thetennesseestar--2020-12-19--Coalition of Black Ministry Leaders Rebuke Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff for ‘Unbiblical’ Stances T

Coalition of Black Ministry Leaders Rebuke Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff for ‘Unbiblical’ Stances That ‘Hurt the Black Community’

Black ministry leaders hosted a press conference at the Georgia State Capitol to warn voters about Democratic candidates Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff .
The coalition stated that they represented a political spectrum of Black Christians ’ concerns regarding the two Democratic candidates ’ political stances and their implications ahead of the runoff election .
Gerard Henry , former host of Black Entertainment Television ( BET ) Lift Every Voice , opened up the press conference .
“ What I ’ ve seen concerning Jon Ossoff , who is very quiet on many issues , is that ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” explained Henry .
“ And concerning Raphael Warnock , and the stances that he ’ s been adamant about , [ he ’ s ] clearly anti-Biblical [ and he ] goes against my values .
And so I want to appeal particularly to Black Georgians , as well as Georgians at large who share Christian values , is to vote your values .
Don ’ t be moved by headlines and creative speaking , and don ’ t be moved someone who just matches the color of your skin tone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person that that , I believe .
I believe you ’ re an intellectual person .
I believe you ’ re a person of substance who doesn ’ t just get moved by their emotions.
” Human Coalition Action Executive Director Reverend Dean Nelson was the second to speak .
Nelson quoted Frederick Douglass , the ex-slave abolitionist who ’ d stated that his political views were informed by the Bible .
Then , the reverend criticized Warnock ’ s political stances on abortion , including supporting abortion up to the ninth month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taxpayer-funded abortions .
Nelson shared that a letter , signed by over 50 ministers , was sent to Warnock this past week to encourage the candidate to change his “ extreme position ” on abortion.
” “ His views are out of step with the Black community , his views are out of step with the Christian faith , and his views are out of step with most Georgians , ” asserted Nelson .
Bishop Garland Hunt , a senior pastor at The Father ’ s House , concurred that both candidates ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We believe the Bible is very clear about abortion : we believe that Jeremiah chapter 1 [ and ] Psalms 39 is very clear that the baby in the womb is a person separate from the woman , ” stated Hunt .
“ That in fact , the child has a right to live also , and that you have to defy the Scriptures in order to say words like , ‘ I am a pro-choice pastor.
’ I ’ m totally offended at that , so I ’ m appealing to all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call themselves Christian , that even if they ’ re African American , even if they ’ re pastors – do not defy the Bible .
Do not turn away from the Scriptures , to say that ‘ I have to follow a person because of their race , or their party.
’ We must stand on our values .
We must stand on what is spiritually and Biblically correct.
” The pastor also condemned the Equality Act , calling it “ unscriptural.
” Catherine Davis , Restoration Project Executive Director , asserted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same values as Dr. Martin Luther King .
She accosted Warnock ’ s support of Planned Parenthood .
“ My dream is to stop Planned Parenthood from targeting ministers , like Raphael Warnock , to ‘ straighten it out ’ if I realize that Planned Parenthood is trying to exterminate the Black community , ” stated Davis .
“ My dream is to hold Planned Parenthood accountable for selling body parts of the black and brown babies they abort .
I am coming here today to say to every Bible-believing Georgian that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accountable by not voting for men who are betraying Black women as they partner with Planned Parenthood [ . ]
” Pastor Dwayne Harden , Embassy Kingdom and Organization referenced the founding beliefs of Planned Parenthood via their founder , Margaret B. Sanger , who created the abortion network mainly to eradicate minorities and the disabled .
“ Abortion is an issue that can not really be legislated as a moral thing .
But , what needs to not be done is to make laws that support immorality , ” explained Harden .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ say we ’ re men of God and support the thing that breaks God ’ s heart .
If killing the young men on the street breaks his heart when police do it , killing the baby in the womb breaks his heart.
” Dr. Loretto Greier-Cudjoe , Black Catholics for Life member , bolstered the claim that abortion is an attack on the Black community by referencing previous President Richard Nixon ’ s White House tape .
She questioned the idea that Constitutional rights stop for an individual because they ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black child was the intended victim of legalized abortion in America , ” stated Cudjoe .
“ Abortion has practically exterminated the Black middle class .
Wealth is generational , and it affects every aspect of our lives and you have to have a family in order to have a family business or to convey wealth to a family.
” Bishop Aubrey Shines , Conservative Clergy of Color , stood as the final speaker .
Shines emphasized the racist underpinnings of abortion .
“ It was Margaret Sanger , the eugenist , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black people , that said the only way she could have success – and that would be to find ministers that would help her cultivate this idea that Blacks need to be eliminated .
And , she has found her prophetic ‘ arm ’ in the life of Mr. Warnock , ” stated Shines .
Shines finished by stating that Warnock ’ s support of Jeremiah Wright and Black Liberation Theology rendered the candidate “ anti-Semitic ” and against the Bible .
Neither Warnock or Ossoff acknowledged the religious leaders ’ press conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Georgia Star News and the Star News Network .
Follow her latest on Twitter , or email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Bishop Aubrey Shines ” by The Frederick Douglass Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-19--Michigan Legislative Oversight Committees Assume Subpoena Authority in Election Investigations

The Michigan House and Senate Oversight Committees are assuming authority to issue subpoenas , administer oaths and examine books and records related to the 2020 election .
The committees immediately proceeded to issue subpoenas to election clerks in Detroit and Livonia .
Detroit Clerk Janice Winfrey and Livonia Clerk Susan Nash have until the end of business on Jan. 12 to turn over documents pertaining to their respective elections .
“ This is about people , not politics , ” Rep. Matt Hall , R-Marshall , said in a statement .
“ The electoral votes for Michigan have been submitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions about their state ’ s elections and those questions deserve answers .
I fear we are headed for more distrust in the future if people are denied clarity and transparency from officials who head up the process , ” Hall said .
Rep. Tristan Cole , R-Mancelona , agreed with Hall , stating that Michigan voters are left confused and sometimes angry at the unanswered questions surrounding voting irregularities and allegations of fraud .
“ I ’ ve heard from an incredible number of people who are worried about fraud and have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections upon which our country is built , ” Cole said in a statement .
“ Regardless of our political affiliations , we should all agree that we must do more to restore the public ’ s trust in our voting procedures .
We can begin that process by conducting a thorough and complete investigation that gets to the bottom of these reports and delivers the answers voters deserve , ” Cole said .
“ The Oversight Committee needs full access to accurate information to make sure that happens , ” he added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will issue a subpoena to Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson , a Democrat .
On Wednesday , Hall announced he had received a response from Benson in which she declined his earlier invitation to testify before the committee .
In her letter , dated Tuesday , Dec. 15 , and posted on Twitter , Benson said she would not participate .
“ I am aware of the hearings the Committee has conducted , and am concerned that contrary to your desire to ‘ get to the bottom ’ of elections questions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theories and previously disproven claims of people who lack basic knowledge of election administration , and in doing so undermining the integrity of the election and wounding our democracy , ” she wrote .
“ Secretary of State Benson said she would be willing to testify before the people ’ s representatives when it made a good talking point for her and got her good press , ” Hall said .
“ But when the rubber met the road and it came time to answer questions about her work , she refused to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes it clear she would rather hide under a rock than help the people of Michigan build trust in their state ’ s election process going forward , ” Hall added .
“ The House and Senate Oversight Committees have previously heard testimony from multiple county clerks from both parties on what they saw and what can be done to better Michigan ’ s election system in the future – and those conversations and ideas were extremely constructive and helpful , ” Hall said .
“ Our committee would like to have similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I am disappointed she is brushing aside that opportunity while making excuses and playing cheap political games.
” Bruce Walker is a regional editor at The Center Square .
He previously worked as editor at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy ’ s MichiganScience magazine and The Heartland Institute ’ s InfoTech & Telecom News .

