thetennesseestar--2020-04-29--Commentary: Globalism Is Not Slowing Down Anytime Soon

Nothing , not even a pandemic , will dissuade the people who brought us globalization to modify , halt , or roll back the decisions they have made for us .
As I was scrolling through Twitter , I came across these gems .
First , there was this tweet from the George W. Bush Presidential Center .
It links to an article which tells us that calling for Americans to start to “ Make it here at home ” has a nice ring to it , but we must have no illusions : “ Restricting trade and using taxes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market can only be done by dramatically reducing freedom .
That path leads to poverty.
” Quite the curious statement from an institution representing the man whose administration admitted China to the World Trade Organization ( WTO ) —a nation that has built its economic and geopolitical strength by using currency manipulation and subsidies to capture international markets .
Since China ’ s accession to the WTO , American workers—largely lower-income Americans—lost almost 4 million jobs between 2001 and 2018 .
Does former President Bush or the author of the article have any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ build anti-fragility into the American economy for the future ?
None .
Just more nostrums about “ spreading freedom ” from the presidential center of a guy who led this nation into two ongoing wars that sent our best sons and daughters to get shot up by Islamist savages .
In other words , failed “ wars to spread democracy ” that replaced secular dictators with failed states , while racking up trillions in debt for future generations .
The Bush Administration wanted the younger generation to accept job losses , trillions in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their acolytes want to shill for Chinese mercantilism while dubbing it “ free trade ” ?
Adding his voice to the growing chorus trying to stem the tide anti-globalist opinion , we have former President Jimmy Carter decrying President Trump ’ s decision to halt American funding to the World Health Organization ( WHO ) .
That ’ s right ; the same WHO that said there was no evidence of human-to-human transmission of coronavirus back in mid-January .
The same WHO run by Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , an Ethiopian apparatchik best known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese Communist Party ( CCP ) pushed for him to be made director-general of the WHO .
Tedros is a former “ health official ” in the regime of Ethiopian Marxist dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam .
From the onset of the pandemic , he was out in front praising Communist China for its “ response ” to the coronavirus ( which we now know included imprisoning and gagging whistleblowers ) .
During the Red Chinese “ response ” that came before the total lockdown of Hubei province , millions of people fled while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dawdled .
According to a study by the University of Southampton in Great Britain , “ if interventions in [ China ] could have been conducted one week , two weeks , or three weeks earlier , cases could have been reduced by 66 percent , 86 percent and 95 percent respectively—significantly limiting the geographical spread of the disease.
” But ChiCom bumbling failed .
And now the whole world is paying the price .
These recent comments show us one major fact : the globalist establishment controls major parts of both political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preternatural ability to limp on after setbacks .
The list grows with each passing year : the 1997 East Asian financial crisis , the 2000 tech bubble , the ongoing wars to spread “ democracy ” in Iraq , Afghanistan , and now the failed states of Syria and Libya , the 2008 financial crisis , and now this pandemic .
Yet the survival of globalization is only maintained with greater and greater efforts each time it systematically fails us all .
Continuing to trust these failed globalist policies and failed globalist politicians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s great opportunity and challenge is to convince the American people that globalism spread this virus throughout the world .
It is his job to show that the dalliances of so-called American corporations who have made huge profits from China ’ s economic policy have led us to this situation where we can not even provide basic personal protective equipment for our own people .
It is his job to show that it was their inveterate lobbying and advocacy of outsourcing that brought us here .
It is his job to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have carried water for those corrupt politicians and Wall Streeters .
It is his job to attack and isolate those degenerate “ artists ” in Hollywood and our degenerate makers of “ popular culture ” for their non-stop praise for and submission to globalism .
It is his job to attack and isolate the money-hungry universities for allowing themselves to be filled to the gills with CCP students instead of worthy Americans .
It is his job to attack the corporations that prostituted themselves out to make quick bucks in China in exchange @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We are seeing the crystallization of the Chinese Communist Regime as the leading world advocate for globalism ; and we see that they are supported by all the “ elite ” institutions in America , fellow travellers who are more citizens of the world than they are citizens of the United States of America .
This crisis presents an opportunity to isolate all of them and force our own traitorous elites to prove that they are not , in fact , merely globalists complicit in policy that would advance Maoist hegemony world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use the Rules for Radicals against the globalist radicals who have spent the last fifty years undermining the United States .
The focus this summer and fall should draw from Alinsky ’ s Rules and weaponize them against the defenders and advocates of globalism .
“ Ridicule is man ’ s most potent weapon.
” That means President Trump and populist Republicans should never pass up an opportunity to ridicule globalism for being the death cult it truly is .
It means never letting up on demonstrating its manifold hypocrisies , its will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their criticisms of us , we should shrug our shoulders and stay on queue , never letting up on ridiculing the contradictions of globalism and the disasters it invariably brings .
“ A good tactic is one your people enjoy.
” This is why it is vital for President Trump to continue holding his press conferences and to keep tweeting away .
The president ’ s supporters love it when he attacks these cosmopolitans who have ridiculed us throughout our times in primary school , secondary school , in the university , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the movies that people watch .
Now they have someone who hits back and this is why the globalist Left and Right hate the president so much .
The old paradigm of pliant Republicans and respectable Democrats bending the knee to social radicals and open borders corporatism is over .
It needs to stay over .
“ Pick the target , freeze it , personalize it , and polarize it.
” It is the job of conservatives from the top down to continue to attack all of the institutions that the globalists have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constituencies therein against each other .
This is very easy ; from here on out , every policy should be crafted to force our traitorous elites to tip their hand by either defending Americanism or by defending Communist China , the proxy for globalism : schools , universities , mainstream media , movies , and music all need to be backed into a corner .
Trump and Republican leaders ’ job is to force elites to choose one or the other : will it be America First or globalism ?
Even if we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the more Americans can be awakened to the fact that these institutions are largely populated by upper class elites whose loyalty is not to this country , the easier it will be to isolate and marginalize them from continuing to control the hearts and minds of those Americans whose loyalty is to our country .
The sooner Americans come to view all of these institutions as an illegitimate , occupying force with a will contrary to American interests , the better .
The coming election this fall is President Trump ’ s to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America and Americans first while calling for the destruction of globalism with the same repetitive fervor that Marcus Porcius Cato called for the destruction of Carthage he will most likely win .
It ’ s that simple .
In 149 B.C .
Cato the Elder ’ s slogan was Carthago delenda est— “ Carthage must be destroyed.
” Today , our slogan should be Globalism delenda est—Globalism must be destroyed .
Hezekiah Kantor is a pseudonym for an American high school teacher and coach with a B.A .
from an Ivy League University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Jesuit college on the West Coast .
A teacher of the year in his first school district , he holds a National Board Certificate for Adult and Youth Social Studies .
He has an interest in politics , religion , economics , and military history .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-29--Report: Flynn Will Be ‘Completely Exonerated’ This Week

