thetennesseestar--2020-05-10--Commentary: Will COVID-19 Kill Environmental Leftism?

The coronavirus has had , at least , the unanticipated benefit of obscuring and diminishing the very tedious public clamoring about climate change .
It is a slightly redeeming virtue of crises that they tend to supersede and diminish previous crises ; if a crisis is serious , public opinion can rarely worry about more than one menace at a time .
When Iran took over the role of principal promoter of terrorism in the Middle East , and Turkey , rebuffed by Europe , began imposing itself on the fringes of the Arab world , support for the Palestinian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nonsense about Israel as an “ apartheid state ” has almost stopped , and the simpering of naïve or devious advocates of one big happy , multiracial Palestine ( a formula for the subjugation or expulsion or even massacre of the Jews one more time ) is rarely heard .
The Palestinian leadership never wanted peace , only brief cease-fires in exchange for the return of territory the Arab powers had lost in unsuccessful wars they had initiated with Israel .
If there had been peace , Yasser Arafat and Mahmoud Abbas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dusty little Arab country instead of world celebrities .
They apparently believed that the support of the principal Arab powers was based on genuine sympathy and solidarity .
In fact , the general Arab opinion is that the Palestinians are commercial sharpers , much as they think of Jews and Lebanese Christians , and the whole red herring of Palestine was kept alive to distract the Arab masses from the misgovernment inflicted on them and the squalor generally endured in all those countries except the Gulf petrostates .
The incursions of the Iranians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Iraq ( like the other states set up after World War I , Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia ) have made natural allies of Israel , Egypt , and Saudi Arabia .
And the realistic pursuit by President Trump of a stable Middle East where American interests are protected ( an unthreatened Israel , abundant oil supply—though the United States is no longer an importer—the absence of terrorist breeding grounds such as Al Qaeda enjoyed in Afghanistan , and of humanitarian disasters ) ; all these factors have combined virtually to end the anti-Israeli @ @ @ @ @ @ @ circles for decades .
The coronavirus has had some of the same impact on the climate change argument .
As there never has been any evidence of global warming , the eco-militants silently retreated from global warming to “ climate change.
” Climate may be changing , but we aren ’ t sure and the noisy and endless repetition that “ 98 percent ” of expert opinion warns of the mortal danger of fossil-fuel use , which is false in itself , became a very tired argument .
Affiliated organizations of the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biases that have recently possessed and disgraced the World Health Organization , generated the global warming argument .
While climatologists largely agree that somewhat unusual things are occurring in the weather , it is not remotely clear whether this is outside the normal cyclical shift in the world ’ s temperature , whether it is influenced by human activity , what the nature of such changes may be and what their extent could be , or if they are occurring at all .
The whole academic and theoretical alliance that mistrusted the pursuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broad range of conservationists .
This meant the Club of Rome , and even followers of John Kenneth Galbraith , who railed against the perceived conflict between vigorous commerce and the environment in his most successful work The Affluent Society in the 1950s , made common cause with the Sierra Club , Greenpeace , and champions of duck-hunting , bird-watching , and butterfly-collecting .
What ignited this coalition and—by attacking most energy sources and forms of locomotion fueled by petroleum products—turned it into a battering ram against almost all primary and secondary industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the international Left .
The Left improvised ingeniously after the collapse of international Communism , the end of the Cold War , the disintegration of the Soviet Union , and conversion of the People ’ s Republic of China to the virtues of economic growth .
The Left saw that the most effective method of obstructing capitalism was not through the revolutionary subversion of Western governments or developing countries ( though some of that persisted , especially in Latin America ) , but in an ostensibly nonpolitical movement that assaulted capitalism under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making it a happy nature sanctuary .
Just in the last year , we have all been subjected to the nonsense , the parody , of a Swedish teenager touring around the world in a wealthy eco-patron ’ s sailing yacht lecturing large and docile audiences , parliaments , the United Nations , on how aggrieved the youth of the world is at the fouled earth that their elders have created and will be bequeathing .
Historians of the future will look upon this phenomenon of the Western nations pouring trillions of dollars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expensive alternative energy sources , covering the land with solar panels and windmills , as we today look on the Dutch Tulip Panic of the 17th century .
India , emulating China , is pursuing economic growth .
Indians and Chinese comprise almost 40 percent of the world ’ s population , and neither India nor China nor Russia , nor most other countries outside Western Europe , North America , and Australasia , pay any attention to the climate change zealots .
Rather China , the world ’ s greatest polluter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ G-77 , ” a bloc of 135 countries demanding reparations from the industrially advanced countries for the havoc they supposedly have wrought in the world environment .
( Even Barack Obama balked at paying China . )
Germany is the greatest power in Europe and should be , next to the United States and China , the greatest power in the world .
It isn ’ t .
For complicated reasons buried in the mists and forest murmurs of Teutonic history , it is still somnambulating politically , allied with everyone and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where it amiably predominates , and in a defensive alliance led by the United States that has no real enemies at the moment .
The state whose militarism intermittently terrified the world from 1870 to 1945 has now become a soft-left stuffed animal of a country that has shut down its very advanced and efficient nuclear energy program and is transforming itself into a state of thorough energy-dependence on Putin ’ s threadbare Russia , chronically unreliable ( apart from its rascality and duplicity ) .
As it wanders aimlessly about in search @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fragmented politically .
The Christian Democrats and Social Democrats , which since 1949 had the support of more than 80 percent of the public , have barely 50 percent now .
The Social Democrats now demand a joint assault on the coronavirus and carbon emissions , an insane proposal that would turn the German government into an agent of national self-imposed industrial penury .
There are five smaller parties , representing the far-Left , far-Right , wild-eyed greens , amiable quasi-anarchists , and bourgeois small business , of which only the last would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parties .
Mighty Germany , the country of Bismarck , Adenauer , and Kohl , the culture of Goethe and Beethoven and Thomas Mann , having become , in Richard Nixon ’ s admonitory phrase , “ a pitiful , helpless , giant , ” is finally in reluctant flirtation with the idea that it can ’ t afford self-inflicted green wounds any longer .
If Germany changes course on climate politics , Europe will follow , and the whole movement to deindustrialization will expire .
The international Left , after , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to roll the world over , will have to try another angle .
It would be some consolation for the human tragedy of this pandemic if we could credit it with a role in that benign outcome .
Conrad Black has been one of Canada ’ s most prominent financiers for 40 years , and was one of the leading newspaper publishers in the world as owner of the British telegraph newspapers , the Fairfax newspapers in Australia , the Jerusalem Post , Chicago Sun-Times and scores of smaller newspapers in the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Canada .
He is the author of authoritative biographies of Franklin D. Roosevelt and Richard Nixon , one-volume histories of the United States and Canada , and most recently of Donald J. Trump : A President Like No Other .
He is a member of the British House of Lords as Lord Black of Crossharbour .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-10--Commentary: American Prayer in the Midst of Crises

Several weeks ago , New York Governor Andrew Cuomo gave a press conference on – what else ?
– the coronavirus .
The press conference was , like many these days , a discussion of numbers and the problems of reopening the economy , but one statement was a bit startling .
Discussing the hopeful sign of plateauing numbers , Cuomo expressed caution rather than enthusiasm .
Then he made the following blunt announcement : “ The number is down , because we brought the number down .
God did not do that .
Faith did not do that .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of pain and suffering did that .
And that ’ s why we lost five pounds , because we went out every day and we exercise and we burned more calories than we ate .
That ’ s how it works .
It ’ s math.
” With a statement like that , it seems as though Cuomo may identify with the increasingly large group of religious “ nones ” in America .
Although his statement fits the increasing secularization of our society , it is also a departure from the traditional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trouble .
President Donald Trump ’ s proclamation on the 2020 National Day of Prayer recounts this history : “ From our earliest days , our dependence upon God has brought us to seek His divine counsel and unfailing wisdom .
Our leaders have often encouraged their fellow citizens to seek wisdom from God and have recognized God ’ s power to lead our Nation ahead to brighter days .
When the prospects for our independence seemed bleak , General George Washington proclaimed a national day of ‘ fasting , humiliation and prayer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Almighty God.
’ Following the devastating destruction of the Civil War , President Lincoln delivered his second inaugural address and invoked the power of prayer to ‘ bind up the nation ’ s wounds.
’ And more than 100 years later , President Reagan noted our long reliance on prayer throughout our history , writing that ‘ through the storms of revolution , Civil War , and the great world wars as well as during times of disillusionment and disarray , the Nation has turned to God in prayer for deliverance.
’ ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making people think .
As such , many may be willing to try Trump ’ s recommendation and engage in the long-held American tradition of beseeching God for his favor , mercy , and forgiveness .
But what if we , like Cuomo and the many religious “ nones , ” are unfamiliar with prayer and don ’ t know where to start ?
We can gain some valuable insights by examining history for how those in the founding era approached prayer .
In his 1774 sermon , “ Scriptural Instructions to Civil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encouraged his audience to “ be deeply affected with the present critical and alarming situation of our public affairs.
” Given our current state , I ’ d say we have the first step down already .
The second step , Sherwood explains , is to “ unite in fervent prayers to that God who is higher than the kings of the earth.
” In other words , we must acknowledge that God is above all and is all-powerful to save us .
Following this step , Sherwood encourages us to seek God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for our relief.
” Asking for God to “ avert the impending storms of vengeance , ” to “ favour us with peace and tranquility , ” and to allow us to enjoy “ all our valuable liberties and privileges ” are all components of begging his favor .
Finally , we are to pray for our rulers .
Requests for their integrity and skillfulness in leading us are two of Sherwood ’ s suggestions .
In addition to these suggestions for prayer , Sherwood offers a few other practical steps to follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peace among ourselves .
It is at all times contrary to the temper and spirit of the gospel ; but especially unsuitable and improper in such a day as this , to be widening differences , laying unreasonable stress upon disputable points , and to set on foot controversies that tend to alienate people ’ s love and affection from each other , and to increase a party separating spirit , to sow the seeds of discord , and foment animosities .
It rather becomes us to fix our attention upon the common @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interest of the land.
” Wise words for us to consider on this National Day of Prayer .
In a world that is increasingly rejecting God , will we have the guts to stand up and seek his favor , blessings , and wisdom in order that he might help us make it through our present crisis ?
Annie Holmquist is editor of Intellectual Takeout , an online magazine and sister publication of Chronicles .

