thetennesseestar--2020-05-31--Commentary: The Economy or Public Health? We Are Asking the Wrong Question

It is not necessary or beneficial to sacrifice human lives to save the economy .
Nor , is it necessary or beneficial to sacrifice the economy to save lives .
Many in the media have painted any attempt to improve economic conditions during the pandemic as a deplorable act of making thousands of Americans the subject of human sacrifice to the almighty dollar .
The notion that America must choose between saving the economy or saving lives is a gross misinterpretation of the events at hand .
And , acting on this misunderstanding has a high potential to make public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faulty context reveals that many Americans may not understand what the economy is or its relationship to combating infectious disease .
What The Economy Is Many Americans in the debate seem to view “ the economy ” as synonymous with Wall Street , CEO ’ s , and Corporate Profit .
Maintaining economic activity is viewed as prioritizing purely economic ends rather than societal needs for public safety .
This couldn ’ t be further from the truth .
This notion confuses the means for the ends .
Nobel Prize-Winning Economist Friedrich Hayek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Road To Serfdom ” that there are no purely economic ends , only economic means of pursuing all other ends .
For example , a person ’ s paycheck is often mistaken as the purely economic ends for his work .
But his paycheck is not the end , it is the means of pursuing his values , such as providing shelter , food , PPE ’ s , and medical care for himself and his family .
Therefore , if you reduce or eliminate his income , you reduce or eliminate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combating infectious disease for himself and his family .
On the business side of the equation , revenue is also often mistaken as a purely economic end of business activity .
But again , revenue is just the economic means of pursuing other ends , such as income for its workers , continuing production , and innovation .
Just as with the individual , if you force a reduction or elimination of revenue , the company can no longer pursue those ends .
When we talk about “ the economy , ” we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wall Street executives .
We are talking about the level of real opportunity available to every person to pursue quality of life .
Some level of losses for businesses occur naturally as a result of fear and uncertainty during the pandemic .
These losses may be painful to a company , but they can be beneficial to society as they act as an incentive for companies to adapt to shifting societal needs to reduce further losses .
For example , during the coronavirus pandemic , society ’ s need for new cars drastically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for companies like General Motors .
GM responds by shifting its focus from producing automobiles to producing what society needs more : namely respirators and face masks , in an effort to reduce losses .
This is not just a theoretical possibility , it has already happened .
Many companies have already shifted to producing respirators , face masks , hospital gowns , and hand sanitizer , including Apple , General Motors , Ventec Life Systems , Ford , Tesla , Dyson , 3M , Prudential , Unilever , Hanes , Gap , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Louis Vuitton , Prada , Virgin Orbit , Brooks Brothers , American Giant , Snap Inc , and countless small companies and entrepreneurs .
Many have even distributed them at production cost or at no cost at all .
It makes no difference if these individual companies or entrepreneurs are producing these public health supplies in pursuit of revenue , public relations , or simply out of the kindness of their hearts to help reduce shortages of equipment in dire need for public safety .
The end result is the same either way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that communities desperately need for public safety .
After all , the only way for a company to make money in a free market economy is by producing what the people need .
Apple alone has already produced and donated 20 million masks .
Hanes has produced and distributed 60 million masks and General Motors is producing 50,000 face masks per day .
As these companies produce more and more of these products , the increase in supply will inevitably drive prices down making them even more accessible to everyone .
Remember a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dire shortages of lifesaving PPE ’ s like masks , respirators , and hand sanitizer ?
Have you noticed that we are hearing less about these shortages ?
That ’ s thanks to these companies and their employees .
If these companies had been ordered to close or their employees ordered to stay home in the name of public safety , not only would the workers be without income , reducing their ability to provide safety and security for their families , but these shortages would have been exacerbated instead of eased , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers less safe .
Now imagine if all of the other companies and employees deemed unessential were allowed the option to participate in this process .
When we talk about “ the economy ” , we aren ’ t just talking about the rich .
We are talking about you and your means of providing for yourself , your family , and your community .
The state of the economy reflects the level of opportunity for individuals like yourself to attain standard of living and quality of life as well as the level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it needs .
Once this is understood , it doesn ’ t stretch the imagination to see how necessary economic health is to combating infectious disease .
A country with more medical facilities , functioning medical equipment , and active medical staff is more prepared to fight COVID-19 than a country with less .
Families are more capable of avoiding COVID-19 when they are more capable of keeping their homes than families in an economy where they are not .
Individuals in an economy with less unemployment and higher average income are better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an economy with high unemployment and low incomes .
All of these factors are determined by the economic health of a nation .
It ’ s time to reshape the debate .
It is not a question of sacrificing lives to save the economy or sacrificing the economy to save lives .
We don ’ t need to choose one over the other .
Economic health is the strongest asset for public health because economic activity is the only means of bringing all the necessary components of fighting infectious disease into abundance .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ interest of public health to keep our economic health strong to slow the spread of COVID-19 and prevent unnecessary loss of life .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-31--Ads for Children’s Book on 19th Amendment Written by Sen. Blackburn and Her Daughter Banned by Insta

Ads for Children’s Book on 19th Amendment Written by Sen. Blackburn and Her Daughter Banned by Instagram

Instagram reportedly believes a children ’ s book written by U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn ( R-TN ) and her daughter , about the history of the 19th Amendment , may “ influence the outcome of an election , ” so the tech giant has banned advertising for it .
The Federalist reported on the book ’ s ban .
Blackburn and her daughter , Mary Morgan Ketchel , wrote Camilla Can Vote : Celebrating the Centennial of Women ’ s Right to Vote .
The book is about a young girl ’ s trip to a museum where she is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last state to ratify the 19th Amendment passing women ’ s suffrage .
“ Your promotion was not approved , ” read an Instagram pop-up on Ketchel ’ s phone two weeks ago in a screenshot shared exclusively with The Federalist .
“ Your ad may have been rejected if it mentions politicians , topics that could influence the outcome of an election , or existing or proposed legislation.
” The book is available on Amazon here .
This is far from the first time Big Tech has censored Blackburn , ads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaigning , and so forth .
A senior Google software engineer in 2018 called Blackburn , then a candidate , a “ violent thug ” and a “ terrorist , ” and defended the censorship of her campaign ads on social media , The Tennessee Star reported .
The Susan B. Anthony List in November 2018 said that Facebook had censored their ad contrasting Senate candidate Phil Bredesen ’ s pro-abortion views with opponent Blackburn ’ s unequivocal support for life .
After Facebook ’ s action came to light , the media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Facebook in August 2018 temporarily removed three Tennessee Star articles critical of Bredesen .
Twitter temporarily banned a Blackburn campaign ad in 2017 but reversed course .
Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes .
Photo “ Camilla Can Vote : Celebrating the Centennial of Women ’ s Right to Vote ” by Amazon .

Live from Music Row Wednesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville’s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael to the studio for another edition of Crom’s Crommentary.
CROM CARMICHAEL:
Michael, yesterday, the Supreme Court heard a very, very important case, Texas versus Biden. And the Wall Street Journal wrote a very interesting article about that case. It appeared on Monday. So it was before the case was heard. There was a law passed in 1996 and Biden voted for the law. The law says that migrants who are, ‘Not clearly and beyond doubt, (not reasonable doubt, beyond doubt,) entitled to be admitted shall be detained.’ It goes on to say that the law also says that DHS can parole individual migrants on a case by case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.
That’s what the law that was passed in 1996 says. According to some reports I read this morning about the hearing yesterday, the case by case part of the 1996 law is what some justices may try to hang their hat on to allow Biden to eliminate or rescind Trump’s Remain in Mexico policy on the basis that we only can detain 34,000 illegal immigrants at the same time. That’s all we can detain. And so Trump said we can’t follow the law, so we’re going to make them stay in Mexico.
Now, the left says, well, you can’t make them stay in Mexico because Mexico won’t necessarily agree to that. Well, they already have. Under Trump they did agree to it and they did do it. So it’s not a function of whether or not Mexico can and will do it because they did do it under pressure, but they did do it. This is going to be a very interesting decision that will come down from the courts to see whether or not the courts believe that the law itself has written is what the administration should adhere to. I think that decision will come out very quickly. I don’t think it’ll be months. I think it will be weeks, and maybe even days before that decision comes out.
Listen to the Crommentary:
– – –
Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510. Listen online at iHeart Radio.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-31--Newly Released Transcripts of Flynn/Kislyak Phone Calls Show Nothing Nefarious