Former national security adviser Michael Flynn could be “ completely exonerated ” as early as this week , sources are telling FOX Business ’ Maria Bartiromo .
“ It was a fraud .
A Set up , ” she tweeted Sunday afternoon .
New documents recently turned over to Michael Flynn ’ s legal team contain what lead attorney Sidney Powell called “ stunning ” exculpatory evidence in a court filing on Friday .
“ This afternoon , the government produced to Mr. Flynn stunning Brady evidence that proves Mr. Flynn ’ s allegations of having been deliberately set up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top of the FBI , ” Powell ’ s legal filing said .
“ It also defeats any argument that the interview of Mr. Flynn on January 24 , 2017 was material to any ‘ investigation.
’ The government has deliberately suppressed this evidence from the inception of this prosecution — knowing there was no crime by Mr. Flynn.
” Friday evening , Flynn took to Twitter for the first time in years , to post a 12-page declaration of his innocence .
In his statement , the retired general said that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December of 2016 after he was contacted by the FARA unit at the Department of Justice .
Flynn explained that he chose the firm because they had a good reputation for dealing with FARA issues .
He went on to describe his brief meeting at the White House with two FBI agents , saying that he answered their questions to the best of his recollection .
“ Of course , I was embarrassed and angered by the furor that erupted in the press over the felonious leak of classified and highly sensitive information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kislyak , ” Flynn wrote .
“ It was distracting to my work to be the center of such a commotion and it was upsetting to be the cause of disruption to the busy and important work in support of the new President of the United States.
” Flynn said he resigned on February 13 , 2017 and both President Trump and Vice President Pence accepted his apologies over the confusion .
He noted that in one of his first meetings with the Covington lawyers , he was asked if he “ had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as leverage in his case .
While the government was targeting his lobbying firm Flynn Intel Group ( FIG ) for the FARA violations , Flynn ’ s legal fees reached $ 3 million , and he had to sell his house .
During this time , the government was also aggressively investigating his son , who had worked for FIG .
He said they told him he was facing the potential of 15 years in prison “ and that he would be subjected to the ‘ Manafort treatment.
’ ” Although he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after his Covington lawyers had indicated that the FBI agents believed he ’ d lied , so he finally agreed to plead guilty to lying .
He said he pled guilty because of “ the intense pressure from the Special Counsel ’ s Office , which included a threat to indict my son Michael , and the lack of crucial information from my counsel.
” Flynn said he would not have done it had he known that both agents had written in their interview notes ( 302s ) that there was no indication @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believed he was lying .
“ It was all I could do to not cry out ‘ no ’ when this court asked me if I was guilty , ” Flynn said .
“ I express my profound apology to this court … As God is my witness , the truth is I am innocent of these charges.
” Appearing on the Fox News show , Sunday Morning Futures , Rep. Devin Nunes ( R- Calif. ) told host Maria Bartiromo said he suspects that an upcoming court filing in Flynn ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nunes also noted that Jeffrey Jensen , the U.S. Attorney from Missouri , was selected by Attorney General William Barr in January 2020 to review the Flynn case .
In the end , he said , we ’ re going to find out that Flynn “ was framed by our own government and political operatives.
” Nunes , the ranking Republican on the House Intelligence Committee , also said he wants to talk to Steele Dossier source Sergei Millian , a Belarus-born American citizen who is currently in hiding .
Millian , surprisingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mueller Report .
“ Either he was working with Fusion GPS and the Clinton Campaign and dirtying up Trump people , or it ’ s quite possible that he may have been framed , ” Nunes explained .
“ We don ’ t know which of those is true , but we want to find out , ” he added .
Millian responded to Nunes ’ appeal on Twitter .
“ Let ’ s start a discussion about our meeting , ” he tweeted .
Monday morning , Bartiromo spoke with Rep. Doug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he agreed that there was a good possibility the case will be dismissed .
Collins also said that he ’ d seen a report that investigators were looking into Flynn ’ s “ ineffective ” counsel at Covington and Burling .
He characterized the government actors behind the frame-up as “ a corrupt cabal wanting to get candidate Trump and then President Trump out of office.
” CBS News senior investigative correspondent Catherine Herridge reported on Sunday that Friday ’ s filing will be “ important ” for the coming days .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CBSNews told important for days ahead .
AG Barr directed Missouri US Attorney to review FBI personnel ‘ communications and notes , ’ in part , to determine whether key evidence withheld .
Docs under seal but may change , ” she tweeted .
The Federalist reported on Friday that FBI general counsel Dana Boente was behind the effort to block the release of the exonerating Brady Material .
A source with “ direct knowledge of the situation ” meanwhile told the Daily Caller that Boente was acting in coordination with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rejected that claim in a statement Friday night : “ The assertion that Director Wray pushed to withhold exculpatory evidence in the Michael Flynn case is 100 % false , ” DOJ Spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said in a statement .
“ To the contrary , the Director has been nothing but cooperative throughout this process.
” U.S. District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan has ordered the Department of Justice to respond to the motion to dismiss by May 11 .
Sullivan also set a May 4 deadline for the DOJ to respond to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team .
Flynn has been given until May 6 to respond to the DOJ ’ s reply .
Debra Heine is a regular contributor to American Greatness .
Photo “ Michael Flynn ” by Michael Flynn .

