thetennesseestar--2020-11-09--Pennsylvania Poll Volunteer: Election Totally Chaotic and Suspicious

A poll worker who checked in voters at the Radnor Municipal Building located in Delaware County , Pennsylvania ’ s Sixth Ward – about 13 miles outside of Philadelphia – said Election Day last Tuesday was “ total chaos.
” The worker , who we will call Sue ( to protect her identity and safety ) , said that she worked the greater Philly area polling precinct in 2016 and never saw what she witnessed in droves on election day 2020 .
People were angry , according to the election volunteer .
“ When I was referencing the voter book @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made angry comments like ‘ what are you looking for ?
’ and ‘ I vote here all the time !
’ The strange thing is , several people who claimed to vote here all the time weren ’ t registered in the book and didn ’ t have a history of voting at the location.
” The precinct also didn ’ t tolerate Trump apparel but permitted masks , hats and t-shirts emblazoned with “ Black Lives Matter ” ( BLM ) .
Pennsylvania law is vague on the issue of apparel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but not wearing garments in support of a candidate .
“ A man wearing a MAGA hat had to take his hat off and another person had to turn a Trump shirt inside out .
But people who had BLM masks , shirts , hats – no one said anything to them.
” BLM supports the Biden and Harris Campaign and is strongly associated with the Democratic party .
Sue estimated one-in-ten of the prospective voters who arrived at her station were required to cast a provisional ballot .
“ In 2016 the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fill out a provisional ballot was due to their addresses being mismatched from what was in the voter book .
The number of provisional voters she saw in 2016 was “ much less.
” As of November 16 , the Delaware County website is showing the provisional ballot count of zero in Sue ’ s location , as well for the entire county .
“ I saw one woman crying ” said Sue , “ she was saying ‘ my vote doesn ’ t count.
’ ” The woman waited in line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in she found out someone pretending to be her had already shown up , signed her name and cast her ballot .
One recurring situation threw up a red flag in Sue ’ s mind – almost all the provisional ballot notices she received were ‘ applied for absentee ballot , must vote provisionally.
’ There were so many provisional ballots cast that the Radnor location ran out , according to Sue – twice .
A provisional ballot is used to record a vote when there are irregularities or questions about voter eligibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is counted .
According to Sue , at around 7:40 p.m. a sheriff arrived with a supply of empty provisional ballots .
“ But it was weird because no one was there – we were packed early and throughout the day but by the time he arrived there wasn ’ t anyone there to vote .
One of the Democratic workers took the supply in back and I ’ m not sure what happened to them.
” A video surfaced last week showing Delaware County poll workers completing blank ballots , which many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraud .
However , Delaware County election officials responded quickly with an official statement to debunk the claim , saying the video was cropped ( removing the fact that observers were looking on and approving the practice ) and taken out of context .
The extractor is the mechanism that takes the ballot out of the security sleeve .
The county also stated in their release that the Republican observers in the county approved of the process – which a fact check site reported to involve 1,634 ballots .
In addition to remaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begin on Tuesday canvassing mail-in and absentee ballots delivered before election day – which put a glut on the system .
Canvassing , simply put , is the process of confirming valid ballots .
According to the Delaware County website , “ voted ballots must be delivered to the Board of Elections no later than 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday , November 3 .
However , per Order of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court , ballots returned by mail ( as opposed to those returned in person or via an approved ballot drop box ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they are postmarked before 8:00 PM on November 3 , 2020 .
Under that same court Order , ballots returned by mail that have an illegible or missing postmark are deemed to have been timely returned if they are received by the Board of Elections prior to 5:00 p.m. on November 6 , 2020″ The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling referred to by Delaware County created “ conditions that could lead to serious post-election problems ” according to an Order issued by the US Supreme Court ( SCOTUS ) on Friday night .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and delay caused by the ruling , but the bigger constitutional issue is that the state court overstepped authority – altering laws written and approved by the legislature , a possible violation of the Constitution ’ s separation of powers demand .
In short , the court interprets laws , it does not write them .
SCOTUS issued the Order because guidance was being ignored throughout Pennsylvania – ballots received after polls closed on Tuesday were to be set aside from other ballots until further notice .
Any pre-canvassing or canvassing of mail-in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday and before 5:00 p.m. on Friday , November 6 also directly violates guidance handed down by Pennsylvania Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar , made mandatory by SCOTUS order .
Sue was also surprised to see the low number of votes tabulated between the time polls opened and closed– she received the totals shown in the picture below about 45 minutes after the polls closed .
The picture shows about 777 votes being cast .
Sue is hoping for a fair count and fair election – whoever wins .
“ Because voter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mom ’ s vote.
” She continued “ if three people walk in and lie and vote ; or someone gets an absentee and voted and walked in and voted they are taking away your vote .
It ’ s upsetting – your taking away a civil liberty.
” Jack Windsor is Managing Editor at both The Ohio Star and The Michigan Star .
Windsor is also an Investigative Reporter at WMFD-TV and The Virginia Star .
Follow Jack on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .

A poll worker who checked in voters at the Radnor Municipal Building located in Delaware County, Pennsylvania’s Sixth Ward – about 13 miles outside of Philadelphia – said Election Day last Tuesday was “total chaos.”
The worker, who we will call Sue (to protect her identity and safety), said that she worked the greater Philly area polling precinct in 2016 and never saw what she witnessed in droves on election day 2020.
People were angry, according to the election volunteer.
“When I was referencing the voter book to validate their identities, several people made angry comments like ‘what are you looking for?’ and ‘I vote here all the time!’ The strange thing is, several people who claimed to vote here all the time weren’t registered in the book and didn’t have a history of voting at the location.”
The precinct also didn’t tolerate Trump apparel but permitted masks, hats and t-shirts emblazoned with “Black Lives Matter” (BLM).
Pennsylvania law is vague on the issue of apparel – it prohibits electioneering and soliciting votes but not wearing garments in support of a candidate.
“A man wearing a MAGA hat had to take his hat off and another person had to turn a Trump shirt inside out. But people who had BLM masks, shirts, hats – no one said anything to them.”
BLM supports the Biden and Harris Campaign and is strongly associated with the Democratic party.
Sue estimated one-in-ten of the prospective voters who arrived at her station were required to cast a provisional ballot.
“In 2016 the only reason I remember people being asked to fill out a provisional ballot was due to their addresses being mismatched from what was in the voter book. The number of provisional voters she saw in 2016 was “much less.”
As of November 6, the Delaware County website is showing the provisional ballot count of zero in Sue’s location, as well for the entire county.
“I saw one woman crying” said Sue, “she was saying ‘my vote doesn’t count.’ ” The woman waited in line over an hour but when she checked in she found out someone pretending to be her had already shown up, signed her name and cast her ballot.
One recurring situation threw up a red flag in Sue’s mind – almost all the provisional ballot notices she received were ‘applied for absentee ballot, must vote provisionally.’
I began to wonder why so many people who were marked as receiving absentee ballots were showing up to vote in person. There were a lot, and it was totally chaotic.
There were so many provisional ballots cast that the Radnor location ran out, according to Sue – twice.
A provisional ballot is used to record a vote when there are irregularities or questions about voter eligibility that must be resolved before the vote is counted.
According to Sue, at around 7:40 p.m. a sheriff arrived with a supply of empty provisional ballots. “But it was weird because no one was there – we were packed early and throughout the day but by the time he arrived there wasn’t anyone there to vote. One of the Democratic workers took the supply in back and I’m not sure what happened to them.”
A video surfaced last week showing Delaware County poll workers completing blank ballots, which many on social media claimed to be voter fraud.
However, Delaware County election officials responded quickly with an official statement to debunk the claim, saying the video was cropped (removing the fact that observers were looking on and approving the practice) and taken out of context.
Some ballots were damaged by the extractor during this process in such a way that the ballots could not be scanned successfully.” The poll workers were re-completing ballots that were damaged and unable to be fed through the voting machines to be tabulated.
The extractor is the mechanism that takes the ballot out of the security sleeve.
The county also stated in their release that the Republican observers in the county approved of the process – which a fact check site reported to involve 1,634 ballots.
In addition to remaking damaged ballots, poll workers were to begin on Tuesday canvassing mail-in and absentee ballots delivered before election day – which put a glut on the system. Canvassing, simply put, is the process of confirming valid ballots.
According to the Delaware County website, “voted ballots must be delivered to the Board of Elections no later than 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3. However, per Order of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, ballots returned by mail (as opposed to those returned in person or via an approved ballot drop box) are deemed to have been timely returned if they are postmarked before 8:00 PM on November 3, 2020. Under that same court Order, ballots returned by mail that have an illegible or missing postmark are deemed to have been timely returned if they are received by the Board of Elections prior to 5:00 p.m. on November 6, 2020″
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling referred to by Delaware County created “conditions that could lead to serious post-election problems” according to an opinion issued by the US Supreme Court (SCOTUS) on Friday night. One of those problems is the chaos and delay caused by the ruling, but the bigger constitutional issue is that the state court overstepped authority – altering laws written and approved by the legislature, a possible violation of the Constitution’s separation of powers demand. In short, the court interprets laws, it does not write them.
SCOTUS issued the Order because guidance was being ignored throughout Pennsylvania – ballots received after polls closed on Tuesday were to be set aside from other ballots until further notice.
Any pre-canvassing or canvassing of mail-in and absentee ballots received after 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday and before 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 6 also directly violates guidance handed down by Pennsylvania Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar, made mandatory by SCOTUS order.
Sue was also surprised to see the low number of votes tabulated between the time polls opened and closed– she received the totals shown in the picture (right) about 45 minutes after the polls closed. The picture shows about 777 votes being cast.
Sue is hoping for a fair count and fair election – whoever wins. “Because voter fraud takes away your vote, your mom’s vote.” She continued “if three people walk in and lie and vote; or someone gets an absentee and voted and walked in and voted they are taking away your vote. It’s upsetting – your taking away a civil liberty.”
_ _ _
Jack Windsor is Managing Editor at both The Ohio Star and The Michigan Star. Windsor is also an Investigative Reporter at WMFD-TV and The Virginia Star. Follow Jack on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].