Director of National Intelligence ( DNI ) John Ratcliffe on Friday sent declassified transcripts of former national security advisor Michael Flynn ’ s phone calls with then-Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak to Congress .
The calls , which took place during the presidential transition period from Dec. 22 , 2016 through January of 2017 , show that Flynn was concerned about an escalation of hostilities between the two countries after the United States expelled 35 Russian diplomats .
The two also discussed Middle East policy at length and working together to defeat a common enemy : radical Islamists .
There was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the summary , that would have given Obama-era government snoops reason to believe Flynn was treacherously “ colluding ” or “ conspiring ” with Russia .
“ As I stated throughout the confirmation process , transparency is vital to allowing the American people to have confidence in the Intelligence Community , ” Ratcliffe , who was sworn in on Tuesday , said in a press release .
“ As the Director of National Intelligence , it is my obligation to review declassification requests with the overarching priority of protecting sources and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible .
Accordingly , today the Office of the Director of National Intelligence declassified transcripts concerning Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn , ” he said .
In a letter to Senators Ron Johnson ( R-Wis. ) and Charles Grassley ( R-Iowa ) , Ratcliffe wrote : “ In response to bipartisan requests regarding the LTG Michael Flynn ( Retired ) transcripts , please find the enclosed declassified documents.
” Mark Warner ( D-Va. ) , Diane Feinstein ( D-Calif. ) , along with Reps. Devin Nunes ( R-Calif. ) and Adam Schiff ( D-Calif. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter .
During the call on Dec. 22 , 2016 , Flynn and Kislyak talked about the “ strategic goal ” of “ stability in the Middle East.
” “ That ’ s the strategic goal , ” Flynn said .
“ You know , between Moscow and Washington , We will not achieve stability in the Middle East without working with each other against this radical Islamist crowd .
Period .
I am very adamant about that and I want to make sure that you know that and in the conversations that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is a common threat that we face.
” In response , Kislyak told Flynn : “ I agree with you.
” The two wished each other a Merry Christmas and said that “ both can call each other any time , ” according to Fox .
The pair continued to discuss Middle East policy in a Dec. 29 , 2016 phone call .
“ The Russians are very interested with working with the President-elect ’ s team to help peace process in Syria , ” the summary said .
Flynn said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moscow : Do not allow this administration to box us in right now !
” according to the summary .
Kislyak said in response : “ they have conveyed it very clearly.
” Flynn went on to say that “ depending on what actions they take over this current issue of cyber stuff , where they are looking like they are going to dismiss some number of Russians out of the country.
” According to the transcript , he added : “ But [ what ] I ask Russia to do is to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you have to have some sort of action , to only make it reciprocal ; don ’ t go any further than you have to because I don ’ t want us to get into something that have to escalate to tit-for-tat .
Do you follow me ?
” Kislyak answered that he understood what Flynn was saying , but noted that sentiments were “ raging ” in Moscow .
Flynn , according to the summary , responded , “ I know !
Believe me I do !
I very much appreciate it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us to get into the situation where we everybody goes back and forth and everybody had to be a tough guy here .
We don ’ t need that right now .
We need cool heads to prevail .
And we need to be very steady about what we are going to do because we have absolutely a common threat in the Middle East.
” The retired general said that U.S. and Russia “ definitely have a common enemy .
You have a problem with it .
We have a problem with it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a problem with it in the Middle East.
” He added : “ Remember Ambassador , you are not talking to a diplomat ; you are talking to a soldier .
I am a very practical guy .
It is all about solutions .
” Kislyak , according to the summary , said he was “ looking for an opportunity to have a longer conversation.
” Flynn said “ maybe the end of next week.
” After enduring months of prosecutorial abuse , Flynn in December of 2017 pleaded guilty for making false @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Kislyak .
In January of 2020 , he sought to withdraw his plea on the advice of his new counsel Sidney Powell .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-31--Two Killed During Protests in Oakland, Detroit Over Police Death of George Floyd

Two people , including a federal security contractor , were killed Friday night during protests over the death of George Floyd , a 46-year-old black man who was killed in police custody earlier this week , according to police and the FBI .
The FBI is investigating the fatal shooting of a Federal Protective Services officer outside of the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building in Oakland on Friday , reported the San Francisco Gate .
An assailant in a vehicle reportedly began firing at security officers stationed outside the federal building .
One officer was injured , and another was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday after he was shot near protests in that city , police said .
The 21-year-old man was shot in his vehicle and later died at a nearby hospital , according to Detroit ’ s WXYZ .
The killings highlight the violence that swept across the nation Friday in the wake of Floyd ’ s death .
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was arrested and charged Friday with third-degree murder in Floyd ’ s death .
Video footage showed Chauvin kneeling on Floyd ’ s neck for nearly 10 minutes after he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forgery .
Floyd could be heard pleading for help while Chauvin stayed on top of him .
The officer maintained his position for several minutes after Floyd stopped calling for help , the video showed .
Protests in Minneapolis turned to looting on Wednesday and Thursday night .
Numerous businesses were set on fire , and stores like Target and AutoZone were looted .
Protesters also stormed the 3rd police precinct in Minneapolis on Thursday and set it on fire .
Protests erupted across the country on Friday .
Some of the hot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Dallas .
Chuck Ross is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ George Floyd Protest ” by Lorie Shaull .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-31--VIDEOS: Businesses Across Twin Cities Burned to the Ground, Residents Work to Clean Up

MINNEAPOLIS , Minnesota – More than 200 businesses across the Twin Cities have been vandalized , looted , or burned in response to the death of George Floyd , an unarmed black man who was allegedly murdered Monday night by a Minneapolis police officer .
After setting fire to the Minneapolis Police Department ’ s Third Precinct Thursday night , rioters made their way to the Fifth Precinct Friday , reducing a nearby Wells Fargo and U.S. Post Office to rubble .
We ’ re out here surveying the damage from last night .
This is from the scene of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down a post office and other businesses last night .
Fire crews still putting out fires all over .
More to come .
Posted by The Minnesota Sun on Saturday , May 30 , 2020 A massive crowd of residents worked Saturday to clean up a strip mall that had been looted and vandalized during the fourth night of riots .
Another cohort of clean up crews worked to put out smoldering fires at a stretch of businesses that had been set ablaze near East Lake Street and Columbia Avenue .
Despite the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together to clean up a city in ruins , passing out free food and water to anyone in need .
A stretch of businesses on Chicago Avenue was hit particularly hard by arsonists , who indiscriminately set fire to shops on either side of the Minneapolis street .
Some of the anarchy has spilled into the capital city of St. Paul as its Midway neighborhood has seen widespread acts of vandalism and arson .
Sports Dome on University Avenue , for instance , was reduced to ashes along with Lloyd ’ s Pharmacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ footage The Minnesota Sun obtained while walking the streets : Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-31--Ohio House Representative and Ohio Elected Officials Pepper Sprayed While Protesting in Downtown Col

Ohio House Representative and Ohio Elected Officials Pepper Sprayed While Protesting in Downtown Columbus

Ohio Representative Joyce Beatty ( D-OH-03 ) and at least two other Ohio elected officials were pepper-sprayed in downtown Columbus during George Floyd protests on Saturday afternoon .
Beatty , Franklin County Commissioner Kevin Boyce , and Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin were sprayed after a protester got into a scuffle with law enforcement , Fox News reported .
Hardin , after the incident , posted a video on Twitter saying that all three of them were ok. “ Just want to let folks know that when @ RepBeatty @ VoteBoyce and I were down at the protest we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spray .
We are all ok , and we want to encourage folks , both police and protestors , to stay calm.
” Hardin said in the video that the only way we will get change is through peaceful demonstrations .
Beaty spoke after Hardin and she said that the protest was mostly peaceful , but there were “ times where people got off the curb and into the street.
” However , she said that “ too much force is not the answer to this.
” “ We want to continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said .
“ And that does not mean that we are not standing up for justice.
” This is the second-day protests have erupted in Columbus after the Floyd incident occurred Monday .
On Friday , rioters came to the Ohio Capitol where they broke 28 windows and started fires .
“ Protests expressing outrage are not only understandable , but they are also appropriate .
We want Ohioans to exercise their First Amendment rights no matter what they ’ re protesting , ” Gov .
Mike DeWine said on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against wrongdoing .
Ohioans should speak out for change .
They should speak out for unity for an end to injustice .
In all aspects of our lives , we must not allow hate to prevail over love , kindness , and compassion.
” DeWine said he hears the voices of frustration , but he asked citizens that do protest to do it peacefully .
“ We must not fight violence with more violence , ” he said .
Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media .
If you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ email protected ] Follow Zachery on Twitter @ zacheryschmidt2 .
Photo “ Joyce Beatty Protesting ” by NBC4 Columbus .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-31--Day-Long Protest Turns Violent in Detroit as Police Declare ‘Unlawful Assembly’

After a relatively peaceful day of protests Saturday , the Detroit Police Department declared an increasingly agitated and violent crowd of roughly 250 people an unlawful assembly when they refused to leave the downtown Detroit area on the second night of unrest following the controversial death of George Floyd .
A WDIV Local 4 reporter Larry Spruill caught the moment on video when police moved in to forcibly disperse the gathered protesters shortly after 11pm .
The recording captured the police warning the crowd , “ This is Lt. Coles with the Detroit Police Department .
This has been declared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not leave the premises , you will be subject to arrest and exposure to chemical munitions.
” Several of the protestors were taken into custody .
A short time later , Police Chief James Craig gave recap of the day ’ s events leading up to the forced dispersal of the crowd : Once again , our officers showed extreme patience .
It started out as a civil protest – very peaceful , orderly .
We supported that .
At some point , they decided they wanted to go on a walking tour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decided to take over a freeway .
Fortunately we had that section of the freeway shut down , because we certainly didn ’ t want to put anybody in harm ’ s way .
After that they decided to leave the freeway and return , coming towards headquarters .
They stopped near Hart Plaza .
We could tell they were getting somewhat agitated .
We just knew .
And so they decided to leave that location where they proceeded to head back here to headquarters .
We did not want them to come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasons , and that ’ s when the protesters became violent .
They began to throw projectiles – rocks , M-80 grenades at officers – and so we learned that many of them came with ice chests which had a number of bricks .
So it became a violent situation at that point .
We ’ re talking roughly 250 – a much smaller group than we saw yesterday , but certialy at this point somewhat more agitated .
We did give the order to deploy gas and non lethal munitions – very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group .
So right now , we ’ re getting feedback that it is dispersed , but not totally .
But again , very patient , officers were professional all night .
Chief Craig assured reporters that the Department will be “ fully prepared ” for additional demonstrations Sunday .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-31--DOJ Backs Michigan Businesses Against Whitmer’s ‘Arbitrary and Irrational’ Restrictions