by Scott McClallen
First, COVID-19 disrupted classes in 2020, and now it’s teachers keeping kids out of class in 2022.
More than 29,000 Minneapolis students couldn’t attend class Monday as a teachers’ union strike entered its 10th school day.
The striking teachers are seeking a “living wage,” smaller class sizes, and “safe and stable schools.”
The strike began March 8 with the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers (MFT) and Education Support Professionals (ESP) saying the groups were demanding “a living wage” for ESPs, smaller class sizes, and “safe and stable schools,” the union posted on Facebook.
In a video posted on Facebook page Sunday, union officials said they want ESPs to have a minimum $35,000 annual salary.
Teacher Chapter President Greta Callahan said parties have been negotiating.
“This contract needs to get settled,” Callahan said. “We want kids back in school and it feels like we are the only ones acting like that right now.”
Average teacher salaries in St. Paul are $85,000, compared to the average Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) teacher salary of $71,535.
World Population Review says the average Minnesota teacher makes $59,221.
The Sahan Journal reported that despite the high teacher salary, raises for the Minneapolis district have lagged in recent years.
MPS said it shared its “last, best, and final” offer on Sunday that includes: 2% cost of living increases, with up to 12% raises for new teachers, in year one of the contract and 2% increases for all in the second year.
Increase starting wages for 85% of current ESPs to $23 per hour or more, bringing most full-time ESPs close to $35,000 annually.
Increase wages over two years between 8.2% and 34.6% (depending on job classification), with an average increase of 15.6%.
Move the lowest-paid ESPs from $15.45 per hour to $18 per hour.
Pay ESPs $6,000 in bonuses ($3,000 in each of the next 2 years).
$3.5 million to additional hours for ESPs.
Four additional paid duty days for professional development.
“We know that our students want to be back in school with their teachers and ESPs and our staff desperately want to see our students,” Minneapolis School Board Chair Kim Ellison said in a video. “We believe this is the fastest way possible to get our students back to school.”
The proposal would cost $9.3 million in the first year and $13.4 million in the second.
“MPS is reaching beyond its financial means on behalf of our ESPs and will need to make more than $10 million in reductions for the next school year as a result,” the MPS website says.
“We’ll be back out on the line tomorrow fighting for safe and stable schools!” the MFT tweeted Sunday.
The state’s education funding formula is based on enrollment, which has declined at MPS from 32,732 in 2019 to in 2022, 29,100.
The school doesn’t have data on where the roughly 3,632 kids who left went, MPS media coordinator Crystina Lugo-Beach told The Center Square in an email.
MPS said all pre-K through 12th classes would be canceled “for the duration of the strike.” Axios reported that the district is facing a a $21.5 million budget deficit for the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
– – –
Scott McClallen is a staff writer covering Michigan and Minnesota for The Center Square. A graduate of Hillsdale College, his work has appeared on Forbes.com and FEE.org. Previously, he worked as a financial analyst at Pepsi.
Photo “Minneapolis Public Schools” by Minneapolis Public Schools.


thetennesseestar--2020-04-29--Border Patrol Arrests Illegal Migrant Who Tested Positive for Coronavirus