A 17-year-old student allegedly opened fire Friday at a high school in Santa Fe, Texas, killing 10 people and wounding another 10, authorities said.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott said police found explosive devices, including a Molotov cocktail, at the suspected shooter’s home and a vehicle, as well as around the Santa Fe High School where the shooting took place.
Law enforcement officials said the suspect, Dimitrios Pagourtzis, a junior at the school, was being held without bond on a capital murder charge.
Abbott said the suspect originally intended to commit suicide following the shooting but told law enforcement officials after he was arrested that he didn’t have the courage to go through with killing himself.
The governor said two guns were used in the attack — a shotgun and a .38-caliber revolver. He said the suspect’s father legally owned both guns.It was not clear whether the father knew his son had taken the weapons.
Abbott said there were “one or two” other people of interest being interviewed about the shooting.
Galveston County Sheriff Henry Trochesset said, “Injured students and staff have been transported to local hospitals.” He also said an officer from the Santa Fe Independent School District was among those shot.
U.S. President Donald Trump described the shooting as an “absolutely horrific attack,” one of many that have “been going on too long in this country.” Trump told the victims and their families that “we’re with you in this tragic hour and we will be with you forever.” He vowed to get guns “out of the hands of those who pose a threat to themselves and to others.”
An unidentified male student described fleeing the school during an interview with KHOU-TV in Houston. He said that after he heard three shots, “we all took off in the back, and I tried to get into the trees. I didn’t want to be in sight. I heard four more shots, and then we jumped the fence to somebody’s house.”
An unidentified female student said tearfully on cable channel CNN, “Nobody should have to go through this. Nobody should have to feel that pain.”
Facebook post
Pagourtzis had posted an image on Facebook of himself wearing a “Born to Kill” shirt, but the motive for Friday’s attack wasn’t known.
Abbott saidthat unlike previous school shootings, “there were not those types of warning signs” about the Santa Fe suspect. The governor saidthe early investigation had found no prior criminal history for Pagourtzis.
“The red-flag warnings were either nonexistent or very imperceptible,” Abbott said, though he acknowledged Pagourtzis’ posting of the photo on Facebook.
That same Facebook profile described Pagourtzis as planning to enter the U.S. Marine Corps next year, but the Marine Corps told The Associated Press it had reviewed its records and had found no one by that name as either a recruit or a person in their delayed entry pool.
Classmates described Pagourtzis as quiet and an avid video game player who routinely wore a black trench coat and black boots to class. He had played football on the school’s junior varsity squad and danced as part of a church group. Those who know him expressed shock he might be involved in the killings.
Calls for action
The latest incident came about three months after a shooter with a semiautomatic rifle killed 17 students and school staff members at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. It was the third-deadliest school shooting in American history.
The Democratic leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, said urgent action was needed to prevent gun violence.
“Congress must show as much courage as they have, and act now to ensure that no other community or family must endure the unthinkable horror of gun violence. Our children deserve real leadership: a vote to prevent gun violence now.”
Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin said Congress must implement reforms that lawmakers recently passed “to make schools safer and keep deadly weapons away from those who should not have them.”
“Our hearts are filled with grief over this horrific loss of life,” he added.
Santa Fe is located in southeastern Texas between the cities of Houston and Galveston.
– – –
Some information for this report came from Associated Press.
VOA News


thetennesseestar--2020-05-10--Mexican National Illegally Crossed Border for Coronavirus Medical Care

A man crossed the U.S.-Mexico border illegally to seek treatment for COVID-19 symptoms , the head of Customs and Border Protection ( CBP ) said Thursday .
“ This week , [ U.S. Border Patrol ] agents encountered a Mexican national who after being apprehended , was showing symptoms of COVID-19 , ” CBP acting Commissioner Mark Morgan tweeted .
“ During his medical assessment he admitted to being exposed to COVID-19 and his deliberate intentions to illegally enter the US for medical care.
” The CBP chief highlighted the potential dangers the man put border agents in .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him including USBP agents , who were doing their sworn duty to protect the American people .
We should all want to prevent this unnecessary spread of the infectious disease & stand in solidarity that border security matters , ” Morgan said .
This is not the first time Border Patrol agents were potentially exposed to coronavirus .
Agents apprehended a 31-year-old Indian national who attempted to illegally cross the southern border in April , according to the CBP .
The man was placed into quarantine after medical professionals observed him displaying “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a press release .
He later tested positive for COVID-19 , becoming the first known detainee in CBP custody to have coronavirus .
The Trump administration has taken dramatic steps to reduce the chance of viral spread at the country ’ s borders , declaring both the northern and southern borders closed to all non-essential traffic .
The temporary order only permits “ essential ” cross-border travel through Mexico and Canada .
Such permitted travel pertains to medical and educational purposes , emergency response operations , public health services , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The order also strictly prohibits the entrance of any individual who does not have proper documentation or illegal entrants .
All illegal aliens are ordered to be immediately turned back when possible .
The order has greatly reduced illegal crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border .
Just over 16,7000 illegal aliens were spotted by agents in April , marking a 50 % decline from the previous month and a roughly 85 % drop from the same time last year .
Nearly all migrants are being immediately turned back as border agents are utilizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the immigration order .
CBP detention centers could be a potential hotbed for viral outbreak , but because of the steps the administration has taken to quickly turn back illegal entrants , these centers have reached historically low populations .
At the height of the border crisis , for example , the agency had more than 20,000 individuals in its custody .
Amid the current coronavirus pandemic , that number had dropped to fewer than 100 in early April , according to Morgan .
Jason Hopkins is a reporter for the Daily Caller @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-05-10--San Francisco Gives Drugs, Alcohol to Homeless Addicts in Coronavirus Hotels

San Francisco is giving free drugs and alcohol to some homeless addict isolating inside city-rented hotels during the coronavirus pandemic , the city ’ s department of public health confirmed Wednesday .
Fox News reports , San Francisco ’ s controversial practice was recently brought up last Friday when a man who describes himself on Twitter as “ Formerly homeless addict in # recovery advocating for the # truth about homelessness and drug addiction .
Faith , Hope and Love .
SF Native .
Tweets are my own.
” tweeted to the city .
He wrote : “ I just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in SF are being delivered Alcohol , Weed and Methadone because they identified as an addict/alcoholic for FREE .
You ’ re supposed to be offering treatment .
This is enabling and is wrong on many levels .
@ SF_DPH @ sfbos @ LondonBreed ” The city ’ s department of public health confirmed the report on Twitter this week .
“ These harm reduction based practices , which are not unique to San Francisco , and are not paid for with taxpayer money , help guests successfully complete isolation and quarantine and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the COVID-19 pandemic.
” San Francisco failed in their objective to secure more than 8,000 hotel rooms that city supervisors aimed to lease in order to house homeless , other at-risks populations , frontline workers needing to quarantine or socially distance themselves , and those living in densely populated apartment buildings .
during the coronavirus pandemic .
But as of Monday , the San Francisco Chronicle reported that only 2,741 rooms had been leased , with 1,130 of those remaining empty due to lack of staff at hotels or other failures in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the city was struggling to handle a growing crisis in homelessness .
Fox News reported , California acquired more than 15,000 hotel rooms to shelter homeless people during the coronavirus pandemic last month .
Newsom touted his “ Project Roomkey ” initiative in San Jose and announced a new agreement with the Motel 6 hotel chain which would provide an additional 5,025 hotel rooms at 47 locations in 19 counties .
“ Today marks an important milestone for our efforts to protect very vulnerable homeless individuals from COVID-19 , and to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenge our capacity and stress our system , ” the governor said outside a Motel 6 .
According to Fox News , the federal government has agreed to pay 75 percent of costs associated with housing the homelesss , including people who test positive or may have been exposed to COVID-19 , older homeless people and those with underlying health conditions .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-10--Manny Sethi Speaks Out on Michael Flynn