thetennesseestar--2020-11-09--1619 Project Writer Nikole Hannah-Jones says American Flag Outside Childhood Home  ‘Embarrassed’ Her

Harvard University hosted New York Times journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones for a virtual event , where she discussed the 1619 Project and said that her father ’ s patriotism “ deeply embarrassed ” her .
The comment was made during a September 21 event where she spoke on the “ pressing issues of race , civil rights , injustice , desegregation , and resegregation.
” In the interview , Hannah-Jones recalled that she was “ deeply embarrassed ” that her father , who was born on a cotton plantation and served in the military , flew an American flag in her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says in her Pulitzer Prize-winning essay , “ So when I was young , that flag outside our home never made sense to me .
How could this Black man , having seen firsthand the way his country abused Black Americans , how it refused to treat us as full citizens , proudly fly its banner ?
“ I didn ’ t understand his patriotism .
It deeply embarrassed me , ” she wrote .
Hannah-Jones echoed what she wrote during her recent Harvard appearance .
“ I was deeply embarrassed by this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Hannah-Jones said .
“ I understood that Black Americans were still second-class citizens .
This was a man who was born on a cotton plantation in apartheid Mississippi , one of the smartest men that I knew but who had never had any real opportunities in this country .
And yet , here he was exhibiting patriotism .
He was a veteran.
” “ So my opening essay really wants , from the moment you first start reading it , to get the sense of surprise about the way that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this history of Black Americans , and really that I make the argument that our founders did not believe the words– those majestic words– of the Declaration of Independence when they wrote them , ” Hannah-Jones added .
The Dean of Harvard ’ s Radcliffe Institute , Tomiko Brown-Nagin , guided the conversation , informing more than 3,000 listeners that “ we can not dismantle what we do not understand.
” When asked about what prompted her to launch the 1619 Project , Jones noted that “ almost nothing about modern American life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of slavery.
” She said that Black America can not “ get over ” slavery , adding , “ We can not get over something that is foundational.
” After Brown-Nagin asked her about the 1619 Project ’ s entrance into universities and high schools , she explained that a school curriculum was never the goal of the project , yet has become a concern among certain politicians , who are “ really opposed to our children , our youth , getting a different understanding , a more challenging — and I would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country.
” When asked to address the historians who do not like the project , Hannah-Jones alleged that the critique extended beyond an examination of historical fact : “ What was different was the effort to really discredit the project , to make arguments… ‘ How could you say America is racist ?
How could you say racism is in the DNA of this country ?
’ … There are a lot of White historians , no matter what their political affiliations are , who feel a need to protect and vindicate our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted that the 1619 Project was based on the principle of reconsidering the nation ’ s true founding , asking , “ What would it mean to consider 1619 our founding and not 1776 ?
” However , two days after the September 15 interview , Hannah-Jones alleged that the 1619 Project “ does not argue that 1776 was not the founding of the country.
” Hannah-Jones told Campus Reform that “ the 1619 Project has , of course , always recognized 1776 as our official and literal founding.
” “ If you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is clear : 1619 is not a year that most Americans know as a notable date in our country ’ s history , ” explained Hannah-Jones .
“ Those who do are at most a tiny fraction of those who can tell you that 1776 is the year of our nation ’ s birth….Asking readers what it would mean to consider 1619 as a our founding is using a rhetorical device to get people to rethink the role of slavery as foundational to the making of this country .
This type of rhetorical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writers , use all of the time.
” The New York Times , however , recently removed the phrase “ true founding ” from the 1619 Project ’ s website .
In 2019 , the website did indeed state that the project “ aims to reframe the country ’ s history , understanding 1619 as our true founding.
” During the question-and-answer portion , Hannah-Jones was given a question by a high school teacher who said that private high schools are rooted in segregation .
In response , Hannah-Jones said that she is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as I write about the failings of public education…public schools are one of the few places left in American society where we have the chance to intimately mix along racial and class lines.
” Hannah-Jones was also asked whether the 1619 Project would create a curriculum geared toward elementary schools .
She stated that at least one group has contacted Pulitzer about creating a curriculum , and that an unnamed university in New York is also working on one .
The 1619 Project is also “ producing a series of children ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to middle grades to high school ” that will roll out in 2021 .
Hannah-Jones also expressed doubt that America will ever achieve racial healing .
“ There is nothing about the last 400 years of history that would lead me to believe that this society as is , without some massive revolution that would have to be far more successful than the Civil War… will be able to purge us from what is really the basis upon which this country is built , ” she said .

by Ben Zeisloft
Harvard University hosted New York Times journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones for a virtual event, where she discussed the 1619 Project and said that her father’s patriotism “deeply embarrassed” her. The comment was made during a September 21 event where she spoke on the “pressing issues of race, civil rights, injustice, desegregation, and resegregation.”
In the interview, Hannah-Jones recalled that she was “deeply embarrassed” that her father, who was born on a cotton plantation and served in the military, flew an American flag in her family’s yard.
As she says in her Pulitzer Prize-winning essay, “So when I was young, that flag outside our home never made sense to me. How could this Black man, having seen firsthand the way his country abused Black Americans, how it refused to treat us as full citizens, proudly fly its banner?
“I didn’t understand his patriotism. It deeply embarrassed me,” she wrote.
Hannah-Jones echoed what she wrote during her recent Harvard appearance.
“I was deeply embarrassed by this outward show of patriotism from my father,” Hannah-Jones said. “I understood that Black Americans were still second-class citizens. This was a man who was born on a cotton plantation in apartheid Mississippi, one of the smartest men that I knew but who had never had any real opportunities in this country. And yet, here he was exhibiting patriotism. He was a veteran.”
“So my opening essay really wants, from the moment you first start reading it, to get the sense of surprise about the way that we’ve been taught to think about this history of Black Americans, and really that I make the argument that our founders did not believe the words– those majestic words– of the Declaration of Independence when they wrote them,” Hannah-Jones added.
The Dean of Harvard’s Radcliffe Institute, Tomiko Brown-Nagin, guided the conversation, informing more than 3,000 listeners that “we cannot dismantle what we do not understand.”
When asked about what prompted her to launch the 1619 Project, Jones noted that “almost nothing about modern American life has been left untouched by the legacy of slavery.” She said that Black America cannot “get over” slavery, adding, “We cannot get over something that is foundational.”
After Brown-Nagin asked her about the 1619 Project’s entrance into universities and high schools, she explained that a school curriculum was never the goal of the project, yet has become a concern among certain politicians, who are “really opposed to our children, our youth, getting a different understanding, a more challenging — and I would argue more accurate — narrative about this country.”
When asked to address the historians who do not like the project, Hannah-Jones alleged that the critique extended beyond an examination of historical fact: “What was different was the effort to really discredit the project, to make arguments… ‘How could you say America is racist? How could you say racism is in the DNA of this country?’… There are a lot of White historians, no matter what their political affiliations are, who feel a need to protect and vindicate our founding.”
At this point, she noted that the 1619 Project was based on the principle of reconsidering the nation’s true founding, asking, “What would it mean to consider 1619 our founding and not 1776?” However, two days after the September 15 interview, Hannah-Jones alleged that the 1619 Project “does not argue that 1776 was not the founding of the country.”
The 1619 Project "does not argue that 1776 was not the founding of the country, but what it does argue for is that we have largely treated slavery as an asterisk to the American story,” creator @nhannahjones says as President Trump has railed against it. https://t.co/2qsfDPKiV2 pic.twitter.com/2AR3Xqlvj0 — CNN (@CNN) September 18, 2020
Hannah-Jones told Campus Reform that “the 1619 Project has, of course, always recognized 1776 as our official and literal founding.”
“If you read the text of the project that is clear: 1619 is not a year that most Americans know as a notable date in our country’s history,” explained Hannah-Jones. “Those who do are at most a tiny fraction of those who can tell you that 1776 is the year of our nation’s birth….Asking readers what it would mean to consider 1619 as a our founding is using a rhetorical device to get people to rethink the role of slavery as foundational to the making of this country. This type of rhetorical device is something historians, orators, writers, use all of the time.”
The New York Times, however, recently removed the phrase “true founding” from the 1619 Project’s website. In 2019, the website did indeed state that the project “aims to reframe the country’s history, understanding 1619 as our true founding.”
During the question-and-answer portion, Hannah-Jones was given a question by a high school teacher who said that private high schools are rooted in segregation. In response, Hannah-Jones said that she is “opposed to private schools… as much as I write about the failings of public education…public schools are one of the few places left in American society where we have the chance to intimately mix along racial and class lines.”
Hannah-Jones was also asked whether the 1619 Project would create a curriculum geared toward elementary schools. She stated that at least one group has contacted Pulitzer about creating a curriculum, and that an unnamed university in New York is also working on one. The 1619 Project is also “producing a series of children’s books that will be from young readers to middle grades to high school” that will roll out in 2021.
Hannah-Jones also expressed doubt that America will ever achieve racial healing.
“There is nothing about the last 400 years of history that would lead me to believe that this society as is, without some massive revolution that would have to be far more successful than the Civil War… will be able to purge us from what is really the basis upon which this country is built,” she said.
– – –
Ben Zeisloft Pennsylvania Senior Campus Correspondent with CampusReform.org.
Image “Nikole Hannah-Jones” by Radcliffe Institute.