An Indian national apprehended by a Border Patrol agent on Thursday was soon discovered to be the first individual in Customs and Border Protection ( CBP ) custody to carry the novel coronavirus .
A Border Patrol agent apprehended four migrants — three Mexican nationals and one Indian national — attempting to enter the United States illegally on Thursday along the U.S-Mexico border near Calexico , California , according to a press release from the agency .
The three Mexican nationals were quickly returned across the border , while the Indian national was taken into a Border Patrol facility for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 31-year-old , was evaluated by medical professionals and placed into quarantine after displaying “ flu like symptoms.
” The man ultimately tested positive for COVID-19 , making him the first known detainee in CBP custody to have the disease .
CBP acting Commissioner Mark Morgan responded to the incident , and spoke about the risks CBP agents face every day during the coronavirus outbreak .
“ The potential for the introduction and spread of COVID-19 in CBP stations and processing centers presents a danger to migrants , our frontline agents and officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Morgan said .
“ Our agents and officers continue to protect our country from this invisible enemy , risking their own lives for the health of our nation.
” He added : “ This is precisely the reason the CDC has given CBP the authority to rapidly return individuals that could potentially be infected with COVID-19.
” CBP said it ’ s undergoing “ contact tracing ” of anyone who might have interacted with the individual , and his symptoms are being closely monitored .
He has been moved to an Immigration and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will continue to be treated .
The Department of Homeland Security ( DHS ) , upon orders from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , first declared a ban on many forms of travel along the country ’ s northern and southern borders March 20 .
That order was extended for another 30 days on April 20 .
Not only is movement though the northern and southern borders restricted to “ essential ” traffic , but the government has also green-lighted the immediate removal of illegal aliens .
Under Title 42 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conditions allow for such quick returns — this is how the three Mexican nationals on Thursday were quickly sent back .
Since the border closure has been put in place , illegal alien crossings along the U.S.-Mexico border have plummeted .
The apprehension numbers are a far cry from the middle of 2019 , when the border was overwhelmed by an immigration crisis .
Morgan noted how far worse the coronavirus pandemic would be at the U.S.-Mexico border if the Trump administration had never gotten the crisis under control .
“ Can you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during this time last year , when we had more than 20,000 migrants in our custody ?
” he asked in a Monday statement .
“ It would have overwhelmed our processing centers and stations , and crippled the healthcare system along the border .
”


thetennesseestar--2020-04-29--Los Angeles Lakers Return $4.6 Million Small Business Loan

The Los Angeles Lakers received and then returned a forgivable loan of roughly $ 4.6 million under a federal program designed to help small businesses during the coronavirus pandemic .
The team confirmed in a statement provided to local media that it “ qualified for and received a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program.
” “ However , once we found out the funds from the program had been depleted , we repaid the loan so that financial support would be directed to those most in need .
The Lakers remain completely committed to supporting both our employees and our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement .
The money has been returned , but many are now wondering how the team qualified for a small business loan in the first place .
The Lakers are , after all , valued at $ 4.4 billion , second to only the New York Knicks as the most valuable NBA team .
Businesses with 500 or fewer employees are eligible for the program .
Since the Lakers have a staff of about 300 workers , they were technically able to apply , according to CNN .
However , the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ borrowers to “ certify in good faith that their PPP loan request is necessary.
” The Lakers were reportedly the only NBA team to ask for a Paycheck Protection Program loan from the Small Business Administration .
The program was included in the Coronavirus Aid , Relief , and Economic Security ( CARES ) Act passed on March 27 and signed into law by President Donald Trump .
A total of $ 349 billion was set aside for the program , which is intended to help small businesses keep their workers on payroll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blew threw its first round of funds in a little more than two weeks and was replenished with another $ 250 billion on Friday .
The Lakers apparently applied for a loan during the first round of funding , but returned it after they learned that the program was out of money .
Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin told CNBC Tuesday that he “ never expected in a million years ” that the Los Angeles Lakers would apply for a loan .
“ I ’ m a big fan of the team , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the fact that they took a $ 4.6 million loan , ” he said .
“ I think that ’ s outrageous and I ’ m glad they returned it.
” Mnuchin said that the Small Business Administration will now being doing a “ full review ” of any loan worth more than $ 2 million “ before there is loan forgiveness.
” U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown ( D-OH ) called for an investigation Monday into reports that some Paycheck Protection Program lenders are prioritizing “ larger and wealthier clients.
” Anthony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Staples Center ” by Prayitno .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-29--COVID-19 Prominent in One Corner of Nashville, but Rest of the City Remains Closed

The southeastern end of Davidson County has the largest cluster of Nashville ’ s COVID-19 cases , but the rest of the county remains closed for business because of the virus .
This , according to a color-coded map Nashville officials released Tuesday .
“ Our cases identified over the last week are still geographically located and clustered in the southeastern part of the county , ” said Leslie Waller , an epidemiologist with the Metro Nashville Public Health Department at a press conference Tuesday .
“ We know there are many diverse communities that reside there that can benefit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Song , spokesman for Nashville Mayor John Cooper , told The Tennessee Star Monday that county officials will still impose restrictions upon the entire county .
This , even though , many of the new cases seem clustered in one county area .
“ While we are making special efforts through a partnership between the Metro Pubic Health Department and the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition to address a cluster in southeast Nashville , new cases have been found throughout Davidson County as the data reflects , ” Song said in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urge to return to business as normal , and many livelihoods depend on it .
But in order to get our economy back up and running , we must stay the course and reduce the rate of coronavirus infections across all communities here in Nashville.
” Members of the TIRRC have partnered with the county to devise strategies to help people in the county ’ s southeastern quadrant cope with COVID-19 , Waller said .
Davidson County Vice Mayor Jim Shulman and the 40 Metro Council members did not return The Star ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday .
Alex Jahangir , who chairs Davidson County ’ s Metro Coronavirus Task Force , said at Tuesday ’ s press conference that , as of Tuesday , the county had 2,588 confirmed COVID-19 cases .
That was an increase of 100 cases in the previous 24 hours .
COVID-19 also claimed the lives of two county residents , both in their 80s , both having underlying medical conditions , Jahangir said .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Waller ” by Mayor John Cooper .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-29--Trump Considers Testing Arriving International Travelers for Coronavirus

