus that has killed more than 205,000 Americans spread to the highest reaches of the U.S. government. Trump “remains fatigued,” his doctor said.
Trump was to depart the White House by helicopter late Friday for Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The White House said the visit was precautionary and that he would work from the hospital’s presidential suite, which is equipped to allow him to continue his official duties.
“President Trump remains in good spirits, has mild symptoms, and has been working throughout the day,” said press secretary Kayleigh McEnany. “Out of an abundance of caution, and at the recommendation of his physician and medical experts, the president will be working from the presidential offices at Walter Reed for the next few days.”
Earlier Friday the White House said Trump had been injected with an experimental antibody cocktail by the White House physician.
First lady Melania Trump also tested positive, the president said, and several others in the White House have, too, prompting concern that the White House or even Trump himself might have spread the virus further.
The president’s physician said in a memo late Friday that Trump received a dose of an experimental antibody cocktail by Regeneron that is in clinical trials. Navy Commander Dr. Sean Conley said Trump “remains fatigued but in good spirits” and that a team of experts was evaluating both the president and first lady in regard to next steps.
The first lady, who is 50, has a “mild cough and headache,” Conley reported, and the remainder of the first family, including the Trumps’ son Barron, who lives at the White House, tested negative.
Both Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris have tested negative, their campaign said. Vice President Mike Pence tested negative for the virus Friday morning and “remains in good health,” his spokesman said.
Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, Judge Amy Coney Barrett, who was with him and many others on Saturday and has been on Capitol Hill meeting with lawmakers, also tested negative, the White House said.
Trump’s diagnosis was sure to have a destabilizing effect in Washington and around the world, raising questions about how far the virus has spread through the highest levels of the U.S. government. Hours before Trump announced he had contracted the virus, the White House said a top aide who had traveled with him during the week had tested positive.
“Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately,” Trump tweeted just before 1 a.m. “We will get through this TOGETHER!”
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows on Friday tried to assure the public that Trump was conducting business as usual, even as he confirmed that the White House knew Hope Hicks, the aide, had tested positive before Trump attended a Thursday fundraiser in New Jersey.
“I can tell you in terms of Hope Hicks, we discovered that right as Marine One was taking off yesterday,” said Meadows. Several staffers were pulled from the trip, but Trump did not cancel and there was no direct evidence that her illness was connected to his.
Many White House and senior administration officials were undergoing tests Friday, but the full scale of the outbreak around the president may not be known for some time as it can take days for an infection to be detectable by a test. Officials with the White House Medical Unit were tracing the president’s contacts.
Trump’s reelection campaign said it was putting on hold all events featuring Trump and members of his family but that Pence would resume campaigning since he tested negative.
Trump was last seen by reporters returning to the White House on Thursday evening and did not appear ill. He is 74 years old and clinically obese, putting him at higher risk of serious complications from a virus that has infected more than 7 million people nationwide.
In a tweet Friday morning, Biden said he and his wife “send our thoughts to President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for a swift recovery. We will continue to pray for the health and safety of the president and his family.”
World leaders offered the president and first family their best wishes after their diagnosis, as governments used their case as a reminder for their citizens to wear masks and practice social distancing measures.
Trump’s announcement came hours after he confirmed that Hicks, one of his most trusted and longest-serving aides, had been diagnosed with the virus Thursday. Hicks began feeling mild symptoms during the plane ride home from a rally in Minnesota on Wednesday evening, according to an administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity to disclose private information. She was isolated from other passengers aboard the plane, the person said.
Hicks had been with Trump and other senior staff aboard Marine One and Air Force One en route to that rally and had accompanied the president to Tuesday’s presidential debate in Cleveland, along with members of the Trump family. The Trump contingent removed their masks during the debate, in violation of the venue rules.
Multiple White House staffers have previously tested positive for the virus, including Pence’s press secretary, Katie Miller, national security adviser Robert O’Brien and one of the president’s personal valets. An RNC official confirmed Friday that Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel learned she had tested positive Wednesday afternoon. She has been at her home in Michigan since last Saturday and did not attend the debate.
As for Trump’s attendance at Thursday’s fundraiser, press secretary Kalleigh McEnany said, “He socially distanced. It was an outdoor event, and it was deemed safe by White House Operations for him to attend that event.”
