thetennesseestar--2020-07-03--Ohio Republican Party Frays, Leadership Falters As 2020 Election Heats Up

Is Jane Timken the leader the Ohio State Republican Party needs to help President Donald Trump win re-election when her party seems to be engaged in a civil war ?
The stakes are high in the Buckeye State .
Trump and Biden are locked in a dead heat , according to a poll available here by RealClearPolitics .
GOP insiders say the number of Republican-registered voters in the state has fallen from 2.2 million in June 2016 to 1.9 million last month .
Meanwhile , Timken and Gov .
Mike DeWine went on a state tour early this year to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ohio Star reported .
They touted the pre-pandemic economy , government spending and children ’ s programs while ignoring the governor ’ s red flag laws , his policy to allow dangerous refugees into the state and primary endorsements that the two have drawn heat on .
Since then , DeWine and Timken have not addressed conservatives ’ concerns over Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof ’ s late-night move to kill a vote on a bill to curb Dr. Amy Acton ’ s unrestrained powers in strangling the economy .
Now , conservative-leaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state leadership by sending strongly worded letters to DeWine .
It may be that letters are the only way they can be heard .
Timken reportedly has not spoken to new Medina County Chair Jim Renacci , not only since he assumed his new office but indeed for far longer .
When contacted by The Star about Timken , Renacci said she hasn ’ t talked to him since January 2019 .
This despite his having been hand-picked and endorsed by Trump to run for Senate in Ohio in 2018 .
Warren County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 66 percent of the vote , is one of those , the Cincinnati Enquirer said .
Republicans in six counties in the west-central part of the state sent DeWine a letter expressing similar disdain , The Columbus Dispatch said .
Obhof and House Speaker Larry Householder , instead of leading the charge to reopen the economy , have spent their time taking potshots at one another and other Republicans online , such as riffs about anatomical features .
In an undated Facebook thread , Householder said , “ Senate Prez Larry Obhoff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Multiple times the House has tried to protect The People from oppressive rules which lead to unemployment and bankruptcy for Ohio businesses .
But the Senate has BLOCKED , BLOCKED , BLOCKED , I hope he gets the job he wants from the Governor and it ’ s far away from anywhere where he can further destroy the People of our state.
” The state party appears to be so divided that former Chairman Matt Borges has been running the Right Side PAC to sway Republicans to vote for Biden , The Star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and stripped him of his “ chairman emeritus ” status .
The acrimony has claimed one establishment figure .
Fifteen-year Cuyahoga County Republican Party Chairman Rob Frost lost to Lisa Stickan , a longtime Trump supporter who is one of his delegates , The Plain Dealer reported .
Frost was not thought to be a major supporter of the president .
This is the latest example of Trump supporters gaining influential positions in the state party , the newspaper said .
While Trump ’ s campaign does not endorse candidates in party races @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stickan in a tweet .
Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes .
Photo “ Jane Timken ” by Jane Timken .

Is Jane Timken the leader the Ohio State Republican Party needs to help President Donald Trump win re-election when her party seems to be engaged in a civil war?
The stakes are high in the Buckeye State.
Trump and Biden are locked in a dead heat, according to a poll available here by RealClearPolitics.
GOP insiders say the number of Republican-registered voters in the state has fallen from 2.2 million in June 2016 to 1.9 million last month.
Meanwhile, Timken and Gov. Mike DeWine went on a state tour early this year to say how great things are, The Ohio Star reported. They touted the pre-pandemic economy, government spending and children’s programs while ignoring the governor’s red flag laws, his policy to allow dangerous refugees into the state and primary endorsements that the two have drawn heat on.
Since then, DeWine and Timken have not addressed conservatives’ concerns over Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof’s late-night move to kill a vote on a bill to curb Dr. Amy Acton’s unrestrained powers in strangling the economy.
Now, conservative-leaning county parties are showing their displeasure with state leadership by sending strongly worded letters to DeWine. It may be that letters are the only way they can be heard.
Timken reportedly has not spoken to new Medina County Chair Jim Renacci, not only since he assumed his new office but indeed for far longer.
When contacted by The Star about Timken, Renacci said she hasn’t talked to him since January 2019. This despite his having been hand-picked and endorsed by Trump to run for Senate in Ohio in 2018.
Seven county GOP parties reportedly are growing restless.
Warren County’s party, where Trump won with 66 percent of the vote, is one of those, the Cincinnati Enquirer said.
Ohio’s Republican governor “grossly mishandled” this year’s primary election and has “not reacted appropriately” to the pandemic, the Warren County Republican Party stated in a resolution signed June 22.
Republicans in six counties in the west-central part of the state sent DeWine a letter expressing similar disdain, The Columbus Dispatch said.
“You have disappointed your party faithful,” the letter signed by the GOP parties in Mercer, Darke, Shelby, Williams, Van Wert and Preble counties stated. Shelby County Republican Chairwoman Theresa Kerg confirmed the letter’s authenticity. The letter was sent to the governor June 4. “As party leaders in our respective counties, we are telling you that the damage you are doing economically is translating politically.”
Obhof and House Speaker Larry Householder, instead of leading the charge to reopen the economy, have spent their time taking potshots at one another and other Republicans online, such as riffs about anatomical features.
In an undated Facebook thread, Householder said, “Senate Prez Larry Obhoff is a WALL not a window. Multiple times the House has tried to protect The People from oppressive rules which lead to unemployment and bankruptcy for Ohio businesses. But the Senate has BLOCKED, BLOCKED, BLOCKED, I hope he gets the job he wants from the Governor and it’s far away from anywhere where he can further destroy the People of our state.”
The state party appears to be so divided that former Chairman Matt Borges has been running the Right Side PAC to sway Republicans to vote for Biden, The Star said. The Central Committee censured him and stripped him of his “chairman emeritus” status.
The acrimony has claimed one establishment figure.
Fifteen-year Cuyahoga County Republican Party Chairman Rob Frost lost to Lisa Stickan, a longtime Trump supporter who is one of his delegates, The Plain Dealer reported. Frost was not thought to be a major supporter of the president.
This is the latest example of Trump supporters gaining influential positions in the state party, the newspaper said.
While Trump’s campaign does not endorse candidates in party races, campaign senior adviser Bob Paduchik congratulated Stickan in a tweet.
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Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes.
Photo “Jane Timken” by Jane Timken.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-03--Adding Another 35,000 Claims Last Week, Ohio Unemployment Remains Above 425,000

Despite more than 35,000 new unemployment claims in Ohio last week , the total number of people receiving unemployment benefits dropped .
According to U.S. Department of Labor data , Ohio added 35,206 new unemployment claims in the week ending June 27 .
That ’ s 280 more than the previous week ’ s 34,926 new claims and brings the total number of unemployment claims in the state to 426,452 , down 39,820 from the previous week ’ s 466,363 total number .
The U.S. economy overall added 4.8 million jobs in June as states eased restrictions placed on businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is 11.1 percent .
California , Florida , Illinois , New York , Pennsylvania and Texas posted the highest total unemployment numbers in the United States at , respectively , 2.9 million ; 1.05 million ; 676,328 ; 1.6 million ; 814,330 ; and 1.3 million .
New unemployment claims in the nation dropped by 55,000 to 1,427,000 new claims from the previous week .
The Department of Labor reports the total number of national unemployment claims is slightly below 18 million claims .
Bruce Walker is a regional editor at The Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy ’ s MichiganScience magazine and The Heartland Institute ’ s InfoTech & Telecom News .

by Bruce Walker
Despite more than 35,000 new unemployment claims in Ohio last week, the total number of people receiving unemployment benefits dropped.
According to U.S. Department of Labor data, Ohio added 35,206 new unemployment claims in the week ending June 27. That’s 280 more than the previous week’s 34,926 new claims and brings the total number of unemployment claims in the state to 426,452, down 39,820 from the previous week’s 466,363 total number.
The U.S. economy overall added 4.8 million jobs in June as states eased restrictions placed on businesses deemed nonessential. The national unemployment rate is 11.1 percent.
California, Florida, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas posted the highest total unemployment numbers in the United States at, respectively, 2.9 million; 1.05 million; 676,328; 1.6 million; 814,330; and 1.3 million.
New unemployment claims in the nation dropped by 55,000 to 1,427,000 new claims from the previous week. The Department of Labor reports the total number of national unemployment claims is slightly below 18 million claims.
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Bruce Walker is a regional editor at The Center Square. He previously worked as editor at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy’s MichiganScience magazine and The Heartland Institute’s InfoTech & Telecom News.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-03--GOP State Senators Ask Minnesota Historical Society to Return Columbus Statue to Capitol