President Donald Trump on Tuesday said his administration has been in touch with airline companies about testing international travelers arriving in the United States .
Speaking at the Oval Office with GOP Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis , the president said he might soon mandate COVID-19 testing of people entering the country via international flights , according to a report from Bloomberg , adding that the administration is “ looking at it very closely.
” When asked if he meant temperature checks of passengers or full-blown diagnostic tests , Trump answered “ both.
” “ We ’ re talking to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with others also that have a lot of business coming in from South America , Latin America , and we ’ ll make a determination , ” he said Tuesday at the White House , sitting beside DeSantis .
“ We ’ re also setting up a system where we do some testing and we ’ re working with the airlines on that.
” While Trump said he is not mulling a block on travel from Latin America , he did nudge the Florida governor to let him know if further restrictions would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus outbreak .
Both Trump and DeSantis are concerned about incoming travelers who arrive from coronavirus hotspots in South America , and specifically mentioned Brazil .
“ We could be way on the other side doing well in Florida and then you could just have people kind of come in , ” DeSantis said , adding that he has pushed for rapid testing of airline passengers .
“ Maybe some of these airliners , it should be on them to check before they ’ re getting on and coming to this country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think we ’ re technologically more advanced where there should be something like that .
So I ’ ve been advocating for that.
” Talk of testing international airline passengers came as the infection rate in the United States continues to climb .
The coronavirus has sickened more than 3,000,000 people across the globe .
In the United States , more than 988,000 people have tested positive for the virus .
In Brazil , considered a hotspot for the virus in South America , more than 67,000 people have been officially infected with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mitigate the outbreak , the Trump administration has restricted immigration along the northern and southern borders to only “ essential ” traffic , and has since issued an executive order that restricts green card applications from foreign nationals living abroad .
Jason Hopkins is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-29--Senator Seeks Access to DOJ Records on Steele’s Mystery Dossier Source

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham is asking the Justice Department to turn over records related to a key source for Christopher Steele who undercut allegations made in the salacious Trump dossier .
“ The Primary Sub-source substantially undercut Steele ’ s election reporting , calling into question the accuracy and reliability of any of Steele ’ s reports , ” Graham wrote in a letter to Attorney General William Barr released Monday .
The source , who has not been identified , could help answer several mysteries still surrounding the dossier , which the FBI used to obtain authority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Several allegations in the dossier have been debunked , including Steele ’ s claim of a “ well-developed conspiracy of coordination ” between the Trump campaign and Russian government .
Steele ’ s source told the FBI and Justice Department in January 2017 that Steele misrepresented or embellished several claims in the dossier .
The Justice Department ’ s inspector general said in a report that the FBI received evidence that Russian intelligence operatives might have fed disinformation to Steele , a former MI6 officer .
If disinformation is in the dossier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handled it .
Steele relied exclusively on the individual to collect information from others inside and outside Russia regarding Donald Trump , his campaign aides and Russian activities related to the 2016 election .
The FBI failed to disclose the negative information about the dossier in its applications to surveil Page .
The Justice Department has invalidated two of those surveillance orders because of the FBI ’ s omissions regarding Steele , his source and exculpatory information regarding Page .
Graham is seeking a written summary of a January 2017 interview that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department attorneys .
The South Carolina Republican also seeks an analytical document prepared by an FBI intelligence analyst after the interview with the source .
The South Carolina Republican said that the document “ identified inconsistencies ” between Steele and his source regarding information in two memos from the dossier .
He is also asking Barr for access to three email chains from February and March 2017 discussing the source , including one that Peter Strzok , then the deputy chief of FBI counterintelligence , sent to his colleagues .
Steele has refused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ network of sources used in the dossier .
He said in a British court deposition in March that the source had worked for him on various projects “ for several years.
” Steele also said his firm , Orbis Business Intelligence , paid sources a monthly retainer of between $ 3,000 and $ 5,000 .
The FBI said it has “ no comment ” when the Daily Caller News Foundation asked by email to explain the rationale for keeping the source ’ s identity secret .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-29--Sen Hawley Calls for a Criminal Probe into Amazon, Says Bezos’s Juggernaut Is an ‘Existential Threat

Sen Hawley Calls for a Criminal Probe into Amazon, Says Bezos’s Juggernaut Is an ‘Existential Threat’ to Small Businesses