The Department of Justice filed a statement of interest Friday challenging Democratic Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ’ s “ arbitrary and irrational ” restrictions on her state ’ s businesses .
The move came as part of Attorney General William Barr ’ s efforts to ensure that civil liberties are protected during the coronavirus pandemic , the Department of Justice ( DOJ ) stated in a press release .
The statement of interest supports a lawsuit filed by seven Michigan businesses challenging Whitmer ’ s restrictions .
“ The facts alleged suggest that Michigan has imposed arbitrary and irrational @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , could violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment , ” according to the DOJ statement of interest .
“ Our Constitution is enduring , and it is critically important that government comply fully with the Constitution in times of crisis , ” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division in a statement .
He continued : “ The Constitution permits appropriate state and local government restrictions to protect the health and safety of Americans , but it does not permit arbitrary limits that limit the right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be treated equally and fairly by the government.
” Whitmer has issued more than 100 executive orders imposing “ sweeping limitations on nearly all aspects of life for citizens of Michigan , ” according to a DOJ press release , “ significantly impairing in some instances their ability to maintain their economic livelihoods.
” Her orders discriminate against businesses and treat them differently , allowing some to remain open while others are forced to close , the lawsuit stated .
Plaintiffs include a real estate brokerage , an automotive glass exporter , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jewelry store , an engine oil and auto parts distributor , a dentist ’ s office and an association of car washes .
U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan Matthew Schneider said in a statement that though he does not doubt Whitmer ’ s good intentions , the executive orders “ arbitrarily discriminate ” by allowing certain businesses to open while others must close .
“ And if they refuse , they face fines and possible jail time , ” Schneider , who is overseeing DOJ efforts to monitor state and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added .
“ Under the Governor ’ s Orders , it ’ s ok to go to a hardware store and buy a jacket , but it ’ s a crime to go inside a clothing store and buy the identical jacket without making an appointment , ” he said .
“ That ’ s arbitrary .
As important as it is that we stay safe during these challenging times , it is also important to remember that we do not abandon our freedoms and our dedication to the rule of law in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediately respond to a request for comment .
Mary Margaret Olohan is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-31--Chairman of Ohio House 2020 Economic Recovery Task Force Calls on Amy Acton to Resign

State Rep. Paul Zeltwanger ( R-Mason ) told the Cincinnati Enquirer Thursday that he wants Ohio Health Director Amy Acton to resign from her position .
During Zeltwanger ’ s interview , he condemned Acton for not providing accurate information to the public and not reacting to data that went against the state ’ s lockdown measures .
Since the coronavirus came to Ohio , there have been numerous examples of Acton , Gov .
Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Health ( ODH ) presenting flawed data or hiding certain data from Ohioans .
To start , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the beginning of March , Acton said Ohio was acting as if 100,000 people in the state had the virus due to community spread .
When asked about how Acton came up with the “ 100,000 ” number , she said it was based on a guesstimate .
Furthermore , from March 16 to March 25 , the ODH stopped providing the total number of tests it had conducted on its website .
Once the state released the total numbers of tests , it showed that only 4.7 percent of people tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ span , Ohio had delayed its primary and put the state in lockdown .
At the end of March , DeWine and Acton claimed Ohio could see 10,000 daily new cases at some point in April .
However , this never came true as this prediction was off by 700 percent on April 21 where the state only saw 1,317 new cases .
“ When you miss things by that far in the non-government world — yeah , there ’ s accountability for that , ” Zeltwanger told the Enquirer when referring to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in May , Acton claimed that around 20 percent of Ohio ’ s death toll could be contributed to nursing homes .
However , soon it was discovered that the number was actually 79 percent as of May 21 , according to the Statehouse News Bureau .
Zeltwanger told the Enquirer that the “ buck ” stops with DeWine and that “ he needs to lead now.
” As of Saturday , Ohio has 32,639 cases with 2,149 deaths , according to ODH numbers .
Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any tips , email Zachery at [ email protected ] Follow Zachery on Twitter @ zacheryschmidt2 .
Background Photo “ Amy Acton Press Conference ” by Mike DeWine .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-31--Black Cincinnati Councilman Calls Out Violent Protests: ‘This Is Cincinnati Police. This is Not Minn

Black Cincinnati Councilman Calls Out Violent Protests: ‘This Is Cincinnati Police. This is Not Minneapolis Police’

WLWT captured Cincinnati Councilman Jeff Pastor , who is black , on video delivering an emotional dressing down of the violent protesters in his city ’ s downtown .
The riots are in protest of the death of George Floyd by Minneapolis police .
The video is available here .
What follows is a partial transcript .
This is Cincinnati police .
This is not Minneapolis police .
And what they are doing…is absolutely horrendous .
I can ’ t understand for the life of me what is going on right now in the city of Cincinnati .
There are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kids — these babies are 14 years old , man , and they ’ re encouraging them to throw bottles at these ******* cops .
And these grown people are encouraging our babies to fight .
This is not their fight .
And I don ’ t give a **** about how mad or angry you are with the ******* — what ’ s happening with the police , but these 15-year-old kids have nothing to do with this , man .
I ’ m so nervous , and I ’ m so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kids .
There are kids around , kids across the street , who live downtown … and these people are encouraging them .
He said he was not taking any sides , but he called out any blacks who were encouraging the kids to attack police .
Pastor ’ s official biography says , “ He knows Cincinnati ’ s small businesses are the engine of job growth and that investing in our education system is central to our youth .
For Pastor , education and job creation are the keys to reducing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ master ’ s degree in Divinity and an MBA .
Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes .
Photo “ Jeff Pastor ” by Jeff Pastor .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-31--Minnesota National Guard Working Toward 10,800 Troops for Twin Cities Area

The Minnesota National Guard now has more than 4,100 troops deployed in the Twin Cities and said it is working toward a total of 10,800 citizen-soldiers for the area .
“ This is a significant increase over the 700 on-duty Friday .
We live here .
We work here .
We serve here .
We ’ re all in , ” the National Guard said on Twitter Saturday .
Gov .
Tim Walz signed an executive order activating the National Guard Thursday afternoon and called up hundreds of troopers with the Minnesota State Patrol to respond to the situation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ strength significantly greater tonight in Minneapolis and St. Paul than we were last night , ” Maj. Gen. Jon Jensen said during a Saturday night press briefing .
State troopers and guardsmen showed forced early in the evening Saturday outside the Minneapolis Police Department ’ s Fifth Precinct , later preventing a crowd of roughly 1,000 rioters from crossing the Lake Street bridge from Minneapolis into St. Paul .
“ We know there ’ s a long way to go tonight , we ’ re prepared for that , ” Jensen added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the large law enforcement presence “ is in place and will be here for the long haul to address and quell this situation.
” The full Saturday night press conference can be watched below : Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Minnesota National Guard ” by Minnesota National Guard .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-31--Jail Records Contradict Claims That Most Rioters Are from Out of State

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey , St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter , and Gov .
Tim Walz all have suggested that many of the rioters wreaking havoc on the Twin Cities are from out of state , but jail records seem to show otherwise .
“ We ’ ve seen long-term , institutional businesses overridden .
We ’ ve seen community institutions set on fire .
And I want to be very , very clear , the people that are doing this are not Minneapolis residents .
They are coming in largely from outside of the city , from outside of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we have built over the last several decades .
The dynamic has changed over the last several days , ” Frey said during a joint Saturday press conference .
Carter then said that “ every single person ” arrested by the St. Paul Police Department Friday night was “ from out of state.
” “ What we are seeing right now is a group of people who are not from here , ” Carter added .
Gov .
Walz said he thinks that as many as 80 percent of the rioters are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporter Mara Gottfried found that 18 people were arrested by the St. Paul Police Department between Thursday and Saturday morning .
Two were from North Dakota , one was from Wisconsin , another from Texas , and two more with unknown addresses .
The remaining 12 individuals were all from Minnesota .
Carter acknowledged during a press conference later Saturday evening that his comments were inaccurate .
A report from Fox 9 claims that 38 of the 45 people arrested in Hennepin County between Friday and Saturday for rioting , unlawful assembly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Minnesota .
That ’ s according to records from the Hennepin County Sheriff ’ s Office ’ s public jail roster .
Additionally , KARE 11 reporter Brandon Stahl discovered that the vast majority of Minnesotans arrested during the riots listed a Metro city as their address .
President Donald Trump shared an article on Twitter Saturday night about the governor ’ s suggestion that 80 percent of the rioters are coming from out of town .
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Office Depot Destruction ” by Lorie Shaull .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-31--Calls for Mayor Cooper’s Resignation as Nashville Erupts in Violence Following Rally He Promoted