thetennesseestar--2020-11-09--Commentary: We Must Commit to Following the Evidence Where it Leads, for the Good of the Country

Most of us are most comfortable when things are under our control .
We like using the skills and powers with which we have been blessed to make life better , both for ourselves and for others .
Sometimes , life just hums along and we confidently play our winning hand .
Success is attainable ; we know the way to get it and we are motivated to achieve it .
But in the year 2020 , the unknown broke through our dreams and our pretensions .
It is frightening , especially if we are not used to humility .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ bright focus of our human competency is always surrounded by a very much larger realm that is not subject to our control .
If we are at all awake , we are learning that an appreciation of the mysterious and the transcendent is not an indulgence of the weird and the religious , but a vital and necessary part of a common-sense approach to the real universe in which we live .
Living with the reality of the mysterious enables us to turn away from despair .
The fact that we are confronted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will only sink those who believe that we already have all knowledge .
How much better to be amazed at the mysterious that is within us as well , where viruses exist in our bodies peacefully by the billions .
So instead of rejecting the mysterious as something that lessens our knowledge , we can come to a common-sense appreciation that our knowledge is always surrounded by mystery .
That does not compromise or lessen the knowledge we do have , but it should lessen our pretensions .
And that ’ s good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , bad religion , and bad science We are at a moment of chaos in the post-election , just as we were in the pre-election .
But whatever the present uncertainties , we are not devoid of all insight , and we must acknowledge that although we must operate on presumptions when there is little sure knowledge , some presumptions are more reasonable than others .
Presumptions must be based on evidence — the stronger the evidence , the more reasonable the presumption .
We have a great deal of evidence of widespread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempt to end Trump ’ s presidency , beginning from before he won election in 2016 and continuing without respite until the Senate ’ s dismissal of the House ’ s articles of impeachment , and the emergence of the pandemic as the overriding concern in our national life .
There is hard evidence of the involvement of upper echelons in the FBI and the intelligence community in committing fraud against the FISA court , in using the mechanisms of law enforcement to intervene in a political campaign , and then later to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s presidency .
We have evidence of the toleration of behavior that regularly results in prison for those without A-List political connections .
The destruction of tens of thousands of emails under federal subpoena and of smartphones and computers of deep interest to investigators are first of all the responsibility of Hillary Clinton and her staff .
But one will search unsuccessfully to find any note of criticism of this behavior from Joe Biden or those involved in his bid for power .
The large and accumulating body of hard evidence and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family ’ s dealings with Ukraine , China , and other places were never given serious , evidence-based refutation by Biden and those supporting and hoping to gain by his victory .
The usual reaction was derision of whoever dared to ask about this , and a coordinated and deliberate lack of interest by the ever more politically driven old media and a thorough and active silencing by the social media monopolies of any mention of this issue .
This evidence is not all of the same quality , but it clearly contains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the endless anonymously sourced articles of the New York Times and Washington Post and many lesser lights that tried to build a momentum for impeachment .
Based upon on what we may presume from this evidence , with a proper respect for the fact that we certainly do not know everything about what we presume , we should ask what is most reasonable to assume about what has happened and is happening in our election .
A presumption is not evidence , but it nonetheless seems that there is little basis to believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious perversions of law and political norms to which we refer above would be free of similarly corrupt actions with respect to any process in which their power is at stake .
As much as I would like there to be peace , I know that if its price is a passive assent to the establishment of a political power immune to the limits of the law , the Constitution , and the will of the People , then such a peace would be ephemeral .
In Jeremiah ’ s words , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is no peace.
” Right now , distrust of what has happened so far in this election is healthy .
Let ’ s use the institutions of our great democracy to clarify what has gone on .
Let ’ s all commit to following the evidence as the only way to reasonably overcome very reasonable and very grave doubts .
Shmuel Klatzkin is a rabbi and serves as senior editor at the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute .
He received his Ph.D. from Brandeis University in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies and writes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Polls ” by Julie Carr/Tennessee Star

by Shmuel Klatzin
Most of us are most comfortable when things are under our control. We like using the skills and powers with which we have been blessed to make life better, both for ourselves and for others.
Sometimes, life just hums along and we confidently play our winning hand. Success is attainable; we know the way to get it and we are motivated to achieve it.
But in the year 2020, the unknown broke through our dreams and our pretensions. It is frightening, especially if we are not used to humility. It is uncomfortable to see that the bright focus of our human competency is always surrounded by a very much larger realm that is not subject to our control. If we are at all awake, we are learning that an appreciation of the mysterious and the transcendent is not an indulgence of the weird and the religious, but a vital and necessary part of a common-sense approach to the real universe in which we live.
Living with the reality of the mysterious enables us to turn away from despair. The fact that we are confronted with our inability to control the pandemic will only sink those who believe that we already have all knowledge. How much better to be amazed at the mysterious that is within us as well, where viruses exist in our bodies peacefully by the billions. So instead of rejecting the mysterious as something that lessens our knowledge, we can come to a common-sense appreciation that our knowledge is always surrounded by mystery. That does not compromise or lessen the knowledge we do have, but it should lessen our pretensions. And that’s good, because pretensions make for bad thought, bad religion, and bad science
And bad politics.
We are at a moment of chaos in the post-election, just as we were in the pre-election. But whatever the present uncertainties, we are not devoid of all insight, and we must acknowledge that although we must operate on presumptions when there is little sure knowledge, some presumptions are more reasonable than others.
Presumptions must be based on evidence — the stronger the evidence, the more reasonable the presumption. We have a great deal of evidence of widespread, corrupt behavior behind the broadly organized attempt to end Trump’s presidency, beginning from before he won election in 2016 and continuing without respite until the Senate’s dismissal of the House’s articles of impeachment, and the emergence of the pandemic as the overriding concern in our national life. There is hard evidence of the involvement of upper echelons in the FBI and the intelligence community in committing fraud against the FISA court, in using the mechanisms of law enforcement to intervene in a political campaign, and then later to forward a political attempt to overthrow Trump’s presidency.
We have evidence of the toleration of behavior that regularly results in prison for those without A-List political connections. The destruction of tens of thousands of emails under federal subpoena and of smartphones and computers of deep interest to investigators are first of all the responsibility of Hillary Clinton and her staff. But one will search unsuccessfully to find any note of criticism of this behavior from Joe Biden or those involved in his bid for power.
The large and accumulating body of hard evidence and first-hand testimony of corruption in the Biden family’s dealings with Ukraine, China, and other places were never given serious, evidence-based refutation by Biden and those supporting and hoping to gain by his victory. The usual reaction was derision of whoever dared to ask about this, and a coordinated and deliberate lack of interest by the ever more politically driven old media and a thorough and active silencing by the social media monopolies of any mention of this issue.
This evidence is not all of the same quality, but it clearly contains much that is far more robust than the endless anonymously sourced articles of the New York Times and Washington Post and many lesser lights that tried to build a momentum for impeachment.
Based upon on what we may presume from this evidence, with a proper respect for the fact that we certainly do not know everything about what we presume, we should ask what is most reasonable to assume about what has happened and is happening in our election.
A presumption is not evidence, but it nonetheless seems that there is little basis to believe that those so deeply involved in the serious perversions of law and political norms to which we refer above would be free of similarly corrupt actions with respect to any process in which their power is at stake.
As much as I would like there to be peace, I know that if its price is a passive assent to the establishment of a political power immune to the limits of the law, the Constitution, and the will of the People, then such a peace would be ephemeral. In Jeremiah’s words, “ ‘Peace! Peace!’ But there is no peace.”
Right now, distrust of what has happened so far in this election is healthy. Let’s use the institutions of our great democracy to clarify what has gone on. Let’s all commit to following the evidence as the only way to reasonably overcome very reasonable and very grave doubts.
– – –
Shmuel Klatzkin is a rabbi and serves as senior editor at the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute. He received his Ph.D. from Brandeis University in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies and writes and teaches extensively.
Photo “At the Polls” by Julie Carr/Tennessee Star


thetennesseestar--2020-11-09--Television Legend Alex Trebek Remembered for Grace and Good Humor that Charmed Viewers for More than

Television Legend Alex Trebek Remembered for Grace and Good Humor that Charmed Viewers for More than a Generation