Manny Sethi Speaks Out on Michael Flynn

“ Every American should be grateful for General Flynn ’ s patriotism and years of service to our country , ” Sethi said on his Facebook page.
“ I am glad to see today ’ s announcement and to see him get justice.
” As The Tennessee Star reported this week , the United States Department of Justice ( DOJ ) filed a motion on Thursday to dismiss its case against Michael Flynn .
“ The United States of America hereby moves to dismiss with prejudice the criminal information filed against Michael T. Flynn pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motion reads .
“ The Government has determined , pursuant to the Principles of Federal Prosecution and based on extensive review and careful consideration of the circumstances , that continued prosecution of this case would not serve the interests of justice.
” “ After a considered review of all the facts and circumstances of this case , including newly discovered and disclosed information appended to the defendant ’ s supplemental pleadings … .
the Government has concluded that the interview of Mr. Flynn was untethered to , and unjustified by , the FBI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The motion also says that the interview the FBI conducted with Flynn on January 23 , 2017 , did not have a “ legitimate investigative basis.
” As a result , the DOJ said the statements Flynn provided the FBI during this January interview were “ material even if untrue.
” This DOJ decision comes after FBI internal documents that were released on April 29 showed the agency ’ s real intentions .
As The Tennessee Star reported last year , Sethi , who wants to replace the retiring U.S. Sen. Lamar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assured he won ’ t fall in with the Washington D.C. establishment .
And if he does replace Alexander then Sethi said his medical background gives him the skill set he needs to do something a lot of U.S. senators can not — get his policies enacted into law .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Manny Sethi ” by Manny Sethi .
Background Photo “ DOJ Building ” by Another Believer .
CC @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-05-10--Keith Ellison Stands by Omar After Strong DFL Challenger Emerges

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has endorsed Rep. Ilhan Omar ( D-MN-05 ) for a second term in Congress .
“ I see U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar as a leader who is disrupting conventional wisdom and challenging 50 years of thinking that has brought us stunning inequality , weakened public institutions and an utter lack of preparedness for a global pandemic , ” Ellison said in an endorsement of Omar in The Star Tribune .
Ellison ’ s endorsement comes after some prominent Minneapolis leaders decided to throw their support behind Antone Melton-Meaux , a Democrat challenging Omar in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law and once worked for the Congressional Black Caucus in Washington , D.C. “ Washington doesn ’ t usually embrace bold thinkers .
Entrenched special interests like things the way they are : moneyed interests , a priority ; working people of all colors , an afterthought .
But in the Fifth Congressional District , we do embrace bold thinkers – and we should re-elect Rep. Omar , ” Ellison said in his May 1 article .
Now in his second year as attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ District for 12 years before Omar took over .
“ Twelve years in Congress taught me that America needs a richer , more diverse set of voices in Congress who can speak with a new kind of credibility about liberty and justice for all – with no exceptions .
That ’ s where the Fifth District comes in .
We get to send Omar back to Congress where she can raise her voice as a former refugee , a minimum-wage worker , a small-business owner and , yes , a hijab-wearing Muslim woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He said Minnesotans need a member of Congress who , “ by virtue of who she is , will expose the lie that refugees and the WHO and people in other lands should be the scapegoat.
” He criticized President Donald Trump for blaming “ his failures ” on immigrants , “ the Chinese and international institutions.
” “ We need a member of Congress who knows our problems are much closer to home : too many people living paycheck to paycheck in a deeply unequal economy , and a president who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American lives every day , ” Ellison concluded .
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Ilhan Omar and Keith Ellison ” by Ilhan Omar .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-10--AG Nessel: Capitol Commission Holds Legal Authority to Ban Firearms in State Buildings

In a letter sent to the chair of the Michigan State Capitol Commission , Attorney General Dana Nessel asserted the commission holds the legal authority to ban firearms in the State Capitol Building .
The MSCC ’ s authority includes ensuring the “ safety of the visiting public , as well as those who carry out the People ’ s work by prohibiting firearms within the Capitol building , ” Nessel wrote .
Nessel ’ s letter was ostensibly in response to an April 30 protest held by opponents of Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ’ s stay-at-home orders during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carrying firearms demanded entrance to the Capitol building .
About 20 armed protestors watched legislative proceedings from the gallery .
Many Michigan lawmakers and residents – including staunch Second Amendment proponents – took issue with the openly brandishing protestors .
Michigan ’ s open-carry law does not apply to all public spaces , Nessel said .
“ The concept of ‘ open-carry ’ in Michigan law does not provide the unfettered right to bring firearms into any public space , ” she wrote .
She further noted the MSCC may ban weapons in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the state legislature .
For example , Nessel stated the Michigan Supreme Court bars firearms from all state courtrooms as well as any spaces used for official court business or by judicial employees .
She also said Michigan ’ s open-carry law can not be enforced on public school grounds , citing a Court of Appeals decision .
“ The Capitol is a place for free expression of thought and debate , ” Nessel wrote .
“ But the freedom of civil discourse does not imply the right to threaten others with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current environment and as the chief law enforcement officer in this state , I am gravely concerned for the safety of both our legislative members and the public at large , ” Nessel continued .
“ With exceptions to those tasked with protecting our Capitol , the only way to assure that a violent episode does not occur is to act in concert with the many other state legislatures around the nation that have banned firearms in their capital facilities , ” Nessel wrote .
“ The employees at our Capitol and members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to all the same protections as one would have at a courthouse and many other public venues .
Public safety demands no less , and a lawmaker ’ s desire to speak freely without fear of violence requires action be taken.
” Ultimately , wrote Nessel , the decision whether to ban firearms in the Capitol or not rests with the MSCC .
Should the commission vote for a ban and a legal challenge ensues , Nessel granted her “ pledge to defend the Commission from suit challenging a prohibition on firearms in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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--2020-05-10--Gov. DeWine Puts His Foot Down Against Ohio House Republicans Trying to Limit the State’s Health Dep

Gov. DeWine Puts His Foot Down Against Ohio House Republicans Trying to Limit the State’s Health Department Powers

Gov .
Mike DeWine took a stand Thursday against Ohio House Republicans who are trying to limit the Ohio Department of Health ( ODH ) ’ s powers during the coronavirus pandemic .
On Wednesday , House Republicans on the House State and Local Government Committee ( HSLGC ) passed an amendment to a 2019 regulatory reform bill that would limit ODH ’ s orders to two weeks , The Ohio Star reported .
DeWine said he would veto the bill if the Ohio legislature does take action to limits the ODH ’ s actions .
“ We are in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ An emergency that we have not faced in 102 years , ” DeWine said .
“ I don ’ t understand why anyone would think this is a great time to be changing the law , to be taking away the power of the executive branch to protect people.
” “ As long as I am governor , I plan to follow my oath and take care of those problems .
Any bill or any attempt that would get in the way of our ability to protect the people of the state of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forced to veto to protect the people of the state of Ohio , ” he added .
The governor said if this bill ever became law it would create “ chaos ” because it would allow Ohioans to sue over health issued orders , which would result in courts deciding these matters .
“ We ’ re in the middle of a crisis , trying to bring the economy back , trying to protect Ohio ’ s citizens , ” he said .
“ We have a budget we ’ re trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have to do .
I guess I just don ’ t quite understand it.
” The same day the HSLGC passed its amendment , Rep. John Becker ( R-Union Township ) introduced House Bill 618 , which tries to reopen Ohio ’ s economy faster , according to his press release .
Becker said Ohio ’ s executive branch has relied on vague power to issue these “ unconscionable actions upon a free people.
” The GOP member says the Ohio General Assembly must restore Ohioans ’ constitutionally protected rights .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ madness and reopen Ohio .
This bill is named , ‘ Need Ohio Working- NOW Act ’ because we must act now to mitigate the ongoing economic catastrophe that has crippled our job market , ” he said .
One day after Becker introduced this bill , DeWine announced barbershops , bars and personal care services can reopen in some capacity May 15 .
Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media .
If you have any tips , email Zachery at [ email protected ] Photo “ Mike DeWine @ @ @ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-05-10--Minnesota to Spend $6.9 Million on Warehouse Facility for Storing Dead Bodies

The state of Minnesota plans to spend $ 6.9 million to acquire a warehouse facility for the “ temporary storage of human remains.
” The funds will come from the COVID-19 Minnesota Fund and was recommended for approval by Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Myron Frans .
Frans has the authority to transfer and disperse funding requests that are below $ 1 million , but any request higher than $ 1 million must be approved by the Legislative COVID-19 Response Commission .
“ The requisite number of commission members having provided a positive recommendation , I hereby authorize $ 6,900,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Administration to purchase a facility that can accommodate a surge in demand for the timely , dignified , and temporary storage of human remains , ” the budget request states .
Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director Joe Kelly discussed the topic during a Friday press briefing .
“ I know this is a sensitive topic .
It ’ s an uncomfortable topic for a lot of people , but we need to have a capability , we need to have a plan for a large number of deaths .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to buy a building where we can properly handle with dignity and respect and safety the bodies of Minnesotans who may fall victim to the coronavirus , ” said Kelly .
Kelly pointed to other countries and cities around the world that were not able to “ handle a surge of fatalities ” and had to “ bury people in shallow graves.
” “ We just do not think that is acceptable , ” he said .
“ The movement through the system that we normally use to take care of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the movement through that system has slowed dramatically.
” Since funerals and burials have slowed down because of social distancing requirements , the “ storage ” capacity in funeral homes and hospitals is filling up , he explained .
“ Director Kelly , I appreciate the way you handled that with dignity .
This is a really tough one for all of us to talk about , ” Gov .
Tim Walz said during the press conference .
As of Saturday , Minnesota had 558 confirmed COVID-19 deaths , the Minnesota Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Minnesota Capitol ” by Gabriel Vanslette .
CC BY 3.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-10--Nashville Official Says No Truth to Claims Housing Project Residents Being Forced to Test for COVID-

Nashville Official Says No Truth to Claims Housing Project Residents Being Forced to Test for COVID-19