Two Republican state senators asked the Minnesota Historical Society to repair and restore a Christopher Columbus statue that was torn down outside the Minnesota Capitol three weeks ago .
Although the incident took place in broad daylight and was recorded by countless news stations and reporters , the Minnesota Department of Public Safety said last week the investigation remains ongoing .
Minnesota law vests the Minnesota Historical Society with “ final authority to approve or reject the removal of the statue , ” Sens .
Carla Nelson ( R-Rochester ) and Bill Ingebrigtsen ( R-Alexandria ) said in a recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CEO of the Historical Society .
“ It is clear to us that although the statue has been moved to another location under the control of state authorities , the Historical Society has not provided the approval required under M.S .
138.68 for the removal to this location , ” states the letter .
The letter argues that the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning ( CAAP ) Board does not need to grant the Historical Society permission to restore the statue , since its removal was never authorized in the first place .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Historical Society website entry for the statue seems to suggest that before the statue is replaced on its plinth , the CAAP Board must approve that step .
We fail to see how that step is required where the Historical Society has not yet provided the approval required under law for the removal of the statue from the plinth , ” says the letter .
The letter concludes by asking that the statue “ be repaired and replaced on its original plinth and site.
” “ We would like you to inform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regard to this matter .
We do not believe that you are required to wait for CAAP Board approval before taking action to ensure that the statue is returned to its legally required location , ” the letter states .
The law in question grants the Minnesota Historical Society “ final authority over the disposition of any monuments , memorials or works of art removed from the State Capitol or the Capitol grounds.
” Both the Historical Society and CAAP Board are required to “ approve the design , structural composition , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ works of art presently located in the public and ceremonial areas of the State Capitol.
” However , no monument can be relocated , removed , altered , or repaired “ in any way without the approval of the Minnesota State Historical Society.
” Nelson said the vandals should “ not get a pass on tearing down a statue because they do not like it , ” noting that their actions were “ a felony punishable by a $ 10,000 fine or five years in prison.
” “ Minnesota can not continue down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return to a system that does not rely on violence or destruction , ” Ingebrigtsen said in a press release .
“ Regarding the statue of Christopher Columbus that was torn down at the Capitol , the Lt .
Governor and protesters can ’ t just remove it because they feel that their actions are justified .
Minnesota has clear procedures they and everyone in this state need to abide by , whether you ’ re on the right or the left .
[ Exceptions ] can ’ t be made on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t allow favoritism in this state.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Christopher Colombus Statue Removal ” by Tony Webster .
CC BY 2.0 .

Two Republican state senators asked the Minnesota Historical Society to repair and restore a Christopher Columbus statue that was torn down outside the Minnesota Capitol three weeks ago.
Although the incident took place in broad daylight and was recorded by countless news stations and reporters, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety said last week the investigation remains ongoing.
Minnesota law vests the Minnesota Historical Society with “final authority to approve or reject the removal of the statue,” Sens. Carla Nelson (R-Rochester) and Bill Ingebrigtsen (R-Alexandria) said in a recent letter to Kent Whitworth, director and CEO of the Historical Society.
“It is clear to us that although the statue has been moved to another location under the control of state authorities, the Historical Society has not provided the approval required under M.S. 138.68 for the removal to this location,” states the letter.
The letter argues that the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning (CAAP) Board does not need to grant the Historical Society permission to restore the statue, since its removal was never authorized in the first place.
“We are troubled to see that the Historical Society website entry for the statue seems to suggest that before the statue is replaced on its plinth, the CAAP Board must approve that step. We fail to see how that step is required where the Historical Society has not yet provided the approval required under law for the removal of the statue from the plinth,” says the letter.
The letter concludes by asking that the statue “be repaired and replaced on its original plinth and site.”
“We would like you to inform us how you intend to proceed with regard to this matter. We do not believe that you are required to wait for CAAP Board approval before taking action to ensure that the statue is returned to its legally required location,” the letter states.
Two #MNSenate committee chairs (Nelson & Ingebrigtsen) write the Minnesota Historical Society, asking when Christopher Columbus is going to be placed back on his Capitol pedestal. They say they see no need for the CAAP Board to approve the step. #mnleg pic.twitter.com/KARANcOc1X — Kevin Featherly (@kevinfeatherly) July 2, 2020
The law in question grants the Minnesota Historical Society “final authority over the disposition of any monuments, memorials or works of art removed from the State Capitol or the Capitol grounds.”
Both the Historical Society and CAAP Board are required to “approve the design, structural composition, and location of all monuments, memorials or works of art presently located in the public and ceremonial areas of the State Capitol.” However, no monument can be relocated, removed, altered, or repaired “in any way without the approval of the Minnesota State Historical Society.”
Nelson said the vandals should “not get a pass on tearing down a statue because they do not like it,” noting that their actions were “a felony punishable by a $10,000 fine or five years in prison.”
“Minnesota cannot continue down a path of disorder, we must return to a system that does not rely on violence or destruction,” Ingebrigtsen said in a press release. “Regarding the statue of Christopher Columbus that was torn down at the Capitol, the Lt. Governor and protesters can’t just remove it because they feel that their actions are justified. Minnesota has clear procedures they and everyone in this state need to abide by, whether you’re on the right or the left. [Exceptions] can’t be made on a case by case basis, and we can’t allow favoritism in this state.”
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Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Christopher Colombus Statue Removal” by Tony Webster. CC BY 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-03--Nashville Cancels July 4 Fireworks Show as City Reverts to Phase Two of its COVID-19 Plan

Citing an increase in COVID-19 cases , Nashville Mayor John Cooper announced Thursday that the city will go back to the second of its four-phased rollout to reopen the city .
Nashville will formally go from Phase Three back to Phase Two on Friday .
The city will remain in Phase Two for the next several weeks , Cooper said at a press conference Thursday .
“ Today ’ s new confirmed case count is 608 , a record daily high for Davidson County .
This means we have to respond as a community to get us back on track @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had to give more bad news .
“ Now , it is clear that adding any public health risk is inappropriate for Nashville at this time , so we have directed the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation to cancel its fireworks display on Saturday evening.
” Many socially-driven businesses and activities that opened in Phase Three will now have to temporarily close , including event and entertainment venues .
Nashville ’ s limit on gathering size is now 25 .
Restaurants will move back from 75 percent capacity to 50 percent capacity , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ It ’ s worth noting that Nashville ’ s rate of confirmed cases did decline , while bars and restaurants operated at 50 percent capacity in May , ” Cooper said .
“ Metro Parks facilities , opened in Phase Three , will remain open , including dog parks , skate parks , basketball courts , and playgrounds .
And recreational leagues and pools will still be permitted , as outbreaks have not been traced back to these venues or activities.
” Additionally , all bars in Davidson County , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority of their revenue from alcohol sales , will close for a minimum of 14 days beginning Friday , Cooper said .
“ Our public health investigators have found a record number of clusters originating from bars within the past week , which have affected employees , patrons , and musicians .
Multiple bars in the downtown and mid-town neighborhoods have recently closed because of outbreaks among their staff and patrons , ” Cooper said .
“ Every decision related to our phased economic reopening has been made with unanimity among our public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning.
” As The Tennessee Star reported this month , Meharry Medical College President James Hildreth said people in Nashville who attended any of the recent rallies honoring George Floyd are at risk of catching COVID-19 .
“ When you have thousands of people in close proximity to each other with a virus that has a prevalence somewhere between 1 percent and 5 percent , many people not wearing masks , yelling at the top of their lungs , creating aerosols , there is a great possibility that someone who came to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave the rally with the virus , ” Hildreth said at the time .
Oh Thursday , however , Cooper said that , despite the additional restrictions on the public , he could not prohibit any more demonstrations .
“ We certainly want them [ the demonstrators ] to wear masks .
We certainly want them to walk with their arms outstretched so they ’ re more than six feet apart .
Historically , demonstrations , in terms of contact tracing , have not led to an outbreak , ” Cooper said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you are indoors , close to each other , breathing on each other without a mask .
You will spread the disease .
We are trying to de-concentrate those at-risk situations and encourage the public to help us to do that.
” Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]

Citing an increase in COVID-19 cases, Nashville Mayor John Cooper announced Thursday that the city will go back to the second of its four-phased rollout to reopen the city.
Nashville will formally go from Phase Three back to Phase Two on Friday. The city will remain in Phase Two for the next several weeks, Cooper said at a press conference Thursday.
“Today’s new confirmed case count is 608, a record daily high for Davidson County. This means we have to respond as a community to get us back on track,” Cooper said, adding he had to give more bad news.
“Now, it is clear that adding any public health risk is inappropriate for Nashville at this time, so we have directed the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation to cancel its fireworks display on Saturday evening.”
Many socially-driven businesses and activities that opened in Phase Three will now have to temporarily close, including event and entertainment venues. Nashville’s limit on gathering size is now 25. Restaurants will move back from 75 percent capacity to 50 percent capacity, as permitted in Phase One, Cooper said.
“It’s worth noting that Nashville’s rate of confirmed cases did decline, while bars and restaurants operated at 50 percent capacity in May,” Cooper said.
“Metro Parks facilities, opened in Phase Three, will remain open, including dog parks, skate parks, basketball courts, and playgrounds. And recreational leagues and pools will still be permitted, as outbreaks have not been traced back to these venues or activities.”
Additionally, all bars in Davidson County, known as limited-service restaurants that derive the majority of their revenue from alcohol sales, will close for a minimum of 14 days beginning Friday, Cooper said.
“Our public health investigators have found a record number of clusters originating from bars within the past week, which have affected employees, patrons, and musicians. Multiple bars in the downtown and mid-town neighborhoods have recently closed because of outbreaks among their staff and patrons,” Cooper said.
“Every decision related to our phased economic reopening has been made with unanimity among our public health experts. Including these announced this morning.”
As The Tennessee Star reported this month, Meharry Medical College President James Hildreth said people in Nashville who attended any of the recent rallies honoring George Floyd are at risk of catching COVID-19.
“When you have thousands of people in close proximity to each other with a virus that has a prevalence somewhere between 1 percent and 5 percent, many people not wearing masks, yelling at the top of their lungs, creating aerosols, there is a great possibility that someone who came to the rally without the virus is going to leave the rally with the virus,” Hildreth said at the time.
Oh Thursday, however, Cooper said that, despite the additional restrictions on the public, he could not prohibit any more demonstrations.
“We certainly want them [the demonstrators] to wear masks. We certainly want them to walk with their arms outstretched so they’re more than six feet apart. Historically, demonstrations, in terms of contact tracing, have not led to an outbreak,” Cooper said.
“What leads to an outbreak is if you are indoors, close to each other, breathing on each other without a mask. You will spread the disease. We are trying to de-concentrate those at-risk situations and encourage the public to help us to do that.”
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Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected]