LOS ANGELES , California ( AP ) — Alex Trebek never pretended to have all the answers , but the “ Jeopardy !
” host became an inspiration and solace to Americans who otherwise are at odds with each other .
He looked and sounded the part of a senior statesman , impeccably suited and groomed and with an authoritative voice any politician would crave .
He commanded his turf — the quiz show ’ s stage — but refused to overshadow its brainy contestants .
And when he faced the challenge of pancreatic cancer , which claimed his life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ honest , optimistic and graceful .
Trebek died at his Los Angeles home , surrounded by family and friends , “ Jeopardy !
” studio Sony said .
The Canadian-born host made a point of informing fans about his health directly , in a series of brief online videos .
He faced the camera and spoke in a calm , even tone as he revealed his illness and hope for a cure in the first message , posted in March 2019 .
“ Now normally , the prognosis for this is not very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fight this and I ’ m going to keep working , ” Trebek said , even managing a wisecrack : He had to beat the disease because his “ Jeopardy !
” contract had three more years to run .
In his memoir published this year , “ The Answer Is … Reflections on My Life , ” Trebek suggested that he ’ s known but not celebrated , and compared himself to a visiting relative who TV viewers find “ comforting and reassuring as opposed to being impressed by me.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of grief and respect from former contestants , celebrities and the wider public that quickly followed news of his loss .
“ Alex wasn ’ t just the best ever at what he did .
He was also a lovely and deeply decent man , and I ’ m grateful for every minute I got to spend with him , ” tweeted “ Jeopardy !
” champion Ken Jennings .
“ Thinking today about his family and his Jeopardy !
family — which , in a way , included millions of us.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ privileges of my life to spend time with this courageous man while he fought the battle of his life .
You will never be replaced in our hearts , Alex , ” James Holzhauer , another “ Jeopardy !
” star , posted on Twitter .
Recent winner Burt Thakur tweeted that he was “ overwhelmed with emotion.
” When he appeared on Friday ’ s show , Thakur recounted learning English as a child from watching Trebek on “ Jeopardy !
” with his grandfather .
The program films weeks of shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediate reply from Sony about how many shows with Trebek are completed and if they will air .
“ Jeopardy !
” bills itself as “ America ’ s favorite quiz show ” and captivated the public with a unique format in which contestants were told the answers and had to provide the questions on a variety of subjects , including movies , politics , history and popular culture .
They would answer by saying “ What is … ?
” or “ Who is … .
?
” Trebek , who became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ master of the format , engaging in friendly banter with contestants , appearing genuinely pleased when they answered correctly and , at the same time , moving the game along in a brisk no-nonsense fashion whenever people struggled for answers .
“ I try not to take myself too seriously , ” he told an interviewer in 2004 .
“ I don ’ t want to come off as a pompous ass and indicate that I know everything when I don ’ t. ” The show was the brainstorm of Julann Griffin , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Merv Griffin , who said she suggested to him one day that he create a game show where people were given the answers .
“ Jeopardy !
” debuted on NBC in 1964 with Art Fleming as emcee and was an immediate hit .
It lasted until 1975 , then was revived in syndication with Trebek .
Long identified by a full head of hair and trim mustache ( though in 2001 he startled viewers by shaving his mustache , “ completely on a whim ” ) , Trebek was more than qualified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game show career on “ Reach for the Top ” in his native country .
Moving to the U.S. in 1973 , he appeared on “ The Wizard of Odds , ” “ High Rollers , ” “ The $ 128,000 Question ” and “ Double Dare.
” Even during his run on “ Jeopardy !
” , Trebek worked on other shows .
In the early 1990s , he was the host of three — “ Jeopardy !
” , “ To Tell the Truth ” and “ Classic Concentration.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He won five Emmys as its host , including one last June , and received stars on both the Hollywood and Canadian walks of fame .
In 2012 , the show won a prestigious Peabody Award .
He taped his daily “ Jeopardy !
” shows at a frenetic pace , recording as many as 10 episodes ( two weeks ’ worth ) in just two days .
After what was described as a mild heart attack in 2007 , he was back at work in just a month .
He posted a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ d undergone surgery for blood clots on the brain that followed a fall he ’ d taken .
The show was on hiatus during his recovery .
It had yet to bring in a substitute host for Trebek — save once , when he and “ Wheel of Fortune ” host Pat Sajak swapped their TV jobs as an April ’ s Fool prank .
In 2012 , Trebek acknowledged that he was considering retirement , but had been urged by friends to stay on so he could reach 30 years on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he declared : “ What ’ s not to love ?
You have the security of a familiar environment , a familiar format , but you have the excitement of new clues and new contestants on every program .
You can ’ t beat that !
” Although many viewers considered him one of the key reasons for the show ’ s success , Trebek himself insisted he was only there to keep things moving .
“ My job is to provide the atmosphere and assistance to the contestants to get them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said in a 2012 interview .
“ And if I ’ m successful doing that , I will be perceived as a nice guy and the audience will think of me as being a bit of a star .
But not if I try to steal the limelight !
” In a January 2019 interview with The Associated Press , Trebek discussed his decision to keep going with “ Jeopardy !
” “ It ’ s not as if I ’ m overworked — we tape 46 days a year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he would retire someday , if he lost his edge or the job was no longer fun , adding : “ And it ’ s still fun.
” Born July 22 , 1940 , in Sudbury , Ontario , Trebek was sent off to boarding school by his Ukrainian father and French-Canadian mother when he was barely in his teens .
After graduating high school , he spent a summer in Cincinnati to be close to a girlfriend , then returned to Canada to attend college .
After earning a philosophy degree from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work for the Canadian Broadcasting Co. , starting as a staff announcer and eventually becoming a radio and TV reporter .
He became a U.S. citizen in 1997 .
Trebek ’ s first marriage , to Elaine Callei , ended in divorce .
In 1990 , he married Jean Currivan , and they had two children , Emily and Matthew .
Trebek is survived by his wife , their two children and his stepdaughter , Nicky .
Lynn Elber is a reporter with The Associated Press .

by Lynn Elber
LOS ANGELES, California (AP) — Alex Trebek never pretended to have all the answers, but the “Jeopardy!” host became an inspiration and solace to Americans who otherwise are at odds with each other.
He looked and sounded the part of a senior statesman, impeccably suited and groomed and with an authoritative voice any politician would crave. He commanded his turf — the quiz show’s stage — but refused to overshadow its brainy contestants.
And when he faced the challenge of pancreatic cancer, which claimed his life Sunday at age 80, he was honest, optimistic and graceful. Trebek died at his Los Angeles home, surrounded by family and friends, “Jeopardy!” studio Sony said.
The Canadian-born host made a point of informing fans about his health directly, in a series of brief online videos. He faced the camera and spoke in a calm, even tone as he revealed his illness and hope for a cure in the first message, posted in March 2019.
“Now normally, the prognosis for this is not very encouraging, but I’m going to fight this and I’m going to keep working,” Trebek said, even managing a wisecrack: He had to beat the disease because his “Jeopardy!” contract had three more years to run.
In his memoir published this year, “The Answer Is … Reflections on My Life,” Trebek suggested that he’s known but not celebrated, and compared himself to a visiting relative who TV viewers find “comforting and reassuring as opposed to being impressed by me.”
That was contradicted Sunday by the messages of grief and respect from former contestants, celebrities and the wider public that quickly followed news of his loss.
“Alex wasn’t just the best ever at what he did. He was also a lovely and deeply decent man, and I’m grateful for every minute I got to spend with him,” tweeted “Jeopardy!” champion Ken Jennings. “Thinking today about his family and his Jeopardy! family — which, in a way, included millions of us.”
“It was one of the great privileges of my life to spend time with this courageous man while he fought the battle of his life. You will never be replaced in our hearts, Alex,” James Holzhauer, another “Jeopardy!” star, posted on Twitter.
Recent winner Burt Thakur tweeted that he was “overwhelmed with emotion.” When he appeared on Friday’s show, Thakur recounted learning English as a child from watching Trebek on “Jeopardy!” with his grandfather.
The program films weeks of shows in advance, and there was no immediate reply from Sony about how many shows with Trebek are completed and if they will air.
“Jeopardy!” bills itself as “America’s favorite quiz show” and captivated the public with a unique format in which contestants were told the answers and had to provide the questions on a variety of subjects, including movies, politics, history and popular culture.
They would answer by saying “What is … ?” or “Who is …. ?”
Trebek, who became its host in 1984, was a master of the format, engaging in friendly banter with contestants, appearing genuinely pleased when they answered correctly and, at the same time, moving the game along in a brisk no-nonsense fashion whenever people struggled for answers.
“I try not to take myself too seriously,” he told an interviewer in 2004. “I don’t want to come off as a pompous ass and indicate that I know everything when I don’t.”
The show was the brainstorm of Julann Griffin, wife of the late talk show host-entrepreneur Merv Griffin, who said she suggested to him one day that he create a game show where people were given the answers.
“Jeopardy!” debuted on NBC in 1964 with Art Fleming as emcee and was an immediate hit. It lasted until 1975, then was revived in syndication with Trebek.
Long identified by a full head of hair and trim mustache (though in 2001 he startled viewers by shaving his mustache, “completely on a whim”), Trebek was more than qualified for the job, having started his game show career on “Reach for the Top” in his native country.
Moving to the U.S. in 1973, he appeared on “The Wizard of Odds,” “High Rollers,” “The $128,000 Question” and “Double Dare.” Even during his run on “Jeopardy!”, Trebek worked on other shows. In the early 1990s, he was the host of three — “Jeopardy!”, “To Tell the Truth” and “Classic Concentration.”
“Jeopardy!” made him famous. He won five Emmys as its host, including one last June, and received stars on both the Hollywood and Canadian walks of fame. In 2012, the show won a prestigious Peabody Award.
He taped his daily “Jeopardy!” shows at a frenetic pace, recording as many as 10 episodes (two weeks’ worth) in just two days. After what was described as a mild heart attack in 2007, he was back at work in just a month.
He posted a video in January 2018 announcing he’d undergone surgery for blood clots on the brain that followed a fall he’d taken. The show was on hiatus during his recovery.
It had yet to bring in a substitute host for Trebek — save once, when he and “Wheel of Fortune” host Pat Sajak swapped their TV jobs as an April’s Fool prank.
In 2012, Trebek acknowledged that he was considering retirement, but had been urged by friends to stay on so he could reach 30 years on the show. He still loved the job, he declared: “What’s not to love? You have the security of a familiar environment, a familiar format, but you have the excitement of new clues and new contestants on every program. You can’t beat that!”
Although many viewers considered him one of the key reasons for the show’s success, Trebek himself insisted he was only there to keep things moving.
“My job is to provide the atmosphere and assistance to the contestants to get them to perform at their very best,” he said in a 2012 interview. “And if I’m successful doing that, I will be perceived as a nice guy and the audience will think of me as being a bit of a star. But not if I try to steal the limelight!”
In a January 2019 interview with The Associated Press, Trebek discussed his decision to keep going with “Jeopardy!”
“It’s not as if I’m overworked — we tape 46 days a year,” he said. But he acknowledged he would retire someday, if he lost his edge or the job was no longer fun, adding: “And it’s still fun.”
Born July 22, 1940, in Sudbury, Ontario, Trebek was sent off to boarding school by his Ukrainian father and French-Canadian mother when he was barely in his teens.
After graduating high school, he spent a summer in Cincinnati to be close to a girlfriend, then returned to Canada to attend college. After earning a philosophy degree from the University of Ottawa, he went to work for the Canadian Broadcasting Co., starting as a staff announcer and eventually becoming a radio and TV reporter.
He became a U.S. citizen in 1997. Trebek’s first marriage, to Elaine Callei, ended in divorce. In 1990, he married Jean Currivan, and they had two children, Emily and Matthew.
Trebek is survived by his wife, their two children and his stepdaughter, Nicky.
– – –
Lynn Elber is a reporter with The Associated Press.