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


thetennesseestar--2020-12-19--Proof Surfaces Showing Raphael Warnock Hosted Jeremiah Wright at Ebenezer Baptist Church in 2014

The Rev .
Raphael Warnock hosted controversial preacher Jeremiah Wright , Barack Obama ’ s former pastor , at Ebenezer Baptist Church in 2014 , Fox News reported .
Warnock is running in the January 5 Georgia U.S. Senate runoff against incumbent Senator Kelly Loeffler ( R-GA ) .
Fox News based its story on an event flyer announcing guest speaking by Wright , who has a history of making antisemitic statements .
There were other speakers as well .
The flyer is available here .
Warnock for years has praised Wright , such as in a 2008 interview on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wright ’ s “ God Damn America ” sermons .
Wright , Obama ’ s pastor for at least 20 years , made the infamous remark while blaming America for the 9/11 attacks .
The Rev .
Dr. Carolyn Ann Knight , professor at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta , was one of the other speakers at the 2014 event with Wright .
She is one of 100 Georgia faith leaders who wrote an open letter endorsing Warnock ’ s run for the Senate .
Meanwhile , Loeffler ’ s campaign called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the controversial Wright .
“ Not only did Raphael Warnock praise Jeremiah Wright ’ s ‘ God Damn America ’ sermon , he thought it was so great that he invited him to Ebenezer Baptist to deliver it , ” said Deputy Campaign Manager Stephen Lawson .
“ Does Georgia really want a U.S .
Senator who thinks God should damn America ?
That ’ s what they ’ ll get if they vote for Raphael Warnock.
” Loeffler tweeted , “ @ ReverendWarnock compared Israeli settlers to “ birds of prey , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” and wants to end ALL military aid to Israel .
His anti-Israel rhetoric & record are shameful — and he must be held accountable .
# gapol # gasen “ .
Warnock has received his own scrutiny over old sermons , such as when in 2016 he preached that Christianity started as a “ socialist church.
” He said the rich should give more in order to “ level the playing field.
” Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes @


thetennesseestar--2020-12-19--Virginia to Receive Over 100,000 Fewer COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Than Anticipated

Virginia is now expected to receive just under 110,000 fewer COVID-19 vaccine doses from the federal government than originally anticipated .
Operation Warp Speed , the government ’ s vaccination program , informed the Virginia Department of Health ( VDH ) late Thursday night , and now the state is preparing to get 370,650 vaccine doses by the end of December instead of the initial 480,000 projection , according to a press release .
The VDH did not offer a specific reason for the lower allocation in the release , but said estimates for states from Operation Warp Speed and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( CDC ) can be adjusted .
“ CDC and Operation Warp Speed provide regular estimates to states for vaccine distribution planning ; these estimates remain subject to change , ” the release reads .
“ VDH is working closely with the CDC to ensure a smooth and equitable vaccine deployment.
” Nevertheless , the VDH also announced that Virginia has already placed an order for 146,400 doses of Moderna ’ s COVID vaccine , which was endorsed for authorization by a Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) panel Thursday , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given final approval for use .
The original 480,000 doses would have almost been enough to vaccinate all of the estimated 500,000 healthcare workers and long-term care facility residents in Virginia – the two groups identified by the CDC and the state as top priority .
Virginia is not the only state being told to expect fewer doses in December , however .
Many other states , such as Washington , will also be receiving a lower number of doses than projected beforehand , according to the Axios .
The Virginia Star contacted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health and Human Services asking why Virginia and other states were receiving less vaccine shipments than previously anticipated , but did not get responses before press time .
According to the New York Times , the smaller vaccine shipments were the result of a scheduling mishap that was created when federal officials decided to allocate next week ’ s doses this Tuesday rather than on Friday while responding to a request from different states .
On Wednesday , Pfizer released a written statement in which the company affirmed that vaccine production and distribution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not having any production issues with our COVID-19 vaccine , and no shipments containing the vaccine are on hold or delayed , ” the statement read .
“ This week , we successfully shipped all 2.9 million doses that we were asked to ship by the U.S. Government to the locations specified by them.
” In related news , the FDA released a statement on Wednesday saying some of the vials that are supposed to hold five doses of Pfizer ’ s vaccine can contain six or even seven , and that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it makes up a full dose .
The first shipments of the vaccine – totaling 72,125 doses from Pfizer – arrived at 18 hospitals around Virginia on Monday and Tuesday , including at Bon Secours , VCU Health and Sentara .
By Wednesday , those facilities had already begun administering doses to healthcare workers .
Under Virginia ’ s vaccination plan , the initial doses will go directly to front-line healthcare personnel who treat patients with COVID .
Subsequent shipments will be split among healthcare workers and long-term care facility residents , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from CVS and Walgreens teams through a federal partnership .
The second phase involves vaccinating Virginians who are medically vulnerable or other priority groups like certain essential workers , and then the final stage is for the general public as well as any other groups , but health officials expect it will take many months before vaccines are widely available .
Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Follow Jacob on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-12-19--Commentary: Was Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax Falsely Accused?

At 9:00 am on Monday , February 6 , 2019 , Lt .
Governor Justin Fairfax ’ s meteoric political ascendency could not have been any higher or brighter .
Indeed , Fairfax was on the verge of being elevated to the highest office in the Commonwealth – Governor – due to the political blackface scandal that engulfed Governor Ralph Northam .
Indeed , if Governor Northam were to resigned – which many in the State Democratic Party where calling for – Justin Fairfax would automatically become the 74th Governor of Virginia .
However , on that same Monday morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lt .
Governor Fairfax ’ s world was turned upside down when Professor Vanessa Tyson accused him of sexual assault from way back in 2004 .
Two days later , on February 8th , things got even worse .
Meredith Watson , a former college classmate of Justin Fairfax at Duke University , accused Fairfax of raping her 20 years earlier when they were Duke classmates .
Within hours of the second accusation , the knives were sharpened .
Almost all of those knives were held by Democrats .
Former Democratic Governor ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along with current Attorney General , Mark Herring , the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus , the Democratic Senate Caucus , the Democratic House Caucus and the State Democratic Party all called for Fairfax to resign .
Indeed , one legislator , Delegate Patrick Hope , announced that he was drafting Articles of Impeachment against Fairfax .
During the avalanche of demands that Fairfax resign , hardly a single person asked the most basic question : Were the allegations true ?
No one asked : Has there been an investigation ?
Are the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ facts ” accurate ?
Indeed , Due Process , the lynchpin of our Democracy , was completely ignored .
Apparently , the Democratic Party , which promotes fairness and objectivity , went directly from accusation to guilty – skipping the indictment and trial stages .
There were a few political outliers who had the courage to stand up to the “ Me Too ” movement and say : “ Wait !
Let ’ s examine the facts and hear from the accused before we call for Fairfax ’ s ouster.
” Former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ radio host John Fredericks , Congressman Bobby Scott , and U.S .
Senator Mark Warner all tapped the brakes .
Indeed , I stated at the time on my radio show that not affording Justin Fairfax due process was the most disgraceful thing that I had seen in 35 years of practicing law .
My comments were prophetic .
Once both women ’ s “ allegations ” were critically examined , timelines analyzed , and people with actual knowledge of the events questioned , it was discovered that both women ’ s stories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misstatements .
Vanessa Tyson , the first accuser , alleged that she was sexually assaulted by Fairfax in a hotel room at the 2004 Democratic Convention .
Tyson provided an exact date when she first met Fairfax on the Boston Convention floor .
She also described being assaulted in his hotel room and horribly traumatized .
However , when Tyson ’ s allegations were investigated , there were major holes .
For instance , airline records show that Justin Fairfax was not even in the state of Massachusetts on the day that Tyson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was .
In Tyson ’ s statement of Feb. 6 , 2019 , she said : “ I never gave any form of consent , ” to Fairfax .
But two month later , Tyson admitted on national television that she willingly went to his hotel room , willingly kissed him in the doorway and “ was OK with the kissing ” ( her exact words ) , willingly went with him as he “ gently guides me to the bed ” ( her exact words ) , and that the kissing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” was “ completely consensual ” and that she never ever told him to “ stop ” .
It was also discovered that after the alleged “ assault ” , Tyson called Fairfax wanting to meet with him in New York so that she could introduce him to her mother .
However , the most disconcerting aspect of Tyson ’ s entire story was the alleged conspiracy between Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney ’ s close associates and Tyson to embarrass Fairfax in order to promote Stoney ’ s own grandiose gubernatorial aspirations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stoney ’ s Chief political aid , Thad Williamson , and Williamson ’ s wife , Adria Scharf , were good friends with Vanessa Tyson since her days in Boston .
On Sunday , February 3 , 2019 , on the eve of Fairfax ’ s possibly being elevated to Governor , text messages were discovered between Adria Scharf and Tyson labeled “ Monday Action ” plan .
The “ Monday Action ” plan demonstrated that Scharf and Tyson intended to “ out ” Fairfax the following morning thus preventing him from being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shadows of the Williamson/Scharf/Tyson plot was Mayor Levar Stoney who had his own design on the Governor ’ s Mansion .
Ms. Watson ’ s own complaint against Fairfax was equally specious .
She claimed that she was raped by Fairfax when she and Fairfax were Duke undergrads .
Her lawyer sent Fairfax a letter saying , “ my client would like to avoid media attention ” and that Fairfax ’ s “ past behavior is obviously disqualifying for any public office .
We hope that he reaches the same conclusion .
Please @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , unwilling to be blackmailed , refused .
Thereafter , Watson claimed that she was raped in a dorm room .
A New Jersey PR firm hired by Watson ’ s attorney then e-mailed the allegation to reporters who immediately made them public .
However , there were just a few problems with Watson ’ s story .
First , no one at Duke University or the surrounding City/County including the academic office , the University Police force or anyone else , ever received a complaint .
Second , Meredith Watson failed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the room who will testify that Fairfax and Watson were engaging in consensual sex .
That third party ’ s dorm room was the location of the encounter .
Third , Watson had also accused former NBA basketball player Corey Maggette of rape .
Maggette told multiple media outlets that she ( Watson ) was lying !
In Feb. 2019 , long time Duke Basketball Coach Mike Krzyzewski was asked if he ’ d heard of such an allegation and said he had not .
Watson claimed that she reported her Maggette @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Duke University .
Once again , no complaint was ever filed .
Further , no one at Duke has confirmed such a conversation .
Watson has presented no proof she reported any such allegations to anyone .
Both of Watson ’ s allegations against Fairfax and Maggette have no evidence attached to them .
Throughout it all , Fairfax remained stoic .
He refused to buckle and simply said that the allegations were false .
He demanded that police and prosecutors in both Boston , Massachusetts as well as Durham , North Carolina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he literally pleaded for the two accusers to file formal police reports so that an investigation could be undertaken .
Both women have refused to file complaints and have avoided any form of investigation whether it be from press or police .
They have been silent for over a year and a half as even more questions about their respective stories arise .
Lastly , and what can only be described as poetic justice , the following occurred .
When Tyson filed her complaint against Fairfax , she said , “ I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I do not want to get further embroiled in this highly charged political environment.
” Months later after making these statements , Tyson filed to run for an Assembly seat in the State Legislature in California .
She was soundly defeated .
While it is absolutely necessary to listen to anyone who alleges that they are a victim of sexual assault , we must never forget that an accused 9must be afforded Due Process .
Sadly , “ Justin Fairfax was denied Due Process at every stage .
This is not just wrong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a Virginia State Senator representing the people of the 16th district .
Photo “ Justin Fairfax ” by Justin Fairfax .
Background Photo “ Virginia Capitol ” by Skip Plitt – C ’ ville Photography .
CC BY-SA 3.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-19--Virginia Legislators Expect to Legalize Marijuana in 2021, but Massive Changes Needed Might Slow the