thetennesseestar--2020-07-03--Joe Carr Endorses Dr. Manny Sethi for Senate, Hosts Candidate, Sen. Rand Paul at Cookout

Joe Carr , a conservative leader in Rutherford County , on Thursday endorsed Dr. Manny Sethi in his U.S. Senate race and said he will host the physician as well as U.S. Sen. Rand Paul ( R-KY ) at a cookout on July 18 .
Sethi posted Carr ’ s endorsement on his Facebook page here .
The cookout is called T-Bones and Politics , and Paul will be the featured speaker .
The event page is here .
The cookout will be held in the rural Lascassas community of Rutherford County .
Carr is a former state representative and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to his political Facebook page .
Carr ran unsuccessfully against Murfreesboro pharmacist Shane Reeves in a special primary election in January 2018 for the 14th State Senate District .
The event page describes T-Bones & Politics as offering “ some of the best political punditry , entertainment and best food for the politically active in Middle Tennessee and across the Mid South .
Attendees have enjoyed insight from speakers such as Former Bush White House Chief of Staff , Andrew Card , political insider and commentator Dick Morris , Wisconsin Governor and Presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov Winfield Dunn , Fmr .
TN Lt. Gov Ron Ramsey , FoxNews commentator Judge Jeanine Pirro and nationally syndicated radio talk show hosts , The Politichicks.
” In a statement , Sethi said , “ I am so honored to have Joe ’ s support .
He ’ s a conservative leader who knows the difference between real conservatives and showmen .
Joe knows what it ’ s like to take the establishment head-on , and I am grateful to have his backing as conservatives across Tennessee join this campaign.
” Jason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes .
Photo “ Joe Carr and Manny Sethi ” by Manny Sethi .

Joe Carr, a conservative leader in Rutherford County, on Thursday endorsed Dr. Manny Sethi in his U.S. Senate race and said he will host the physician as well as U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) at a cookout on July 18.
Sethi posted Carr’s endorsement on his Facebook page here.
“I want a fighter. Dr. Manny stands firm in defending our conservative values, and he will not waver in the Senate. We need to send a conservative fighter to the Washington swamp, and that’s why I support Dr. Manny.” – Joe Carr
The cookout is called T-Bones and Politics, and Paul will be the featured speaker. The event page is here.
The cookout will be held in the rural Lascassas community of Rutherford County.
Carr is a former state representative and lives on a 90-acre farm, according to his political Facebook page. Carr ran unsuccessfully against Murfreesboro pharmacist Shane Reeves in a special primary election in January 2018 for the 14th State Senate District.
The event page describes T-Bones & Politics as offering “some of the best political punditry, entertainment and best food for the politically active in Middle Tennessee and across the Mid South. Attendees have enjoyed insight from speakers such as Former Bush White House Chief of Staff, Andrew Card, political insider and commentator Dick Morris, Wisconsin Governor and Presidential Candidate Scott Walker, Fmr. TN Gov Winfield Dunn, Fmr. TN Lt. Gov Ron Ramsey, FoxNews commentator Judge Jeanine Pirro and nationally syndicated radio talk show hosts, The Politichicks.”
In a statement, Sethi said, “I am so honored to have Joe’s support. He’s a conservative leader who knows the difference between real conservatives and showmen. Joe knows what it’s like to take the establishment head-on, and I am grateful to have his backing as conservatives across Tennessee join this campaign.”
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Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes.
Photo “Joe Carr and Manny Sethi” by Manny Sethi.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-04--Marsha Blackburn Tells FOX News How Cancel Culture Hit a Chattanooga Restaurant

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn ( R-TN ) this week appeared on FOX News and spoke out on behalf of Chattanooga restaurant owners who received violent threats for merely taking a food order for a pro-police rally .
Blackburn told the network that members of her staff have reached out to the family who owns the business , Shuford ’ s Smokehouse .
The people who made the threats , the senator said , are part of “ the raging mob.
” “ If you don ’ t totally agree , they want to shut you up .
They want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no one in this country that ought to have their business shut down because somebody disagrees or has a different political opinion , ” Blackburn said .
“ Our nation and our nation ’ s freedom – that we are going to celebrate this weekend on Independence Day – [ have ] been well served and preserved because we have robust respectful bipartisan debate.
” As The Tennessee Star reported this week , an unknown person allegedly threatened to burn down Shuford ’ s Smokehouse last weekend .
This , after a news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owners would donate food to a rally that supported local police .
Online threats forced Shuford ’ s employees to take drastic measures to protect their business , said Madison Davis , whose father , Jeff , owns the restaurant .
“ A lady placed an order Tuesday for food for Saturday .
She said she was taking it to the [ pro-police ] Back the Blue Rally in Chattanooga .
It was just a business transaction .
We did not donate the food .
One of the news channels reported on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rally .
So they made it sound like we donated the food , and we did not .
Whenever that got reported is when we started getting threats , threatening phone calls , harassment , nasty negative reviews on our Facebook , ” Davis told The Tennessee Star Monday .
“ We had to take our Facebook [ page ] down within an hour of the report coming out .
We went from a 4.8 to a 4 [ rating ] in less than an hour because of people blowing it [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things that I really don ’ t want to repeat .
We finally got a threat that someone was going to burn our building down where we smoke all of our meat in .
That is when we decided to cancel .
We didn ’ t want to do the transaction anymore.
” Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Marsha Blackburn ” by Fox News .

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) this week appeared on FOX News and spoke out on behalf of Chattanooga restaurant owners who received violent threats for merely taking a food order for a pro-police rally.
Blackburn told the network that members of her staff have reached out to the family who owns the business, Shuford’s Smokehouse. The people who made the threats, the senator said, are part of “the raging mob.”
“If you don’t totally agree, they want to shut you up. They want to shut you down. And there is no one in this country that ought to have their business shut down because somebody disagrees or has a different political opinion,” Blackburn said.
“Our nation and our nation’s freedom – that we are going to celebrate this weekend on Independence Day – [have] been well served and preserved because we have robust respectful bipartisan debate.”
As The Tennessee Star reported this week, an unknown person allegedly threatened to burn down Shuford’s Smokehouse last weekend. This, after a news station reported — erroneously — that restaurant owners would donate food to a rally that supported local police.
Online threats forced Shuford’s employees to take drastic measures to protect their business, said Madison Davis, whose father, Jeff, owns the restaurant.
“A lady placed an order Tuesday for food for Saturday. She said she was taking it to the [pro-police] Back the Blue Rally in Chattanooga. It was just a business transaction. We did not donate the food. One of the news channels reported on Thursday that we were supplying the food for the rally. So they made it sound like we donated the food, and we did not. Whenever that got reported is when we started getting threats, threatening phone calls, harassment, nasty negative reviews on our Facebook,” Davis told The Tennessee Star Monday.
“We had to take our Facebook [page] down within an hour of the report coming out. We went from a 4.8 to a 4 [rating] in less than an hour because of people blowing it [Facebook] up, calling us nasty things that I really don’t want to repeat. We finally got a threat that someone was going to burn our building down where we smoke all of our meat in. That is when we decided to cancel. We didn’t want to do the transaction anymore.”
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Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “Marsha Blackburn” by Fox News.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-04--Commentary: Three Reasons America Is Great