thetennesseestar--2020-11-09--Virginia Department of Education Leader Accused of Appropriating Government Resources to Speak on Eq

Virginia Department of Education Leader Accused of Appropriating Government Resources to Speak on Equity at Loudoun County Public Schools

Virginia Department of Education ( VDOE ) Director of Equity and Community Engagement Leah Dozier Walker ( pictured above ) will moderate a Loudoun County Public Schools ( LCPS ) event on equity .
Walker also advocates other issues including Black Lives Matter , anti-racism , critical race theory , and social justice .
Earlier this year , Virginia Inspector General Michael Westfall accused Walker of appropriating government resources to set up her private consulting business .
Westfall noted in his report that Walker had accumulated nearly 100 hours of unexplained absences the previous year , as well as offered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as her state duties .
“ [ I ] n reviewing both websites , it is clear that Ms. Dozier Walker has posted a number of pictures , documents and at least one video that [ were ] created by VDOE .
Some photos show Ms. Dozier Walker at various conferences while working in an official capacity for VDOE.
” Walker denied the allegations , though the report also mentioned her personal business tweets made during government office hours .
In one of her posts , Walker shared a picture condemning “ white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and “ bias.
” “ I IMPLORE YOU TO READ MY STORY , KNOWING YOUR TENDENCY TO SKIP , NEGATE , AND GLOSS OVER THE HUMILIATION , SUFFERING , AND DISADVANTAGE YOUR PRIVILEGE HAS SOWED , ” read the picture .
“ SEE ME , TO CHALLENGE OPPRESSION .
KNOW ME , TO OWN YOUR BIAS .
LOVE ME , TO BE ANTI RACIST .
FREE .
ME .
SINCERELY , YOUR ANGRY BLACK WOMAN.
” In her blogs , Walker has attributed racism as a “ White people ’ s problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Promote policies and programs in accordance with the department ’ s Statement of NonDiscrimination and the commonwealth ’ s EEO policy , supporting the rights and recognizing the needs of all citizens regardless of race , sex , age , religion , creed , county of origin , or disability.
” The code also addresses potential conflicts of interest , including personal business ventures using government resources .
“ [ Employees must ] avoid the appearance of conflict of interest by not engaging in activities that may be inconsistent with the State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or the Public Procurement Act.
” Walker will be joined in the virtual event with the local police and sheriff ’ s department .
Together , they will discuss the Memorandum of Understanding ( MOU ) which emphasizes community policing for student-officer interactions .
Walker is scheduled to moderate and speak at the virtual event on Thursday , November 12th at 6:30 pm EST .
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Network .
Follow her latest on Twitter , or email tips to [ email protected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” by Leah Dozier Walker .

Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) Director of Equity and Community Engagement Leah Dozier Walker (pictured above) will moderate a Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) event on equity. Walker also advocates other issues including Black Lives Matter, anti-racism, critical race theory, and social justice.
Earlier this year, Virginia Inspector General Michael Westfall accused Walker of appropriating government resources to set up her private consulting business. Westfall noted in his report that Walker had accumulated nearly 100 hours of unexplained absences the previous year, as well as offered consulting services that were almost the same as her state duties.
“[I]n reviewing both websites, it is clear that Ms. Dozier Walker has posted a number of pictures, documents and at least one video that [were] created by VDOE. Some photos show Ms. Dozier Walker at various conferences while working in an official capacity for VDOE.”
Walker denied the allegations, though the report also mentioned her personal business tweets made during government office hours.
In one of her posts, Walker shared a picture condemning “white allies” for their inherent “privilege” and “bias.”
“I IMPLORE YOU TO READ MY STORY, KNOWING YOUR TENDENCY TO SKIP, NEGATE, AND GLOSS OVER THE HUMILIATION, SUFFERING, AND DISADVANTAGE YOUR PRIVILEGE HAS SOWED,” read the picture. “SEE ME, TO CHALLENGE OPPRESSION. KNOW ME, TO OWN YOUR BIAS. LOVE ME, TO BE ANTI RACIST. FREE. ME. SINCERELY, YOUR ANGRY BLACK WOMAN.”
In her blogs, Walker has attributed racism as a “White people’s problem” that only affects Black people.
VDOE code of ethics emphasizes nondiscrimination.
“Promote policies and programs in accordance with the department’s Statement of NonDiscrimination and the commonwealth’s EEO policy, supporting the rights and recognizing the needs of all citizens regardless of race, sex, age, religion, creed, county of origin, or disability.”
The code also addresses potential conflicts of interest, including personal business ventures using government resources.
“[Employees must] avoid the appearance of conflict of interest by not engaging in activities that may be inconsistent with the State and Local Government Conflict of Interest Act or the Public Procurement Act.”
Walker will be joined in the virtual event with the local police and sheriff’s department. Together, they will discuss the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which emphasizes community policing for student-officer interactions.
Walker is scheduled to moderate and speak at the virtual event on Thursday, November 12th at 6:30 pm EST.
– – –
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Network. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Leah Dozier Walker” by Leah Dozier Walker.


thetennesseestar--2020-11-09--New Ohio School Funding Plan Goes Before Legislature

Calling the way Ohio funds public schools unpredictable , confusing and inadequate , Ohio lawmakers want to overhaul the system with a formula that could mean a $ 1.99 billion increase in funding .
Changes could come sooner rather than later .
State Sens .
Peggy Lehner , R-Kettering , and Vernon Sykes , D-Akron , introduced a bill Thursday that teams with a current house bill .
It would change how the state determines the cost of educating a student , along with how the state decides how much a local district should contribute to that cost .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lame duck session , according to Lehner .
“ The lame duck is the appropriate place and provides the amount of time we need to pass this legislation , ” Lehner said during a news conference Friday .
Also , an analyst and consultant who worked with lawmakers to help develop the new system said it could ease the need for districts to ask voters for new local tax levies .
“ Is it going to eliminate the need for new levies completely ?
No , ” Michael Sobul said .
“ Is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for it ?
We believe it will .
We believe districts will have the additional resources from the state to meet the needs of the student.
” If passed and fully phased in over six years , it will mean nearly $ 2 billion more annually for Ohio schools .
However , each specific General Assembly will have the flexibility to base funding decisions on statewide economic situations , according to State .
Rep. Gary Scherer , R-Circleville , said .
The plan looks at two basic steps .
First , what is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Second , how much can local communities pay ?
The proposed base cost plan would incorporate professional development for teachers , health , safety , social and emotional needs of students , academic and athletic activities , technology , building and district operations , leadership and staff .
A key change to local funding , according to the sponsors , is the new plan will base 60 % of a district ’ s local funding capacity on property values and 40 % on resident income .
Currently , only property values determine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
State Rep John Patterson , D-Jefferson , pointed to Ohio farmers who face an economic crisis as an example .
He said recently that farmers struggled selling crops , and , while property values remained high , wealth was virtually non-existent .
“ The lame duck is the appropriate place and provides the amount of time we need to pass this legislation , ” Lehner said during a news conference Friday .
Also , an analyst and consultant who worked with lawmakers to help develop the new system said it could ease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for new local tax levies .
“ Is it going to eliminate the need for new levies completely ?
No , ” Michael Sobul said .
“ Is it going to greatly ease the need for it ?
We believe it will .
We believe districts will have the additional resources from the state to meet the needs of the student.
” If passed and fully phased in over six years , it will mean nearly $ 2 billion more annually for Ohio schools .
However , each specific General Assembly will have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statewide economic situations , according to State .
Rep. Gary Scherer , R-Circleville , said .
The plan looks at two basic steps .
First , what is the base cost to educate a student ?
Second , how much can local communities pay The proposed base cost plan would incorporate professional development for teachers , health , safety , social and emotional needs of students , academic and athletic activities , technology , building and district operations , leadership and staff .
A key change to local funding , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ base 60 % of a district ’ s local funding capacity on property values and 40 % on resident income .
Currently , only property values determine how much a local district can pay .
State Rep John Patterson , D-Jefferson , pointed to Ohio farmers who face an economic crisis as an example .
He said recently that farmers struggled selling crops , and , while property values remained high , wealth was virtually non-existent .
J.D .
Davidson is a reporter with The Center Square .