Nashville resident Paul Frey delivered a simple and direct message to Nashville Mayor John Cooper Saturday night , and Frey said it in only one word — resign .
Countless people took to Cooper ’ s Facebook page Saturday and scolded the mayor for allying himself with anti-police protestors earlier in the day .
They also rebuked Cooper for not taking an aggressive enough stance against protestors later in the day when protestors resorted to violence — by trashing the Metro Courthouse and , later , parts of downtown Broadway .
Cooper , on his Facebook page , said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This afternoon ’ s rally for George Floyd and racial justice was peaceful .
I attended and listened , ” Cooper said .
“ We can not let today ’ s message of reform descend into further violence .
If you mean our city harm , go home.
” To that , Christy Street , who lives in Hohenwald , told Cooper that the whole situation was ridiculous .
“ Our city is being destroyed at your hands .
We have mothers , fathers , daughters , sons who live there !
Shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Guard !
!
!
.
” Niveen Azir , meanwhile , told Cooper that he “ is not wise enough.
” “ You are the only person we will blame , and will be asked for what happened today , ” Azir said .
Meanwhile , Mary Howden told Cooper that his proposed 32 percent property tax increase “ will now be used to pay for your riot — good job.
” Chad McCanless told the mayor that people were destroying downtown because of him .
“ I will campaign against you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resident Tommy McKenzie , meanwhile , said this : “ I expect you to push for arson charges and destruction of property charges for these that just defaced and attempted to burn down the Metro Courthouse .
Oh wait….taxpayers will have to pay for that too !
!
!
” Nashville resident Norman Edwards , likely resorting to snark , said this to the mayor about his COVID-19 restrictions : “ This was a good rally for a good cause .
I see that you are no longer concerned about social distancing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ get the rest of the state opened up and back to work.
” As of Saturday night , people from in and around Nashville continued to flood Cooper ’ s Facebook page with one furious post after another .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-05-31--Trump Says US to Designate Antifa a Terrorist Organization

President Donald Trump announced that the United States will designate Antifa a domestic terrorist organization .
“ The United States of America will be designating Antifa as a Terrorist Organization , ” the president wrote on Twitter Sunday morning , acting on an idea long called for by conservative lawmakers .
The president said in 2019 that he was considering labeling Antifa a terrorist organization , but didn ’ t take any further action .
At the time , he called them “ gutless radical left wack jobs who go around hitting ( only non-fighters ) people over the heads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for “ anti-fascist , ” began forming after Trump ’ s 2016 election and has been documented on countless occasions using tactics of violence and intimidation .
Any Ngo , a journalist who specializes in covering Antifa , said Sunday that federal authorities “ must dismantle the networks and hundreds of Antifa cells across the U.S. who radicalize , train , and carry out organized extremist violence.
” “ They also have international links to affinity cells in Western Europe .
It is domestic and international terrorism , ” said Ngo .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defined as any act that is “ dangerous to human life ” and designed to intimidate or coerce a civilian population , influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion , or affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction , assassination , or kidnapping .
“ Radicalization to violence of domestic terrorists is increasingly taking place online , where violent extremists can use social media for the distribution of propaganda , recruitment , target selection , and incitement to violence , ” the FBI said in a 2019 statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States .
“ Through the Internet , violent extremists around the world have access to our local communities to target and recruit and spread their messages of hate on a global scale , as we saw in the recent attack in Christchurch , New Zealand.
” The president ’ s announcement comes after four nights of violent rioting , looting , and arson left portions of Minneapolis and St. Paul in ruins .
Gov .
Tim Walz said Sunday that he has “ reason to believe that bad actors continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s murder.
” Trump praised the Minnesota National Guard for bringing an end to the violence and destruction Saturday night .
“ Other Democrat run cities and states should look at the total shutdown of Radical Left Anarchists in Minneapolis last night .
The National Guard did a great job , and should be used in other states before it is too late , ” he said , noting that the “ Antifa led anarchists ” were “ shut down quickly.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-31--Steve Bannon Says Two Alternative Futures for America: Lead the World in Freedom and Innovation or S

Steve Bannon Says Two Alternative Futures for America: Lead the World in Freedom and Innovation or Succumb to Anarchy and Racial Division

On Fox News Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo , guest Steve Bannon described two American alternatives by pointing out the juxtaposition of yesterday ’ s space launch at Cape Kennedy and the riots that took place across American cities .
He called for immediate action to bring supply chains back to America and get the people working again .
Bartiromo : Another night of violence in cities across America following protests that began in Minneapolis over the death of George Floyd .
I want to bring in former White House chief strategist , Steve Bannon to talk more about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good to have you this morning .
The world is on fire .
Your reaction to what has taken place .
And then I want to go and get your take on China .
Bannon : Well look , yesterday I think you saw the two alternative futures for America .
In the launch in Cape Kennedy , you saw the opportunities of America leading the fourth industrial revolution .
American capital .
American workers .
American made .
And late at night , you saw what could happen of breaking down to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all incumbent .
You talk about law and order .
It ’ s law and order predicated upon a robust economy .
And this means American capital brought back to America .
To stop financing our enemies .
Bring American capital back for American jobs through American companies .
That will make America the leader in the fourth industrial revolution .
That is what this country needs .
That ’ s what the Millenials ’ need .
I think yesterday was a great juxtaposition .
We have two alternatives .
As Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s going to be human action and human agency that does that .
I think it ’ s now time to get focused on American jobs and bringing high value-added manufacturing jobs back to the American people .
If you do that , you ’ re not going to have these problems in these cities .
People are going to be too busy to do this .
They ’ ll be too busy working great jobs working overtime that can support families and have a career and have a future .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the President is trying to do in terms of moving the supply chains out of China , Steve .
We see all of this effort in Congress to actually hold China accountable .
They unleashed this virus on the world , accidentally or not they allowed it to leave its borders .
And then they cornered the market for the very products that the US needed like the protective gear and then had a whole disinformation campaign about it .
And throughout it all Steve , you just heard the Secretary of State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using this as an opportunity to gain more territory .
They are on the border with India right now .
They are militarizing the South China Sea .
They are facing down on Taiwan .
And now as you can see breaking promises in Hong Kong .
Bannon : Look , Senator Rubio and national security advisor O ’ Brien this morning showed that they have their social media trying to stir things up here among these anarchists .
OK.
It ’ s very simple .
Donald Trump went to the Rose Garden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Chinese Communist Party has done with Hong Kong and is Czechoslovakian 1938 .
We are at a seminal moment .
We are at a crossroads .
We need to stand these guys down now or we will be into a kinetic war in three or four years .
We have to stop them now .
Donald Trump is the hammer .
American capital and American technology is the anvil .
I appreciate the Secretary .
He ’ s been the best Secretary of State in living memory .
But the measured response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capital .
No access to American technology .
The Chinese Communist Party is an enemy to their people .
They are an enemy to the people of the United States .
They are an enemy to mankind .
They have shown this by what they did with this pandemic .
It ’ s outrageous .
Here ’ s what has to happen .
Bannon : We have many different bills up .
We have every ability to cut them off from d-listing and deregistering American companies .
Get them out of these indexes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s .
Also , sanction the banks in Hong Kong .
Sanction the banks .
Cut them off from any dollar-denominated transactions .
Start to use the Magnitsky Act against their senior people and we have these bonds that they owe the American people .
These railroad bonds of a trillion dollars .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-01--Majority of Violent Nashville Protesters Were Locals

Lt. Gov .
Randy McNally declared the Saturday Nashville protests , which he said were “ mayhem , ” were caused by outside agitators .
It turns out the vast majority of the violent Nashville protesters were locals .
What is happening in Nashville is a descent into madness .
This is not who we are .
The outside agitators responsible for this mayhem should cease , desist and leave our state .
The police are not perfect .
Those who transgress against our citizens should be brought to justice .
WKRN said that according to police , 21 of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Four are from Tennessee , but live outside of Davidson County and three are from out of state .
Metro Nashville Police Department provides information about the arrests , as well as damaged buildings , here .
Even the Ryman Auditorium was not spared .
WATE said protesters began rioting Saturday by breaking into Broadway bars , looting businesses , and breaking out windows in the area around Margaritaville at Broadway and 4th Avenue .
Bars and restaurants were told to close by 10 p.m. Saturday .
Windows were broken at AJ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stage on Broadway .
Nashville enacted a curfew Saturday night , and Gov .
Bill Lee deployed the Tennessee National Guard to all three grand divisions of the state , WSMV reported .
Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes .
Photo “ Nashville Riots ” by Lauren Farrah .