Virginia Legislators Expect to Legalize Marijuana in 2021, but Massive Changes Needed Might Slow the Process

It ’ s not quite a nonpartisan issue , but Virginia legislators expect an effort to legalize marijuana will receive enough bipartisan support to pass in the 2021 regular session .
The biggest hurdle to the plan is the massive legislative changes that are required .
Legislators have to choose how the cannabis business will interact with many sectors of business and government including banking , law enforcement , the Department of Motor Vehicles , the Department of Taxation , and the Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority .
“ It ’ s a big deal , and there ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could make an argument for it that it needs to go to every single standing committee , because it impacts every single one of those topics , ” Delegate Chris Hurst ( D-Montgomery ) said on Friday on The John Fredericks Radio Show .
Hurst said , “ What may ultimately the pump brakes on it is not necessarily anybody ’ s desire not to try and work toward it .
What I think will just slow progress is that we want to get it right.
” In the 2020 session , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not fully legalize marijuana .
Instead , the decriminalizing bills instructed the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to review how best to legalize marijuana .
The report found that in addition to decisions about legal amounts , legal ages , and driving regulations , developing a commercial market requires issuing five types of operations licenses .
The review said , “ The General Assembly could authorize the development of a statewide market for commercial adult use marijuana sales .
Virginia would need to issue licenses for five types of major business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cultivation , processing , distribution , retail sales , and testing.
” Because of this , advocate Senator Adam Ebbin ( D-Alexandria ) told The Virginia Star that legalization bills might be split up , with one legislative package focused on regulation , and the other focused on criminal aspects .
But he emphasized that legislators are still working out individual details .
Ebbin was the chief patron of SB2 , the 2020 decriminalization bill in the Senate .
Legislators also have to protect marijuana entrepreneurs , who have difficulty accessing banking and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outlawed by the federal government .
Hurst said one critical consideration is , “ How do we set up a market that is also in tune , and with an eye toward , what the federal government is doing , wanting to make sure that no unintended consequences creep up ?
” “ I think what we do , and I don ’ t know enough about it yet , is have a safe harbor provision in our banking laws , ” Ebbin said .
Legislators are essentially creating an entire industry from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Even though the bill may pass this year , you ’ re not going to see it flip a switch and then see it turn on July 1 or something , ” Ebbin said .
“ I ’ m hopeful it will happen in this General Assembly session , but I ’ m confident that it will happen within the next few sessions , ” he said .
If it doesn ’ t pass in the next session , and if Republicans regain some political control of Virginia in the 2021 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still succeed in a Republican General Assembly .
“ It would be harder if the political control flipped , ” he said .
“ I wouldn ’ t call it non-partisan .
I would say that I believe we can get some bipartisan support.
” Ebbin said his constituents are enthusiastic about legalization , which has received support from Governor Ralph Northam ( D ) and Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney ( D ) .
In August , Stoney sent a letter to the General Assembly asking them to legalize marijuana .
“ Not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the total arrests in Virginia , but out of those arrests a disproportionate number are of Black people.
” Stoney called for funds from a marijuana tax to be used to fund a program for low-income students .
Ebbin and Hurst expect to see bipartisan support for the legislation .
In 2020 , Senate Minority Leader Thomas Norment ( R-James City ) , Senator Siobhan Dunnavant ( R-Henrico ) , and Senator William Stanley ( R-Pittsylvania County ) joined Ebbin as patrons of the decriminalization bill .
But not all Republicans are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are all Democrats .
In January , Senator Chap Petersen ( D-Fairfax ) said on The John Fredericks Radio Show , “ I ’ m opposed to legalization of marijuana ; I don ’ t think the government ought to be in the business of buying and selling a narcotic .
I realize that may be a fuddy-duddy opinion , but that is where I stand and I ’ ve got lots of reasons for saying that.
” Petersen said , “ I just look at the opioid issues and all the people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that say that marijuana is not addictive , sorry .
I ’ ve been to parents groups of people that have children that have been drug-addicted ; they all pretty much all started smoking pot .
And so look , I understand I ’ m probably in the minority and I ’ m 51 years old , and you know I ’ ve got kids that may not agree with me .
But as long as I ’ m the senator , I ’ m going to do what I think is right.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was pressed for time on Friday , but he told The Star , “ It is a terrible idea to make an illegal activity legal in an effort to deal with disparities in enforcement .
Bad !
” Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
John Fredericks is the publisher and editor-in-chief of The Virginia Star .
He is also a Trump 2020 delegate and the chairman of the Trump Virginia Delegation .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-19--Pandemic Restrictions Cause a Rash of Closures in Atlanta Restaurant Scene

Over 25 area restaurants closed their doors for good – several that have been in business for decades – due to the impact of Health Department stay-at-home orders and restrictions on business operations that began in March 2020 with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic .
A few days after Thanksgiving , Governor Brian Kemp issued an executive order further restricting restaurant operations .
The Georgia Restaurant Association ( GRA ) published a statement shortly after .
The GRA were urging “ the safety , health and well-being of Georgia ’ s restaurant owners , workers and guests.
” We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules set by the Office of the Governor .
During this transitional period we are all in , Georgia ’ s restaurants request respect , patience and understanding with regards to the pace of reopening .
Some may be ready to welcome diners back , while many will need additional time to confirm their individual supply chain , initiate new operational standards , and ensure the safety of their staff and guests .
There were several Atlanta restaurants that had to permanently close due to the severity of COVID-19 restrictions .
The Foodie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of businesses that are closing their doors .
Just in the month of December , three businesses forced to close permanently include Foundation Social Eatery , Kouzina Christos , and Ah-Ma ’ s Taiwanese Kitchen .
In their farewell note to fans , Ah-Ma ’ s captured the basic economics of the shutdown for these small businesses .
“ With our [ lease ] being up and the overall uncertainty of the times , we have decided not to renew our lease , and our final day of service will be December 21 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to Yelp ’ s Local Economic Impact Report , closures continue to increase nationally , climbing to 97,966 permanent closures .
There are two categories that businesses fall into with COVID-19 restrictions .
These categories determine which guidelines to follow and are described as either “ critical infrastructure ” or not .
A critical infrastructure includes businesses that deal with chemical , energy , financial , communications healthcare and more .
The “ Georgia Made ” website published guidelines for businesses outside the “ critical infrastructure ” designation .
Those rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proper use of face coverings , and disinfecting common surface areas .
The Atlanta City Council recently passed new rules governing restaurants to allow outdoor dining and “ provide safe , social distant outdoor dining spaces.
” The National Restaurant Association summarized , “ Street seating must be located in front of or adjacent to a restaurant and can not exceed more than 50 percent of the total seating capacity for the establishment .
Restaurants will have to submit an application to the Atlanta Department of Transportation for approval.
” Tiffany Morgan is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Star News Network .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-12-19--Raffensperger Condemns Fulton County’s Firing of Election Whistleblowers