A Nashville official on Saturday denied that she and her colleagues are forcing residents of the city ’ s housing projects to test for COVID-19 , even though some people on social media say that ’ s what ’ s happening .
On Friday a Nashville resident named Hatuey Hiawhatha shared a photo of what looked like Nashville Police officers and National Guard troops outside a housing project .
Hiawhatha did not say if he took the photo .
On her Facebook page , Staton-Backus , whose city is unlisted , refers to herself as a “ Celebrity Chef/Philanthropist/Human Rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Staton-Backus said the following : “ Metro Nashville Police and the National Guard are in Cayce Place doing mandatory COVID-19 testing .
Other public housing residents will be tested as well.
” On Friday night former Vanderbilt University professor and Nashville mayor candidate Carol Swain shared a screenshot of Staton-Backus ’ post on her personal Facebook page .
Nashville Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency spokeswoman Jamie Berry said the Facebook posts are incorrect .
Berry , in an email to The Tennessee Star Saturday , said the testing is not mandatory .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is being set up by the state and hasn ’ t happened yet , ” Berry said .
Berry did not answer The Star ’ s other questions about the matter .
Representatives from the Nashville Police Department , the Metro Public Health Department , and Mayor John Cooper ’ s office did not return requests for comment Saturday .
As reported Saturday , authorities are out in force and using the long arm of the law to enforce Cooper ’ s COVID-19 guidelines .
Nashville business owners who are gearing up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mayor John Cooper ’ s safety rules for COVID-19 , or else police might pay them a visit .
As reported Friday , after more than 50 days in quarantine , Nashville will move to Phase One of Cooper ’ s plan to reopen the city ’ s economy , at least partially , on Monday .
Metro Public Health Director Michael Caldwell said at a press conference Friday that for the first offense county officials will tell managers how to comply — and come back later to make sure they are doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ county officials will deliver a warning .
Metro Health spokesman Brian Todd told The Star in an email Friday that county officials have already responded to more than 500 complaints since Cooper announced his Safer at Home Order .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Testing COVID-19 ” by Shovann Staton-Backus .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-11--Senator Lamar Alexander to Chair COVID-19 Hearing Tuesday

Sen. Lamar Alexander ( R-TN ) said Sunday that someone could potentially test themselves for COVID-19 using something as seemingly mundane as a lollipop .
Alexander said this on NBC ’ s Meet the Press .
“ You might be able to put a lollipop in your mouth with a swab and take a picture of it with your cell phone .
If it lights up then you ’ re positive , ” Alexander told host Chuck Todd , while referring to one potential breakthrough .
“ Or you can send that swab to a laboratory that ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they call gene sequencing machines that are already there .
They can do tens of thousands of tests very quickly .
Lower the risk of COVID-19 on [ a college ] campus , and you ’ ll be safe enough to come back and bring your tuition money and your dorm rent.
” On Tuesday Alexander is scheduled to chair a Senate Health Committee hearing on the federal government ’ s response to COVID-19 .
Officials from various government agencies are scheduled to update senators about what state and local governments are doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and school as rapidly and safely as possible , according to an emailed press release .
“ What we have done is very impressive , according to Johns Hopkins .
The United States has tested more than 8 million people .
That ’ s twice as many as any country , more per capita than almost all countries , including South Korea , ” Alexander told Todd .
“ It ’ s enough to do what we need to do today to reopen , for example , but it ’ s not enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the University of Tennessee campus in August.
” Alexander chaired a hearing last week — “ Shark Tank : New Tests for COVID-19 ” —that featured testimony from Dr. Francis Collins of the National Institutes of Health and Dr. Gary Disbrow of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority .
They discussed efforts to create new technologies designed to produce tens of millions of COVID-19 tests , according to Alexander ’ s emailed press release .
Alexander worked with Senate Health Appropriations Committee Chairman Roy Blunt ( R-MO ) to include what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like effort in the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act .
That , Alexander ’ s press release said , also provided an additional $ 25 billion for COVID-19 testing .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]

Richmond Police arrested 11 people during a protest outside the Richmond City Justice Center on Tuesday.
The group was gathered outside of the Justice Center to protest conditions in the Richmond jail after COVID-19 outbreak among 100 inmates and staff was reported.
Richmond police officers arrived outside of the Justice Center to help the Richmond Sheriff’s office deal with the group protesters who had moved from the public sidewalk onto Justice Center grounds during the demonstration, causing a security concern, according to the Richmond police description of the incident,
Just before 7 p.m., a man on a bicycle attempted to block a tow truck trying removing a vehicle that had been illegally parked in front of the Justice Center. When a Richmond police officer arrived at the scene, the man tried to flee on his bike and was then stopped by the officer. Other protesters witnessed this and attempted to stop the arrest, leading to those people being arrested as well, according to the police account.
A video of the incident was captured and published to the RVA Magazine Instagram account. That video is below.
A flyer on social media for the protest read: “Our comrades on the inside are facing retaliation from officers for simply requesting adequate medical attention. These conditions are inhumane. We stand in solidarity with those who have been kidnapped, convicted and caged.”
On Wednesday, Richmond police released the names and charges for the 11 protesters arrested.
Their names and charges are as follows:
Stephen Roach Obstruction of Justice Impeding the flow of traffic
Benjamine Skromine Obstruction of Justice Impeding the flow of traffic
Gabrielle Brost Hoffman Obstruction of Justice
Aditya Mohan Obstruction of Justice
Rachel Fidlow Obstruction of Justice
Andre Rosson Obstruction of Justice
Alex Oxford Obstruction of Justice with Force
Jonathan Miranda Disorderly Conduct
Susanna Keating Disorderly Conduct
Mollie Luck Disorderly Conduct
Carmen Day Disorderly Conduct
– – –
Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network. Follow Jacob on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “Richmond City Justice Center Protest” by RVA Mag.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-11--EXCLUSIVE: Trump Campaign Staffer Speaks Out after Targeted by Collusion Hoaxers

A former national security advisor to New York City developer Donald Trump ’ s 2016 presidential campaign told Star Newspapers about about his ordeal as he was hounded by Russian Collusion Hoaxers , Special Counsel Robert Mueller and their allies in the mainstream media .
“ It was a waking nightmare for several years because of the chain reaction sparked by that opinion column , ” said J.D .
Gordon , who was also a national security advisor for the 2012 Herman Cain and the 2016 Michael Huckabee presidential campaigns .
Although he was well-known in Washington foreign affairs circles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s four-year tenure as a Pentagon spokesman , Gordon became one of the most notorious men named in the Russian Collusion Hoax narrative .
Gordon ’ s alleged crime was tilting the 2016 GOP platform in favor of Russia .
What really happened is that at the platform committee proceedings before the Republican National Committee , a delegate proposed a plank that would have committed a Trump administration to back the Ukrainian government struggling with Russian troops in its territory after Russia ’ s 2014 invasion of the Crimea .
Gordon recognized a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paul Manafort and recommended that the campaign spike the plank , because it would obligate the United States into a deeper commitment into a hot war—which was the opposite of Trump ’ s plan for American foreign policy .
That is not what was reported in the left-wing media .
Josh Rogin wrote in The Washington Post under the July 18 , 2016 headline “ Trump campaign guts GOP ’ s anti-Russia stance on Ukraine ” that when Gordon changed : “ provide lethal defensive weapons ” to “ appropriate assistance , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soft spot for Russia .
Maddow also connected the Ukraine plank dot to other dots in the Russian Collusion Hoax , like Trump campaign foreign policy volunteer Carter Page ’ s Moscow trip the week before and this line in the Steele Dossier : “ In return , the TRUMP team has agreed to sideline Russian interference in Ukraine as a campaign issue.
” Now , we know it was all bogus .
But , for Gordon , this oft-repeated libel cost him a job in the administration and all but a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gained was the opportunity to speak to Special Counsel Robert Mueller ’ s team and testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee on multiple occasions .
One of his interviews with the Mueller team was leaked to The Washington Post and the article about it was posted online before he got home .
“ The special counsel ’ s team attempted to turn every aspect of the Trump campaign into a crime scene , ” Gordon said .
“ That said , the leaks and hysterical media coverage regarding the GOP Platform were worse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with special counsel investigators.
” Those testimonies alone cost him tens of thousands of dollars in lawyer fees and thrust him into the vulnerability of a perjury trap if he misremembered a detail that the Mueller team or the Senate staffers already had in one of their folders stacked like cord wood .
“ I had a great career as a naval officer and four years as a Pentagon spokesman , only to see my life go up in smoke as the # Resistance tried to destroy President Donald Trump and as many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the retired Navy commander .
Gordon joined the Trump campaign when Huckabee endorsed the New York City developer that May and he was immediately reporting to Sen. Jeff Sessions ( R.-Ala. ) as he built up the campaign ’ s national security policy shop .
Now , that the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence released dozens of classified testimony from the Obama administration figures , who perpetrated the hoax in the media , but recanted those tall tales under oath , Gordan is free again to rebuild his career and his reputation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on television for years , so it was good to see them exposed as the liars and traitors they are , ” the former Pentagon spokesman said .
“ They must be held fully accountable for seditious attacks on the presidency and many innocent people in the president ’ s orbit.
” Gordon said he never stopped loving the country he served in uniform , but some things have to change .
“ The major lesson is that America ’ s democratic process and rule of law are crumbling .
The far-left and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to turn America into a Banana Republic if they can ’ t control the levels of power , ” he said .
“ As Attorney General William Barr rightfully said : ‘ There is a ‘ Praetorian Guard ’ mentality at work here .
Unelected bureaucrats within the nation ’ s top law enforcement and intelligence communities believed they were above the law and engaged in behavior which most countries would consider a coup attempt.
” Neil W. McCabe is a Washington-based national political reporter for The Tennessee Star and The Star News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newspaper , he has covered the White House , Capitol Hill and national politics for One America News , Breitbart , Human Events and Townhall .
Before coming to Washington , he was a staff reporter for Boston ’ s Catholic paper , The Pilot , and the editor of two Boston-area community papers , The Somerville News and The Alewife .
McCabe is a public affairs NCO in the Army Reserve and he deployed for 15 months to Iraq as a combat historian .
Photo “ J.D .
Gordon ” by Gage @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-05-11--Black Lawmakers Want State to Stop Giving Names, Addresses of COVID-19 Patients to Police

The Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators wants the state to quit giving names and addresses of COVID-19 patients to police .
The caucus made the request to Gov .
Bill Lee and the Tennessee Department of Health , WATE reported , citing a press release from the caucus .
Lee sent letters to Tennessee police offering to provide personal information to their departments once they ’ ve entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the state .
The Administration said the data is being made available so first responders would have the opportunity to protect themselves if they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person resides .
However , Chairman Hardaway of Memphis says the information could actually have a “ chilling effect ” that keeps those already distrustful of the government from taking the COVID-19 test and possibly accelerate the spread of the disease .
Caucus Vice Chair Rick Staples ( D-15 ) of Knoxville also questioned the practice , WATN said .
More thought needs to be given to the effect these practices could have on the many varied communities across Tennessee .
That ’ s why it ’ s so important to have diverse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are being discussed so decisions aren ’ t being made that could possibly do more harm than good and possibly set us back in terms of much needed testing .
Lee made the offer to share the private information with police , the Tennessee Lookout reported , saying it had two letters .
“ Health has a list of names and addresses of people in Tennessee who have tested positive or are receiving treatment for COVID-19 , ” a letter dated April 20 to state police chiefs said .
The letter was sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Tennessee Department of Health .
A total of 32 county sheriff ’ s offices and 35 police departments entered into agreements with the state to receive the information , the Tennessee Health Department told the Chattanooga Times Free Press .
Mark Yother , the police chief of Manchester , told the newspaper that the move is a way to keep police officers safe .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-11--Commentary: Export Bans and the Re-Emergence of the Nation-State

The COVID-19 pandemic has served to upend many long-held policy assumptions , but none so clearly as the theory that international trade rests purely on economic incentives , and that those economic incentives will always override a country ’ s more base instincts to act in its own interest because of the cost to global profits .
Responses from countries around the world to COVID-19 have significantly fractured this argument .
It can no longer be said with unshakable confidence that nations will sidestep their own economic objectives , interests , and policies for the sake of a more profitable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , reports that “ the Westphalian notion of the self-interested state is dead ” are greatly exaggerated .
Glimmers of this truth began making themselves plain when President Trump started pushing back against Chinese dominance of the U.S.-China trade relationship .
China , which has cheated , stolen , and otherwise criminally vaulted itself into global manufacturing dominance , threatened to retaliate by cutting off exports of critical supplies to the United States—supplies that now only China manufactures .
Nearly a year ago , it was the rare earth minerals crucial to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weapons .
In April , it was the pharmaceuticals and personal protective equipment relied upon by millions of Americans , of which China controls a shockingly large market share .
The terms of our supposedly “ free ” trade with the Chinese are now made plain : should the United States seek for itself and its citizens better trade terms , China will hold us hostage to our own critical needs .
With China , the “ free ” in free trade only extends as far as our government ’ s willingness to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s not just our adversaries .
The international economic response to the onset of COVID-19 has also shaken the theory that economic interests will always trump national ones , and it has done so with remarkable speed .
In early April , India announced it would be suspend the export of hydroxychloroquine , an antimalarial drug that is a potential remedy to the virus .
India manufactures most of the world ’ s supply of the drug , in addition to its component parts .
After a call with President Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case by case basis—presumably for political , not economic , reasons .
By the end of April , 80 countries had adopted export bans of personal protective equipment .
Seventy-two of these bans were in countries that are members of the World Trade Organization .
Yet only 13 countries notified the WTO , in violation of that organization ’ s regulations .
( Deference to international organizations also suffers in a crisis , apparently . )
Even reliable free traders such as Germany initially banned the export of protective medical equipment .
Dutch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the American and Dutch governments to keep the production of ventilators within their borders .
Major food exporters restricted shipments as countries stockpiled food at home .
The European Commission , notably liberalized on trade , announced new European Union guidelines on screening foreign investments , and encouraged member states to adopt tools that “ protect critical assets and technology ” in “ critical European companies , ” specific to “ health , medical research , or strategic infrastructure.
” “ Openness , ” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to preserve our economic sovereignty.
” It may not be an economically rational decision to close up shop during a crisis , but it is an entirely human one .
Over the last 30 years , Western governments have built economies around the zero-stock , just-in-time supply-chain economic model .
And it generally works—that is , until it doesn ’ t .
“ The sight of many Western governments raiding literal cupboards , begging for supply , and only now improvising manufacturing , ” Australian strategist Gray Connolly wrote recently , “ is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again.
” Trade is a powerful economic tool that has lifted , and continues to lift , millions out of poverty .
But , as the crisis has so ably demonstrated , trade is , at its root , also a political arrangement .
Our trade policy , going forward , must be tempered with a political and policy realism that acknowledges , as many of our allies and trading partners already do , that the virtue and legitimacy of a national government are to protect and provide for its citizens in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at certain times , our commitment to the multilateral agreements and bodies that have largely reflected the interests of multinational corporations , the financial sector , and other ascendant political coalitions at the expense of long-term strategic preparation .
The world ’ s complex supply chains will re-emerge when COVID-19 has passed .
But they will and should look different .
The nation-state , far from being dead , is back with a vengeance .
The United States can either acknowledge that fact and craft our policies and politics accordingly , or keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the self-interest of diverse national economies will never emerge .
Rachel Bovard is senior director of policy at the Conservative Partnership Institute and Senior Advisor to the Internet Accountability Project .
Beginning in 2006 , she served in both the House and Senate in various roles including as legislative director for Senator Rand Paul ( R-Ky. ) and policy director for the Senate Steering Committee .
Photo “ World Trade Organization ” by The World Trade Organization CC2.0


thetennesseestar--2020-05-11--Database Swells to 1,285 Proven Cases of Voter Fraud in America

All-mail elections have received heightened attention in the media these past few weeks .
Prominent liberals highly endorse the idea , claiming it allows people to do their patriotic duty without risking being infected by the coronavirus .
In reality , without rigid safeguards to prevent fraud , misuse , and voter intimidation , absentee ballot fraud – while it may occur sporadically – already has affected the outcome of elections in states and counties across the country .
Just look at the 2018 congressional race in North Carolina that was overturned by the state election board .
Or the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was removed from office last year after his conviction for absentee ballot fraud .
Although talk of voter fraud may be increasing because of the stakes in the 2020 election , The Heritage Foundation ’ s Election Fraud Database has been around for four years .
With the addition of our latest batch of cases , we are up to 1,285 proven instances of voter fraud .
Heritage ’ s database is by no means comprehensive .
It doesn ’ t capture all voter fraud cases and certainly doesn ’ t capture reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or prosecuted .
The database is intended to demonstrate the vulnerabilities in the election system and the many ways in which fraud is committed .
We try to keep a close eye on public information about potential cases through local news stories , court documents , county records , and police reports .
But even that is difficult to do in a country as large as the United States , with hundreds of elections every year .
This sampling of cases illustrates the existence and effect of voter fraud .
Most importantly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occur throughout the entire process of registering and voting .
Examples include impersonation fraud at the polls ; false voter registrations ; duplicate voting ; fraudulent absentee ballots ; vote buying ; illegal assistance and intimidation of voters ; ineligible voting , such as by aliens ; altering of vote counts ; and ballot petition fraud .
A recent Heritage fact sheet offers a quick summary of the dangers of voting by mail and the necessary safeguards to ensure an election ’ s integrity .
Another Heritage report details how Wisconsin successfully conducted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting – and how other countries such as Liberia have conducted an election successfully during a health crisis .
Voting by mail makes it easier to commit fraud , intimidate voters , and destroy the protections of the secret ballot .
It puts elections into the hands of the Postal Service .
Without the oversight of election and polling officials , ballots can be lost , disqualified , and even stolen .
An example from our newest batch of cases illustrates a common type of fraud .
John and Grace Fleming both were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by absentee ballot in New Hampshire and then in person in Massachusetts .
We also added to the database the case of Reginald Holman , a city council member in Ashtubla , Ohio , who was forced to resign after an investigation found he illegally registered at his parents ’ address in Ashtubla rather than his actual residence in Plymouth , Ohio .
Take the case of Courtney Rainey in Canton , Mississippi , who was found guilty of bribing and harassing individuals to win a municipal election .
Or take the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guilty of changing party affiliations of voters and forging signatures on voter registration forms , among other things .
Atilano was hired by a private company to contact and register voters in Madera County , California .
Vigilant staffers in the County Clerk-Recorder ’ s Office noticed something fishy with the registration cards submitted by Atilano .
If they hadn ’ t have been so diligent , the forms would have been altered without the consent or knowledge of the voters .
County Clerk-Recorder Rebecca Martinez says she has zero tolerance for voter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this issue , Martinez replied : “ Protecting our elections has always been my highest priority and I will continue to maintain this vigilance as we head into the presidential election in November.
” All public officials should have this attitude when it comes to protecting the sanctity of elections .
Some argue that even if voter fraud occurs , its impact is so marginal it couldn ’ t possibly effect the outcome of an election .
That is simply not true – fraud can make the difference in a close election .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ out how over 100 elections in Ohio were decided by less than two votes .
Heritage ’ s database contains numerous instances where voter fraud was so severe that it affected the outcome and new elections were called .
This is not a partisan issue .
Heritage has documented elections overturned or elected officials removed on account of fraud that involved both Democrats and Republicans .
Securing the integrity of elections should not become wrapped up in partisan politics .
Yet since the inception of the COVID-19 pandemic ( and some would argue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats have scoffed at the reality of voter fraud and the importance of election integrity–even though it is their own voters and supporters who often are affected by such fraud .
It is important that we take reasonable steps to make it hard to cheat in elections while making it easy for legitimate voters to vote .
Elected officials and party leaders , regardless of political affiliation , should put their ambitions aside and understand that election integrity is of the utmost importance in self-government and maintaining a functioning democratic republic .
Kaitlynn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meese Center for Judicial and Legal Studies at The Heritage Foundation .
Hans von Spakovsky is an authority on a wide range of issues—including civil rights , civil justice , the First Amendment , immigration , the rule of law and government reform—as a senior legal fellow in The Heritage Foundation ’ s Edwin Meese III Center for Legal and Judicial Studies and manager of the think tank ’ s Election Law Reform Initiative .
Read his research .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-11--Former Rep. Trey Gowdy Identifies Reporters Who Allegedly Peddled Misleading Leaks by House Intellig