Lt. Gov. Randy McNally declared the Saturday Nashville protests, which he said were “mayhem,” were caused by outside agitators. It turns out the vast majority of the violent Nashville protesters were locals.
McNally tweeted:
What is happening in Nashville is a descent into madness. This is not who we are. The outside agitators responsible for this mayhem should cease, desist and leave our state. The police are not perfect. Those who transgress against our citizens should be brought to justice.
What is happening in Nashville is a descent into madness. This is not who we are. The outside agitators responsible for this mayhem should cease, desist and leave our state. The police are not perfect. Those who transgress against our citizens should be brought to justice. https://t.co/JwjL8oqPdz — Randy McNally (@ltgovmcnally) May 31, 2020
WKRN said that according to police, 21 of the 28 arrested are from Davidson County. Four are from Tennessee, but live outside of Davidson County and three are from out of state.
Metro Nashville Police Department provides information about the arrests, as well as damaged buildings, here. Even the Ryman Auditorium was not spared.
Historic Metro Courthouse Significant profane graffiti Fire and water damage Multiple windows destroyed; Ryman Auditorium 116 5th Av N Damage to windows;
WATE said protesters began rioting Saturday by breaking into Broadway bars, looting businesses, and breaking out windows in the area around Margaritaville at Broadway and 4th Avenue. Bars and restaurants were told to close by 10 p.m. Saturday. Windows were broken at AJ’s Good Time Bar and The Stage on Broadway.
Nashville enacted a curfew Saturday night, and Gov. Bill Lee deployed the Tennessee National Guard to all three grand divisions of the state, WSMV reported.
– – –
Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes.
Photo “Nashville Riots” by Lauren Farrah.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-01--Commentary: The Shame of Proxy Voting in the House of Representatives

For the first time in history this week , members of the House of Representatives voted without actually being in the chamber .
More to the point , they had other members cast their votes for them .
Proxy voting , as it is known , was an extraordinary change to the House rules jammed through alongside Nancy Pelosi ’ s $ 4 trillion COVID-19 “ relief ” package , and it allows Members to delegate their voting responsibility – the one they fought so hard in an election to obtain – to another Member .
In doing so , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Congress to be present when legislation is written , debated , and passed ; to respond to and sway with the tides of the legislative process .
It diminishes the fundamental nature of politics itself , which is to be present ; to bear witness to and engage with the changes that collectively determine the character of the country .
Such a move is unprecedented .
Not during the Spanish Flu of 1918 or other pandemics ; the Civil War ; when the British burned all of Washington , D.C. during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during 9/11 , when the Capitol was a terrorist target , did Members of the House wither in the face of their duty to represent for their part of the country , and to be present to vote its interests .
That is , until now .
The rules passed by the House authorize proxy voting for 45 days , a period of time which can be extended for “ a coronavirus emergency ” as determined by the Sergeant at Arms .
But the precedent has now been set that , should an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we elect to face it can do so from home .
On their couches .
COVID-19 has unraveled the country in many ways , revealing everything from the frailness of our public health policy to the brittleness of our supply chains .
It has also unmasked the diminished view we take of our politics , where our individual elected representatives are not critical to policy formulation , but merely levers to be pulled in favor of one policy or another , determined by a handful of unelected staff , interpreting the whims of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a far cry from the statesmanship of our past , which held oration to be an end in and of itself ; which valued mastery of the physicality of the legislative process ; which cleaved , fully , to the weight of the constitutional duty statesmen had been given , regardless of the risk .
( Particularly when the risk , according to the Centers for Disease Control , is far lower than originally estimated . )
It is also , very likely , unconstitutional .
A lawsuit filed by 21 Republican House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D-Calif. ) leads with a quote from Chief Justice John Roberts himself , who , in NFIB v Sebelius , remarked that “ sometimes the most telling indication of [ a ] severe constitution problem .
.
.
is the lack of historical precedent for Congress ’ s action.
” It ’ s an observation that resonates in the face of previous pandemic precedents , in which Members of the House made their way to Washington in spite of – or , perhaps understanding that it was their duty , because of—the present @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cite the Constitution ’ s repeated references to “ meeting , ” “ attendance , ” “ assemble , ” “ sitting ” and “ recess ” as evidence of the House as the Founders envisioned it – a deliberative body , “ where the People ’ s representatives would gather together , face to face , to debate and address the issues of the day.
” It further cites the Democrats ’ own committee report , which identified the “ best option ” as “ use [ ing ] the existing House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than upending the centuries of accumulated tradition to grapple with a problem the House has already faced , and faced successfully .
The Physical Vitality of Our Politics But beyond the constitutional criticisms , proxy voting has an existential element that can not be overlooked .
Critical moments in our legislative history have been dominated by physical presence .
Daniel Webster , in his most famous 1830 address on slavery , nullification , and his hopes for “ my united , free and happy Country , ” brought the Senate gallery to tears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his address would lose the power of human delivery , and took pains to convert the spoken words “ embellished as they had been by gestures , modulations of voice , and changes of expression ” to convey the same resonance .
The power of the Senate ’ s talking filibusters is less about their substance than about the sheer physical stamina required to stand , literally , for hours in defense of a cause .
There is equal power in being “ in the room ” during a negotiation , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also communicated through body language .
Lyndon Johnson , perhaps one of the Senate ’ s finest manipulators of the institution , was famous for grabbing men by their lapels and getting very close to their face in making his point .
The process of legislating is far more than amending words on a page , or tapping out new policy in a Word document .
It is cajoling , maneuvering , and horse-trading .
It is parliamentary tussles over points of order and trading rhetorical jabs in hours of debate .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeals on issues that divide the country .
In other words , delegating our politics erases the vital , human elements of our self-government .
There is also the practical matter that , as a matter of representation , citizens also lose .
The legislative process is full of surprises .
Amendments come at the last minute , legislative text is updated and modified , points of order are sprung without warning .
When a member has transmitted his vote to another on one question , who decides if and when other , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( D-Wash. ) has submitted her proxy to Rep. Jamie Raskin ( D-Md. )
.
Is Raskin equipped to make a last-minute decision on behalf of the citizens of the 7th District of Washington ?
Or is it Jaypal ’ s unelected staff who will have that authority ?
Or her party ’ s leadership ?
Or the armies of lobbyists , bureaucrats , think tanks , and advocacy groups that remain in D.C. , regardless of the pandemic ?
Delegating voting authority in this way severs the connection between a popularly elected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her there to vote their interests .
It will only serve further to dilute the representative process , while centralizing power among interested parties intent on furthering theirs .
In 1814 , after the British had turned Washington , D.C. to burning rubble , Members of the House packed into the Patent Office ( the present-day National Portrait Gallery ) , one of the few public buildings that was spared .
In extremely tight quarters , they debated the wisdom of abandoning D.C. for another , more comfortable , and safer location .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and chided his colleagues .
“ If .
.
.
Congress should , under the impulse of terror , or any other motive , remove from here , they will only give cause of triumph to the enemy.
” He went on , “ So far from entering into the feelings of the nation , for such conduct the people would scout us from our seats.
” The House of 1814 – like the House of the Yellow Fever epidemic of 1793 , the Spanish Flu of 1918 , the Civil War , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person , conducting the business of those who elected them .
In the shadow of their memory , the House of 2020 finds itself diminished .
Rachel Bovard is senior director of policy at the Conservative Partnership Institute and Senior Advisor to the Internet Accountability Project .
Beginning in 2006 , she served in both the House and Senate in various roles including as legislative director for Senator Rand Paul ( R-Ky. ) and policy director for the Senate Steering Committee under the successive chairmanships of Senator Pat Toomey ( R-Penn . )
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

by Rachel Bovard
For the first time in history this week, members of the House of Representatives voted without actually being in the chamber. More to the point, they had other members cast their votes for them.
Proxy voting, as it is known, was an extraordinary change to the House rules jammed through alongside Nancy Pelosi’s $4 trillion COVID-19 “relief” package, and it allows Members to delegate their voting responsibility – the one they fought so hard in an election to obtain – to another Member.
In doing so, it removes the responsibility of elected Members of Congress to be present when legislation is written, debated, and passed; to respond to and sway with the tides of the legislative process. It diminishes the fundamental nature of politics itself, which is to be present; to bear witness to and engage with the changes that collectively determine the character of the country.
Such a move is unprecedented. Not during the Spanish Flu of 1918 or other pandemics; the Civil War; when the British burned all of Washington, D.C. during the War of 1812; and not even during 9/11, when the Capitol was a terrorist target, did Members of the House wither in the face of their duty to represent for their part of the country, and to be present to vote its interests.
That is, until now.
The rules passed by the House authorize proxy voting for 45 days, a period of time which can be extended for “a coronavirus emergency” as determined by the Sergeant at Arms. But the precedent has now been set that, should an emergency arise, the men and women we elect to face it can do so from home. On their couches.
Serious Constitutional Questions
COVID-19 has unraveled the country in many ways, revealing everything from the frailness of our public health policy to the brittleness of our supply chains. It has also unmasked the diminished view we take of our politics, where our individual elected representatives are not critical to policy formulation, but merely levers to be pulled in favor of one policy or another, determined by a handful of unelected staff, interpreting the whims of the political leadership.
It’s a far cry from the statesmanship of our past, which held oration to be an end in and of itself; which valued mastery of the physicality of the legislative process; which cleaved, fully, to the weight of the constitutional duty statesmen had been given, regardless of the risk. (Particularly when the risk, according to the Centers for Disease Control, is far lower than originally estimated.)
It is also, very likely, unconstitutional.
A lawsuit filed by 21 Republican House members against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) leads with a quote from Chief Justice John Roberts himself, who, in NFIB v Sebelius, remarked that “sometimes the most telling indication of [a] severe constitution problem . . . is the lack of historical precedent for Congress’s action.” It’s an observation that resonates in the face of previous pandemic precedents, in which Members of the House made their way to Washington in spite of – or, perhaps understanding that it was their duty, because of—the present peril.
The brief goes on to cite the Constitution’s repeated references to “meeting,” “attendance,” “assemble,” “sitting” and “recess” as evidence of the House as the Founders envisioned it – a deliberative body, “where the People’s representatives would gather together, face to face, to debate and address the issues of the day.”
It further cites the Democrats’ own committee report, which identified the “best option” as “use[ing] the existing House rules and current practices,” rather than upending the centuries of accumulated tradition to grapple with a problem the House has already faced, and faced successfully.
The Physical Vitality of Our Politics
But beyond the constitutional criticisms, proxy voting has an existential element that cannot be overlooked.
Critical moments in our legislative history have been dominated by physical presence. Daniel Webster, in his most famous 1830 address on slavery, nullification, and his hopes for “my united, free and happy Country,” brought the Senate gallery to tears. But Webster recognized that the reprint of his address would lose the power of human delivery, and took pains to convert the spoken words “embellished as they had been by gestures, modulations of voice, and changes of expression” to convey the same resonance.
The power of the Senate’s talking filibusters is less about their substance than about the sheer physical stamina required to stand, literally, for hours in defense of a cause. There is equal power in being “in the room” during a negotiation, where persuasion is gained through argument, but also communicated through body language. Lyndon Johnson, perhaps one of the Senate’s finest manipulators of the institution, was famous for grabbing men by their lapels and getting very close to their face in making his point.
The process of legislating is far more than amending words on a page, or tapping out new policy in a Word document. It is cajoling, maneuvering, and horse-trading. It is parliamentary tussles over points of order and trading rhetorical jabs in hours of debate. It is late night deal-making, and emotional appeals on issues that divide the country.
In other words, delegating our politics erases the vital, human elements of our self-government.
The House is Diminished
There is also the practical matter that, as a matter of representation, citizens also lose. The legislative process is full of surprises. Amendments come at the last minute, legislative text is updated and modified, points of order are sprung without warning.
When a member has transmitted his vote to another on one question, who decides if and when other, unanticipated questions arise? Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) has submitted her proxy to Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.). Is Raskin equipped to make a last-minute decision on behalf of the citizens of the 7th District of Washington? Or is it Jaypal’s unelected staff who will have that authority? Or her party’s leadership? Or the armies of lobbyists, bureaucrats, think tanks, and advocacy groups that remain in D.C., regardless of the pandemic?
Delegating voting authority in this way severs the connection between a popularly elected member of Congress and those who sent her there to vote their interests. It will only serve further to dilute the representative process, while centralizing power among interested parties intent on furthering theirs.
In 1814, after the British had turned Washington, D.C. to burning rubble, Members of the House packed into the Patent Office (the present-day National Portrait Gallery), one of the few public buildings that was spared.
In extremely tight quarters, they debated the wisdom of abandoning D.C. for another, more comfortable, and safer location. Joseph Pearson of North Carolina rose, and chided his colleagues. “If . . . Congress should, under the impulse of terror, or any other motive, remove from here, they will only give cause of triumph to the enemy.” He went on, “So far from entering into the feelings of the nation, for such conduct the people would scout us from our seats.”
The House of 1814 – like the House of the Yellow Fever epidemic of 1793, the Spanish Flu of 1918, the Civil War, and 9/11 – continued to meet in person, conducting the business of those who elected them. In the shadow of their memory, the House of 2020 finds itself diminished.
– – –
Rachel Bovard is senior director of policy at the Conservative Partnership Institute and Senior Advisor to the Internet Accountability Project. Beginning in 2006, she served in both the House and Senate in various roles including as legislative director for Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and policy director for the Senate Steering Committee under the successive chairmanships of Senator Pat Toomey (R-Penn.) and Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah).