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on Friday condemned the firing of poll managers and whistle blowers Suzi Voyles and Bridget Thorne by Fulton County elections officials .
Raffensperger also called on Fulton County to rehire them to work future elections .
The statement is available here .
“ I condemn in the strongest terms the decision by Fulton County elections officials to fire two poll managers purely for raising concerns about the November elections , ” said Raffensperger .
“ Though we have found no credible evidence of widespread fraud , it is important that individuals can raise their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrongdoing .
Retribution against whistle blowers poses a threat to the continued strength and vibrancy of our democracy.
” Voyles and Thorne raised concerns about the execution of the November elections .
Thorne appeared on Fox News earlier this month to discuss her allegations of improper vote processing , The Georgia Star News reported recently .
Thorne worked the election as a Dominion Voting Systems ( Dominion ) certified technician .
Fulton County recently terminated poll workers Thorne and Voyles .
Both individuals served as poll managers during the November elections and had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The secretary of state said his office has more than 250 open investigations related to elections in 2020 , more than half of which relate to the November 2020 elections .
Raffensperger said he has requested the assistance of staff from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to help complete these investigations .
Raffensperger said he has repeatedly called on the counties to ensure open access for poll watchers throughout the elections process .
For example , counties were urged to make the audit-triggered hand recount open to the public , even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by both the Republican and Democratic Party legal teams .
Raffensperger has sent out reminders to election workers that the absentee ballot signature verification process , like the rest of the process , needs to be open to public observation .
Georgia State Sen. Greg Dolezal ( R-Cumming ) said Fulton County election officials have discovered ways to breach Georgia law and enable voting irregularities , The Star News reported .
He made the comment on Thursday ’ s edition of The John Fredericks Show .
Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outlets of all sizes .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-19--Governor Northam Outlines Budget Recommendations with Focuses on COVID-19, Education

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam unveiled his recommendations for the biennial budget on Wednesday with big spending toward the state ’ s continued response to the COVID-19 pandemic , public education and other items .
The governor presented his budget proposals to lawmakers during a joint virtual meeting of the House of Delegates and Senate appropriation committees .
“ We have crafted this budget against the backdrop of the pandemic , ” Northam said .
“ The plan I will present to you today is intended to help Virginians navigate the next phase of the crisis , and perhaps , its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to recover as quickly as possible as we rebuild our economy in a post-pandemic world.
” During the meeting , Northam said Virginia ’ s economic picture is more stable now than earlier in the year and that his team is estimating $ 1.2 billion in additional revenue over the biennium .
The newly-proposed budget includes $ 240 million for public health pandemic response .
Part of that money is $ 90 million to support Virginia ’ s mass vaccination efforts and to make sure the state has the supplies , staffing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get the vaccine .
For education , Northam ’ s proposal totals $ 500 million to help prevent school divisions from suffering losses in funding because of the decreases in enrollment .
Furthermore , $ 27 million is being invested to add more school counselors to help students struggling with virtual learning as well as $ 80 million to give teachers and support positions a two percent bonus .
Other spending items include an additional $ 25 million for the Virginia Housing Trust Fund , bringing the state ’ s annual spending on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 15.7 million to the Rent and Mortgage Relief Program , and another $ 15 million to expand broadband accessibility throughout the state .
In response to the governor ’ s recommendations , several Republican legislators levied criticisms at Northam , specifically about education .
“ The amount of failing grades in our K-12 schools have skyrocketed .
Children trapped in endless Zoom meetings aren ’ t just failing to learn — they ’ re losing hope , ” House Minority Leader Todd Gilbert ( R-Shenandoah ) said in an online statement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help parents get the technology or other assistance their children need to succeed in virtual schools.
” Senate Republican Caucus Chairman Ryan McDougle ( R-Hanover ) said the spending plan “ prioritizes government over citizens ” and , similarly to Gilbert , that Northam failed to give adequate relief to parents who are now supervising their children ’ s educations .
The budget proposal that drew the most ire from GOP lawmakers , however , was an allocation of $ 5.1 million to expand the Virginia Court of Appeals from the current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more cases to be heard by the court in a timely manner .
Overall , Northam proposed 222 amendments totaling a $ 2.4 billion increase in spending and 28 amendments totaling a $ 907.5 million decrease in spending , which brings the net increase in operating spending to roughly $ 1.5 billion over the next two years .
Included within that spending is $ 100 million to help Virginians who are having trouble paying for utilities , $ 40 million in CARES Act funding to the Rent and Mortgage Relief Program , $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in southwest Virginia and $ 25 million in justice projects .
Specifically , those projects call for $ 11 million to support the work by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the city of Richmond to redefine public art on the historic Monument Avenue , $ 9 million to develop a Slavery Heritage Site and improvements to the Slave Trail in Richmond as well as $ 500,000 to replace the Robert E. Lee statue in the U.S. Capitol .
Also , the budget has $ 650 million being deposited into Virginia ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of reserve funding will get us to the goal of having 8 percent in reserves by the end of my term , ” Northam said .
Highlights of the amendments and a transcript of Northam ’ s remarks can be found here .
Now that the 2021 regular session is quickly-approaching and the governor has offered recommendations , the two money committees will start working on further revisions that will be hashed out once the two bodies officially reconvene on January 13 .
Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jacob on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Background Photo “ House of Delegates ” by Germanna CC .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-19--Ohio Begins Administering Vaccines in Nursing Homes

Ohio began administering the coronavirus vaccine in its nursing homes for the first time on Friday as part of a federal program that pairs pharmacies with long-term care facilities .
Both residents and staff received the vaccine , which first arrived in the state earlier this week .
Ten different nursing homes received vaccines across the state .
“ This is really the day we ’ ve been waiting for since this pandemic started , ” DeWine said during a speech at Pleasantview Care Center in Parma , where vaccines were being administered on Friday .
“ …One of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of people who have died in nursing homes in Ohio and across they , so this is something that weighs very heavily on me , and I know it does on everyone.
” Ohio currently has more than 5,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus among residents of long-term care facilities and more than 3,000 confirmed cases among staff .
The state partnered with four different pharmacies — CVS , Walgreens , Pharm Script and Absolute Pharmacy — after it was invited to the accelerated program by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state were originally slated to begin receiving the vaccine on December 21 , DeWine said earlier this week .
Ohio ’ s first nursing home resident received a vaccine at Crown Point Care Center in Columbus , according to Dayton Daily News .
Roughly 350,000 staff and residents are eligible for vaccination .
“ The good news for people in the nursing homes : today , we start , ” DeWine said .
“ Our goal is to vaccinated everyone who wants to be vaccinated who works in a nursing home and everyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home .
So we are very , very excited about that.
” Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Ohio Star .
Follow her on Twitter at @ JordynPair .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-20--Lin Wood Sues Georgia Over Runoff Elections, Says State Is Violating U.S. Constitution

The problem that Lin Wood has is the courts , i.e .
judges , are just going to ignore his @ @ @ @ @ clock to the Jan. 5th runoff debacle .
Same song , second verse .

Arizona State Rep. Jake Hoffman (R-Queen Creek) and 19 other legislators issued a statement following a video that went viral of three black students kicking two white students out of Arizona State University’s multicultural center. They demanded accountability and threatened to withhold funding from the university.
They announced, “It has come to light following the racially-motivated harassment of two students and their subsequent removal from one of the campus’ study facilities that ASU has allowed a culture of institutionalized racism and neo-segregation to take hold on its campus. The racially-charged removal of these students from the multicultural center begs the question of why Arizonans are being forced to spend tens, potentially hundreds, of millions of their hard-earned tax dollars on a building at a public university that some of our citizens are not allowed to use?”
Hoffman is a member of the House Appropriations Committee, and concluded that he would “get to the bottom of this and take the appropriate action in the upcoming budget. Not one penny of taxpayer money should be appropriated to a public institution that in any way enables racism or neo-segregation. Period.”
ASU said it is investigating the incident. The angry students may have been “triggered” by a sticker on the laptop belonging to one of the white males, which said “Police Lives Matter,” and the slogan on the other white male’s shirt, which said “Did not vote for Biden.” They told the two young men, “You’re making this space uncomfortable” and “white is not a culture.” They said the Police Lives Matter sticker was racist.
One of the three told the students to leave, and another remarked, “This white man thinks he can take up our space, and this is why we need a multicultural space, because they think they can get away with this sh*t.” One of the two males packs up and leaves, and the other one stands up and looks like he might have been about to leave too.
A fundraiser was started for the harassed students on GoFundMe — one of the students mentioned in the video that he works 60 hours a week to support himself and his tuition, explaining that he’s not entitled — but GoFundMe removed it, refunding the money back to the donors. The company said it violated their “prohibited conduct policy,” which bans content that GoFundMe finds to be “in support of hate, violence, harassment, bullying, discrimination, terrorism, or intolerance of any kind.”
– – –
Rachel Alexander is a reporter at The Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network. Follow Rachel on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected]