Independence Day in 2020 will have great meaning to many Americans .
As we ’ ve seen many symbols of America ’ s past get literally smashed by mobs , it ’ s important for those who still love their country to reflect on why it is exceptional and worth fighting for .
America has always been great and can be greater still .
This is certainly not an exhaustive list of why America is great , of which there are almost countless examples big and small .
Americans , even before the birth of the United States in 1776 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One of the first orders of business for the Pilgrim settlers when they arrived on the shores of Massachusetts was to create the Mayflower Compact , a basic statement of self-government and loyalty to the British crown .
The Jamestown colony in Virginia set up the House of Burgesses in 1619 , the first legislative assembly in the New World .
Following their heritage , the British colonies in America almost immediately established institutions of self-government where community participation in the creation and upholding of laws was extensive .
But in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ British colonists in America and the American Revolution , the colonists ’ attachment to self-government deepened in comparison to their cousins back in England , where representation was often more symbolic rather than actual .
Amid Parliament ’ s ultimately foolish attempts to ham-handedly rein in the colonies at the end of the French and Indian War , it was the Crown that triggered the separation , the drive for total independence .
The thought of losing their grip on self-government made the colonists believe that they would soon end up in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of discontent and pleading with British authorities to loosen their grip of control , the colonies rebelled .
The Declaration of Independence , a remarkable and timeless document , did not just lay out the essential God-given rights of life , liberty , and the pursuit of happiness in its most famous lines .
It also lays out the blow by blow steps of the British government and the colonies to establish that it was not just the rights of the colonists that had been violated , but that the very tools of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been arbitrarily stripped from them .
Americans were a people fitted for liberty and would tolerate no less .
2 .
The Constitution and the Rule of Law When the Founding Fathers set about creating our own system of government , they codified the principles of self-government to serve countless generations unborn .
After the false start , so to speak , of the Articles of Confederation , the Framers wrote , and the American people ratified , the Constitution of the United States .
This remarkable document created a framework of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still today despite the countless societal changes that have occurred in the last two centuries .
And while , in many ways , that constitutional and federal system has been eroded over time , Americans have remained committed to the idea of the Constitution as the glue that defines our government and binds Americans under a single system with many parts .
This is the cornerstone of liberty and order that defines our republic , ensures that we have an energetic but ultimately limited government .
Certainly , other nations have codified their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stripes , but none matches the enduring legacy of the Constitution of the United States .
The American civilization may be young , but our system of government is quite old , and has excelled through the test of time .
Self-government and the Constitution have made America strong and adaptable to changing circumstances .
Just as importantly , they ’ ve created a system whereby the average person can thrive and prosper .
The country ’ s strength lies in the millions of free-born , self-governing , and self-sufficient people who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and created the most wealthy and prosperous nation in human history .
Americans are , and have always been , an enterprising people .
But more than just create wealth , we have used our wealth and prosperity .
America ’ s attachment to the rule of law and defense of private property has allowed the growth of an expansive middle-class .
Yes , America has produced many titans of industry , but the real source of our strength is the fact that the average American has had opportunities to generate wealth and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Many homesteaders went West to get rich , but many more went West to build families and ensure that their children would have a better life than they had .
We have used our tremendous resources not only to improve our own lives but the lives of others .
And because of our enormous prosperity Americans remain , by far , the most generous people on Earth .
This Fourth of July , as with every Independence Day , we should be thankful and grateful to be Americans , we should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of mankind is imperfect—has accomplished .
It is important and essential that at this time we remember , defend , and pass on what has made this country great .
Jarrett Stepman is a contributor to The Daily Signal and co-host of The Right Side of History podcast .
Send an email to Jarrett .
He is also the author of the new book , “ The War on History : The Conspiracy to Rewrite America ’ s Past.
“

by Jarrett Stepman
Independence Day in 2020 will have great meaning to many Americans.
As we’ve seen many symbols of America’s past get literally smashed by mobs, it’s important for those who still love their country to reflect on why it is exceptional and worth fighting for.
America has always been great and can be greater still.
This is certainly not an exhaustive list of why America is great, of which there are almost countless examples big and small.
1. A Culture of Self-Government
Americans, even before the birth of the United States in 1776, have always been a self-governing people. One of the first orders of business for the Pilgrim settlers when they arrived on the shores of Massachusetts was to create the Mayflower Compact, a basic statement of self-government and loyalty to the British crown.
The Jamestown colony in Virginia set up the House of Burgesses in 1619, the first legislative assembly in the New World.
Following their heritage, the British colonies in America almost immediately established institutions of self-government where community participation in the creation and upholding of laws was extensive.
But in the almost two centuries between the arrival of British colonists in America and the American Revolution, the colonists’ attachment to self-government deepened in comparison to their cousins back in England, where representation was often more symbolic rather than actual.
Amid Parliament’s ultimately foolish attempts to ham-handedly rein in the colonies at the end of the French and Indian War, it was the Crown that triggered the separation, the drive for total independence.
The thought of losing their grip on self-government made the colonists believe that they would soon end up in the vice of absolute tyranny. After years of discontent and pleading with British authorities to loosen their grip of control, the colonies rebelled.
The Declaration of Independence, a remarkable and timeless document, did not just lay out the essential God-given rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in its most famous lines.
It also lays out the blow by blow steps of the British government and the colonies to establish that it was not just the rights of the colonists that had been violated, but that the very tools of self-government that could have rectified the situation had been arbitrarily stripped from them.
Americans were a people fitted for liberty and would tolerate no less.
2. The Constitution and the Rule of Law
When the Founding Fathers set about creating our own system of government, they codified the principles of self-government to serve countless generations unborn.
After the false start, so to speak, of the Articles of Confederation, the Framers wrote, and the American people ratified, the Constitution of the United States.
This remarkable document created a framework of America’s federal system that lasts still today despite the countless societal changes that have occurred in the last two centuries.
And while, in many ways, that constitutional and federal system has been eroded over time, Americans have remained committed to the idea of the Constitution as the glue that defines our government and binds Americans under a single system with many parts.
This is the cornerstone of liberty and order that defines our republic, ensures that we have an energetic but ultimately limited government.
Certainly, other nations have codified their laws and created founding documents of many stripes, but none matches the enduring legacy of the Constitution of the United States.
The American civilization may be young, but our system of government is quite old, and has excelled through the test of time.
3. The American Dream
Self-government and the Constitution have made America strong and adaptable to changing circumstances. Just as importantly, they’ve created a system whereby the average person can thrive and prosper.
The country’s strength lies in the millions of free-born, self-governing, and self-sufficient people who have taken the protections our unique government provides and created the most wealthy and prosperous nation in human history.
Americans are, and have always been, an enterprising people. But more than just create wealth, we have used our wealth and prosperity.
America’s attachment to the rule of law and defense of private property has allowed the growth of an expansive middle-class.
Yes, America has produced many titans of industry, but the real source of our strength is the fact that the average American has had opportunities to generate wealth and prosperity and create a vibrant civil society.
Many homesteaders went West to get rich, but many more went West to build families and ensure that their children would have a better life than they had.
That’s the spirit of America.
We have used our tremendous resources not only to improve our own lives but the lives of others.
And because of our enormous prosperity Americans remain, by far, the most generous people on Earth.
This Fourth of July, as with every Independence Day, we should be thankful and grateful to be Americans, we should be proud of what our country—though imperfect as all of mankind is imperfect—has accomplished.
It is important and essential that at this time we remember, defend, and pass on what has made this country great.
– – –
Jarrett Stepman is a contributor to The Daily Signal and co-host of The Right Side of History podcast. Send an email to Jarrett. He is also the author of the new book, “The War on History: The Conspiracy to Rewrite America’s Past.“


thetennesseestar--2020-07-04--University of Memphis Football Team Will Wear BLM Stickers on Helmets All Season

The University of Memphis recently announced that its football players will wear helmets with a Black Lives Matter sticker for every game during the upcoming season .
“ This season , for every game , our student-athletes ’ helmets will have a BLM sticker , ” Ryan Silverfield , head coach of the school ’ s football team , wrote on Twitter .
University of Memphis President M. David Rudd claimed the decision “ does not represent an endorsement of any political entity or affiliated group.
” “ It represents a commitment to social justice and American values we all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a country , ” he said in a statement released Thursday .
“ As a veteran who served during the Gulf War , I can speak personally to an unwavering dedication to our constitutional values with a passionate and steadfast commitment to liberty , equality and free speech.
” Silverfield made similar comments when speaking with Memphis Commercial Appeal , noting that the BLM decal “ was an idea from our student athletes.
” “ It does not mean we support any anti-American , violent organization or hate group or any specific political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this country and I love our players .
Rather , the decal is a show of support to our team , ” he said .
Rudd said he supports the decision of the athletic department , head coach , and football team .
“ The exercise of free speech is essential to a representative republic , ” he added .
“ I am proud of our young men for demonstrating leadership , encouraging civility , and for their genuine efforts to unite us so our University of Memphis family can become even stronger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a “ unity walk ” on campus in response to the death of George Floyd , who died on Memorial Day in the custody of Minneapolis police .
“ It ’ s not an overnight deal , but we ’ ve got to continue to grow and I ’ ve got to do a better job myself as a head coach because I understand that I have a platform , and I have to voice myself in order to have student-athletes ’ backs and make sure they are not being treated unjustly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Silverfield told WMC during the event .
“ And that I don ’ t care if it ’ s tomorrow or 20 years from now , we ’ ve got to keep chipping away at this thing and hope to make a positive difference in society.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ University of Memphis Football ” by University of Memphis .