thetennesseestar--2020-06-01--Metro Council Members Warned John Cooper Not to Attend Saturday’s Rally

Nashville Council member at Large Steve Glover didn ’ t want Mayor John Cooper to attend Saturday ’ s rally at Legislative Plaza for George Floyd , and neither did Council member at Large Sharon Hurt .
As reported , several thousand protestors descended upon Legislative Plaza Saturday .
Many protestors carried signs demanding that government either defund or abolish the police .
Cooper embraced the protestors , spoke at their rally and even thanked them for wearing COVID-19 masks .
But later in the day , protesters resorted to violence and vandalized the Metro Courthouse and parts of Lower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ page Sunday , published the text of an email that Hurt sent to Cooper before the rally began .
Glover said she mentioned him with his blessing .
“ Mayor Cooper , I am writing to inform you that I will not be attending the rally and I have asked the Minority Caucus to refrain due to the gathering of more than 25 people , ” Hurt wrote .
“ I spoke with CM Glover as he and I represent two very different perspectives , have a different approach and belong to different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we agree and [ personally ] I would like to see you address such injustices in a different way.
” Glover told The Tennessee Star Sunday morning that he had a hard time getting away from his telephone , for all the angry constituents who wanted to speak with him .
“ I ’ m taking phone calls from anybody calling me .
That is my policy .
I don ’ t like doing it on Sundays , but nobody in Nashville asked for this yesterday as far as the devastation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really sad is that the majority of people arrested last night were , in fact , from Nashville and Davidson County .
That is sad.
” The Star asked Glover what , exactly , his constituents had to say .
“ They want to find out how to recall the mayor .
They want to force him to resign .
I ’ m not getting any positive feedback , ” Glover said .
“ I ’ ll have to leave it right there because there hasn ’ t been one positive phone call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Not one.
” Hurt , meanwhile , said she didn ’ t want Cooper to attend the rally because she said it violated the city ’ s current social distancing requirements on COVID-19 .
“ I don ’ t want to see a second wave pandemic run rampant through our communities , ” Hurt said Sunday .
Glover , meanwhile , said Saturday ’ s events distressed him greatly .
“ I literally cried .
You know , people work so hard to make this a good city .
A great city .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ignores the economic engine that is downtown , and has already put so many roadblocks in front of them for 2020 , to allow this to happen last night , it was almost unforgivable , ” Glover said .
Glover said he ’ s unsure if or when he will discuss his thoughts with Cooper .
“ It all depends on if he has time for us .
That suggests that right now he seems to think that our opinions don ’ t matter on the council , ” Glover said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ you during this budget process I am hoping this council proves him wrong and that , yes , our opinion does matter because the people elect us .
So , we ’ re going to roll our sleeves up .
We ’ re going to work.
” Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Mayor John Cooper ” by Nashville.gov .

Nashville Council member at Large Steve Glover didn’t want Mayor John Cooper to attend Saturday’s rally at Legislative Plaza for George Floyd, and neither did Council member at Large Sharon Hurt.
As reported, several thousand protestors descended upon Legislative Plaza Saturday. Many protestors carried signs demanding that government either defund or abolish the police. Cooper embraced the protestors, spoke at their rally and even thanked them for wearing COVID-19 masks. But later in the day, protesters resorted to violence and vandalized the Metro Courthouse and parts of Lower Broadway.
Glover, on his Facebook page Sunday, published the text of an email that Hurt sent to Cooper before the rally began. Glover said she mentioned him with his blessing.
“Mayor Cooper, I am writing to inform you that I will not be attending the rally and I have asked the Minority Caucus to refrain due to the gathering of more than 25 people,” Hurt wrote.
“I spoke with CM Glover as he and I represent two very different perspectives, have a different approach and belong to different political parties. On this, however, we agree and [personally] I would like to see you address such injustices in a different way.”
Glover told The Tennessee Star Sunday morning that he had a hard time getting away from his telephone, for all the angry constituents who wanted to speak with him.
“I’m taking phone calls from anybody calling me. That is my policy. I don’t like doing it on Sundays, but nobody in Nashville asked for this yesterday as far as the devastation,” Glover said.
“What is really sad is that the majority of people arrested last night were, in fact, from Nashville and Davidson County. That is sad.”
The Star asked Glover what, exactly, his constituents had to say.
“They want to find out how to recall the mayor. They want to force him to resign. I’m not getting any positive feedback,” Glover said.
“I’ll have to leave it right there because there hasn’t been one positive phone call that I have taken this morning. Not one.”
Hurt, meanwhile, said she didn’t want Cooper to attend the rally because she said it violated the city’s current social distancing requirements on COVID-19.
“I don’t want to see a second wave pandemic run rampant through our communities,” Hurt said Sunday.
Glover, meanwhile, said Saturday’s events distressed him greatly.
“I literally cried. You know, people work so hard to make this a good city. A great city. And when leadership just completely ignores them, ignores the economic engine that is downtown, and has already put so many roadblocks in front of them for 2020, to allow this to happen last night, it was almost unforgivable,” Glover said.
Glover said he’s unsure if or when he will discuss his thoughts with Cooper.
“It all depends on if he has time for us. That suggests that right now he seems to think that our opinions don’t matter on the council,” Glover said.
“Well, I’m telling you during this budget process I am hoping this council proves him wrong and that, yes, our opinion does matter because the people elect us. So, we’re going to roll our sleeves up. We’re going to work.”
– – –
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “Mayor John Cooper” by Nashville.gov.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-01--Jake Tapper’s Attempt to Blame ‘Far Right Groups’ for Protest Violence Fizzles with Trump’s National

Jake Tapper’s Attempt to Blame ‘Far Right Groups’ for Protest Violence Fizzles with Trump’s National Security Advisor