thetennesseestar--2020-12-20--Commentary: Joe Biden’s ‘First Hundred’ Daze

Often during spring training , the Hall of Fame baseball manager of the Reds and Tigers , Sparky Anderson , was asked about how his team would fare in the upcoming season .
To put off the question without appearing rude , the skipper would say , “ we ’ ll know after the first 40 games.
” Interestingly , the jury is still out on whether Sparky actually believed this , because after the first 40 games he slyly put off the question for more and more games until his team had patently proven its competitive mettle ( or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In politics , Sparky ’ s 40-game “ rule ” is the “ first hundred days.
” The phrase and , indeed , the concept of its alleged importance was unknown in presidential history until 1933 , when it was spawned by that marketing genius , Franklin D. Roosevelt .
Entering office during the depths of the Great Depression and armed with only a haphazard amalgam of ad hoc , pragmatic policy proposals ( the merits of which are still being debated today ) , FDR devised the “ first hundred days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was acting with urgency to solve the crisis .
Consequently , the first hundred days was not a matter of economic policy ; it was a piece of political propaganda .
Today , Joe Biden is spending his “ presidency-elect ” ( or whatever the spoon-fed press calls it ) pretending to be relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Granted , Biden got off to a bad start by opposing the barring of Chinese nationals ’ travel to America ; promising to “ defeat the virus ” with a secret plan that turned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and supporting—then denying—continued lockdowns .
Now , like FDR , Biden is under political pressure to show he is acting with alacrity ; and to portray himself as the leader responsible for solving the pandemic that got him elected .
Yet , unlike FDR , who took office when the economic crisis was at its height , for Biden the COVID-19 pandemic ’ s end is in sight .
Yes , the aforementioned spoon-fed press is doing its best to pimp pandemic porn to set the scene for Biden .
Nonetheless , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the crisis , due to the vaccine made possible by the Trump Administration ’ s Operation Warp Speed .
What to do ?
Cue the “ first hundred days ” and “ Happy Days Are Here Again.
” Biden has proposed two measures to show he is on top of the pandemic , both of which are coincidentally already happening .
The first ?
“ On the first day I ’ m inaugurated , I ’ m going to ask the public for 100 days to mask .
Just 100 days to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And I think we ’ ll see a significant reduction [ in the virus ] .
” The second ?
“ I know it ’ s going to be controversial for some of you—but I ’ m going to ask that we ’ re going to be able to open schools at the end of 100 days.
” Biden offers no real science to support why 100 days is the requisite span for these public health measures to succeed .
He can ’ t , because it doesn ’ t exist .
No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spans are based not upon medical science but upon political science .
This isn ’ t public health ; it ’ s propaganda .
It is why Biden refuses to credit President Trump and his administration with facilitating the necessary “ miracle ” development of a COVID-19 vaccine .
It is why Biden has proposed these two “ first hundred days ” measures—the masks , which are already in use across the vast majority of the country to varying degrees of utility ; and closed classrooms , which is not supported by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the teachers ’ unions .
( Guess which is more important to Biden ? )
The goal is to convince Americans that Biden solved the pandemic .
Amid the political science that will drive Biden ’ s first hundred daze , did anyone truly expect a known plagiarist wouldn ’ t claim to have authored the pandemic ’ s ending ?
The Hon .
Thaddeus McCotter is the former chairman of the Republican House Policy Committee , current itinerant guitarist , American Greatness contributor , and Monday co-host of the “ John Batchelor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Gage Skidmore .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-20--Rhode Island’s Democrat Governor Caught at Wine Bar After Telling Residents to Stay Home

A Democrat Rhode Island governor who told residents to “ stay home except for essential activities ” was snapped in a photo at a wine and paint night .
“ The picture , taken by Erica Oliveras last Friday , shows Democratic Gov .
Gina Raimondo sitting at table in Barnaby ’ s Public House in Providence without a mask , ” Fox News reported .
But Erica Oliveras , who took the picture of Raimondo , said the backlash was blown out of proportion and did not realize the criticism the photo would receive with many people pointing out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mask .
“ She only took her mask off whenever she was drinking her wine , ” Oliveras told ABC 6 .
“ That ’ s the only time she took it off .
When she came into the building she had her mask .
Whenever the waiters approached her she had a mask on.
” According to the outlet , Raimondo was photographed in public at the “ non essential ” wine and paint night one day before Rhode Island ’ s Health Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott tested positive for the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to quarantine themselves .
In a tweet on December 7 , the governor urged residents to stay home “ except for essential activities & wear a mask anytime you ’ re with people you don ’ t live with.
” In a tweet on Sunday morning , Raimondo said she tested negative for the illness a second time , adding , “ I am fortunate to be feeling great and will continue working from home during my self-quarantine ” : “ We are on fing pause .
You should be setting an example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out on Friday nite… but no… .
I followed the rules , ” one person commented .
“ How did your painting come out on Friday ?
I specifically purchased a sketch book and supplies from Job Lot to do the same thing at home , ” another replied .
Meanwhile , Rhode Island is currently on pause with indoor entertainment facilities like movie theaters , bowling centers , and arcades forced to close until December 20 .
Restaurants and bars can only run at a third capacity and must close by 10pm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fridays and Saturdays .
Josh Block , a spokesperson for the governor , told ABC 6 , “ The governor had dinner at a local restaurant with her husband , and had her mask on anytime she was not eating/drinking.
” Raimondo joins a growing list of Democrat politicians and lawmakers “ who have fined , shamed , arrested , and violated their own orders which closed churches , schools and businesses in the name of public health over a virus with a 99.98 percent recovery rate , ” according to The Post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Gavin Newsom , New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot , and Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-20--Commentary: On the First day of Christmas…Teachers Got a Legal Headache Over Blurring the Line Betwe

Commentary: On the First day of Christmas…Teachers Got a Legal Headache Over Blurring the Line Between Church and State

During a school year disrupted by pandemic-related closures , students across the U.S. will soon be absent for a scheduled reason : the annual Christmas break .
In New York City , the U.S. ‘ s largest school district , children will be off from Dec. 24 to Jan. 1 .
Officially called “ winter ” recess , the December hiatus coincides with Christian celebrations , adding to the number of approved days that many students take off from school on religious holidays , including Eid al-Fitr and Yom Kippur .
As an academic who writes and teaches on education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in church-state issues , I find it fascinating to note how religious holidays came to be acknowledged in public schools .
But these traditions also pose a legal challenge in the classroom and concern over blurring the line of separation between church and state .
The reality is that in the lead-up to the winter break – or the “ December dilemma , ” as some call it – public school officials walk a fine line when it comes to what they can and can ’ t display in classrooms in relation to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holidays in public schools has a long history in the United States .
When compulsory attendance laws emerged in the mid-19th century , they were heavily influenced by the religious beliefs and practices that followed the earliest European settlers to the American colonies .
In a piecemeal fashion that varied from one state to the next and even among school systems in the same states , school board officials recognized and broke for the Christian holidays of Christmas and Easter , including Good Friday .
The unofficial religion of American public schools until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and typically followed the teachings of the locally dominant Protestant churches .
Because Catholic immigrants – and their children – were often unwelcomed in the 19th-century United States , a meeting of bishops at the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore in 1884 decreed that all parishes had to maintain schools to which parents were obligated to send their children .
As a result , time off for Christmas and Easter became firmly set in Catholic schools as it was in public schools .
Christianity remains the largest single faith in the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more religious holy days being marked in public schools .
Still , few school boards nationally close in honor of the Jewish holidays .
And , until very recently , the holy days of other faiths were completely ignored .
New York City was one of the earliest , acknowledging Muslim holidays from the 2015-16 school year .
Similarly , in 2017-18 six suburban school districts in New York state declared a holiday on the Hindu festival Diwali .
But these are the exception rather than the rule .
A study of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 20 largest school systems in the U.S. , only New York City , Philadelphia and Palm Beach , Florida , closed for Rosh Hashana , and only New York City closed for Yom Kippur and Eid al-Adha .
None of the school systems closed for Diwali .
Things are changing in the face of growing religious diversity in the U.S. Educational leaders and lawmakers in states such as New York and Michigan have taken recent steps to ensure that the religious holy days of other faiths are commemorated in public school .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be marked in class remains unclear .
The Supreme Court has yet to address such a case directly .
Arguably , the leading case on religious holidays arose 40 years ago , when the Eighth Circuit upheld guidelines that a school board in South Dakota developed for use in connection with religious observances , most notably Christmas .
The court suggested that explanations of historical and contemporary values relating to religious holidays were permissible , as was the use of religious symbols as examples and the integration of music , art , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were presented objectively as a traditional part of the cultural and religious heritages of holidays .
Other rulings have teachers walking a fine , but murky , line .
While the Supreme Court has ruled that educators can not allow overt religious activities such as prayer and Bible reading in schools , justices added that “ nothing we have said here indicates that such study of the Bible or of religion , when presented objectively as part of a secular program of education , may not be effected consistently with the First @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set clear parameters about how religious holidays can be celebrated in public schools and whether granting access to all faith traditions is either constitutionally necessary or acceptable .
To gift or not ?
Classroom activities present three special concerns .
Courts agree that public school teachers can not permit religious activities such as prayer or the use of religious music in class absent curricular connections .
The Sixth Circuit in 2008 went so far as to affirm that a fifth grader in Michigan could not sell candy cane Christmas tree ornaments he made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were attached to religious cards “ promoting Jesus.
” But a federal trial court in Texas two years later allowed students to sell “ holiday ” cards with biblical messages because doing so was not disruptive to school activities .
A second concern – the displays of religious art such as Nativity scenes or paintings – is trickier .
Again , while there is no Supreme Court judgment in regard to K-12 schools , an argument can be made from lower court orders .
One such case from South Dakota found that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as parts of larger displays but that it can not be overtly Christian and must emphasize the secular aspects of the season .
Under this interpretation , placing Nativity scenes or displaying religious objects or paintings alone in schools , regardless of the time of year , likely violates the First Amendment by endorsing Christianity .
A case illustrative of the confusion over classroom displays arose in New York City in 2006 .
The Second Circuit decided that public school officials could allow displays of menorahs during Hanukkah and stars and crescents during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symbols .
But the court forbade the display of a Nativity scene due to its explicitly religious nature .
Gift-giving during the holiday season represents a third concern .
Educators probably can permit “ secret Santa ” exchanges as long as they are secular in nature and do not invoke any references to Christmas .
However , courts largely agree that teachers can not allow students to exchange identifiable Christian gifts , such as candy canes or pencils with attached religious messages , while in class .
What can be lost in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the chance to engage children in religious literacy .
If educators and the courts prohibit students from learning about the religious traditions of their peers , especially when teachable moments emerge during holidays , one must wonder how children can develop tolerance of – and respect for – faiths different from their own .
The challenge , then , for public school educators is walking the fine line by exposing children to religious celebrations while steering clear of violating the Constitution by making certain that they teach about religion rather than proselytize a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russo , Joseph Panzer Chair in Education in the School of Education and Health Sciences and Research Professor of Law , University of Dayton


thetennesseestar--2020-12-20--Facebook Fact-Checker Struck Deal with Communist China-Linked Social Media Company