Former Rep. Trey Gowdy Identifies Reporters Who Allegedly Peddled Misleading Leaks by House Intelligence Oversight Chair Rep. Adam Schiff

Former Rep. Trey Gowdy accused reporters from CNN , Politico and The New York Times on Sunday of helping House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff “ peddle ” the now-debunked conspiracy theory of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian government .
Gowdy was asked in an interview on Fox News ’ “ Sunday Morning Futures ” to identify reporters he believed took leaks from Schiff for stories related to the Intelligence panel ’ s Russia investigation .
“ Well , I hope you have a three hour show , ” Gowdy quipped .
“ Let ’ s just start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former member of the House Intelligence Committee , said in an interview on Fox News ’ “ Sunday Morning Futures.
” “ Kyle Cheney is just an acolyte for Adam Schiff , ” said Gowdy , referring to a senior congressional reporter at the website .
“ Manu Raju from CNN , ” the Republican continued , referring to the network ’ s congressional reporter .
“ Nothing Schiff wanted out , made public — no leak was too low for Manu Raju and CNN.
” “ Fill in the blank at The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Gowdy , who is now a Fox News contributor , has blasted Schiff in the past for leaking information to reporters .
Gowdy said in a March 31 , 2019 interview that he wondered whether U.S. intelligence agencies would stop providing information to Schiff because he “ leak [ s ] like a screen door on a submarine.
” Schiff , a California Democrat , insisted for several years that he had seen evidence of possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian government .
In a March 20 , 2017 intelligence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steele dossier , which alleged that the Trump campaign and Kremlin were involved in a “ well-developed conspiracy of collusion ” to influence the 2016 election .
Schiff also released a memo in February 2018 that defended the FBI ’ s handling of the dossier , and said that the bureau properly investigated the document before using it in applications for Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act ( FISA ) warrants against Carter Page .
The special counsel ’ s office and Justice Department inspector general undercut many of Schiff ’ s theories in reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the FBI failed to verify any of the dossier ’ s allegations related to the Trump campaign .
The FBI also had evidence by 2017 that the primary source for the dossier disputed much of what was reported in the salacious document .
The FBI also received evidence that the Russian government had fed disinformation to Christopher Steele , the author of the dossier .
Politico and CNN did not immediately respond to requests for comment about Gowdy ’ s remarks .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-11--Georgia’s Restaurants, Barber Shops Are Coming Back to Life as Lockdowns Ease, Data Show

Georgia ’ s restaurants and barber shops are seeing a slow but steady increase in traffic after Gov .
Brian Kemp began easing up the economic lockdowns he imposed to slow the coronavirus pandemic , location data show .
Visits to the state ’ s barber shops and tattoo parlors increased to 80 % of pre-coronavirus levels after Georgia began rolling back own stay-at-home orders on April 24 , according to data released by Foursquare , a location technology platform .
Data also show restaurants are on the rebound .
Restaurants returned to more than 75 % of normal levels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show .
Gym visits rose as well , with visits down less than 60 % of pre-pandemic levels in the week ending May 1 , a slower decline than the 65 % to 75 % drops weeks earlier , according to Foursquare ’ s report .
The data show that rural and urban communities responded differently .
Restaurant visits in rural parts of the Peach State hit 88 % of pre-virus levels , while eateries in urban areas was still at 50 % as of May 1 .
President Donald Trump joined critics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the president suggesting at an April 22 White House briefing that it was “ too soon ” for Georgia to open .
Kemp announced the ease of lockdowns on April 21 .
“ I told the governor of Georgia , Brian Kemp , that I disagree strongly with his decision to open certain facilities which are in violation of the phase one guidelines for the incredible people of Georgia , ” the president said .
“ They have been strong , resolute , but at the same time , he must do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disagree with him on what he is doing.
” Foursquare ’ s data also show that Americans in general are becoming more relaxed about leaving their homes .
Americans are back to visiting gas stations and fast food restaurants at pre-COVID-19 levels in certain parts of the country , according to a report the company published on April 30 .
Foursquare noted in a blog post that people are apparently feeling more free to travel about .
Gas stations are down only 6 % nationally as of April 24 , compared to 8-11 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its April 30 report .
Such visits to fuel stations have returned to normal in the Midwest and in rural areas , which have seen slower spread and fewer COVID-19-related deaths than coastal cities .
Chris White is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-11--Court Rules Tennessee Can’t Process School-Voucher Applications During Appeal

A judge has blocked Tennessee from processing applications for a school-voucher program while the state appeals a ruling that said the program is unconstitutional .
Davidson County Chancellor Anne Martin ruled the state can not remit funds for the program or engage with parents or schools about the program .
The court also ordered the Tennessee Department of Education to post the current status of the lawsuit and encourage parents to have a backup plan in a statement on the program ’ s website in case the appeal fails .
“ Whatever happens on appeal will happen , but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going forward and parents need to be told and to have a Plan B , ” Martin said Thursday in her ruling from the bench .
“ The court is going to deny the relief requested.
” Lawyers for the state and parents who would partake in the program cautioned the judge that if the state could not continue to process applications the program likely would not be able to run by next school year even if the appeal is successful .
Attorney James Newsom had requested the judge allow the state to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the parents their acceptance is conditional on a successful appeal .
“ The stop order … if it remains , will make it difficult , if not impossible , for the state defendants to provide the educational benefits to the children who are the intended beneficiaries of the ESA program for the upcoming school year , ” Newsom said .
Tim Keller , an attorney for parents who planned to partake in the program , said preventing the state from processing these applications will cause irreparable harm to the parents because it ensures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program next year even if it is deemed constitutional in an appeal .
“ The parents may suffer real substantial and irreparable harm , your honor , if a stay isn ’ t put in place that could effectually allow them to take advantage of [ the ESA program ] , ” Keller said .
Newsom also argued the state is likely to succeed in this appeal .
The judge , however , sided with Davidson and Shelby county attorneys who argued the state should not be able to use any state resources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Attorney Allison Bussel said the state is unlikely to succeed with its appeal on the merits and said this does not constitute irreparable damage .
Bussel said parents already have school-choice options if they believe the public school system has failed them , such as charter schools .
Bussel said none of these parents has provided evidence they ’ ve pursued these options .
“ It is not irreparable harm that you don ’ t get to have your first choice , ” said Bussel , who also said the defendants would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are likely to succeed in their appeal , but they were unsuccessful in doing both .
House Democrats , who opposed the voucher program , have urged the Department of Education to reallocate the money .
The program , called the Education Savings Account program , would allow parents in low-performing schools to apply for public money to be used to send their children to state-approved private schools .
Martin ruled the program unconstitutional and in violation of home rule because all of the low-performing schools are in two counties with home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed to target specific home-rule counties through legislation .
The state argues the law targets low-performing schools based on a certain criteria that does not include location , which it says it is allowed to do .
Tyler Arnold reports on Virginia and Tennessee for The Center Square .
Photo “ Chancellor Anne Martin ” by TNCourts.gov .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-11--Sen Dianne Feinstein, Who Defended Christine Blasey Ford, Calls Tara Reade’s Accusation Against Joe

Sen Dianne Feinstein, Who Defended Christine Blasey Ford, Calls Tara Reade’s Accusation Against Joe Biden ‘Ridiculous’