On CNN Sunday morning , after several nights of antifa and Black Lives Matter-fueled violence in multiple American cities , anchor Jake Tapper asked President Trump ’ s national security advisor if white supremacists were using the unrest to start a race war .
“ What can you tell us about any of the far-right groups that might be trying to use this as a predicate to prompt a race war as Vice News reported ?
” Tapper asked NSC advisor Robert O ’ Brien .
O ’ Brien didn ’ t take the bait , telling Tapper that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ antifa .
The lefty blog “ Vice ” on Friday first promulgated the conspiracy theory that much of the violence in recent days was being driven by the far-right , saying “ far-right extremists are showing up with guns to the protests against police brutality that have exploded across the country ” and “ others are egging on the violence from behind their computers.
” Various Democrat politicians in Minnesota and elsewhere picked up the ball on Saturday , floating the idea that right-wingers were behind the violence .
Liberal national security website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday , suggesting that “ far-right infiltrators and agitators ” were causing the violence in the George Floyd “ protests.
” While it ’ s certainly plausible that a handful of right-wing extremists are exploiting the situation to cause mischief , it ’ s patently obvious that the vast majority of the violence is being perpetrated by left-wing agitators .
“ I have not seen those reports , ” O ’ Brien said .
“ I generally don ’ t read Vice so I haven ’ t seen the reports on far-right groups.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is being driven by antifa .
They did it in Seattle , they ’ ve done it in Portland , they ’ ve done it in Berkeley.
” O ’ Brien went on to call the antifa agitators “ a destructive force of radical ” militants who are “ burning American cities.
” Tapper also mentioned reports that foreign adversaries [ read Russia ] were trying to stoke violence through social media .
In response , O ’ Brien pointed out that such activity was nothing new .
“ We always have foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ places trying to sow discord among Americans , ” he said .
He stressed that the difference between the United States and our foreign adversaries is that the U.S. will investigate Floyd ’ s death and prosecute those who are culpable .

by Debra Heine
On CNN Sunday morning, after several nights of antifa and Black Lives Matter-fueled violence in multiple American cities, anchor Jake Tapper asked President Trump’s national security advisor if white supremacists were using the unrest to start a race war.
“What can you tell us about any of the far-right groups that might be trying to use this as a predicate to prompt a race war as Vice News reported?” Tapper asked NSC advisor Robert O’Brien.
O’Brien didn’t take the bait, telling Tapper that the violence was in fact being driven by antifa.
The lefty blog “Vice” on Friday first promulgated the conspiracy theory that much of the violence in recent days was being driven by the far-right, saying “far-right extremists are showing up with guns to the protests against police brutality that have exploded across the country” and “others are egging on the violence from behind their computers.”
Various Democrat politicians in Minnesota and elsewhere picked up the ball on Saturday, floating the idea that right-wingers were behind the violence.
Liberal national security website Just Security also joined the fray on Saturday, suggesting that “far-right infiltrators and agitators” were causing the violence in the George Floyd “protests.”
While it’s certainly plausible that a handful of right-wing extremists are exploiting the situation to cause mischief, it’s patently obvious that the vast majority of the violence is being perpetrated by left-wing agitators.
“I have not seen those reports,” O’Brien said. “I generally don’t read Vice so I haven’t seen the reports on far-right groups.”
He added matter-of-factly: “This is being driven by antifa. They did it in Seattle, they’ve done it in Portland, they’ve done it in Berkeley.”
O’Brien went on to call the antifa agitators “a destructive force of radical” militants who are “burning American cities.”
Tapper also mentioned reports that foreign adversaries [read Russia] were trying to stoke violence through social media.
In response, O’Brien pointed out that such activity was nothing new. “We always have foreign adversaries on Twitter and Facebook and other places trying to sow discord among Americans,” he said.
He stressed that the difference between the United States and our foreign adversaries is that the U.S. will investigate Floyd’s death and prosecute those who are culpable.
Watch the interview:
– – –
Debra Heine is a reporter at American Greatness.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-01--PBS Pulls Film Linked to Chinese Foreign Agent Over Editorial Concerns

PBS has pulled a documentary produced in association with a Chinese foreign agent over concerns that it did not meet the federally-funded media outlet ’ s editorial standards .
PBS SoCal , a PBS affiliate that co-produced the film “ Voices from the Frontline : China ’ s War on Poverty , ” is also conducting an internal review of the funding for the documentary , the organization said in a statement .
The decision was made in response to a report from the Daily Caller News Foundation .
On May 14 , the DCNF reported that the film was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beijing-based media company that the U.S. Department of Justice requires to register as a foreign agent of China .
Robert Lawrence Kuhn , a businessman who touts ties to the Chinese government and CGTN , was the lead producer of the film , which aired earlier in May on PBS SoCal and its sister station , KCET .
The two stations received more than $ 5.5 million in federal funds in 2019 through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting .
Tax filings show that Kuhn ’ s charity , The Kuhn Foundation , donated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 2018 .
PBS notified PBS SoCal , which is also known as KOCE , on May 20 about concerns with the funding behind the film .
“ The specific concern they had was around the funding and the funding relationship , ” PBS SoCal CEO Andrew Russell said in a statement , adding that PBS headquarters said that “ they did not find concerns in other areas of editorial integrity.
” PBS SoCal said that the documentary passed its editorial standards and adhered to FCC guidelines before its initial airing on May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the film , the outlet determined that it “ did not meet PBS corporate guidelines , ” PBS SoCal said in a statement .
“ Thus , PBS decided to pull the show from its streaming services on the PBS App and PBS passport.
” “ Our organization is planning to reassess the film as a result of these decisions made earlier this week , analyzing the content and the production further to validate our original decision to air the documentary , ” the affiliate said .
PBS SoCal and KCET will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ review , though other affiliates who previously planned to air the documentary will be permitted to do so .
Current.org , a media trade publication , first reported that PBS was reviewing the documentary .
The documentary tracks five Chinese families that received help through a program that Chinese President Xi Jinping initiated in 2013 to eradicate extreme poverty by 2020 .
The film aired on PBS SoCal in 2019 , but received little attention at the time .
But the Chinese government ’ s activities in the media have received heightened scrutiny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts in response to the coronavirus pandemic .
Chinese government officials and propaganda outlets have sought to displace blame for the pandemic , which originated in Wuhan late in 2019 .
Kuhn has been a staunch defender of Beijing ’ s response to the pandemic .
“ China ’ s mobilization is unprecedented in global health history .
Nowhere could it work like it works in China .
The reason it works is because the party works , the Communist Party of China , ” Kuhn said during an episode of his show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on CGTN .
“ President Xi Jinping calls for fighting the outbreak in an open and transparent manner .
That ’ s the key : transparency , complete transparency .
As China has done and is updating all confirmed patients and updating all the data everyday.
” Kuhn has been a frequent guest on Chinese media outlets controlled by the government .
He has also openly touted his ties to top Chinese government officials , including in the State Council Information Office , which is responsible for publishing foreign propaganda .
Kuhn has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the highest honor bestowed on foreigners .
He received the award in 2018 at an event that Xi hosted .
Kuhn defended his film in a statement to Current , saying it was a “ shame ” that PBS has pulled the documentary due to what he said were “ extraneous internal political matters in the United States.
” He also asserted that conservative media outlets unfairly targeted the film .
Fox News published a story based on the DCNF ’ s report about the documentary .
Kuhn , PBS and PBS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for comment before the DCNF published its story earlier in May .
PBS did not respond to requests for comment on Thursday .
Chuck Ross is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Voices from the Frontline : China ’ s War on Poverty ” by CGTV .

by Chuck Ross
PBS has pulled a documentary produced in association with a Chinese foreign agent over concerns that it did not meet the federally-funded media outlet’s editorial standards.
PBS SoCal, a PBS affiliate that co-produced the film “Voices from the Frontline: China’s War on Poverty,” is also conducting an internal review of the funding for the documentary, the organization said in a statement.
The decision was made in response to a report from the Daily Caller News Foundation. On May 14, the DCNF reported that the film was produced in association with CGTN, a Beijing-based media company that the U.S. Department of Justice requires to register as a foreign agent of China.
Robert Lawrence Kuhn, a businessman who touts ties to the Chinese government and CGTN, was the lead producer of the film, which aired earlier in May on PBS SoCal and its sister station, KCET.
The two stations received more than $5.5 million in federal funds in 2019 through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Tax filings show that Kuhn’s charity, The Kuhn Foundation, donated $70,000 to PBS SoCal between 2015 and 2018.
PBS notified PBS SoCal, which is also known as KOCE, on May 20 about concerns with the funding behind the film.
“The specific concern they had was around the funding and the funding relationship,” PBS SoCal CEO Andrew Russell said in a statement, adding that PBS headquarters said that “they did not find concerns in other areas of editorial integrity.”
PBS SoCal said that the documentary passed its editorial standards and adhered to FCC guidelines before its initial airing on May 11.
But after PBS headquarters examined the film, the outlet determined that it “did not meet PBS corporate guidelines,” PBS SoCal said in a statement.
“Thus, PBS decided to pull the show from its streaming services on the PBS App and PBS passport.”
“Our organization is planning to reassess the film as a result of these decisions made earlier this week, analyzing the content and the production further to validate our original decision to air the documentary,” the affiliate said.
PBS SoCal and KCET will not air the film while it is under review, though other affiliates who previously planned to air the documentary will be permitted to do so.
Current.org, a media trade publication, first reported that PBS was reviewing the documentary.
The documentary tracks five Chinese families that received help through a program that Chinese President Xi Jinping initiated in 2013 to eradicate extreme poverty by 2020.
The film aired on PBS SoCal in 2019, but received little attention at the time. But the Chinese government’s activities in the media have received heightened scrutiny as Beijing has ramped up its propaganda efforts in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Chinese government officials and propaganda outlets have sought to displace blame for the pandemic, which originated in Wuhan late in 2019.
Kuhn has been a staunch defender of Beijing’s response to the pandemic.
“China’s mobilization is unprecedented in global health history. Nowhere could it work like it works in China. The reason it works is because the party works, the Communist Party of China,” Kuhn said during an episode of his show “The Watcher,” which airs on CGTN.
“President Xi Jinping calls for fighting the outbreak in an open and transparent manner. That’s the key: transparency, complete transparency. As China has done and is updating all confirmed patients and updating all the data everyday.”
Kuhn has been a frequent guest on Chinese media outlets controlled by the government. He has also openly touted his ties to top Chinese government officials, including in the State Council Information Office, which is responsible for publishing foreign propaganda.
Kuhn has also touted his China Reform Friendship Medal, the highest honor bestowed on foreigners. He received the award in 2018 at an event that Xi hosted.
Kuhn defended his film in a statement to Current, saying it was a “shame” that PBS has pulled the documentary due to what he said were “extraneous internal political matters in the United States.”
He also asserted that conservative media outlets unfairly targeted the film. Fox News published a story based on the DCNF’s report about the documentary.
Kuhn, PBS and PBS SoCal did not respond to multiple requests for comment before the DCNF published its story earlier in May.
PBS did not respond to requests for comment on Thursday.
– – –
Chuck Ross is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Photo “Voices from the Frontline: China’s War on Poverty” by CGTV.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-01--Atty Gen Barr Says Regional Joint Terrorism Task Forces Directed to Locate, Apprehend Antifa Leaders