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thetennesseestar--2020-12-20--Southern California Runs Out of ICU Beds

Southern California has intensive care unit bed capacity reached 0 % amid a surge of coronavirus cases , according to a Thursday report from the Los Angeles Times .
The area , which encompasses Los Angeles County , has begun moving patients out of intensive care units ( ICU ) and local hospitals are keeping certain patients in the emergency room for longer than normal , the Times reported .
However , the situation is set to boil over if hospital capacity exceeds 20 % , the local outlet wrote .
“ If the numbers continue to increase the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we may run out of capacity within our hospitals , ” associate medical director with the L.A. County emergency medical services agency Dr. Denise Whitfield told the Times .
“ And the level of care that every resident in Los Angeles County deserves may be threatened just by the fact that we are overwhelmed.
” Los Angeles has roughly 1,000 ICU-bound COVID-19 patients , which is reportedly four-times the number recorded in early November , according to the Times .
That number could jump to as many as 3,600 by January , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ There are simply not enough trained staff to care for the volume of patients that are projected to come and need care , ” the county ’ s director of health services Dr. Christina Ghaly told the local outlet .
“ Our hospitals are under siege , and our model shows no end in sight.
” California has roughly 1,723,000 COVID-19 cases with nearly 22,000 deaths , according to a Thursday report from a state webpage .
Democratic Gov .
Gavin Newsom on Dec. 3 issued a mandatory stay-at-home order for residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity falls below 15 % , a separate state report revealed .
The confinement mandate extends for three weeks and can only be lifted if intensive care vacancies exceed the 15 % benchmark , the government page wrote .
Jake Dima is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-20--Commentary: Reflections on the Bill of Rights

The deep divisions plaguing our country may find a remedy in the most unlikely of places : the Bill of Rights .
Ratified 229 years ago on December 15 , 1791 , the first 10 amendments to the Constitution are known collectively as the Bill of Rights .
There is little public commemoration of December 15 , in contrast to the tradition of celebrating two famous dates in the history of the United States—the Fourth of July , the day that the Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776 , and September 17 , the day that the members of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Philadelphia in 1787 .
Yet , of the three documents , the Bill of Rights is perhaps the one most invoked by citizens and advocates in everyday life .
Debate about a bill of rights began in earnest during the ratification debates of the Constitution .
The final draft of the Constitution did not include a bill of rights when it was sent to the states for ratification .
The primary argument against including one was that the proposed government was one of limited powers .
The more vocal opponents of ratification came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One of their concerns was that reducing the 13 states ( as constituted under the Articles of Confederation ) into one government ( as proposed under the newly drafted Constitution ) would prove destructive to the liberties of the people .
They saw a bill of rights as one means to remedy this defect in the Constitution .
James Madison played a prominent role in composing a list of amendments from the more than 200 recommended by several states during their ratifying conventions .
After the House and Senate each met the two-thirds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 amendments to the states for ratification .
Consistent with the requirements set out in Article V of the Constitution , 10 of the 12 amendments were ratified by the states with Virginia becoming the tenth of 14 states to ratify on December 15 , 1791 , thus meeting the constitutional requirement of three-fourths of the states .
Those 10 amendments thereafter became known as the Bill of Rights .
The role of the Bill of Rights has changed in a fundamental way since ratification .
James Madison originally proposed that the amendments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Constitution , but he reluctantly agreed to place them at the end of the Constitution as it is today .
He argued against a separate bill because he thought that it would not be clear which sections of the Constitution were being amended .
He was also concerned that an attached bill of rights would be more of an appendix instead of part of the Constitution .
While these are legitimate concerns , only the former has proven true ( losing the direct connection to the Constitution ) , not the latter ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Madison could have hardly imagined that the Bill of Rights would become such a focal point in national discourse .
As a separate list , it has been elevated in importance and has become a central focus , almost to the exclusion of the main part of the Constitution .
There are advantages and disadvantages to the Bill of Rights dominating debate .
In a nation designed to secure the blessings of liberty , it is a good thing that the cherished unalienable rights of life , liberty , and the pursuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Declaration of Independence , is translated into a bill of individual rights .
But can there be too great an emphasis on individual rights ?
The role of the courts takes on greater prominence to seek redress when rights are denied or abridged .
Yet the danger of the courts becoming a second legislative body is real .
The notion of unelected judges making law is antithetical to the idea of self-government , in which laws are made by a legislative body elected by the people .
The behavior of citizens also changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on individual rights may be at the expense of the common good .
The same Bill of Rights that can lead to individualism at the expense of the whole society or the common good may provide direction to healing a deeply divided America .
Among the advantages of having a bill of rights is that it contributes in different ways to a good political community and can thus lessen the divisions among the citizenry .
What is protected and safeguarded in the Bill of Rights—freedom of speech and the press ; peaceable assembly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; the rights of citizens to protect their life , liberty , and property ; and the procedures that support justice—promotes citizen engagement and prosperity .
A bill of rights also clarifies the differences in the roles between government and its citizenry with a reminder that our government is instituted to secure rights and not deny them .
According rights to some and denying them to others is a practice that is dangerous , debilitating , and destructive .
Regardless of whether one is a public official holding the highest office or men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bill of rights should serve as a reminder to citizens to respect the rights of all and to defend those who have been harmed .
Whether these advantages can be realized and sustained depends upon the people , specifically on the character of the people .
Conscience protections were important to the founders because they knew that free government and self-governance rely on a virtuous people .
Whether virtuous behavior be cultivated through religion or other means , it is a necessary foundation to a free people and the building of good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ratified 229 years ago promotes the concept that we are one people who can appeal to acknowledged rights that are part of a larger frame of constitutional government .
This should serve as a reminder of what contributes to our unity as an American people .
Elizabeth Eastman holds a PhD in Political Science from Claremont Graduate School , an MA in Liberal Education from St. John ’ s College , and a BA in French Literature and Civilization from Scripps College .
She has taught in the Political Science and History Departments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and in the Liberal Studies Programs at Roosevelt University in Chicago and at California State University at Fullerton .
She is the 2020-21 Senior Scholar in Residence at the Benson Center for the Study of Western Civilization in Boulder , Colorado .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-20--Space Force Unveils Official Name for Its Troops

Vice President Mike Pence announced on Friday that Space Force troops will be named “ Guardians , ” according to a White House transcript of the announcement .
Pence made the announcement during a White House ceremony that commemorated the military branch ’ s first birthday , according to the transcript .
President Donald Trump established Space Force in a $ 1.4 trillion national security bill in December 2019 .
“ It is my honor , on behalf of the President of the United States , to announce that , henceforth , the men and women of the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guardians , ” Pence said .
“ Soldiers , sailors , airmen , Marines , and Guardians will be defending our nation for generations to come.
” The Space Force revealed the name after hundreds of people sent ideas for a year “ and research involving space professionals and members of the general public ” happened for a year , the U.S. Space Force tweeted .
“ The opportunity to name a force is a momentous responsibility .
Guardians is a name with a long history in space operations , tracing back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Space Command in 1983 , ‘ Guardians of the High Frontier , ” the military branch tweeted .
“ The name Guardians connects our proud heritage and culture to the important mission we execute 24/7 , protecting the people and interest of the U.S. and its allies , ” the branch tweeted .
The president invented Space Force ’ s name , The Hill reported .
Both House Republicans and Democrats weighed the idea for a new military branch regarding space three years ago .
The U.S. Space Force didn ’ t immediately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s request for comment .
Mary Rose Corkery is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-20--Maricopa County Refuses to Comply with Arizona Legislative Subpoena for Election Evidence


thetennesseestar--2020-12-20--Strzok Messages Refer to Audio Recording of Trump Aide’s Phone Call with Fox Executive