Rep. Dianne Feinstein on Thursday called Tara Reade ’ s sexual allegations against former Vice President Joe Biden “ ridiculous ” and said she does not believe her .
The California Democrat discussed Reade ’ s allegations before reporters , and said Reade ’ s are “ totally different ” from the sexual assault allegations Christine Blasey Ford made against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh .
Feinstein said that “ Kavanaugh was under the harshest inspection that we give people over a substantial period of time.
” Reade has has said that Biden kissed her , touched her , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consent when she worked for him as a Senate staffer in 1993 .
Biden and has campaign have denied the allegations .
Feinstein questioned why Reade waited so long to bring forward her allegations .
“ And I don ’ t know this person at all who has made the allegations .
She came out of nowhere .
Where has she been all these years ?
He was Vice President , ” Feinstein said .
To “ attack him in this way to me is absolutely ridiculous.
” “ No , I do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if she believes Reade , according to the Hill .
The Hill also reported that Feinstein said she has “ a great respect for his integrity , for his fidelity to his family his friends.
” “ And so these accusations are very disturbing because they do have an impact on an individual , and every indication I would have is that they would be false until I was shown otherwise , ” she added .
Feinstein joins other Democrats who staunchly defended Ford in her allegations against Kavanaugh , but now say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senator said in a September 2018 tweet that she found “ every single piece of information from Dr. Christine Blasey Ford eminently credible , sincere and believable.
” “ Confirming Brett Kavanaugh in the face of credible allegations of sexual assault that were not thoroughly investigated , and his belligerent , partisan performance in last Thursday ’ s hearing undermines the legitimacy of the Supreme Court , ” Feinstein tweeted in September 2018 .
In another September 2018 tweet , Feinstein called for a delay of the hearings concerning Ford ’ s allegations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ford ’ s wishes and delay this hearing , ” Feinstein tweeted .
“ A proper investigation must be completed , witnesses interviewed , evidence reviewed and all sides spoken to .
Only then should the chairman set a hearing date.
” “ The decision to come forward or not come forward has always been Christine Blasey Ford ’ s , and that includes her participation in a hearing , ” she added .
Mary Margaret Olohan is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-11--Facebook Provides $16M in Grants to 200 Mostly Liberal Local Newsrooms

Facebook last week announced that more than 200 news organizations will receive nearly $ 16 million in grants through the Facebook Journalism Project ’ s relief fund for local news .
These grants come from $ 25 million in relief funding announced in March from Facebook ’ s $ 100 million global investment in news .
It includes : $ 10.3 million being awarded to 144 US local newsrooms as part of the COVID-19 Local News Relief Fund Grant Program .
The fund is supporting many publishers who are hardest hit by this crisis : nearly 80 percent of recipients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than half are published by or for communities of color .
$ 5.4 million being awarded to 59 North American newsrooms that participated in Facebook Local News Accelerator programs focused on subscriptions and memberships .
Out & About Nashville Inc. : Nashville ; grant amount : $ 69,358 The remaining funds will be used in 2020 to support projects focused on longer-term sustainability in local journalism .
This includes $ 2.5 million for Report for America , helping the group place 225 journalists in 160 local news organizations for their 2020 reporting corps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both announced $ 300 million programs to aid journalism , said The Philadelphia Inquirer , which received $ 150,000 in the new Facebook grant .
One newspaper analyst blamed the social media giants as being part of the problem .
“ The amount of money is meaningful , but it doesn ’ t change the trajectory of the industry .
So it needs to be seen in that light , ” said Ken Doctor , a former newspaper industry executive who became an industry analyst .
“ And both Facebook and Google deserve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which are now among the richest corporations in the United States , have outgunned traditional news-gathering organizations when it comes to share of advertising .
They have captured the lion ’ s share of the world ’ s advertising revenue while building a highly engaged online community around third-party news content displayed on their platforms .
Watch an “ About Us ” informational video by Facebook Journalism Project here .
Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes .
Editors ’ note : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the other digital newspapers in the Star News Digital Media network applied for a Facebook grant because it would be impossible to honestly cover Facebook after having accepted such a grant .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-11--More California Churches, Sheriffs Announce Defiance of State, Local Orders

California entered phase 2 of its reopening plan Friday , but that excluded houses of worship being able to hold in-person services .
Regardless , several thousand church leaders say they plan to reopen by May 31 no matter what the governor says .
California Church United , a network of 3,000 California churches , representing 2.5 million members , announced it plans to open May 31 , instead of waiting until the state implements phase 3 , which includes allowing modified reopening of houses of worship .
Many churches are reopening nationwide on May 31 , a date specifically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Pentecost , a significant date on the Christian calendar .
Some plan to open Sunday , May 10 .
“ Our churches are part of the answer , not part of the problem , ” Danny Carroll , senior pastor at Water of Life Community Church , said at a news conference held at the Water of Life mega church in Fontana , California .
“ We ’ re an essential part of this whole journey and we ’ ve been bypassed … kicked to the curb and deemed nonessential , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acknowledged the work of the faith community committed to helping the homeless , seniors and the poor during his Thursday news conference .
“ Our fear is simply this , ” Newsom said .
“ Congregations of people from far and wide coming together in a closed space at a large scale remains a point of concern and anxiety for us .
We are working on guidelines for physical distancing and working with faith leaders talking about unique conditions in their own facilities .
Nothing is etched in stone.
” The fear doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the data the state is reporting , critics note .
As of May 8 , 62,512 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the state , representing .0015 percent of the state ’ s 39.5 million people .
Among them , 2,585 people , or .00006 percent of the population , have died .
Matt Brown , pastor of Sandals Church in Riverside , decried the governor ’ s decision to deem churches “ nonessential.
” “ He didn ’ t ask us .
He overstepped and he ’ s overreached , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs to step back and he needs to declare that the church is an essential part of what we do as Americans , as what we do as Californians.
” Jim Doman , pastor and founder of Church United , asked , “ How can the church not be essential ?
, ” referring to the numerous ministries that churches are involved in .
After two months of being closed , the nonprofit organization Liberty Counsel has called on churches nationwide to open .
It launched ReOpen Church to provide resources for houses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ churches consider reopening with a range of service options , including reduced seating inside , offering parking lot services and continuing with online worship videos for those who are unable to attend or who fall into a higher risk category .
ReOpen Churches points to the Trump administration ’ s guidelines for reopening America .
“ The lockdowns have closed churches at a time of greatest need , and they must reopen to meet the burgeoning needs of the community , ” Liberty Counsel founder , chairman , and senior pastor Mat Staver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essential than ever to bring comfort , hope , and help to the people they serve .
Each church is different and each one must assess when and how best to reopen.
” The site also provided resources for churches , including Rights of Churches to Meet for Religious Services , safety measures to follow , and other free resources .
“ Houses of Worship across the state are facing discrimination , ” Harmeet Dhillon , CEO of the Center for American Liberty , said .
The center has filed numerous lawsuits against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay-at-home order .
The center created an online petition for citizens to voice their opposition to the governor .
In part , it states , “ We demand that Governor Newsom and Attorney General Becerra reclassify Houses of Worship as ‘ essential ’ , provided that they practice the same social distancing and safety measures expected of other essential institutions.
” Newsom said , “ I take very seriously those concerns about people of faith and I ’ m very sensitive to those who want to get back to church .
But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The underlying problem , critics maintain , lies in the state ’ s refusal to deem houses of worship – and the practice of religious freedom – as essential .
“ Churches have always been essential , now more than ever , whether government recognizes them or not .
They ’ ve been discriminated against with these orders , ” Staver told Fox News .
A growing number of sheriffs also have said they will not enforce the state or local orders .
The latest is Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week recorded on video have since gone viral on social media .
“ It ’ s time to get back opening up our businesses and letting our people do what our normal business activities are , ” Bianco told Fox News .
“ And , you know , you just can ’ t arrest somebody for going out and exercising in public or not wearing a mask .
You know , at the same time they are trying to force me to release real criminals from jail .
They want me to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are , you know , trying to support a family .
It doesn ’ t make sense anymore.
” Bethany Blankley is a contributor to The Center Square .
Photo “ California Church ” by Loco Steve CC2.0


thetennesseestar--2020-05-11--Former Warren Aide on Commission Overseeing COVID Stimulus Is Married to Lawyer Who Defends Big Corp

Former Warren Aide on Commission Overseeing COVID Stimulus Is Married to Lawyer Who Defends Big Corporate Clients