by J. D. Davidson
Calling the way Ohio funds public schools unpredictable, confusing and inadequate, Ohio lawmakers want to overhaul the system with a formula that could mean a $1.99 billion increase in funding. Changes could come sooner rather than later.
State Sens. Peggy Lehner, R-Kettering, and Vernon Sykes, D-Akron, introduced a bill Thursday that teams with a current house bill. It would change how the state determines the cost of educating a student, along with how the state decides how much a local district should contribute to that cost.
The overhaul will be part of the upcoming lame duck session, according to Lehner.
“The lame duck is the appropriate place and provides the amount of time we need to pass this legislation,” Lehner said during a news conference Friday.
Also, an analyst and consultant who worked with lawmakers to help develop the new system said it could ease the need for districts to ask voters for new local tax levies.
“Is it going to eliminate the need for new levies completely? No,” Michael Sobul said. “Is it going to greatly ease the need for it? We believe it will. We believe districts will have the additional resources from the state to meet the needs of the student.”
If passed and fully phased in over six years, it will mean nearly $2 billion more annually for Ohio schools. However, each specific General Assembly will have the flexibility to base funding decisions on statewide economic situations, according to State. Rep. Gary Scherer, R-Circleville, said.
The plan looks at two basic steps. First, what is the base cost to educate a student? Second, how much can local communities pay?
The proposed base cost plan would incorporate professional development for teachers, health, safety, social and emotional needs of students, academic and athletic activities, technology, building and district operations, leadership and staff.
A key change to local funding, according to the sponsors, is the new plan will base 60% of a district’s local funding capacity on property values and 40% on resident income. Currently, only property values determine how much a local district can pay.
State Rep John Patterson, D-Jefferson, pointed to Ohio farmers who face an economic crisis as an example. He said recently that farmers struggled selling crops, and, while property values remained high, wealth was virtually non-existent.
“The lame duck is the appropriate place and provides the amount of time we need to pass this legislation,” Lehner said during a news conference Friday.
Also, an analyst and consultant who worked with lawmakers to help develop the new system said it could ease the need for districts to ask voters for new local tax levies.
“Is it going to eliminate the need for new levies completely? No,” Michael Sobul said. “Is it going to greatly ease the need for it? We believe it will. We believe districts will have the additional resources from the state to meet the needs of the student.”
If passed and fully phased in over six years, it will mean nearly $2 billion more annually for Ohio schools. However, each specific General Assembly will have the flexibility to base funding decisions on statewide economic situations, according to State. Rep. Gary Scherer, R-Circleville, said.
The plan looks at two basic steps. First, what is the base cost to educate a student? Second, how much can local communities pay
The proposed base cost plan would incorporate professional development for teachers, health, safety, social and emotional needs of students, academic and athletic activities, technology, building and district operations, leadership and staff.
A key change to local funding, according to the sponsors, is the new plan will base 60% of a district’s local funding capacity on property values and 40% on resident income. Currently, only property values determine how much a local district can pay.
State Rep John Patterson, D-Jefferson, pointed to Ohio farmers who face an economic crisis as an example. He said recently that farmers struggled selling crops, and, while property values remained high, wealth was virtually non-existent.
– – –
J.D. Davidson is a reporter with The Center Square.


thetennesseestar--2020-11-09--Richmond’s Second District Becomes Local Election Battleground

While the nation watched the national elections , voters in Richmond ’ s second district quietly disrupted local politics .
Voters surprised mayoral election watchers by voting for Alexsis Rodgers instead of current district two councilmember Kim Gray .
Voters have also locked the race for Gray ’ s city council replacement into a narrow two-way contest where leader Katherine Jordan is ahead of Tavarris Spinks by just 26 votes out of 14,086 , according to unofficial results at the Virginia Public Access Project .
“ To take my mind off this stress I have kept my standing appointment to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a Friday tweet .
District three has another close race — Anne Lambert is leading Elaine Summerfield by 206 votes , or about 2 percent .
In district eight , incumbent Reva Trammell has pulled ahead of Amy Wentz by 268 votes , about four percent , according to VPAP data .
Richmond electoral board Chairman Jim Nachman said that official results should be certified on Tuesday , according to The Richmond Times-Dispatch .
In other districts , the incumbents appear to have won re-election ; Kristen Larson ran unopposed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in district nine .
In district one , incumbent Andreas Addison leads by 1,438 votes ; in district five incumbent Stephanie Lynch leads by 4,182 votes , in district six incumbent Ellen Robertson leads by 2,605 votes , and in district seven , incumbent Cynthia Newbille leads by 3,101 votes , according to VPAP .
Larson described Richmond as a city performing a political balancing act .
While her district is composed of long-time , older residents who may be more conservative , other parts of the city have seen an influx of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I think Alexsis Rodgers had a strong showing in the mayor ’ s race which definitely does say something about folks who are leaning towards that progressive agenda , ” Larson said .
According to Larson , the council never coalesced as a political bloc in the previous term , meaning that the direction of the council is not necessarily set in stone and new councilmembers can shape policy .
In the previous term , the council and then-new Mayor Levar Stoney experienced the benefits of a strong economy and good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the council was able to finance virtually all of the Mayor ’ s initiatives , but she doesn ’ t think that the council can keep doing that in the near future .
“ COVID , as well as our budget and the local economy is going to be the most immediate thing that we ’ re dealing with , ” Larson told The Virginia Star .
The Mayor normally presents his budget in March .
Larson said that ’ s when the council will face tough decisions .
Richmond relies on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taxes .
Although the real estate market is still healthy , Larson expects trouble for commercial rental properties and a loss in revenue for the city , even a net decrease in revenue from 2020 to 2021 .
She also thinks the council and the Mayor will have to grapple with an affordable housing crisis as protections for at-risk people expire .
“ I hope I am wrong , but I feel like every couple of days we see another restaurant close , and that has been our bread and butter in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Larson said .
“ In terms of strategies , of how do we handle it , I just think we ’ re going to have to make hard decisions , ” Larson said .
“ We ’ re going to have to cut programs , we ’ re going to have to cut budget , and we ’ re going to have to really prioritize , and I ’ m ready to do that and I hope my colleagues are and I hope the Mayor is.
” Eric Burk is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Star News Digital Network .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photos “ Katherine Jordan ” and “ Tavarris Spinks ” by Katherine Jordan and Tavarris Spinks .

While the nation watched the national elections, voters in Richmond’s second district quietly disrupted local politics. Voters surprised mayoral election watchers by voting for Alexsis Rodgers instead of current district two councilmember Kim Gray. Voters have also locked the race for Gray’s city council replacement into a narrow two-way contest where leader Tavarris Spinks is ahead of Katherine Jordan by just 26 votes out of 14,086, according to unofficial results at the Virginia Public Access Project.
“To take my mind off this stress I have kept my standing appointment to have some teeth pulled,” Spinks said in a Friday tweet.
District three has another close race — Anne Lambert is leading Elaine Summerfield by 206 votes, or about 2 percent. In district eight, incumbent Reva Trammell has pulled ahead of Amy Wentz by 268 votes, about four percent, according to VPAP data. Richmond electoral board Chairman Jim Nachman said that official results should be certified on Tuesday, according to The Richmond Times-Dispatch.
In other districts, the incumbents appear to have won re-election; Kristen Larson ran unopposed in district four and Michael Jones ran unopposed in district nine. In district one, incumbent Andreas Addison leads by 1,438 votes; in district five incumbent Stephanie Lynch leads by 4,182 votes, in district six incumbent Ellen Robertson leads by 2,605 votes, and in district seven, incumbent Cynthia Newbille leads by 3,101 votes, according to VPAP.
Larson described Richmond as a city performing a political balancing act. While her district is composed of long-time, older residents who may be more conservative, other parts of the city have seen an influx of younger people who may be more progressive. “I think Alexsis Rodgers had a strong showing in the mayor’s race which definitely does say something about folks who are leaning towards that progressive agenda,” Larson said.
According to Larson, the council never coalesced as a political bloc in the previous term, meaning that the direction of the council is not necessarily set in stone and new councilmembers can shape policy.
In the previous term, the council and then-new Mayor Levar Stoney experienced the benefits of a strong economy and good revenue, according to Larson. She said the council was able to finance virtually all of the Mayor’s initiatives, but she doesn’t think that the council can keep doing that in the near future.
“COVID, as well as our budget and the local economy is going to be the most immediate thing that we’re dealing with,” Larson told The Virginia Star. The Mayor normally presents his budget in March. Larson said that’s when the council will face tough decisions.
Richmond relies on revenues from meal taxes and real estate taxes. Although the real estate market is still healthy, Larson expects trouble for commercial rental properties and a loss in revenue for the city, even a net decrease in revenue from 2020 to 2021. She also thinks the council and the Mayor will have to grapple with an affordable housing crisis as protections for at-risk people expire.
“I hope I am wrong, but I feel like every couple of days we see another restaurant close, and that has been our bread and butter in our economy for the last couple of years,” Larson said.
“In terms of strategies, of how do we handle it, I just think we’re going to have to make hard decisions,” Larson said. “We’re going to have to cut programs, we’re going to have to cut budget, and we’re going to have to really prioritize, and I’m ready to do that and I hope my colleagues are and I hope the Mayor is.”
– – –
Correction: At the time of this report, Tavarris Spinks was leading Katherine Jordan by 26 votes. The Star originally reported Jordan held the lead, and regrets the error.
Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photos “Katherine Jordan” and “Tavarris Spinks” by Katherine Jordan and Tavarris Spinks.