Internal FBI messages declassified this month make a cryptic reference to an audio recording of a conversation between a Fox News executive and George Papadopoulos , a revelation that the former Trump campaign aide calls “ disturbing.
” The message in question is from the Lync account of Peter Strzok , who was the FBI ’ s lead investigator on Crossfire Hurricane , the counterintelligence investigation of the Trump campaign .
“ I know you ’ re not point on this anymore , but typhoon got a call from the VP at Fox News yesterday , who advised that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him a few months back , ” reads a message sent to Strzok on Jan. 12 , 2017 .
“ I haven ’ t listened to the exact audio , but I ’ m guess [ sic ] that ’ s the FARA checks that we did with DOJ on our 4 main guys ; especially given the article that you pushed yesterday.
” Reached for comment , an FBI spokesperson declined to explain the messages .
The Daily Caller News Foundation first published the batch of Strzok messages on Thursday .
Papadopoulos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hurricane , which looked into whether Trump campaign associates conspired with Russia to influence the 2016 election .
Investigators referred to him by the code name “ Crossfire Typhoon.
” The message does not address who recorded the conversation between Papadopoulos and the Fox executive , or how the bureau obtained it .
Papadopoulos told the DCNF that the revelation is “ disturbing.
” The FBI conducted electronic surveillance against another Trump campaign aide , Carter Page , and obtained what are known as national security letters ( NSLs ) against other Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government to obtain records of phone calls , but not the contents of the calls themselves .
Under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act ( FISA ) , investigators can listen in on calls as they occur .
A Justice Department inspector general ’ s report said that the Crossfire Hurricane team used FISA only to monitor Carter Page .
The report said that the FBI considered pursuing FISA coverage of Papadopoulos but that government lawyers vetoed the idea .
The FBI used other covert methods to obtain information from Papadopoulos .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sources , including former Cambridge professor Stefan Halper , to meet with and secretly record Papadopoulos .
Halper also met with and recorded Page .
Papadopoulos provided the DCNF with the name of a Fox News executive he had several contacts with during the time period in question .
The Fox News executive told the DCNF through an intermediary that he does not recall any conversations about the topics described in the FBI message .
The Crossfire Hurricane investigation was folded into the special counsel ’ s probe in May 2017 .
Another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speculating about what information Papadopoulos would provide FBI agents ahead of their first interview with the ex-Trump aide on Jan. 27 , 2017 .
“ I think our anticipation is he has visibility into a conversation about the Russian offer of help ( and I ’ d be willing to bet if he talks , he fingers Page or Manafort ) , ” Strzok wrote to another FBI official , according to the messages .
A report of the special counsel ’ s investigation said that prosecutors found no evidence to substantiate their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or anyone else from the Trump campaign conspired with Russia .
Chuck Ross is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-20--Acting Defense Sec. Orders Halt to Biden Transition Meetings

Acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller reportedly ordered a halt to cooperation with the transition team of Joe Biden on Thursday , resulting in cancelled meetings building-wide .
According to Axios , officials across the Defense Department were shocked at the directive , and unsure of what prompted it .
Apparently , a top Biden official was also taken by surprise by the directive .
Administration officials told the news outlet that cooperation with the Biden transition team could resume after a holiday pause .
Miller ’ s move , which stunned officials throughout the Pentagon , was the biggest eruption @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden team from the top level of the Trump administration .
Meetings between President Trump ’ s team and the Biden team are going on throughout the government , after a delayed start as the administration dragged its feet on officially recognizing Biden as president-elect .
Then on Thursday night , Miller — who was appointed Nov. 9 , when Trump fired Defense Secretary Mark Esper right after the election — ordered officials throughout the building to cancel scheduled transition meetings .
A senior Defense Department official downplayed the move , calling it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few scheduled meetings until after the new year.
” “ We had fewer than two dozen remaining meetings on the schedule today and next week , ” the official said , adding that “ the DoD staff working the meetings were overwhelmed by the number of meetings.
” “ These same senior leaders needed to do their day jobs and were being consumed by transition activities .
With the holidays we are taking a knee for two weeks .
We are still committed to a productive transition.
” In reaction , Trump campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Good !
Joe Biden could not get even a low-level security clearance right now .
He ’ s compromised by the Chinese Communist Party .
”


thetennesseestar--2020-12-20--Atlantic City Auctions Off Chance to Blow Up Trump Plaza

Atlantic City has launched an auction and the winner will get to virtually push the button that starts the long-anticipated implosion of the former Trump Plaza Hotel , according to The Hill .
The building at the center of Atlantic City ’ s Boardwalk was used as a casino since 1984 and shut down in 2014 and fell into a state of disrepair .
The demolition work had already begun early this year but the remaining structure is set to be blown up on 29 January .
Bodnar ’ s Auction Sales has been contracted to solicit bids from Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offers will be revealed and a live auction will determine a winner , the Hill reports .
“ Local buyers can push the button as close as safely possible , ” to “ implode Trump plaza for charity , ” the listing said .
The winner will be picked through a fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City , with Mayor Marty Small ( D ) hoping the auction will bring in excess of $ 1 million .
“ Some of Atlantic City ’ s iconic moments happened there , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump openly mocked Atlantic City , saying he made a lot of money and then got out , ” Small told the AP .
“ I wanted to use the demolition of this place to raise money for charity .
”


thetennesseestar--2020-12-20--Gov. Whitmer Blasts Trump Administration Over Vaccine Rollout, Announces Relaxation of Economic ‘Pau

Gov. Whitmer Blasts Trump Administration Over Vaccine Rollout, Announces Relaxation of Economic ‘Pause’

In what she claimed is her last news conference before Christmas , Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer blasted President Donald Trump ’ s administration for what she depicted as a “ slow-walked ” rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in the state .
She also made several announcements regarding the “ pause ” implemented by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services since the middle of November .
Among the updates to the MDHHS epidemic order , beginning Monday , Dec. 21 , indoor activities with 100 people or less in such venues as casinos , bowling alleys and movie theaters will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concessions will be permitted , and masks must be worn at all times as well as social distancing protocols observed .
Additionally , in-person learning at high schools will be permitted .
Outdoor group fitness and non-contact sports will also be allowed to resume on Monday .
However , the state ’ s ban on indoor dining as well as in-person university and college classes will continue to be enforced .
Whitmer said she anticipates allowing higher-education classes to resume on Jan. 19 .
Whitmer ’ s remarks included an emotional reference to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Napoleon , who died from COVID-19 complications on Thursday evening , which she used as a prelude to directing scathing rhetoric against the Trump White House .
Noting “ millions of doses ” of the Pfizer vaccine are ready to be shipped from Portage , she said the White House is either through “ corruption or ineptitude ” serving as a “ bottleneck ” for distribution .
Whitmer added she has been attempting to contact U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Director Alex Azar to ask him where the vaccine doses intended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the distribution hold up ; and when Michigan will receive more vaccine doses .
Azar , she said , has not returned her calls .
The governor also voiced her frustration with the failure of the U.S. Congress to draft a relief bill to fund state and local governments .
Bruce Walker is a regional editor at The Center Square .
He previously worked as editor at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy ’ s MichiganScience magazine and The Heartland Institute ’ s InfoTech & Telecom News .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-20--Minnesota State Lawmakers Call for Audit of COVID-19 Death Certificates

In a “ dangerous video ” released Thursday , two state lawmakers called for a full audit of the death certificates for Minnesota ’ s 4,723 COVID-19 deaths .
“ When people live in fear , they make irrational decisions and they look at the world through a different lens .
Their life is based on fear instead of living their life to their full potential , ” said state Rep. Mary Franson , R-Alexandria , who obtained some of the “ raw files ” of COVID-19 death certificates from the Minnesota Department of Health .
“ That information is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data , ” she added , a point both she and Sen. Scott Jensen , R-Chaska , stressed repeatedly throughout their video .
“ What Representative Franson has uncovered is not quibbling .
We are not trying to be political .
We are just trying to follow facts .
These facts you got didn ’ t come from some secret treasure trove .
This came from the Department of Health , ” said Jensen , a practicing physician who was investigated by the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice on two occasions this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I sort of got myself in hot water way back in April when I made the comment that I was , as a physician , being encouraged to do death certificates differently with COVID-19 than with other disease entities .
For 17 years , the CDC document that guides us as physicians to do death certificates has stood but this year we were told , through the Department of Health and the CDC , that the rules were changing if COVID-19 was involved , ” he continued .
According to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,800 “ death certificate data points ” and found that 800 of them did not have COVID-19 listed as the underlying cause of death , but were still counted as COVID-19 deaths .
That means , Jensen said , that those 800 people may have died with COVID-19 , but not of COVID-19 .
“ That would mean that we ’ ve had the number inflated by 40 % , ” said Jensen , who explained that the “ key diagnosis on a death certificate is the UCOD , ” which stands for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case , a person who was ejected from a vehicle and died was “ counted as a COVID death ” because the virus was in his system , Franson claimed .
“ I have other examples where COVID isn ’ t the underlying cause of death .
We have a fall .
Another example we have a fresh water drowning .
We have dementia .
We have a stroke and multi-organ failure , ” she said .
The two lawmakers concluded their video , which has been viewed more than 200,000 times on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ audit of the data .
“ Part of what we ’ re talking about here is exactly what Florida did when they called for an audit and I really think that we need to , just as you have said , Mary , we need to have an audit in Minnesota , ” said Jensen .
“ Somehow we need to have some master ’ s or Ph.D. candidates be hired by the Department of Health and come in and literally audit the death certificates so that we know what we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 40 % inflation rate of what ’ s really our death tabulation for COVID-19 in terms of underlying cause of death , is that number going to hold as we get out to the present 4,500 deaths ?
Things like that.
” Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News .
He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform , and reported for The Daily Caller .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-20--Ohio City Worker Sues Over Administrative Fees Related to Union