Sen. Josh Hawley wants a criminal antitrust investigation into Amazon after a recent report suggested the company ’ s employees are taking competitors ’ data to develop similar products .
Amazon represents an “ existential threat ” to small American retailers , the Missouri Republican wrote in a letter Tuesday to Attorney General William Barr .
Hawley is one of Silicon Valley ’ s most stringent critics over the past two years as he and others poke and prod federal authorities to turn their sights on Google and Amazon over antitrust issues .
“ Abusing one ’ s position as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always is bad , but it is especially concerning now , ” Hawley wrote .
He added : “ Thousands of small businesses have been forced to suspend in-store retail and instead rely on Amazon because of shutdowns related to the coronavirus pandemic .
Amazon ’ s reported data practices are an existential threat that may prevent these businesses from ever recovering.
” Hawley referenced an April 23 Wall Street Journal report showing that employees used data from third-party sellers to create competing products , a practice Amazon has repeatedly denied doing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ data during a pandemic is helping to create a monopoly , he said .
“ Like other retailers , we look at sales and store data to provide our customers with the best possible experience , ” Amazon said in a statement to TheWSJ at the time .
“ However , we strictly prohibit our employees from using nonpublic , seller-specific data to determine which private label products to launch.
” CEO Jeff Bezos , meanwhile , is reportedly taking over the company ’ s day-to-day operations amid the pandemic , which originated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsible for killing more than 160,000 people worldwide .
Amazon has not responded to the Daily Caller News Foundation ’ s request for comment about Hawley ’ s letter .
Silicon Valley is attempting to use a coordinated response to the coronavirus pandemic as a way of creating goodwill to shake off critics .
Americans are relying more and more on Amazon for products they would typically acquire from brick-and-mortar businesses that were forced to close after governors and mayors began enacting economic lockdowns to slow the pandemic .
This bottleneck effect where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demand is not going unnoticed .
“ There are really two Americas right now , ” Scott Galloway , a marketing professor at the New York University Stern School of Business , told The Washington Post on Monday .
“ There is Big Tech and there is everyone else .
They can do what very few companies can do , which is play offense in the middle of a pandemic.
” The virus took some of the heat off Amazon and Google , among other giants that faced antitrust investigations .
Texas Attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 33 attorneys general who are engaging in a broad investigation into the industry .
Paxton , a Republican , is leading the charge and accused Google in February of delaying the case as the company tries to prevent officials from bringing in outside consultants .
Google competitors said the company uses its technology and power to squeeze out the competition while favoring its own product .
The company ’ s multi-billion dollar acquisition of DoubleClick in 2007 helped bolster the company ’ s foothold in advertising technology .
Chris White is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Background Photo “ Amazon Warehouse ” by Scott Lewis .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-29--New Poll Has Trump and Biden Tied in Ohio

A new poll released Sunday has President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden statistically tied in Ohio , a critical state for the Trump campaign ’ s path to victory .
According to the poll , Biden leads Trump by less than a percentage point among Ohio voters with 44.9 percent to Trump ’ s 44.2 percent .
The poll was conducted under a partnership between Baldwin Wallace University , Oakland University , and Ohio Northern University .
A poll released by the three universities in March had Trump leading Biden by four percentage points in Ohio .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to score another Electoral College victory this fall .
Early on , many thought Ohio wouldn ’ t be in play .
Biden running dead even with Trump in the Buckeye state counters this narrative , ” Dr. Robert Alexander , a professor of political science at Ohio Northern University , said in a press release .
The poll shows Biden and Trump with similar favorability ratings , though more Ohioans said they have an “ unfavorable ” view of Trump than Biden .
Ohio Democrats favor Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-MA ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s running mate , with 47 percent saying they would like to see Warren as vice president .
Another 41 percent of Democrats said they would like to see Sen. Kamala Harris ( D-CA ) as Biden ’ s pick for vice president , followed by 33 percent who favor Sen. Amy Klobuchar ( D-MN ) .
About 85 percent of respondents said they approve of Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine ’ s handling of the coronavirus pandemic , compared to 50 percent who approve of President Trump ’ s response .
Another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DeWine “ acted at the appropriate time , ” but just four in 10 said the same about Trump .
About 90 percent of those surveyed said they support the restrictions DeWine has imposed during the coronavirus pandemic , including the stay-at-home order .
“ DeWine has emerged as one of the most proactive governors in the country , largely because he views preventing the spread of COVID-19 as a matter of life and death , ” said Dr. Lauren Copeland , associate director of the Baldwin Wallace Community Research Institute .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he leans heavily on public health experts , including Dr. Acton .
His apolitical , no-nonsense briefings have become Ohioans ’ go-to source for facts and reassurance.
” Nearly all respondents said they are concerned about the state of economy , but 70 percent said public health should be prioritized over the economy .
“ Despite protests over Gov .
DeWine ’ s restrictions , a large majority of Ohioans support his policies and are worried about going back to business as usual too soon , ” Alexander added .
“ Many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus and not even know it.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Joe Biden ” by Gage Skidmore .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-29--Vice President Pence Tours Mayo Clinic, Criticized by Media for Not Wearing Mask