The University of Memphis recently announced that its football players will wear helmets with a Black Lives Matter sticker for every game during the upcoming season.
“This season, for every game, our student-athletes’ helmets will have a BLM sticker,” Ryan Silverfield, head coach of the school’s football team, wrote on Twitter.
This season, for every game, our student-athletes’ helmets will have a BLM sticker. #ALLINagainstRACIALINJUSTICE pic.twitter.com/ZR749YCJLl — Ryan Silverfield (@RSilverfield) June 30, 2020
University of Memphis President M. David Rudd claimed the decision “does not represent an endorsement of any political entity or affiliated group.”
“It represents a commitment to social justice and American values we all embrace but have not fully realized as a country,” he said in a statement released Thursday. “As a veteran who served during the Gulf War, I can speak personally to an unwavering dedication to our constitutional values with a passionate and steadfast commitment to liberty, equality and free speech.”
Silverfield made similar comments when speaking with Memphis Commercial Appeal, noting that the BLM decal “was an idea from our student athletes.”
“It does not mean we support any anti-American, violent organization or hate group or any specific political party. In fact, I love this country and I love our players. Rather, the decal is a show of support to our team,” he said.
Rudd said he supports the decision of the athletic department, head coach, and football team.
“The exercise of free speech is essential to a representative republic,” he added. “I am proud of our young men for demonstrating leadership, encouraging civility, and for their genuine efforts to unite us so our University of Memphis family can become even stronger together.”
Silverfield joined athletes last month for a “unity walk” on campus in response to the death of George Floyd, who died on Memorial Day in the custody of Minneapolis police.
“It’s not an overnight deal, but we’ve got to continue to grow and I’ve got to do a better job myself as a head coach because I understand that I have a platform, and I have to voice myself in order to have student-athletes’ backs and make sure they are not being treated unjustly in all walks of life,” Silverfield told WMC during the event. “And that I don’t care if it’s tomorrow or 20 years from now, we’ve got to keep chipping away at this thing and hope to make a positive difference in society.”
– – –
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “University of Memphis Football” by University of Memphis.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-04--Donald Trump, on Twitter, Gives Bill Hagerty His Full Blessing Friday

U.S. President Donald Trump took to Twitter Friday afternoon and reiterated that he supports U.S. Senate candidate Bill Hagerty to represent Tennessee .
“ My friend , @ BillHagertyTN , will be a phenomenal Senator for Tennessee !
He did an incredible job for our country as Ambassador to Japan .
Strong on the Economy , Trade and the Wall , Bill stands Tall for Law & Order .
He has my Complete and Total Endorsement !
” And Hagerty replied on his own Twitter and Facebook accounts : “ Thank you , President Donald J. Trump !
I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Tennesseans stand with you , and in the Senate , I will continue fighting for the America First agenda .
# TNSen ” Trump endorsed Hagerty one year ago , as The Tennessee Star reported at the time .
As reported in January , Donald Trump Jr. told a crowd in Gallatin that Hagerty “ was on the Trump train before it was politically expedient.
” And that , Trump Jr. went on to say , is why his dad endorsed Hagerty so early in the campaign .
“ It is safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today , unless you ’ ve been hiding under a rock for four or five years , my father ’ s endorsement is a pretty big deal , ” Trump Jr. told the audience .
“ I also understand how primary politics works , and it ’ s not so easy .
You never know what really happens .
I can ’ t think of another individual who has been endorsed this early by my father .
That ’ s everything you need to know .
My father trusts him .
He believes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him when so few actually did.
” As The Star reported this week , Hagerty announced more than 1,000 government officials , business leaders , law enforcement officers , and community leaders across all of Tennessee ’ s 95 counties had endorsed him .
As reported Wednesday , Hagerty announced the Small Businesses For Hagerty Coalition , which includes more than 60 small business owners from across Tennessee .
Also , as reported , U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann ( R-TN-03 ) endorsed Hagerty as did U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton ( R-AR ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Susan B. Anthony List Candidate Fund .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]

U.S. President Donald Trump took to Twitter Friday afternoon and reiterated that he supports U.S. Senate candidate Bill Hagerty to represent Tennessee.
Trump tweeted the following:
My friend, @BillHagertyTN, will be a phenomenal Senator for Tennessee! He did an incredible job for our country as Ambassador to Japan. Strong on the Economy, Trade and the Wall, Bill stands Tall for Law & Order. He has my Complete and Total Endorsement! https://t.co/VGeHlAfQV8 — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 3, 2020
“My friend, @BillHagertyTN, will be a phenomenal Senator for Tennessee! He did an incredible job for our country as Ambassador to Japan. Strong on the Economy, Trade and the Wall, Bill stands Tall for Law & Order. He has my Complete and Total Endorsement!”
And Hagerty replied on his own Twitter and Facebook accounts:
“Thank you, President Donald J. Trump! I am humbled by the President’s support. Tennesseans stand with you, and in the Senate, I will continue fighting for the America First agenda. #TNSen”
Trump endorsed Hagerty one year ago, as The Tennessee Star reported at the time.
As reported in January, Donald Trump Jr. told a crowd in Gallatin that Hagerty “was on the Trump train before it was politically expedient.” And that, Trump Jr. went on to say, is why his dad endorsed Hagerty so early in the campaign.
“It is safe to say that in a Republican primary today, unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for four or five years, my father’s endorsement is a pretty big deal,” Trump Jr. told the audience.
“I also understand how primary politics works, and it’s not so easy. You never know what really happens. I can’t think of another individual who has been endorsed this early by my father. That’s everything you need to know. My father trusts him. He believes in him, as Bill believed in him when so few actually did.”
As The Star reported this week, Hagerty announced more than 1,000 government officials, business leaders, law enforcement officers, and community leaders across all of Tennessee’s 95 counties had endorsed him.
As reported Wednesday, Hagerty announced the Small Businesses For Hagerty Coalition, which includes more than 60 small business owners from across Tennessee. Also, as reported, U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN-03) endorsed Hagerty as did U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), the United States Chamber of Commerce, and the Susan B. Anthony List Candidate Fund.
– – –
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected]


thetennesseestar--2020-07-04--‘When Is Fourth of July?’: Here Are the Top Five Google Searches Asking About Independence Day

Google revealed the top five searches and questions people are asking about July 4 when they visit the company ’ s platform ahead of Independence Day .
“ Independence Day is upon us , and that means searches for fireworks , sparklers and tons of delicious recipes are on the rise , ” Google Trends noted Tuesday three days ahead of Independence Day .
Along with the greeting , the company also showed the top questions people are asking regarding July 4 .
“ When is 4th of July ” is the top question , according to Google Trends .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ do we celebrate 4th of July , ” while “ how many days till July 4th ” rounds out the third-most asked question .
People also want to know what Independence Day is and whether the July 4 is a federal holiday .
The holiday might be a low-key affair for many in Washington , D.C.. Democratic D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser told residents to spend July 4 at home , while also encouraging activists and demonstrators to gather amid the coronavirus outbreak .
City officials instituted lockdowns in early March to slow the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has reportedly killed nearly 127,000 people in the U.S .
The virus originated in Wuhan , China , before spreading around the world , causing economic mayhem and death .
Meanwhile , President Donald Trump is planning a “ Salute to America ” on the White House South Lawn to celebrate Independence Day .
The display will feature “ music , military demonstrations , and flyovers to honor our Nation ’ s service members and veterans , ” White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said , according to The Washington Times .
Chris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Caller News Foundation .

by Chris White
Google revealed the top five searches and questions people are asking about July 4 when they visit the company’s platform ahead of Independence Day.
“Independence Day is upon us, and that means searches for fireworks, sparklers and tons of delicious recipes are on the rise,” Google Trends noted Tuesday three days ahead of Independence Day. Along with the greeting, the company also showed the top questions people are asking regarding July 4.
“When is 4th of July” is the top question, according to Google Trends. The second-most asked question is “why do we celebrate 4th of July,” while “how many days till July 4th” rounds out the third-most asked question.
People also want to know what Independence Day is and whether the July 4 is a federal holiday.
The holiday might be a low-key affair for many in Washington, D.C.. Democratic D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser told residents to spend July 4 at home, while also encouraging activists and demonstrators to gather amid the coronavirus outbreak.
City officials instituted lockdowns in early March to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, which has reportedly killed nearly 127,000 people in the U.S. The virus originated in Wuhan, China, before spreading around the world, causing economic mayhem and death.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is planning a “Salute to America” on the White House South Lawn to celebrate Independence Day. The display will feature “music, military demonstrations, and flyovers to honor our Nation’s service members and veterans,” White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said, according to The Washington Times.
– – –
Chris White is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-04--Armstong Williams Commentary: Reflecting on the 1619 Project