It is unclear where the Trumps or Hicks may have caught the virus, but in a Fox interview, Trump seemed to suggest it may have been spread by someone in the military or law enforcement in greetings.
The White House began instituting a daily testing regimen for the president’s senior aides after earlier positive cases close to the president. Anyone in close proximity to the president or vice president is also tested every day, including reporters.
Trump is far from the first world leader to test positive for the virus, which previously infected Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who spent a week in the hospital, including three nights in intensive care. Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was hospitalized last month while fighting what he called a “hellish” case of COVID-19.
– – –
Jim Colvin and Zeke Miller are reporters for The Associated Press.
About the Headline Photo: President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk to board Air Force One to travel to the first presidential debate in Cleveland, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020, in Andrews Air Force Base, Md. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)


thetennesseestar--2020-10-03--New Facebook Data Center Could Make Big Impact in Gallatin, Report Says

A new report that describes how Facebook ’ s data centers have impacted surrounding areas could predict how a new one will impact Gallatin .
As The Tennessee Star reported in August , Facebook will invest $ 800 million to build a new state-of-the-art data center in Gallatin to create approximately 100 jobs .
Gallatin officials said at the time that Facebook will hire locally .
The North Carolina-based RTI International prepared the report about Facebook data centers throughout the nation and their economic impact .
Facebook has 13 data centers in the United States , and eight of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report .
“ RTI analyzed Facebook ’ s expenditures for U.S. data center construction and operations and estimated that , when accounting for multiplier effects , Facebook data centers have contributed a cumulative $ 18.6 billion in gross domestic product ( GDP ) to the U.S. economy from 2017 through 2019 , or $ 6.2 billion per year , ” the report said .
“ This contribution estimate was primarily driven by up-front capital investments in construction .
Facebook invested over $ 173 million in data center operations , on average , each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were supported in the economy for every $ 1 million in data center operating expenditures.
” RTI officials also said that Facebook data centers offer their local direct grantmaking , volunteering , and other partnership opportunities to their local areas .
“ The total cumulative effects of Facebook ’ s data center investments over the last three years included direct , indirect , and induced contributions to the economy .
Investments in Facebook ’ s data center workforce drove the company ’ s $ 3 billion cumulative U.S. GDP contribution from operating expenditures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Facebook ’ s cumulative contribution to U.S. GDP from capital expenditures was driven by spending across the sectors outlined below as well as others in the supply chain such as wholesale trade , metal , HVAC , and switchboard manufacturing : $ 9.7 billion of $ 15.7 billion total effects.
” In August , Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development officials said in a press release , that more than 1,100 construction workers will work on the 982,000 square-foot facility .
The center , located about 30 miles from Nashville , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including technical operations , electricians , logistics staff , and security .
Gallatin Mayor Paige Brown told The Star in an August email that the facility is “ a huge server farm ” that will store and process Facebook ’ s data and other platforms .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Clonee Data Center ” by Facebook .

A new report that describes how Facebook’s data centers have impacted surrounding areas could predict how a new one will impact Gallatin.
As The Tennessee Star reported in August, Facebook will invest $800 million to build a new state-of-the-art data center in Gallatin to create approximately 100 jobs. Gallatin officials said at the time that Facebook will hire locally.
The North Carolina-based RTI International prepared the report about Facebook data centers throughout the nation and their economic impact. Facebook has 13 data centers in the United States, and eight of those now serve traffic, according to the report.
“RTI analyzed Facebook’s expenditures for U.S. data center construction and operations and estimated that, when accounting for multiplier effects, Facebook data centers have contributed a cumulative $18.6 billion in gross domestic product (GDP) to the U.S. economy from 2017 through 2019, or $6.2 billion per year,” the report said.
“This contribution estimate was primarily driven by up-front capital investments in construction. Facebook invested over $173 million in data center operations, on average, each year. RTI estimated that 18 jobs were supported in the economy for every $1 million in data center operating expenditures.”
RTI officials also said that Facebook data centers offer their local direct grantmaking, volunteering, and other partnership opportunities to their local areas.
“The total cumulative effects of Facebook’s data center investments over the last three years included direct, indirect, and induced contributions to the economy. Investments in Facebook’s data center workforce drove the company’s $3 billion cumulative U.S. GDP contribution from operating expenditures,” according to the report.