thetennesseestar--2020-11-09--GOP-Led Michigan Legislature to Hold Election Hearings After Glitch Initially Gave up to 5,000 Trump

GOP-Led Michigan Legislature to Hold Election Hearings After Glitch Initially Gave up to 5,000 Trump Votes to Biden

Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield ( R-Levering ) on Friday said lawmakers will hold hearings Saturday to look into election fraud claims in the 2020 presidential election .
“ Every single legal vote needs to be counted , regardless of who cast it or who they voted for .
And then the candidate who wins the most of those votes will win Michigan ’ s electoral votes , just like it always has been .
Nothing about that process will change in 2020 , ” Chatfield said in a statement .
“ America ’ s democracy is sacred , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect it .
That is why the House and Senate oversight committees will begin hearings soon looking into the voting and counting process in our state to give everyone confidence in the results and to make sure the next election runs much more smoothly .
The people of Michigan deserve peace of mind , and we are going to provide it.
” Several accusations of election fraud , typos , and glitches have been made this week .
Questions followed after a software glitch initially gave roughly 5,000 votes cast for President Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Antrim County , sparking a manual recount .
Other Michigan counties used the same software .
House Speaker Lee Chatfield ’ s spokesman , Gideon D ’ Assandro , told The Center Square in an email that the hearing will serve to answer Michiganders ’ questions .
“ Representatives are currently receiving a lot of questions from concerned residents , and there is a lot of confusion about the process , ” D ’ Assandro said .
“ These hearings are not meant to change any results , but they can provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people of Michigan.
” State Sen. Ed McBroom , R-Vulcan , said in a statement that lawmakers will investigate the election process and “ seek to determine whether improprieties exist .
We must avoid spreading rumors or making pronouncements without having all the facts .
“ Pouring gas on every potential fear and spreading doubt about the integrity of the system is not the answer , nor is ignoring troubling reports and dismissing out of hand anecdotal evidence that problems may exist , ” McBroom said .
Michigan Republican Party Chairman Laura Cox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Friday that the faulty tabulating software , Election Source , was used in 47 counties across Michigan .
“ The irregularities reported this morning are incredibly troubling , especially given how close the election results are in Michigan.
” Cox said in a Wednesday statement .
“ At this point , it is unclear whether or not these issues were caused by incompetence or corruption , but the fact that they exist is of great concern , and the Michigan Republican Party will spare no expense to expose the truth of what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election.
” Tom McMillin , a former state lawmaker from Oakland County , told the Free Press on Wednesday that Trump and Republican U.S Senate candidate John James could net 4,000 to 5,000 votes because of the glitch .
Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich , D-Flint , pushed back on Chatfield ’ s announcement , calling it a “ a very sad development and it only serves to feed the chaos on which this president thrives .
“ President Trump won the election by 10,000 votes in 2016 and Democrats took it like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
“ This time , Vice President Biden won by nearly 15 times Trump ’ s margin , but Republicans are choosing to side with conspiracy theorists and abuse the power of the Legislature in attempt to soothe their bruised egos.
” As of the latest count , Biden received 2,790,648 votes in Michigan to Trump ’ s 2,644,525 .
Scott McClallen is a staff writer covering Michigan and Minnesota for The Center Square .
A graduate of Hillsdale College , his work has appeared on Forbes.com and FEE.org .
Previously , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pepsi .
Photo “ State Rep. Lee Chatfield ” by U.P .
Politico CC4.0

by Scott McClallen
Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield (R-Levering) on Friday said lawmakers will hold hearings Saturday to look into election fraud claims in the 2020 presidential election.
“Every single legal vote needs to be counted, regardless of who cast it or who they voted for. And then the candidate who wins the most of those votes will win Michigan’s electoral votes, just like it always has been. Nothing about that process will change in 2020,” Chatfield said in a statement.
“America’s democracy is sacred, and safe and secure elections are how we protect it. That is why the House and Senate oversight committees will begin hearings soon looking into the voting and counting process in our state to give everyone confidence in the results and to make sure the next election runs much more smoothly. The people of Michigan deserve peace of mind, and we are going to provide it.”
Several accusations of election fraud, typos, and glitches have been made this week.
Questions followed after a software glitch initially gave roughly 5,000 votes cast for President Donald Trump to former Vice President Joe Biden in Antrim County, sparking a manual recount.
Other Michigan counties used the same software.
House Speaker Lee Chatfield’s spokesman, Gideon D’Assandro, told The Center Square in an email that the hearing will serve to answer Michiganders’ questions.
“Representatives are currently receiving a lot of questions from concerned residents, and there is a lot of confusion about the process,” D’Assandro said.
“These hearings are not meant to change any results, but they can provide peace of mind and answers for the people of Michigan.”
State Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Vulcan, said in a statement that lawmakers will investigate the election process and “seek to determine whether improprieties exist. We must avoid spreading rumors or making pronouncements without having all the facts.
“Pouring gas on every potential fear and spreading doubt about the integrity of the system is not the answer, nor is ignoring troubling reports and dismissing out of hand anecdotal evidence that problems may exist,” McBroom said.
Michigan Republican Party Chairman Laura Cox claimed other voting irregularities occurred and said on Friday that the faulty tabulating software, Election Source, was used in 47 counties across Michigan.
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s office hasn’t responded to a question verifying Cox’s software claim.
“The irregularities reported this morning are incredibly troubling, especially given how close the election results are in Michigan.” Cox said in a Wednesday statement.
“At this point, it is unclear whether or not these issues were caused by incompetence or corruption, but the fact that they exist is of great concern, and the Michigan Republican Party will spare no expense to expose the truth of what happened in [Tuesday’s] election.”
Tom McMillin, a former state lawmaker from Oakland County, told the Free Press on Wednesday that Trump and Republican U.S Senate candidate John James could net 4,000 to 5,000 votes because of the glitch.
Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich, D-Flint, pushed back on Chatfield’s announcement, calling it a “a very sad development and it only serves to feed the chaos on which this president thrives.
“President Trump won the election by 10,000 votes in 2016 and Democrats took it like adults,” Ananich said in a statement. “This time, Vice President Biden won by nearly 15 times Trump’s margin, but Republicans are choosing to side with conspiracy theorists and abuse the power of the Legislature in attempt to soothe their bruised egos.”
As of the latest count, Biden received 2,790,648 votes in Michigan to Trump’s 2,644,525.
– – –
Scott McClallen is a staff writer covering Michigan and Minnesota for The Center Square. A graduate of Hillsdale College, his work has appeared on Forbes.com and FEE.org. Previously, he worked as a financial analyst at Pepsi.
Photo “State Rep. Lee Chatfield” by U.P. Politico CC4.0


thetennesseestar--2020-11-09--Governor Signs Sentencing Reform Legislation into Law

Last week Governor Ralph Northam signed legislation into law from the Virginia General Assembly special session , which gives judges sentencing power instead of juries in most criminal cases .
Sponsored by Sen. Joe Morrissey ( D-Richmond City ) , Senate Bill 5007 changes a 224-year practice in the Commonwealth where juries had the authority to pass sentences after a conviction had been made .
Under the bill , juries are still allowed to issue sentences if the defendant requests it or in cases when a person is found guilty of capital murder .
“ This is the most transformational @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed in Virginia in a generation , ” Morrissey said in a press release .
“ I can not overstate how incredibly impactful this legislation will be on thousands of defendants and their respective families .
“ I am extremely pleased and grateful that Governor Northam signed this bill .
I look forward to shaking the Governor ’ s hand as soon as it is safe to do so.
” When the legislation was progressing through the Senate , Morrissey argued on the floor that judges have a better understanding of the law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from handing down excessive sentences with unnecessarily long prison terms that do not align with standard sentencing guidelines , a practice Morrissey described as “ jury punishment.
” Morrissey also said the reform will force commonwealth attorneys to offer fairer plea agreements to defendants .
In a press release announcing the executive action , Northam said : “ This change is expected to result in fairer sentences and reduce over-incarceration.
” Not everyone supports the legislation , however .
Several Republican Senators spoke against the bill before it passed the chamber along party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court cases and throw the state judicial system out of balance .
Senate Minority Leader Thomas Norment ( R-James City ) said multiple commonwealth attorneys had approached him voicing their resistance to the legislation .
Dana Schrad , executive director of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police , does not support the reform either .
“ The justice system has long been based on having a jury of your peers [ judge the accused ] , ” Schrad said in an interview with The Virginia Star .
“ The logic that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the judge knows the law better than the jury , but that goes against the principles we have had in law for a long time .
“ So , we ’ re not fans of it , but it is beyond the scope of authority for law enforcement , it ’ s passed our involvement in the system.
” Schrad also pointed out that the rationale of judges knowing more about the law than juries , and therefore being able to issue fairer or better sentences , is ironic when considering civilian oversight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conduct instead of the police chiefs themselves .
When the legislation is enacted on July 1 , 2021 , Kentucky will be the only state to still use jury convictions and sentencing .
Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Follow Jacob on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Governor Ralph Northam ” by Gov .
Ralph Northam .