In the wake of recent Black Lives Matter protests — in response to the murder of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer and the important dialog that has resulted — I am inclined to revisit The New York Times ’ controversial 1619 Project .
This project propagates a popular narrative , which has taken hold among many in the media , politics , and education , to link the foundational origins of the American experiment not to the context of the American Revolution of 1776 but to 1619 , the year that enslaved Angolans arrived on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In this view , all of America ’ s current institutions , public attitudes , economics , and social structures — or , perhaps more pointedly , the alleged horrors and woes therein — are a result of slavery .
Among other claims , it credits slavery for the dismal state of America ’ s prison system , for suburban traffic congestion , for the prevalence of obesity and diabetes , even for capitalism itself .
All this , even though many of this narrative ’ s adherents belong to the most respected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — which , is a testament to the unique constitutional freedoms that Americans enjoy .
Many who hear or read such views are incredulous , including the founders of the 1776 Project , who are attempting to dispel the belief that Black America ’ s destiny has been shaped in the crucible of slavery and racism .
Bob Woodson , the 1776 Project ’ s founder , objects to the argument that the “ shadow of slavery and Jim Crow ” hangs over the destiny of Black Americans .
“ Nothing is more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than to convey to people that they have an exemption from personal responsibility.
” The 1776 Project ’ s organizers , for example , criticize the characterization of America as a place in which all whites are villains and all Blacks are victims .
It is easy , they argue , “ to point to slavery and Jim Crow and then be done with your account of Black American history .
But that is lazy thinking.
” In fact , despite what the liberal media would have you believe , many African Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are eternally constrained by the attitudes and structures of racism .
Black History Month usually marks an occasion when African Americans celebrate the many victories they have achieved during their struggle for equality , the genius of Black leaders , artists , statesman , and scholars — in short , it has become a celebration of Black excellence not of Black subjugation .
But tracing all of America ’ s institutions back to slavery misses that mark .
Slaves being brought to American shores , and settlers fighting wars of expansion against Native @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point .
Neither slavery nor conquest are unique to the American experiment .
Indeed , those practices existed on the African continent from whence slaves arrived , and they were present among the indigenous people of America as well .
What sets America apart — what makes it a unique place among the community of nations — is certain aspirational ideals incorporated into a framework of laws and freedoms centered around the primacy of the individual vis-a-vis the state .
Was the American state , born out of conflict in 1776 , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inception ?
Plainly , it was not .
But it was unique in that it adhered to a set of laws and principles that enabled it to become more perfect over time .
To be sure , a major fault line in the formation of the new American state was the incongruous institution of slavery .
But , even at the time , slavery was considered deeply problematic among America ’ s founders .
They fully recognized that slavery was incompatible with the ideals of freedom , but they understood that unifying the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ necessitated a compromise on slavery — which was , by that time , a central part of the economies of the five southernmost colonies .
Thus , viewing America ’ s foundational impetus as solely a product of slavery lacks nuance and historical perspective .
Notably , nowhere in the American Constitution is slavery endorsed as a fundamental right or ideal .
Benjamin Franklin thought that slavery was “ an atrocious debasement of human nature ” and “ a source of serious evils.
” John Adams , a lifelong opponent of slavery , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the human character ” and “ an evil of colossal magnitude.
” James Madison called it “ the most oppressive dominion ever exercised by man over man.
” Less than a century after our nation ’ s founding , Americans threw off the wretched institution at the cost of much blood and treasure .
More than 100,000 Union soldiers died in a war to free the slaves and unify the country .
Freedom , then , was no mere afterthought , but an earnestly sought ideal shared by whites and Blacks alike .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ role in the way in which our nation ’ s institutions were formed .
Admittedly , the legacy of slavery did shape , to some extent , the struggles and progress of Blacks in this country .
But so does the legacy of freedom passed down from the founders — arguably , to a far greater extent .
The founders did not completely scrap all of the institutions that had developed in Europe over the centuries ; they kept English common law as the basis of our legal system , for example .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ because English common law remains a feature of American jurisprudence , it follows that British monarchy forms the basis of American society .

In the wake of recent Black Lives Matter protests — in response to the murder of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer and the important dialog that has resulted — I am inclined to revisit The New York Times’ controversial 1619 Project. This project propagates a popular narrative, which has taken hold among many in the media, politics, and education, to link the foundational origins of the American experiment not to the context of the American Revolution of 1776 but to 1619, the year that enslaved Angolans arrived on the shores of colonial Jamestown, Virginia.
In this view, all of America’s current institutions, public attitudes, economics, and social structures — or, perhaps more pointedly, the alleged horrors and woes therein — are a result of slavery. Among other claims, it credits slavery for the dismal state of America’s prison system, for suburban traffic congestion, for the prevalence of obesity and diabetes, even for capitalism itself. All this, even though many of this narrative’s adherents belong to the most respected, most lucrative institutions in the country — which, is a testament to the unique constitutional freedoms that Americans enjoy.
Many who hear or read such views are incredulous, including the founders of the 1776 Project, who are attempting to dispel the belief that Black America’s destiny has been shaped in the crucible of slavery and racism.
Bob Woodson, the 1776 Project’s founder, objects to the argument that the “shadow of slavery and Jim Crow” hangs over the destiny of Black Americans. “Nothing is more lethal,” he says, “than to convey to people that they have an exemption from personal responsibility.” The 1776 Project’s organizers, for example, criticize the characterization of America as a place in which all whites are villains and all Blacks are victims. It is easy, they argue, “to point to slavery and Jim Crow and then be done with your account of Black American history. But that is lazy thinking.”
In fact, despite what the liberal media would have you believe, many African Americans have bitterly fought the narrative that Blacks are eternally constrained by the attitudes and structures of racism. Black History Month usually marks an occasion when African Americans celebrate the many victories they have achieved during their struggle for equality, the genius of Black leaders, artists, statesman, and scholars — in short, it has become a celebration of Black excellence not of Black subjugation.
But tracing all of America’s institutions back to slavery misses that mark. Slaves being brought to American shores, and settlers fighting wars of expansion against Native American groups, are almost beside the point. Neither slavery nor conquest are unique to the American experiment. Indeed, those practices existed on the African continent from whence slaves arrived, and they were present among the indigenous people of America as well. What sets America apart — what makes it a unique place among the community of nations — is certain aspirational ideals incorporated into a framework of laws and freedoms centered around the primacy of the individual vis-a-vis the state.
Was the American state, born out of conflict in 1776, a perfect union at the moment of its inception? Plainly, it was not. But it was unique in that it adhered to a set of laws and principles that enabled it to become more perfect over time. To be sure, a major fault line in the formation of the new American state was the incongruous institution of slavery. But, even at the time, slavery was considered deeply problematic among America’s founders. They fully recognized that slavery was incompatible with the ideals of freedom, but they understood that unifying the colonies in opposition to the British monarchy necessitated a compromise on slavery — which was, by that time, a central part of the economies of the five southernmost colonies. Thus, viewing America’s foundational impetus as solely a product of slavery lacks nuance and historical perspective.
Notably, nowhere in the American Constitution is slavery endorsed as a fundamental right or ideal.
Benjamin Franklin thought that slavery was “an atrocious debasement of human nature” and “a source of serious evils.” John Adams, a lifelong opponent of slavery, declared it a “foul contagion in the human character” and “an evil of colossal magnitude.” James Madison called it “the most oppressive dominion ever exercised by man over man.”
Less than a century after our nation’s founding, Americans threw off the wretched institution at the cost of much blood and treasure. More than 100,000 Union soldiers died in a war to free the slaves and unify the country. Freedom, then, was no mere afterthought, but an earnestly sought ideal shared by whites and Blacks alike.
Of course, historical antecedents play a role in the way in which our nation’s institutions were formed. Admittedly, the legacy of slavery did shape, to some extent, the struggles and progress of
Blacks in this country. But so does the legacy of freedom passed down from the founders — arguably, to a far greater extent. The founders did not completely scrap all of the institutions that had developed in Europe over the centuries; they kept English common law as the basis of our legal system, for example. But no one would argue that, because English common law remains a feature of American jurisprudence, it follows that British monarchy forms the basis of American society.
– – –
Photo “Armstrong Williams” by Armstrong Williams.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-04--Iran Declines to Disclose Cause of Mysterious Nuke Site Fire