Vice President Mike Pence praised the innovation and leadership of Mayo Clinic during a Tuesday visit to the distinguished institution ’ s headquarters in Rochester , Minnesota .
“ It ’ s inspiring for me to be back in Minnesota , ” the vice president said during a roundtable discussion .
“ I had to be here at Mayo today because when the president and I heard about the moonshot partnership we knew that this was the right state and the right time to come and celebrate what the president likes to call a whole of America approach.
” Pence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s recent announcement that the state will now be able to perform up to 20,000 molecular coronavirus tests per day under a partnership with Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota .
As of Tuesday , the state had completed 63,829 COVID-19 tests but has yet to see a dramatic increase in the number of tests performed , which is apparently due to the fact that the state can not obtain the swabs and vials it needs for testing from the federal government .
“ It ’ s remarkable to think that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roughly 8,500 coronavirus tests in America .
But because of the innovation that President Trump secured by bringing commercial labs together , including the great Mayo Clinic commercial lab not far from here , I was told on Air Force Two this morning we ’ ve conducted 5.6 million coronavirus tests , ” Pence said Tuesday .
Prior to the roundtable discussion , Vice President Pence toured Mayo ’ s research and treatment facilities with Gov .
Walz , Rep. Jim Hagedorn ( R-MN-01 ) , FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn , and Dr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mayo Clinic .
“ We ’ re truly grateful that we have this opportunity to serve our nation , ” said Farrugia .
Pence thanked Mayo Clinic for serving as the lead institution for a blood plasma Expanded Access Program .
The goal of the program is to collect plasma from patients who have recovered from the coronavirus and provide it to patients who are still sick .
The convalescent plasma given to COVID-19 patients contains antibodies that could help fight the disease .
“ I was actually told at this point you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with blood plasma from people that have recovered from the coronavirus , ” Pence said .
“ We are encouraged with the news that though we don ’ t know for sure about the impact of this treatment , we are told some doctors tell us that they ’ re actually seeing people on respirators getting better more quickly when they ’ re injected with the blood plasma of people who ’ ve recovered from the coronavirus.
” Gov .
Walz said the vice president has spent “ countless hours on the phone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s there to pick up the phone when we call .
I want to thank you and the president , ” he said .
“ You walk through those labs , and the vice president saw it , and you can ’ t help but be inspired.
” Pence was criticized by many in the national media because he was the only person not wearing a mask during the tour .
Mayo announced a policy earlier this month that requires all patients and visitors to wear a face mask and said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vice president “ of the masking policy prior to his arrival today.
” “ America needs real leadership right now , and it ’ s clear that Donald Trump , Vice President Pence and the administration are not prepared to provide that to the American people , ” Minnesota DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin said in a statement .
“ The crisis is worse because of Donald Trump and Mike Pence ’ s failed leadership.
” Preya Samsundar , a spokesperson for the Republican National Committee , told The Minnesota Sun that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump administration ’ s commitment to fighting the coronavirus across the country.
” “ As they continue to show bold and decisive leadership , Minnesotans know that President Trump and Vice President Pence will continue to fight for them and those on the front lines by putting the American people first , ” she said .
“ Thank you Gov .
Tim Walz for aligning resources to improve testing and using new research to protect the people of Minnesota , ” Pence said on Twitter after his visit .
“ We will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across this country to put the coronavirus in the past.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Mike Pence-Mayo Clinic ” by Fox 9 .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-29--Lawmaker Asks Whitmer to Allow Hospitals, Medical Centers to Perform Elective Procedures

State Rep. Ben Frederick , R-Owosso , today asked Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer to allow Michigan hospitals and other medical providers to perform elective surgeries .
A month and 46 executive orders later , many patients need care and hospitals , medical centers , and other facilities need the money , Frederick said .
“ There are many residents and healthcare providers from mid-Michigan who have contacted me concerned that what may be routine or elective today may lead to dire consequences down the road , ” Frederick said in a statement .
“ I ’ ve heard from those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injuries requiring physical therapy before permanent damage who have had needed tests and procedures put on hold .
Patients are in desperate need of care in ways not related to COVID-19 , and medical care facilities are on the brink of closure – already laying off hundreds of workers because they aren ’ t allowed to help.
” Beaumont Health announced last week it is temporarily laying off 2,475 employees and permanently eliminating about 450 positions because of COVID-19 .
Henry Ford Health Center announced last week it ’ s furloughing about 2,800 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ford said it lost $ 43 million in operating income in March from canceled or postponed surgeries and other problems related to COVID-19 .
“ Losses for April and May 2020 are expected to surpass the loss of March 2020 , ” the group said in a press release .
Henry Ford said postponing elective procedures , appointments , and temporarily closing some outpatient medical facilities cut patient service revenue almost in half in one April week , compared to the same week in 2019 .
Frederick said that COVID-19 fears could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they need care .
“ I ’ ve also heard from medical professionals concerned that publicized restrictions are keeping those who may require emergency care from delaying a visit , ” Frederick said .
“ The governor should allow our medical providers to reopen safely provided the facility has the protective equipment and staffing needed to meet the medical needs of our people.
” An April 2020 Guidehouse report found that 13 rural Michigan hospitals , more than one in four , were at high risk of closing .
Indiana , Illinois , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow some elective procedures starting Friday .
Scott McClallen is a staff writer covering Michigan and Minnesota for The Center Square .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-29--Gov. DeWine Unveils His Plan to Reopen Ohio’s Economy

Gov .
Mike DeWine released details on what Ohio ’ s economy will look like when it opens up on Friday .
“ We put this plan together based on all the information we have about how dangerous COVID-19 still is right now , balanced with the fact that it ’ s also dangerous to have people not working , ” DeWine said .
“ COVID-19 is still out there .
It ’ s still killing people .
We ’ re asking Ohioans to be reasonable and rational .
Please don ’ t take huge chances , and please use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where you go out.
” The goal of DeWine ’ s Responsible RestartOhio plan is to “ protect the health of employees , customers , and their families , supporting community efforts to control the spread of COVID-19 , ” according to the governor ’ s press release .
Set to open on May 1 is the healthcare industry .
Ohio will allow doctor visits , well-care checks , out-patient surgeries , imaging procedures , diagnostic tests , and dental and veterinary services .
Any medical procedure that requires an overnight hospital stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t move forward , according to DeWine ’ s plan .
On May 4 , general office environments and businesses in manufacturing , distribution , and construction can start up again if they meet safety requirements for their employees .
Eight days later , consumers , retail and services businesses can begin once again if it meets safety requirements .
The general safe business practices that all businesses must follow as they reopen are : • Requiring face coverings for all employees , and recommending them for clients and customers at all times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of employees to determine if they should work • Maintaining good hygiene at all times such as hand washing and social distancing • Cleaning and sanitizing workplaces throughout the day and at the close of business or between shifts Things that will remain closed include schools , daycares , dine-in restaurants , gyms , theaters , beauty businesses and adult daycare centers , according to the press release .
“ I have an obligation as the Governor of Ohio to get people back to work and keep them safe .
Opening everything up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the obligation to keep people safe , ” DeWine said .
“ Our Responsible RestartOhio plan is the best guarantee that Ohioans will feel safe going to stores and employees will feel safe going to work .
I ’ m optimistic about our future , but we can ’ t be reckless.
” Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media .
If you have any tips , email Zachery at [ email protected ] Photo “ Mike DeWine ” by The Ohio Channel .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-29--State House Speaker Householder Expresses ‘Tremendous Frustration’ with Gov. DeWine’s ‘Restart Ohio’