Last week Governor Ralph Northam signed legislation into law from the Virginia General Assembly special session, which gives judges sentencing power instead of juries in most criminal cases.
Sponsored by Sen. Joe Morrissey (D-Richmond City), Senate Bill 5007 changes a 224-year practice in the Commonwealth where juries had the authority to pass sentences after a conviction had been made.
Under the bill, juries are still allowed to issue sentences if the defendant requests it or in cases when a person is found guilty of capital murder.
“This is the most transformational piece of criminal justice reform to be passed in Virginia in a generation,” Morrissey said in a press release. “I cannot overstate how incredibly impactful this legislation will be on thousands of defendants and their respective families.
“I am extremely pleased and grateful that Governor Northam signed this bill. I look forward to shaking the Governor’s hand as soon as it is safe to do so.”
When the legislation was progressing through the Senate, Morrissey argued on the floor that judges have a better understanding of the law and that SB 5007 will stop juries from handing down excessive sentences with unnecessarily long prison terms that do not align with standard sentencing guidelines, a practice Morrissey described as “jury punishment.”
Morrissey also said the reform will force commonwealth attorneys to offer fairer plea agreements to defendants.
In a press release announcing the executive action, Northam said: “This change is expected to result in fairer sentences and reduce over-incarceration.”
Not everyone supports the legislation, however.
Several Republican Senators spoke against the bill before it passed the chamber along party lines, arguing it would disrupt civil court cases and throw the state judicial system out of balance.
Senate Minority Leader Thomas Norment (R-James City) said multiple commonwealth attorneys had approached him voicing their resistance to the legislation.
Dana Schrad, executive director of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, does not support the reform either.
“The justice system has long been based on having a jury of your peers [judge the accused],” Schrad said in an interview with The Virginia Star. “The logic that the General Assembly has used here is that the judge knows the law better than the jury, but that goes against the principles we have had in law for a long time.
“So, we’re not fans of it, but it is beyond the scope of authority for law enforcement, it’s passed our involvement in the system.”
Schrad also pointed out that the rationale of judges knowing more about the law than juries, and therefore being able to issue fairer or better sentences, is ironic when considering civilian oversight bodies and its citizen members judging police conduct instead of the police chiefs themselves.
When the legislation is enacted on July 1, 2021, Kentucky will be the only state to still use jury convictions and sentencing.
– – –
Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network. Follow Jacob on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “Governor Ralph Northam” by Gov. Ralph Northam.


thetennesseestar--2020-11-09--Trump Supporters Protest at Minnesota Capitol, Governor’s Residence after Media Declare Biden Winner

Hundreds of Trump supporters protested on the steps of the Minnesota State Capitol Saturday afternoon before marching ( and driving ) to the governor ’ s residence on Summit Avenue .
The “ stop the steal ” protest was part of a nationwide day of action organized by conservative activists , who believe that the media prematurely declared former Vice President Joe Biden the winner of the presidential election .
A cardboard cutout of the president was affixed to the front gates of the governor ’ s home as protesters sang “ God Bless America , ” prayed the Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” in memory of Randall Thom , a popular Trump activist who died last month .
“ Four more years , ” “ kids in school , ” and “ come out , Tim ” were among the other slogans chanted by protesters .
“ My governor is an idiot , ” said one woman ’ s shirt , referring to Gov .
Tim Walz , who was reportedly out of town .
St. Paul police were cheered by the crowd when they arrived on the scene , which was closed to traffic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden the winner of the election Saturday morning after three excruciating days of ballot counting .
However , President Donald Trump ’ s campaign has filed lawsuits in several key battleground states , alleging voter fraud and misconduct in the elections system .
In a statement Saturday morning , President Trump said Biden and his “ media allies ” were “ rushing to falsely pose as the winner ” because they “ don ’ t want the truth to be exposed.
” “ The simple fact is this election is far from over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the winner of any states , let alone any of the highly contested states headed for mandatory recounts , or states where our campaign has valid and legitimate legal challenges that could determine the ultimate victor .
In Pennsylvania , for example , our legal observers were not permitted meaningful access to watch the counting process .
Legal votes decide who is president , not the news media , ” said Trump .
The president said an honest election requires the counting of “ all legal ballots ” and ensuring that no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It remains shocking that the Biden campaign refuses to agree with this basic principle and wants ballots counted even if they are fraudulent , manufactured , or cast by ineligible or deceased voters .
Only a party engaged in wrongdoing would unlawfully keep observers out of the count room – and then fight in court to block their access , ” he continued .
Minnesota Republican Party Chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan released a similar statement , saying the media don ’ t “ decide who wins elections.
” “ For the news media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when there are still hundreds of thousands of votes outstanding in battleground states with razor thin margins does an injustice to the American people and our free and fair election system , ” she said .
“ With different pockets of voting irregularities around the country , it is our duty to ensure that this process is full of light , truth , transparency and freedom , ” Carnahan added .
Minnesota DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin declared that “ this long presidential election is over ” in a Saturday press release .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s allies abroad will have a president they can trust , our children at home will have a role model in the Oval Office , and Americans will have a President of the United States who unifies this country around our shared promise and dreams for the future .
Our better days are truly ahead , ” Martin claimed .
Biden won Minnesota ’ s 10 Electoral College votes over President Trump in a vote of 52 % to 45 % , significantly expanding on Hillary Clinton ’ s narrow win in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News .
He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform , and reported for The Daily Caller .

by Anthony Gockowski
Hundreds of Trump supporters protested on the steps of the Minnesota State Capitol Saturday afternoon before marching (and driving) to the governor’s residence on Summit Avenue.
The “stop the steal” protest was part of a nationwide day of action organized by conservative activists, who believe that the media prematurely declared former Vice President Joe Biden the winner of the presidential election.
A cardboard cutout of the president was affixed to the front gates of the governor’s home as protesters sang “God Bless America,” prayed the Our Father and chanted “front row Joe” in memory of Randall Thom, a popular Trump activist who died last month.
“Four more years,” “kids in school,” and “come out, Tim” were among the other slogans chanted by protesters.
“My governor is an idiot,” said one woman’s shirt, referring to Gov. Tim Walz, who was reportedly out of town. St. Paul police were cheered by the crowd when they arrived on the scene, which was closed to traffic throughout the demonstration.
The media pronounced Biden the winner of the election Saturday morning after three excruciating days of ballot counting. However, President Donald Trump’s campaign has filed lawsuits in several key battleground states, alleging voter fraud and misconduct in the elections system.
In a statement Saturday morning, President Trump said Biden and his “media allies” were “rushing to falsely pose as the winner” because they “don’t want the truth to be exposed.”
“The simple fact is this election is far from over. Joe Biden has not been certified as the winner of any states, let alone any of the highly contested states headed for mandatory recounts, or states where our campaign has valid and legitimate legal challenges that could determine the ultimate victor. In Pennsylvania, for example, our legal observers were not permitted meaningful access to watch the counting process. Legal votes decide who is president, not the news media,” said Trump.
The president said an honest election requires the counting of “all legal ballots” and ensuring that no “illegal ballots” were counted.
“It remains shocking that the Biden campaign refuses to agree with this basic principle and wants ballots counted even if they are fraudulent, manufactured, or cast by ineligible or deceased voters. Only a party engaged in wrongdoing would unlawfully keep observers out of the count room – and then fight in court to block their access,” he continued.
Minnesota Republican Party Chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan released a similar statement, saying the media don’t “decide who wins elections.”
“For the news media to call this election for Joe Biden when there are still hundreds of thousands of votes outstanding in battleground states with razor thin margins does an injustice to the American people and our free and fair election system,” she said.
“With different pockets of voting irregularities around the country, it is our duty to ensure that this process is full of light, truth, transparency and freedom,” Carnahan added.
Minnesota DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin declared that “this long presidential election is over” in a Saturday press release.
“After four long years, America’s allies abroad will have a president they can trust, our children at home will have a role model in the Oval Office, and Americans will have a President of the United States who unifies this country around our shared promise and dreams for the future. Our better days are truly ahead,” Martin claimed.
Biden won Minnesota’s 10 Electoral College votes over President Trump in a vote of 52% to 45%, significantly expanding on Hillary Clinton’s narrow win in the state in 2016.
– – –
Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News. He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform, and reported for The Daily Caller.