“Facebook’s cumulative contribution to U.S. GDP from capital expenditures was driven by spending across the sectors outlined below as well as others in the supply chain such as wholesale trade, metal, HVAC, and switchboard manufacturing: $9.7 billion of $15.7 billion total effects.”
In August, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development officials said in a press release, that more than 1,100 construction workers will work on the 982,000 square-foot facility. The center, located about 30 miles from Nashville, will house various types of workers, including technical operations, electricians, logistics staff, and security.
Gallatin Mayor Paige Brown told The Star in an August email that the facility is “a huge server farm” that will store and process Facebook’s data and other platforms.
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Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “Clonee Data Center” by Facebook.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-03--Commentary: Economic Bounce Back Continues with 14.1 Million More Jobs Recovered Since April

Another 275,000 jobs were added to the U.S. economy in the month of September , according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ’ ( BLS ) household survey , and 661,000 in the establishment survey , adding to the miraculous economic recovery that has taken place since COVID-19 lockdowns this spring as now states and businesses continue reopening at a rapid clip .
That makes for a record 14.1 million jobs that have been recovered in just five short months since labor markets bottomed in April — all on the eve of the 2020 presidential election .
This will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 — and it is undoubtedly great news not just for President Donald Trump , who has insisted on safely reopening the economy , but to the American people who depend on it to support their families .
At the first presidential debate between President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden on Sept. 29 , days before the latest numbers were released , Trump touted the success the nation has seen with reopening and laid into Biden for wanting to shut it down again .
“ [ W ] hat happened is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now we ’ re reopening , and we ’ re doing record business .
We had 10.4 million people in a four-month period that we ’ ve put back into the workforce .
That ’ s a record the likes of which nobody ’ s ever seen before , and he wants to close down the — he will shut it down again , ” Trump declared , referring to the separate BLS establishment survey of employers prior to the September numbers being released , which show now 11.4 million jobs recovered in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , each showing the same V-shaped recovery that has formed , and this month , it appears the establishment survey was catching up to the household one , which may be more useful in terms of gauging the experience of more Americans as a leading indicator .
President Trump contrasted his vision with what he said were the implication ’ s of Biden ’ s prescription : “ He will destroy this country , you know , a lot of people , between drugs and alcohol and depression , when you start shutting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at what ’ s happening in some of your Democrat run states where they have these tough shutdowns , and I ’ m telling you it ’ s because they don ’ t want to open it… .
They think they ’ re hurting us by keeping them closed .
They ’ re hurting people .
People know what to do .
They can social distance , they can wash their hands , they can wear masks — they can do whatever they want , but they can open these states up.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that “ you can ’ t fix the economy until you fix the COVID crisis , ” and at one point in the debate declared “ You need to shut it down ” before Trump cut him off .
Biden said , “ The idea that … we go forward and open when you have almost half the states in America with a significant increase in COVID desks and COVID cases in the United States of America , and he wants to open it up more .
Why does he want to open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he take care of the American — you can ’ t fix the economy until you fix the COVID crisis , and he has no intention of doing anything about making it better for you all at home , in terms of your health and your safety .
Schools — why aren ’ t schools open ?
Because it costs a lot of money to open them safely.
” Trump , on the other hand , emphasized the toll the ongoing closures have on working families : “ [ P ] eople want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t want to be shut down .
They don ’ t want their state shut down .
They want their restaurants .
I look at New York .
It ’ s so sad what ’ s happening in New York , it ’ s almost like a ghost town .
And I ’ m not sure I can ever recover what they ’ ve done in New York .
People want their places open .
They want to get back to their lives.
” The American people already know the difference .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state-led lockdowns , 25 million jobs were lost .
The Gross Domestic Product contracted by an inflation-adjusted , annualized 31.7 percent in the second quarter .
Since then , more than 16 million jobs have been recovered , and now , the Atlanta Federal Reserve is projecting a 34.6 percent expansion of the economy in the third quarter — another report that will be released just days before the election .
The news comes as COVID-19 cases continue to stabilize nationwide , including in Texas , California , Florida and Arizona where cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other states like Wisconsin are witnessing an uptick .
The President and First Lady ’ s positive COVID-19 tests are a testament of the risks .
And with the cold and flu season upon us again , the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation ( IHME ) is projecting that coronavirus cases will rise significantly through October and November .
One trouble spot , right on time for the advent of the cold and flu season , the labor markets recovery slowed down significantly in the household survey , with a net 970,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the labor force .