One of the regulators pegged to oversee the coronavirus stimulus is married to a corporate attorney who touts her history of defending companies in civil and criminal enforcement cases before the Security and Exchange Commission ( SEC ) , public records show .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer tapped attorney Bharat Ramamurti to sit on the Congressional Oversight Commission , a five-member panel Congress created in March to oversee the $ 2.2 trillion stimulus package .
The commission ’ s statute does not explicitly require members to disclose their finances , though three of the members are obligated to provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a former aide to Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts , argues transparency is key in scrutinizing how the Treasury Department and Fed distribute money .
He sent a letter to the Fed in April , for instance , requesting that the agency disclose detailed information about lending transactions , and published an op-ed in The New York Times demanding more strings be attached to the loans .
But he hasn ’ t disclosed his personal assets .
In 2011 , Ramamurti married Paige Ammons , a corporate lawyer whose Linkedin page touts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by government agencies including the Securities and Exchange Commission ( SEC ) , the Department of Justice ( DOJ ) , and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) .
” She is a counsel at the law firm Buckley Sandler , whose “ clients include 21 of the 25 largest banks in the U.S. , as well mortgage and auto lenders , and loan servicers , ” according to the Washington , D.C. , firm ’ s website .
A 2017 obituary of Paige ’ s brother , shows the Ramamurtis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago , and a deed they signed on their $ 749,000 home in 2012 has not been altered , according to a copy reviewed by the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Paige ’ s donations to the Warren campaign in February show her address matches that shown on Ramamurti ’ s voter identification .
Paige ’ s legal work came up in May 2017 when Warren was pushing Bharat for an SEC position .
Congressional rules stipulate that if lawmakers , aides , and other congressional employees earn more than $ 131,239 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ramamurti earned roughly $ 37,000 when he worked in Warren ’ s office from October to January 2019 , according to data from Legistorm , a website that tracks congressional salaries .
The disclosure threshold that year was $ 127,914 .
Neither Paige nor Bharat have responded to the DCNF ’ s request for comment .
The DCNF reached out to Bharat through the Roosevelt Institute where he is a managing director of corporate power .
The left-leaning think tank ’ s board members include union bosses from the American Federation of Teachers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , among other notable labor heavyweights .
The oversight commission includes two Republicans — Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and Rep. French Hill of Arkansas — neither of whom believe in the kind of conditions Ramamurti is proposing .
Toomey , unlike the former Warren aide , believes there should be fewer strings attached to whatever loans the Federal Reserve distributes .
“ The Fed ’ s role is to comply with the statute , ” Toomey told Politico on April 28 .
“ If Congress had wanted those restrictions to be in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the statute.
” The third member is Democratic Rep. Donna Shalala of Florida , who faced calls for her removal after she failed to disclose stock sales in 2019 .
She was required to report her assets under the Stock Act , a law former President Barack Obama signed to prevent insider trading .
Shalala told The Miami Herald in April that she sold stocks in 2019 to avoid any potential conflicts of interest , though she neglected to publicly report the transactions as required under the 2012 law .
Pelosi decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lack of disclosure .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , for their part , are homing in on who will chair the watchdog group .
The chair has one main responsibility : He or she will act as a tie-breaker for the commission ’ s toughest decisions .
Pelosi , McConnell , Schumer and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy all had a hand in choosing the other commissioners .
Neither Pelosi nor McConnell have responded to the DCNF ’ s request for comment for this article .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous request in April to address reports that a Republican who backed Warren ’ s presidential bid and sat on the board of a China-owned commercial bank in 2017 is the top candidate to head up the watchdog group .
Businesswoman Sheila Bair ’ s past as a Republican and support for the Massachusetts Democrat is catapulting her to the top of the heap of potential candidates for the position , VICE reported in April .
She was appointed to the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China ’ s board in 2017 before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nonprofit Volcker Institute told the DCNF .
Bair is the group ’ s director .
Bair , a former chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ( FDIC ) , has been complimentary in the past of China ’ s approach to business .
“ Some of our rules are too complicated .
We should learn from China , ” Bair told world leaders in June 2019 at the plenary session of the 11th Lujiazui Forum , a platform formed to help government officials , world financial leaders and academics discuss ways @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chris White is a reporter at Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Bharat Ramamurti ” by Bharat Ramamurti , and “ Elizabeth Warren ” is by Sen. Elizabeth Warren .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-11--Trump Campaign Launches ‘Moms For Trump’ Coalition

President Donald Trump ’ s campaign launched a “ Moms for Trump ” coalition ahead of Mother ’ s Day during an online broadcast Saturday night .
The campaign ’ s online broadcast aired at 8 p.m. , Trump campaign spokeswoman Sarah Matthews told the Daily Caller News Foundation .
It featured top Trump 2020 advisers Lara Trump , Mercedes Schlapp , Katrina Pierson and national chair of Trump Victory Finance Committee Kimberly Guilfoyle .
“ President Trump built up our roaring economy once with his America First policies , and he is the only person who can do it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement provided to the DCNF .
She continued : “ Mothers across the country are quickly recognizing that Joe Biden ’ s disastrous policies would be detrimental for our nation ’ s families and harmful to the future of our children.
” The coalition is intended to “ mobilize and empower mothers , aunts , grandmothers and nanas across the nation ” to share their stories of Trump ’ s pro-family and pro-America policies and re-elect him for a second term .
“ Women across the country know that four more years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safer communities , stronger families , and the bright future our children and future generations deserve , ” the Trump campaign said in a press release .
During the broadcast , filmed previously due to the coronavirus outbreak , the Trump campaign members discussed Trump ’ s leadership throughout the pandemic as well as the “ heroic actions ” of Dallas hair salon owner Shelley Luther , who was jailed for seven days for refusing a judge ’ s request to admit that her insistence on keeping her business open was “ selfish.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ media “ hypocrisy ” toward 2020 presidential candidate Joe Biden ’ s accuser Tara Reade .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-11--Nearly 15,000 Tennesseans Test Positive for COVID-19

As of Sunday Tennessee had 14,985 confirmed COVID-19 cases , while the virus had claimed the lives of 243 state @ @ @ @ @ to The Covid Tracking Project , which also reported the virus had hospitalized 1,325 Tennesseans @ @ @ @ @ , meanwhile , had the first and second highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases , @ @ @ @ @ , according to The Tennessee Department of Health ’ s website .
The TDH also @ @ @ @ @ distant third in total number of virus cases .
As The Tennessee Star reported last @ @ @ @ @ a boost from an unusual source .
The Trousdale Turner Correctional Facility in Trousdale County @ @ @ @ @ of inmates and staff who tested positive for COVID-19 – almost all of whom were @ @ @ @ @ the following number of COVID-19 cases , per county , as of Sunday night : @ @ @ @ @ journalist at The Tennessee Star .
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thetennesseestar--2020-05-11--Commentary: America’s Rock-n-Roll Architect Little Richard Has Died

Richard Wayne Penniman , better known as “ Little Richard , ” died on Saturday at his Nashville home .
He was 87 .
Millennials and such may be unaware of the man and the great American music he pioneered .
As the big-band era of the 1940s began to wane , musicians opted for smaller combos .
They pounded out a rollicking sound with a heavy backbeat , honking saxophones , percussive pianos , and simple lyrics that lingered in the mind .
When Chuck Berry sang “ roll over Beethoven , dig these rhythm and blues , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about .
By the mid-1950s , rhythm and blues had been rebranded as rock and roll , and Little Richard was the king .
Backed by great musicians such as Earl Palmer on drums and Lee Allen on tenor saxophone , the Georgia native crashed away at the piano as he belted out bawdy lyrics that sent crowds into a frenzy .
As “ Rip it Up , ” explains , Little Richard didn ’ t care if he spent all his dough , because tonight he was going to be “ one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Molly , “ when you rockin ’ and a-rollin ’ , you can ’ t hear your momma call.
” She didn ’ t care , and neither did those dancing to the music .
For her part , Long Tall Sally was “ built sweet , she got everything uncle John needs , ” but like Miss Molly she was determined to “ have some fun tonight.
” A gal named Lucille was known for refusing to do her sister ’ s will .
Little Richard wanted Lucille to come back where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friends about her , alas , “ all they lips was tight.
” Some unnamed woman kept knocking but Little Richard told her she couldn ’ t come in .
He was probably busy at the time , maybe with Molly or Sally ( though , as an admitted homosexual , maybe he was with somebody else ) .
But he did say , “ come back tomorrow night and try it again.
” So maybe they hooked up after all .
The gal named Sue , “ she know just what to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in “ Tutti Frutti , ” ludicrously covered in 1957 by , yes , Pat Boone .
The original artist was happy for the publicity and the royalties , and in 1956 Little Richard recorded a cover of “ Lawdy Miss Clawdy , ” first released by Lloyd Price in 1952 .
Little Richard kept cranking out the hits , and some lesser-known tunes such as “ True Fine Mamma , ” the B-side of “ Oh My Soul.
” He punctuated many of his songs with that soaring falsetto “ whoooo !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Little Richard ’ s music is not terribly sophisticated and the recordings do sound alike .
On the other hand , there are no studio tricks , and as with fellow rock pioneer Chuck Berry , no politics or social messaging .
Little Richard , the first great rock showman , put it out there with all his might , and what you hear is what you get .
If the music doesn ’ t move you in some way , maybe , as Edwin Starr said , you got “ no kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be unaware that Little Richard recorded gospel tunes such as “ God is Real ” ; so it seems the American original was ready to move on long before he hit 87 .
Richard Penniman outlived many of his imitators , and , should he outlast them in the public mind as well , as time marches on , that would be a good thing .
Lloyd Billingsley , a non-Asian Atlantic Islander and Person of No Color , is the author of Barack ’ em Up : A Literary Investigation , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Political Correctness Battlefield .


thetennesseestar--2020-05-11--Half Of Minnesota’s Hospitality Businesses May Close Permanently Amidst Walz Shutdowns

Most of Minnesota ’ s hospitality businesses may be forced to close permanently as a result of Governor Tim Walz ’ s economic shutdown orders , warns Hospitality Minnesota .
Hospitality Minnesota is an association for lodging , restaurant , resorts and campgrounds , per the organization ’ s website .
This group , along with the Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association , the Community of Minnesota Resorts and the Craft Brewers Guild say that existing releif packages aren ’ t doing enough to keep hospitality based businesses afloat in the state .
As a result , over half of these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forever if things don ’ t change soon , per a local CBS affiliate .
Hospitality Minnesota feels confident in this prediction after taking a survey of businesses in the state .
If this grim forecast comes to fruition , over 145,500 jobs could be destroyed , according to numbers reported by the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal .
This would place increased strain on Minnesota ’ s already struggling unemployment systems that can barely support the 605,000 workers already left jobless amidst Walz ’ s shutdowns .
To reverse the damage to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state to create a $ 120 million loan program for their industry , among other things , per US News .
“ Hospitality businesses and jobs are teetering on an economic cliff .
As one of the strongest drivers of Minnesota ’ s economy , we need to collectively step up now to save them .
This will help turn the state ’ s budget and economy around more quickly by generating revenue , ” remarks Liz Rammer the President and CEO of Hospitality Minnesota .
Rammer ’ s statement may be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last few weeks , Minnesota ’ s $ 1.5 billion budget surplus has transformed into a $ 2.4 billion deficit as revenue drops as a result of a stagnant economy .
Hospitality accounts for nearly 10 % of the economy in the Twin Cities and over 8 % in Greater Minnesota , according to the University of Minnesota .