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates ( AP ) — An online video and messages purportedly claiming responsibility for a fire that analysts say damaged a centrifuge assembly plant at Iran ’ s underground Natanz nuclear site deepened the mystery Friday around the incident — even as Tehran insisted it knew the cause but would not make it public due to “ security reasons.
” The multiple , different claims by a self-described group called the “ Cheetahs of the Homeland ” included language used by several exiled Iranian opposition organizations .
They also focused almost entirely on Iran ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a danger to its very existence .
The disparate messages , as well as the fact that Iran experts have never heard of the group before , raised questions about whether Natanz again had faced sabotage by a foreign nation as it had during the Stuxnet computer virus outbreak believed to have been engineered by the U.S. and Israel .
Tehran ’ s reaction so far shows Iranian officials are increasingly taking the possibility seriously .
“ If it is proven that our country has been attacked by cyberattacks , we will respond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the head of Iran ’ s military unit in charge of combating sabotage , according to a report late Thursday by the Mizan news agency .
Iranian officials have sought to downplay the fire , which erupted early on Thursday , calling it only an “ incident ” that affected an “ industrial shed.
” However , a released photo and video of the site broadcast by Iranian state television showed a two-story brick building with scorch marks and its roof apparently destroyed .
Debris on the ground and a door that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explosion accompanied the blaze .
Two U.S.-based analysts who spoke to The Associated Press , relying on released pictures and satellite images , identified the affected building as Natanz ’ s new Iran Centrifuge Assembly Center .
A satellite image on Friday by Planet Labs Inc. , annotated by experts at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at Middlebury Institute of International Studies , shows what appears to be damage done to half of the building .
Iranian nuclear officials did not respond to a request for comment from the AP on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the semiofficial Tasnim news agency quoted the spokesman of Iran ’ s Supreme National Security Council as saying authorities know the cause of the fire .
“ Due to some security considerations , the cause and manner of the accident will be announced at the appropriate time , ” Keyvan Khosravi reportedly said on Friday , without elaborating .
The International Atomic Energy Agency said none of its inspectors were at Natanz at the time of the fire and “ that the location where the incident occurred does not contain nuclear materials.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday , the BBC ’ s Persian service says its journalists received emails from the self-proclaimed “ Cheetahs of the Homeland ” claiming an attack at Natanz .
A video claimed the group included “ soldiers from the heart of regime ’ s security organizations ” who wanted to stop Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon .
Iran long has maintained its atomic program is for peaceful purposes .
However , the IAEA has said that Iran “ carried out activities relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device ” in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 2003 .
The video and one written statement also referred to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as “ zahhak , ” a monster in Persian folklore .
But the tone across the messages clashed , with one using terminology often associated with Iran ’ s Mujahedeen-e-Khalq exile group , or MEK , and the video seemingly showing Iran ’ s Shiite theocracy as worse than the rule of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi .
The video also included parts of the nationalist song “ Ey Iran , ” which reformists and opposition groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was not responsible for the fire .
Its statement described the blaze as a “ reaction to the nuclear project of the religious fascism ruling Iran , which has afflicted the Iranian people ( with ) only poverty , repression , terrorism and war.
” The office of the shah ’ s exiled son , Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi , said he “ does not have any contact with this group ” that claimed the fire .
The AP received no response to an email sent to one address associated with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The purported group ’ s name , “ the Cheetahs of the Homeland , ” also struck some as odd , given that “ cheetahs ” is a nickname for Iran ’ s national football club .
Ronen Bergman , an Israeli journalist who works with The New York Times and published a book on the Mossad titled “ Rise and Kill First , ” questioned why an Iranian opposition group would name itself that .
“ It ’ s highly unlikely that a serious opposition movement would use such a name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who came up with it , were aiming people to think , ” Bergman wrote Friday on Twitter in English , without elaborating .
He also tweeted a similar message in Hebrew .
Suspicion over the incident immediately fell on Israel , including in a commentary published by Iran ’ s state-run IRNA news agency Thursday .
Meir Javedanfar , an Iran lecturer at the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya , Israel , who viewed the “ Cheetahs of the Homeland ” video , said any domestic group that managed to penetrate Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be unlikely to risk being captured by distributing such a video .
He said “ it ’ s difficult to know ” if Israel ’ s Mossad or another foreign intelligence agency produced the video .
“ It could be a foreign intelligence agency , in order to sow discord in Iran … or maybe it ’ s a false flag by the Iranian regime in order to crack down , ” Javedanfar said .
The video did , however , call it the Kashan nuclear site , rather than Natanz .
Kashan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a large , historic Jewish community .
Iranians uniformly call the nuclear site Natanz .
Destroying a centrifuge assembly facility could greatly impact Iran ’ s ability to more-quickly enrich greater amounts of uranium , which would be a goal for either Israel or the U.S. Iran had begun experimenting with advanced centrifuge models in the wake of the U.S. unilaterally withdrawing two years ago from Tehran ’ s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers .
However , it took years for Iran to perfect its first-generation IR-1 centrifuge off designs it purchased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s black market network .
It ’ s unclear if Iran has another similar-size assembly facility .
The fact that the Natanz fire also comes less than a week after an explosion in an area east of Tehran that analysts believe hides an underground tunnel system and missile production sites also raises suspicions .
The Texas-based private intelligence firm Stratfor said either incident could “ have been the result of a domestic group acting with or without foreign support , or the result of a U.S. or Israeli cyber attack.
” “ If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States , Israel and/or local groups in Iran underway , then Iran is likely to eventually respond in kind , potentially against Western targets in the Persian Gulf , ” Stratfor warned .
Jon Gambrell is a reporter for The Associated Press .
AP writers Joseph Krauss in Jerusalem and Frank Jordans in Berlin contributed to this report .
About the Headline Photo : This photo released Thursday , July 2 , 2020 , by the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran , shows a building after it was damaged by a fire , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 200 miles ( 322 kilometers ) south of the capital Tehran , Iran .
A fire burned the building above Iran ’ s underground Natanz nuclear enrichment facility , though officials say it did not affect its centrifuge operation or cause any release of radiation .
The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran sought to downplay the fire Thursday , calling it an “ incident ” that only affected an “ industrial shed.
” ( Atomic Energy Organization of Iran via AP )

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — An online video and messages purportedly claiming responsibility for a fire that analysts say damaged a centrifuge assembly plant at Iran’s underground Natanz nuclear site deepened the mystery Friday around the incident — even as Tehran insisted it knew the cause but would not make it public due to “security reasons.”
The multiple, different claims by a self-described group called the “Cheetahs of the Homeland” included language used by several exiled Iranian opposition organizations. They also focused almost entirely on Iran’s nuclear program, viewed by Israel as a danger to its very existence.
The disparate messages, as well as the fact that Iran experts have never heard of the group before, raised questions about whether Natanz again had faced sabotage by a foreign nation as it had during the Stuxnet computer virus outbreak believed to have been engineered by the U.S. and Israel. Tehran’s reaction so far shows Iranian officials are increasingly taking the possibility seriously.
“If it is proven that our country has been attacked by cyberattacks, we will respond,” warned Gen. Gholam Reza Jalali, the head of Iran’s military unit in charge of combating sabotage, according to a report late Thursday by the Mizan news agency.
Iranian officials have sought to downplay the fire, which erupted early on Thursday, calling it only an “incident” that affected an “industrial shed.” However, a released photo and video of the site broadcast by Iranian state television showed a two-story brick building with scorch marks and its roof apparently destroyed. Debris on the ground and a door that looked blown off its hinges suggested an explosion accompanied the blaze.
Two U.S.-based analysts who spoke to The Associated Press, relying on released pictures and satellite images, identified the affected building as Natanz’s new Iran Centrifuge Assembly Center. A satellite image on Friday by Planet Labs Inc., annotated by experts at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at Middlebury Institute of International Studies, shows what appears to be damage done to half of the building.
Iranian nuclear officials did not respond to a request for comment from the AP on the analysts’ findings. However, the semiofficial Tasnim news agency quoted the spokesman of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council as saying authorities know the cause of the fire.
“Due to some security considerations, the cause and manner of the accident will be announced at the appropriate time,” Keyvan Khosravi reportedly said on Friday, without elaborating.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said none of its inspectors were at Natanz at the time of the fire and “that the location where the incident occurred does not contain nuclear materials.”
Before news of the fire became public Thursday, the BBC’s Persian service says its journalists received emails from the self-proclaimed “Cheetahs of the Homeland” claiming an attack at Natanz.
A video claimed the group included “soldiers from the heart of regime’s security organizations” who wanted to stop Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. Iran long has maintained its atomic program is for peaceful purposes. However, the IAEA has said that Iran “carried out activities relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device” in a “structured program” through the end of 2003.
The video and one written statement also referred to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as “zahhak,” a monster in Persian folklore. But the tone across the messages clashed, with one using terminology often associated with Iran’s Mujahedeen-e-Khalq exile group, or MEK, and the video seemingly showing Iran’s Shiite theocracy as worse than the rule of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. The video also included parts of the nationalist song “Ey Iran,” which reformists and opposition groups both sing.
The MEK group said it was not responsible for the fire. Its statement described the blaze as a “reaction to the nuclear project of the religious fascism ruling Iran, which has afflicted the Iranian people (with) only poverty, repression, terrorism and war.”
The office of the shah’s exiled son, Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, said he “does not have any contact with this group” that claimed the fire. The AP received no response to an email sent to one address associated with the “Cheetahs of the Homeland” statements.
The purported group’s name, “the Cheetahs of the Homeland,” also struck some as odd, given that “cheetahs” is a nickname for Iran’s national football club. Ronen Bergman, an Israeli journalist who works with The New York Times and published a book on the Mossad titled “Rise and Kill First,” questioned why an Iranian opposition group would name itself that.
“It’s highly unlikely that a serious opposition movement would use such a name, which is probably exactly what the people who came up with it, were aiming people to think,” Bergman wrote Friday on Twitter in English, without elaborating. He also tweeted a similar message in Hebrew.
Suspicion over the incident immediately fell on Israel, including in a commentary published by Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency Thursday.
Meir Javedanfar, an Iran lecturer at the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya, Israel, who viewed the “Cheetahs of the Homeland” video, said any domestic group that managed to penetrate Iran’s heavily guarded nuclear facilities would be unlikely to risk being captured by distributing such a video. He said “it’s difficult to know” if Israel’s Mossad or another foreign intelligence agency produced the video.
“It could be a foreign intelligence agency, in order to sow discord in Iran … or maybe it’s a false flag by the Iranian regime in order to crack down,” Javedanfar said.
The video did, however, call it the Kashan nuclear site, rather than Natanz. Kashan is a nearby city once home to a large, historic Jewish community. Iranians uniformly call the nuclear site Natanz.
Destroying a centrifuge assembly facility could greatly impact Iran’s ability to more-quickly enrich greater amounts of uranium, which would be a goal for either Israel or the U.S.
Iran had begun experimenting with advanced centrifuge models in the wake of the U.S. unilaterally withdrawing two years ago from Tehran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. However, it took years for Iran to perfect its first-generation IR-1 centrifuge off designs it purchased from Pakistani scientist A.Q. Khan’s black market network. It’s unclear if Iran has another similar-size assembly facility.
The fact that the Natanz fire also comes less than a week after an explosion in an area east of Tehran that analysts believe hides an underground tunnel system and missile production sites also raises suspicions.
The Texas-based private intelligence firm Stratfor said either incident could “have been the result of a domestic group acting with or without foreign support, or the result of a U.S. or Israeli cyber attack.”
“If there is a campaign by the United States, Israel and/or local groups in Iran underway, then Iran is likely to eventually respond in kind, potentially against Western targets in the Persian Gulf,” Stratfor warned.
– – –
Jon Gambrell is a reporter for The Associated Press. AP writers Joseph Krauss in Jerusalem and Frank Jordans in Berlin contributed to this report.
About the Headline Photo: This photo released Thursday, July 2, 2020, by the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, shows a building after it was damaged by a fire, at the Natanz uranium enrichment facility some 200 miles (322 kilometers) south of the capital Tehran, Iran. A fire burned the building above Iran’s underground Natanz nuclear enrichment facility, though officials say it did not affect its centrifuge operation or cause any release of radiation. The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran sought to downplay the fire Thursday, calling it an “incident” that only affected an “industrial shed.” (Atomic Energy Organization of Iran via AP)