Which is why we continue to need an emphasis on reopening , especially schools , is so important .
Congress is still considering phase four legislation , and more than any other thing , getting the schools back and operational is critical to millions of parents getting back to work — and keeping their jobs .
The pandemic shutdowns disproportionately knocked women out of the labor force .
The longer the schools are shut , the harder the recovery will become .
Both the Senate and House versions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — so did the already passed CARES Act — and so the only question is why both chambers have not simply passed the things that they do agree on while working families and small businesses continue to struggle .
In particular , the small business lending program to 5 million small business ran out of money on Aug. 8 , that has supported 50 million jobs .
While a lot of hope has been placed in the vaccine , there is also the disquieting possibility that it might not work .
After all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effective vaccine for coronavirus .
States have to make plans for what the country will look like — even without an immediate vaccine and regardless of who wins the election in November .
Looking forward , this fall and winter will undoubtedly be a trying time for the American people and the world , and President Trump and former Vice President Biden each have different visions on how and whether to reopen the economy .
It is about as clear a contrast as you can get in any debate , which despite the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of substance .
And that may be what the election comes down to : To reopen the country or not to reopen ?
You decide .
Robert Romano is the Vice President of Public Policy at Americans for Limited Government .
Photo “ Trump Economy ” by The White House .

by Robert Romano
Another 275,000 jobs were added to the U.S. economy in the month of September, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) household survey, and 661,000 in the establishment survey, adding to the miraculous economic recovery that has taken place since COVID-19 lockdowns this spring as now states and businesses continue reopening at a rapid clip.
That makes for a record 14.1 million jobs that have been recovered in just five short months since labor markets bottomed in April — all on the eve of the 2020 presidential election. This will be the last monthly jobs report before Nov. 3 — and it is undoubtedly great news not just for President Donald Trump, who has insisted on safely reopening the economy, but to the American people who depend on it to support their families.
At the first presidential debate between President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden on Sept. 29, days before the latest numbers were released, Trump touted the success the nation has seen with reopening and laid into Biden for wanting to shut it down again.
“[W]hat happened is we’ve closed it down and now we’re reopening, and we’re doing record business. We had 10.4 million people in a four-month period that we’ve put back into the workforce. That’s a record the likes of which nobody’s ever seen before, and he wants to close down the — he will shut it down again,” Trump declared, referring to the separate BLS establishment survey of employers prior to the September numbers being released, which show now 11.4 million jobs recovered in revised data.
Both surveys are right, each showing the same V-shaped recovery that has formed, and this month, it appears the establishment survey was catching up to the household one, which may be more useful in terms of gauging the experience of more Americans as a leading indicator.
President Trump contrasted his vision with what he said were the implication’s of Biden’s prescription: “He will destroy this country, you know, a lot of people, between drugs and alcohol and depression, when you start shutting it down and you take a look at what’s happening in some of your Democrat run states where they have these tough shutdowns, and I’m telling you it’s because they don’t want to open it…. They think they’re hurting us by keeping them closed. They’re hurting people. People know what to do. They can social distance, they can wash their hands, they can wear masks — they can do whatever they want, but they can open these states up.”
Biden for his part, keeps maintaining that “you can’t fix the economy until you fix the COVID crisis,” and at one point in the debate declared “You need to shut it down” before Trump cut him off.
Biden said, “The idea that … we go forward and open when you have almost half the states in America with a significant increase in COVID desks and COVID cases in the United States of America, and he wants to open it up more. Why does he want to open it up? Why doesn’t he take care of the American — you can’t fix the economy until you fix the COVID crisis, and he has no intention of doing anything about making it better for you all at home, in terms of your health and your safety. Schools — why aren’t schools open? Because it costs a lot of money to open them safely.”
Trump, on the other hand, emphasized the toll the ongoing closures have on working families: “[P]eople want their schools open. They don’t want to be shut down. They don’t want their state shut down. They want their restaurants. I look at New York. It’s so sad what’s happening in New York, it’s almost like a ghost town. And I’m not sure I can ever recover what they’ve done in New York. People want their places open. They want to get back to their lives.”
The American people already know the difference. In April, at the height of the state-led lockdowns, 25 million jobs were lost. The Gross Domestic Product contracted by an inflation-adjusted, annualized 31.7 percent in the second quarter.