A city employee in southwest Ohio says a union continues to collect money from his paycheck after deciding he did not want to be a part of the organization .
Timothy Crane , a city of Hamilton employee , filed a federal lawsuit against both the city and the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 20 , claiming compulsory fees taken from his paycheck violate his First Amendment rights , according to a news release from the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation .
The lawsuit , filed in the Southern District of Ohio , claims union leaders are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pay an “ agreement administration fee ” that amounts to more than 90 % of full union dues as a condition of employment , according to the release .
“ IUOE bosses , who may have thought they were going to trick employees into funding their agenda against their will with this blatantly unconstitutional scheme , have now been caught red-handed , ” said Mark Mix , president of the National Right to Work Foundation .
“ Rank-and-file workers like Mr. Crane now see that IUOE officials are far more interested in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coffers than in respecting the First Amendment rights of the workers they claim to represent.
” The union had no comment on the lawsuit .
The release says Crane sent letters to union officials in both August and September 2020 in an effort to end the deductions from his paycheck .
According to the lawsuit , the most recent contract between the city and the IUOE Local 20 requires employees who have revoked their dues deduction authorization to pay compulsory agreement administration fees .
Crane wants the district court to stop the payments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the National Right to Work Foundation and the Chicago-based Liberty Justice Center won a decision in Janus v. AFSCME when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled public workers can not be forced to pay union dues or fees as a condition of getting or keeping a job .
“ The string of Foundation victories for independent-minded Buckeye State employees who just want to exercise their First Amendment rights is not going to end here , ” Mix said .
An Ohio native , J.D .
Davidson is a veteran journalist with more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ohio , Georgia , Alabama and Texas .
He has served as a reporter , editor , managing editor and publisher .
Davidson is a regional editor for The Center Square .
Photo “ Hamilton , Ohio ” by S & Mj Adventures .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-20--Three Republican Prince William County, Virginia Supervisors Leave Unconscious Bias Training

A Prince William County sensitivity presentation to the school board and Board of Supervisors ( BOS ) members exploded into a shouting match earlier this month , leading to three Republican supervisors leaving the meeting .
The “ Raising Awareness of Unconscious Bias to Foster Inclusivity and Equity ” presentation was part of a joint work session between the two boards .
When the presentation was introduced to the board , Supervisor Pete Candland ( R ) said , “ I was surprised to see this on the agenda.
” Candland asked if the presentation was for informational purposes about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was meant as training for the boards .
School Board Vice Chairwoman Loree Williams ( D ) said that she had requested adding the presentation to the meeting .
“ We ’ re all elected leaders in a majority-minority county , so I thought it would be very wise of us to learn about implicit bias.
” She added , “ This evening ’ s presentation is not to say specifically what we do in the school division , [ … ] but really to help us better understand how we should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own biases affect our own judgements.
” Candland said , “ I don ’ t think this is an appropriate venue , and frankly Vice Chair Williams , I don ’ t think it ’ s your place to tell the [ BOS ] what sort of training we need .
Have you seen evidence that you think this implicit bias is a problem on the [ BOS ] ?
I didn ’ t agree to this kind of training.
” “ To have the school board come and say to the [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to train you on implicit bias , your own implicit bias , ” I think it ’ s highly offensive and inappropriate , ” he said .
Candland said that in the midst of a pandemic , problems with virtual learning , and funding discussions , the training was badly timed .
“ Thank you Mr. Candland , your objection is noted , but implicit bias is something that every human being walking the earth has , and that was pretty much the point of this , ” Williams said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personally or to your board.
” She added , “ It ’ s fine if you object , that ’ s no problem , we ’ re all allowed to have our own opinions and perspectives , and I respectfully disagree with you and I thank you so much for sharing.
” Prince William County School Board Member Lillie Jessie ( D ) said the presentation was new to the school board as well , so it wasn ’ t just directed at the BOS .
She said that having looked at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supervisor Jeanine Lawson ( R ) responded by referring to a 2017 letter signed by Williams and Jessie asking the Department of Justice ( DOJ ) to investigate a BOS deal which they , along with then-School Board Chairman Ryan Sawyers ( D ) , suggested could be “ racially unfair.
” “ So frankly , Ms. Williams , I have a hard time taking you seriously that you truly want to work together with people that don ’ t look like you or think politically like you when you file a DOJ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that I took , ” Lawson said .
“ Matter of fact , I ’ m going to pack up and leave because I ’ m offended that you find that I need to be trained and that this is also a priority to you.
” Multiple members of both boards began talking over each other .
Eventually , Lawson said , “ I don ’ t need the school board to tell our board how we need to be trained any more than I have plans to train you guys on table @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D ) said , “ If you don ’ t want to participate , you ’ re welcome to leave .
We need to move on.
” Candland , Lawson , and Supervisor Yesli Vega ( R ) left the meeting .
While the presentation continued , the three Supervisors filmed and posted a video to Candland ’ s Facebook .
In the video , Candland said , “ My colleagues and I just walked out of the joint school board- [ BOS ] meeting.
” He criticized Wheeler for taking the focus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the pandemic .
He said , “ They decided to take this time to talk about implicit bias , critical race theory , talking about how the [ BOS ] needs to accept this training.
” Vega added , “ I refuse to legitimize this notion that we ’ re all somehow racist .
We live in a great county , this is a very troublesome time for everyone and I whole-heartedly agree that this is not the time nor the place to be having this discussion.
” In a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I am happy to engage in dialogue with any resident in the county .
However , when we worked collaboratively to secure an extra $ 20 million to reduce trailers across the county , it was Vice Chair Williams who sent a letter to the DOJ accusing us of being racist .
She has made it clear she is not interested in collaborative dialogue , but views race as a tool to attack anyone she disagrees with.
” In Candland ’ s video , Lawson said , “ I just refuse to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one unconscious bias , when she ’ s the on that is having a problem seeing things fairly.
” Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-20--Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring Launches Reelection Bid for Third Term

Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring ( D ) formally launched his reelection bid for a third term as the Commonwealth ’ s top lawyer last week .
Herring , 59 , officially announced his campaign for the 2021 race through a video on Twitter where he described himself as “ the people ’ s lawyer ” and highlighted several legal wins while in office .
“ Serving as your attorney general has been the honor of my life , ” Herring said in a press release .
“ We ’ ve worked together to promote justice , equality , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and secure the civil rights of our fellow Virginians , and to show Virginians a new vision for what their Attorney General can do for them.
” “ The progress we ’ ve made has been historic , but the work isn ’ t done , ” Herring continued .
“ And I ’ m not the kind of person to walk away unless the job is finished .
That is why I am seeking another term as your attorney general and running for re-election in 2021.
” Having served in the position @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a run for governor and the Executive Mansion , but decided to seek another four years as attorney general in September .
“ Together we ’ ll work to keep you and your communities safe , fighting policies that fuel racism , hate , and violence because we believe in justice for all Virginians , ” Herring says in the campaign video .
“ That means dismantling systemic racism , expanding opportunity , and holding law enforcement accountable to the communities they serve.
” Some of Herring ’ s other priorities are combating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun violence , protecting the environment , keeping Virginia ’ s children safe and defending women ’ s rights .
On Wednesday , Herring received endorsements from U.S. Representative Don Beyer ( D-VA-08 ) , Senate President Pro Tempore Louise Lucas ( D-Portsmouth ) , Sen. Jennifer Boysko ( D-Fairfax County ) and Sen. Ghazala Hashmi ( D-Chesterfield ) .
The Democratic Attorneys General Association also threw their support behind Herring .
Back in the beginning of February 2019 , a now infamous week for Virginia Democrats , Herring admitted to wearing blackface @ @ @ @ @ @ @ college party in 1980 when he was 19-years-old , while fellow state Democrats , Governor Ralph Northam and Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax , were also involved in controversies .
Before his current position , Herring also served in the state Senate after winning a special election in 2006 to represent the 33rd District .
Herring will face competition in the Democratic primary from Del .
Jerrauld “ Jay ” Jones ( D-Norfolk ) , a member of Virginia ’ s Legislative Black Caucus who announced a run in July .
On the Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ R-Virginia Beach ) , who recently joined the race this month , as well as Hampton Roads lawyer and former Marine Chuck Smith , who pursued a bid for attorney general in 2017 but failed to submit the necessary signatures to appear on the ballot , are vying for the GOP nomination .
The Republican Party of Virginia decided earlier this month to nominate its 2021 statewide candidates through a convention instead of a primary , while Democrats are using the latter method .
Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Follow Jacob on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Background Photo “ Virginia Capitol ” by Martin Falbisoner .
CC BY-SA 3.0 .