thetennesseestar--2020-07-04--Commentary: Trump Economy Is Well Ahead of Schedule

The U.S. economy has added a record 7.8 million to 8.8 million jobs back in May and June , according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ’ ( BLS ) respective establishment and household surveys , bringing the reported unemployment rate down to 11.1 percent even as the number of Americans returning to the civilian labor force following the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns continues to increase .
This is incredible news because it means for certain that the labor market hit its bottom in April , the same month the IHME-estimated number of new cases daily was peaking at about 250,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ estimated 70,000 new cases a day now .
As the country moved past the worst of the pandemic in April , states have slowly been easing restrictions , resulting in the rapid economic upswing and job creation we ’ re experiencing today .
In addition , the payroll protection plan enacted by President Donald Trump and Congress appears to be playing a crucial role in the rebound .
Usually , in a recession it takes on average about 11 months to lose all the jobs and for labor markets to hit their bottom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only took two months to hit the bottom from the February reading of 158.7 million in BLS ’ household survey of Americans reporting they had jobs down to 133.4 million in April .
Now it ’ s back up to 142.2 million and accelerating after two months , a good sign for the rapid recovery nobody but President Donald Trump was forecasting just a few months ago .
On April 27 , Trump stated in a Rose Garden press conference with the , “ I think you ’ re going to have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greatest economy ever in the history of our world , and I had to turn it off in order to get to a point where we are today .
And now we ’ re making a comeback .
And I think we ’ re going to have , economically — from an economic standpoint , next year — an unbelievable year .
And I think that you ’ re going to see a fantastic fourth quarter , and the third quarter will start to build .
But the second quarter , obviously , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lack of growth.
” Now , for two consecutive months , the numbers are confirming the President ’ s faith in the U.S. economy and the American people , who are anxious to get back to work .
Some headwinds will include how and at what rate states are able to safely reopen their economies , and importantly , their schools , with some districts anticipating limited in-person class offerings and more distance learning even in the upcoming academic year .
The more restrictions states have in place — some states are closing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amid an temporary uptick in daily confirmed COVID-19 cases — and the longer children are forced to stay home from school , the longer it will take for the economy to fully recover .
Usually , it takes on average about 15 months for the economy to recover the jobs lost in a recession , sometimes sooner and sometimes later .
Still , with the jobs numbers now growing at a record clip , and with a vaccine actively in development , we ’ re ahead of schedule .
As we celebrate our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can we begin to celebrate the nation ’ s independence from the Chinese coronavirus that did so much to claim so many lives and devastate the nation .
Today , we ’ re one step closer .
Robert Romano is the Vice President of Public Policy at Americans for Limited Government .

by Robert Romano
The U.S. economy has added a record 7.8 million to 8.8 million jobs back in May and June, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) respective establishment and household surveys, bringing the reported unemployment rate down to 11.1 percent even as the number of Americans returning to the civilian labor force following the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns continues to increase.
This is incredible news because it means for certain that the labor market hit its bottom in April, the same month the IHME-estimated number of new cases daily was peaking at about 250,000 on March 29, down to an estimated 70,000 new cases a day now.
As the country moved past the worst of the pandemic in April, states have slowly been easing restrictions, resulting in the rapid economic upswing and job creation we’re experiencing today.
In addition, the payroll protection plan enacted by President Donald Trump and Congress appears to be playing a crucial role in the rebound.
Usually, in a recession it takes on average about 11 months to lose all the jobs and for labor markets to hit their bottom.
In the current case, it only took two months to hit the bottom from the February reading of 158.7 million in BLS’ household survey of Americans reporting they had jobs down to 133.4 million in April. Now it’s back up to 142.2 million and accelerating after two months, a good sign for the rapid recovery nobody but President Donald Trump was forecasting just a few months ago.
On April 27, Trump stated in a Rose Garden press conference with the , “I think you’re going to have a recovery… [W]e had the greatest economy ever in the history of our world, and I had to turn it off in order to get to a point where we are today. And now we’re making a comeback. And I think we’re going to have, economically — from an economic standpoint, next year — an unbelievable year. And I think that you’re going to see a fantastic fourth quarter, and the third quarter will start to build. But the second quarter, obviously, you’re going to have GDP lack of growth.”
Now, for two consecutive months, the numbers are confirming the President’s faith in the U.S. economy and the American people, who are anxious to get back to work.
Some headwinds will include how and at what rate states are able to safely reopen their economies, and importantly, their schools, with some districts anticipating limited in-person class offerings and more distance learning even in the upcoming academic year.
The more restrictions states have in place — some states are closing bars and limiting capacity at restaurants again amid an temporary uptick in daily confirmed COVID-19 cases — and the longer children are forced to stay home from school, the longer it will take for the economy to fully recover.
Usually, it takes on average about 15 months for the economy to recover the jobs lost in a recession, sometimes sooner and sometimes later.
Still, with the jobs numbers now growing at a record clip, and with a vaccine actively in development, we’re ahead of schedule.
As we celebrate our independence on July 4, so too can we begin to celebrate the nation’s independence from the Chinese coronavirus that did so much to claim so many lives and devastate the nation. Today, we’re one step closer.
– – –
Robert Romano is the Vice President of Public Policy at Americans for Limited Government.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-04--Ohio School District Dropping Redskins Name for Sports Teams

ANDERSON , Ohio ( AP ) — An Ohio school district has decided that its high school sports teams should no longer be known as the Redskins .
The Forest Hills Board of Education voted 4-1 on Thursday to “ retire ” the name and mascot at Anderson High School .
A new name has not been chosen , and officials plan to soon announce a timeline and process for how a new name and mascot will be selected .
The Redskins logo will be phased out in stages beginning in the 2020-21 school year , officials said .
Anderson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Board members had discussed the name change at length during a meeting on Tuesday , with some noting they had resisted efforts to change the name in recent years but now felt it had become too divisive .
Board member Patty Taylor cast the lone vote against the motion , saying it should be postponed because there has been little public discussion on the matter outside of emails .
Taylor said the decision should go to a public vote and also voiced concerns about the cost of removing imagery from the school .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , pressure has been mounting on schools to abandon the name called a “ dictionary-defined racial slur ” by experts and advocates .

ANDERSON, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio school district has decided that its high school sports teams should no longer be known as the Redskins.
The Forest Hills Board of Education voted 4-1 on Thursday to “retire” the name and mascot at Anderson High School. A new name has not been chosen, and officials plan to soon announce a timeline and process for how a new name and mascot will be selected.
The Redskins logo will be phased out in stages beginning in the 2020-21 school year, officials said. Anderson Township is an eastern Cincinnati suburb.
Board members had discussed the name change at length during a meeting on Tuesday, with some noting they had resisted efforts to change the name in recent years but now felt it had become too divisive.
Board member Patty Taylor cast the lone vote against the motion, saying it should be postponed because there has been little public discussion on the matter outside of emails. Taylor said the decision should go to a public vote and also voiced concerns about the cost of removing imagery from the school.
Amid the national reckoning with racial injustice, pressure has been mounting on schools to abandon the name called a “dictionary-defined racial slur” by experts and advocates.
– – –
Photo “Anderson High School” by Forest Hills School District.