Since then, more than 16 million jobs have been recovered, and now, the Atlanta Federal Reserve is projecting a 34.6 percent expansion of the economy in the third quarter — another report that will be released just days before the election.
The news comes as COVID-19 cases continue to stabilize nationwide, including in Texas, California, Florida and Arizona where cases saw a brief uptick this summer but other states like Wisconsin are witnessing an uptick. The President and First Lady’s positive COVID-19 tests are a testament of the risks.
And with the cold and flu season upon us again, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) is projecting that coronavirus cases will rise significantly through October and November.
One trouble spot, right on time for the advent of the cold and flu season, the labor markets recovery slowed down significantly in the household survey, with a net 970,000 fewer unemployed, of which 879,000 left the labor force.
Which is why we continue to need an emphasis on safely reopening, especially schools, is so important. Congress is still considering phase four legislation, and more than any other thing, getting the schools back and operational is critical to millions of parents getting back to work — and keeping their jobs. The pandemic shutdowns disproportionately knocked women out of the labor force.
The longer the schools are shut, the harder the recovery will become.
Both the Senate and House versions of the legislation provide additional resources for schools — so did the already passed CARES Act — and so the only question is why both chambers have not simply passed the things that they do agree on while working families and small businesses continue to struggle. In particular, the small business lending program to 5 million small business ran out of money on Aug. 8, that has supported 50 million jobs.
While a lot of hope has been placed in the vaccine, there is also the disquieting possibility that it might not work. After all, there’s never been an effective vaccine for coronavirus. States have to make plans for what the country will look like — even without an immediate vaccine and regardless of who wins the election in November.
Looking forward, this fall and winter will undoubtedly be a trying time for the American people and the world, and President Trump and former Vice President Biden each have different visions on how and whether to reopen the economy. It is about as clear a contrast as you can get in any debate, which despite the sparring between the candidates, was full of substance. And that may be what the election comes down to: To reopen the country or not to reopen? You decide.
– – –
Robert Romano is the Vice President of Public Policy at Americans for Limited Government.
Photo “Trump Economy” by The White House.


thetennesseestar--2020-10-03--Biden Says He and Jill Tested Negative for COVID-19

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has tested negative for coronavirus , following President Donald Trump ’ s announcement that both he and First Lady Melania Trump were positive for the virus .
Both Joe and his wife , Jill Biden , have not been infected by COVID-19 , according to a Friday afternoon tweet from the candidate .
“ I ’ m happy to report that Jill and I have tested negative for COVID , ” Joe Biden wrote .
“ Thank you to everyone for your messages of concern .
I hope this serves as a reminder : wear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and wash your hands.
” Joe Biden was in close proximity to the president during the first presidential debate Tuesday .
Trump announced his coronavirus diagnosis Thursday after senior aide Hope Hicks tested positive for the disease on Wednesday , according to the New York Times .
Barron Trump , the president ’ s son , Ivanka Trump , the president ’ s daughter , and Jared Kushner , Ivanka Trump ’ s husband , have all tested negative for the virus , Newsweek reported .
Jake Dima is a reporter for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe and Jill Biden ” by Gage Skidmore .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .

by Jake Dima
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has tested negative for coronavirus, following President Donald Trump’s announcement that both he and First Lady Melania Trump were positive for the virus.
Both Joe and his wife, Jill Biden, have not been infected by COVID-19, according to a Friday afternoon tweet from the candidate.
“I’m happy to report that Jill and I have tested negative for COVID,” Joe Biden wrote. “Thank you to everyone for your messages of concern. I hope this serves as a reminder: wear a mask, keep social distance, and wash your hands.”
I’m happy to report that Jill and I have tested negative for COVID. Thank you to everyone for your messages of concern. I hope this serves as a reminder: wear a mask, keep social distance, and wash your hands. — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) October 2, 2020
Joe Biden was in close proximity to the president during the first presidential debate Tuesday.
Trump announced his coronavirus diagnosis Thursday after senior aide Hope Hicks tested positive for the disease on Wednesday, according to the New York Times. Barron Trump, the president’s son, Ivanka Trump, the president’s daughter, and Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump’s husband, have all tested negative for the virus, Newsweek reported.
Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 2, 2020
– – –
Jake Dima is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Photo “Joe and Jill Biden” by Gage Skidmore. CC BY-SA 2.0.