Atty Gen Barr Says Regional Joint Terrorism Task Forces Directed to Locate, Apprehend Antifa Leaders, Other ‘Radical Agitators’

U.S. Attorney General William Barr said in a Sunday statement that the regional Joint Terrorism Task Forces of the FBI have been directed to locate and apprehend Antifa leaders .
His statement was issued after President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would be declaring Antifa a domestic terrorist organization for its alleged involvement in the terrorizing of major cities after the death of George Floyd .
“ With the rioting that is occurring in many of our cities around the country , the voices of peaceful and legitimate protests have been hijacked by violent radical elements .
Groups of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation to pursue their own separate , violent , and extremist agenda , ” said Barr .
“ It is time to stop watching the violence and to confront and stop it .
The continued violence and destruction of property endangers the lives and livelihoods of others , and interferes with the rights of peaceful protesters , as well as all other citizens , ” he continued .
He called on cities “ to ensure that adequate law enforcement resources , including the National Guard where necessary , are deployed on the streets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We saw this finally happen in Minneapolis last night , and it worked , ” said Barr as a presence of more than 4,000 national guardsmen was able to prevent a fifth night of rioting Saturday .
The attorney general concluded his statement by revealing that a network of 56 FBI Joint Terrorism Task Forces have been directed to apprehend and charge “ the violent radical agitators.
” “ Federal law enforcement actions will be directed at apprehending and charging the violent radical agitators who have hijacked peaceful protest and are engaged in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminal organizers and instigators , and to coordinate federal resources with our state and local partners , federal law enforcement is using our existing network of 56 regional FBI Joint Terrorism Task Forces , ” Barr said .
“ The violence instigated and carried out by Antifa and other similar groups in connection with the rioting is domestic terrorism and will be treated accordingly.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .

U.S. Attorney General William Barr said in a Sunday statement that the regional Joint Terrorism Task Forces of the FBI have been directed to locate and apprehend Antifa leaders.
His statement was issued after President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would be declaring Antifa a domestic terrorist organization for its alleged involvement in the terrorizing of major cities after the death of George Floyd.
“With the rioting that is occurring in many of our cities around the country, the voices of peaceful and legitimate protests have been hijacked by violent radical elements. Groups of outside radicals and agitators are exploiting the situation to pursue their own separate, violent, and extremist agenda,” said Barr.
“It is time to stop watching the violence and to confront and stop it. The continued violence and destruction of property endangers the lives and livelihoods of others, and interferes with the rights of peaceful protesters, as well as all other citizens,” he continued.
He called on cities “to ensure that adequate law enforcement resources, including the National Guard where necessary, are deployed on the streets to reestablish law and order.”
“We saw this finally happen in Minneapolis last night, and it worked,” said Barr as a presence of more than 4,000 national guardsmen was able to prevent a fifth night of rioting Saturday.
The attorney general concluded his statement by revealing that a network of 56 FBI Joint Terrorism Task Forces have been directed to apprehend and charge “the violent radical agitators.”
“Federal law enforcement actions will be directed at apprehending and charging the violent radical agitators who have hijacked peaceful protest and are engaged in violations of federal law. To identify criminal organizers and instigators, and to coordinate federal resources with our state and local partners, federal law enforcement is using our existing network of 56 regional FBI Joint Terrorism Task Forces,” Barr said. “The violence instigated and carried out by Antifa and other similar groups in connection with the rioting is domestic terrorism and will be treated accordingly.”
– – –
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].


thetennesseestar--2020-06-01--North Carolina Asks for More Details on Republican National Convention’s Safety Plan

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen asked Republican National Convention organizers Friday for more details about their safety plan to carry out the event in Charlotte .
The Republican National Committee sent a list of proposed safety protocols for the GOP convention Thursday .
Cohen responded Friday with a list of follow-up questions that fall under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance .
“ The CDC currently has interim guidance regarding mass gatherings which details a number of safety protocols that organizers of major events should utilize amid this pandemic , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McDaniel , chairwoman of the Republican National Committee , and Marcia Lee Kelly , president and CEO of the convention .
“ We would ask that the RNC further elaborate on its plans to protect convention participants and the people of Charlotte in accordance with the CDC guidance.
” Controversy erupted over the convention plans Monday after President Donald Trump threatened via Twitter to pull the event out of North Carolina .
Gov .
Roy Cooper said Tuesday public health officials were waiting on the safety plan to move the process along .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Weiner , said Friday , “ North Carolina will continue working with the RNC to ensure the convention can be held safely.
” RNC ’ s plan included setting up a health care screening hub at the Charlotte Convention Center for health surveys , temperature checks and “ aggressive ” sanitizing protocols for public areas .
Cohen , in her letter Friday , asked McDaniel and Kelly to provide the number of attendees and specifics on social distancing measures , including a safety plan for RNC events taking place outside of the main @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for attendees who fail health screenings .
Cohen also indicated RNC made a special request during a phone conversation Tuesday to allow participants in a nomination celebration for Trump to attend without face coverings or social distancing measures .
“ You also mentioned testing for all participants before they enter the Spectrum Center for the Thursday event , ” Cohen wrote .
“ Is this still a consideration ?
Would this be limited to Thursday night , or would it apply to the other nights of the convention ?
” The GOP event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to draw 50,000 people to North Carolina , according to the host committee .
The 2016 Republican National Convention generated an estimated $ 188 million for Cleveland , according to the Cleveland host committee .
Kelly and McDaniel touted the economic benefits of the convention to North Carolina officials in their letter Thursday .
“ Knowing that President Trump and the RNC can provide a much needed and timely stimulus to Charlotte and the entire region has only steeled our resolve to hold an in-person , energetic , five-star event here while also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” they wrote .
Nyamekye Daniel has been a journalist for three years .
She was the managing editor for the South Florida Media Network and a staff writer for The Miami Times .
Daniel ’ s work has also appeared in the Sun-Sentinel , Miami Herald and The New York Times .
Daniel is a reporter for The Center Square .

by Nyamekye Daniel
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen asked Republican National Convention organizers Friday for more details about their safety plan to carry out the event in Charlotte.
The Republican National Committee sent a list of proposed safety protocols for the GOP convention Thursday. Cohen responded Friday with a list of follow-up questions that fall under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance.
“The CDC currently has interim guidance regarding mass gatherings which details a number of safety protocols that organizers of major events should utilize amid this pandemic,” Cohen wrote in a letter to Ronna McDaniel, chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, and Marcia Lee Kelly, president and CEO of the convention. “We would ask that the RNC further elaborate on its plans to protect convention participants and the people of Charlotte in accordance with the CDC guidance.”
Controversy erupted over the convention plans Monday after President Donald Trump threatened via Twitter to pull the event out of North Carolina. Gov. Roy Cooper said Tuesday public health officials were waiting on the safety plan to move the process along.
A spokeswoman for the governor, Sadie Weiner, said Friday, “North Carolina will continue working with the RNC to ensure the convention can be held safely.”
RNC’s plan included setting up a health care screening hub at the Charlotte Convention Center for health surveys, temperature checks and “aggressive” sanitizing protocols for public areas.
Cohen, in her letter Friday, asked McDaniel and Kelly to provide the number of attendees and specifics on social distancing measures, including a safety plan for RNC events taking place outside of the main venue and isolation procedures and contact tracing for attendees who fail health screenings.
Cohen also indicated RNC made a special request during a phone conversation Tuesday to allow participants in a nomination celebration for Trump to attend without face coverings or social distancing measures.
“You also mentioned testing for all participants before they enter the Spectrum Center for the Thursday event,” Cohen wrote. “Is this still a consideration? Would this be limited to Thursday night, or would it apply to the other nights of the convention?”
The GOP event, scheduled for August, is expected to draw 50,000 people to North Carolina, according to the host committee. The 2016 Republican National Convention generated an estimated $188 million for Cleveland, according to the Cleveland host committee.
Kelly and McDaniel touted the economic benefits of the convention to North Carolina officials in their letter Thursday.
“Knowing that President Trump and the RNC can provide a much needed and timely stimulus to Charlotte and the entire region has only steeled our resolve to hold an in-person, energetic, five-star event here while also perpetually maintaining safety foremost in mind,” they wrote.
– – –
Nyamekye Daniel has been a journalist for three years. She was the managing editor for the South Florida Media Network and a staff writer for The Miami Times. Daniel’s work has also appeared in the Sun-Sentinel, Miami Herald and The New York Times. Daniel is a reporter for The Center Square.