State House Speaker Householder Expresses ‘Tremendous Frustration’ with Gov. DeWine’s ‘Restart Ohio’ Plan

Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder ( R-Glenford ) expressed sharp criticism on Monday for Governor Mike DeWine ’ s plans to reopen the economy during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic over what he called an “ unwillingness to recognize ” the needs of small business .
“ There is a tremendous amount of frustration from the majority of members in the Ohio House regarding the administration ’ s unwillingness to recognize that small businesses that have much less daily traffic in their stores are closed while their large chain competitors have been open throughout the process , ” Householder said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As long as small retailers continue to be shut down while national chains are allowed to remain open , the government is assisting in the demise of many great small businesses.The big get bigger and the small go away .
The House has asked to work with the Administration to come up with common sense solutions to resolve this , but have been met with deaf ears .
Ohio ’ s three branches of government are to be separate but equal .
Our members feel disrespected that their opinions have been largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House has announced they are resuming on May 4 and Republican members are anxious to deal with these issues in person rather than via telephone .
Householder ’ s statement came shortly after at least 33 State Representatives – all Republicans – released a framework that urges more aggressive action .
In remarks to FOX19 NOW Tuesday , Householder said : House Republicans believe it ’ s not government ’ s role to manage people ’ s lives .
What you can wear , where you can go , when you can go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home are decisions people make for a child or pet .
House Republicans believe a vast majority of Ohioans understand their own circumstances and can make their own decisions without government mandates and orders .
Now that we know there will be no surge , then if a citizen is worried about getting sick , don ’ t go out .
It ’ s that simple .
The House Republicans ’ plan , dubbed the “ Open Ohio Responsibly Framework ” calls for businesses to open starting Friday , May 1 , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing .
“ We respect past concerns regarding not overwhelming our hospitals , health systems , front line health-care workers and first responders as well as ensuring there is an adequate supply of personal protective equipment , ” the framework states .
“ In Ohio , we believe we are now past that stage of concern.
” However , Ohio Democrats favor extending the shutdown .
Nine Senate Democrats signed a letter last week asking the governor to not reopen the state until more coronavirus testing is completed , and suggested masks be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along with additional guidelines for businesses .
“ We oppose any plan that disproportionately prioritizes the economy over people ’ s lives , ” Democrats wrote.
“ Reopening the state too soon could negate the sacrifices of those who have missed going to school , lost their livelihoods , and put their lives on hold for the greater good.
” Coronavirus restrictions will begin to ease on Friday May 1 , followed by expanded openings Monday , May 4 and Tuesday , May 12 .
Samantha Witwer is a reporter at The Ohio @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-04-29--Minnesota Has More Deaths Per Million Than Neighboring States Who Have Not Sheltered in Place

Despite Minnesota ’ s wide reaching economic shutdowns and its long lasting shelter in place order , it has reported more deaths per million citizens resulting from coronavirus than Iowa and South Dakota which have not responded so harshly .
Minnesota has 49 deaths per million residents while Iowa and South Dakota have just 38 and 13 respectively , according to Minnesota State Representative Pat Garofalo .
Garofalo ’ s statistics appear to coincide with the numbers of COVID-19 related deaths in each Midwestern state reported by Google Statistics as of Monday morning .
Minnesota ’ s Governor Tim Walz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in late March .
The governor has since extended the order to last through May 4 , and may issue another extension soon , according to MPR .
Walz also closed businesses that serve as public gathering spaces March 17 .
These businesses remain closed .
Walz is concerned that once his orders are lifted , people will return to public life too quickly .
“ I ’ m just afraid people are ready to bust out and this thing [ COVID-19 ] spikes up , ” he said , per MPR .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed bars , restaurants and related institutions these states have not issued stay at home orders .
Additionally , Iowa plans to reopen its economy , Thursday , per a government website .
“ I ’ m making decisions to actually do good , not make decisions that just make people feel good , ” South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem said earlier this month , per Inforum .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-29--Whitmer Said She Is Requesting 28-Day Extension of Emergency Power

Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer said on Monday she would send a letter to the Michigan legislature asking it to extend the state of emergency by 28 days , adding that “ it really should be longer.
” “ State of emergency gives us the ability to extend liability protections for all the people that are doing this frontline work , the doctors and the nurses and the first responders , ” she said .
“ We know we ’ re going to have take this kind of a posture and extend these protections to our health care workers for at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s precisely why I ’ ve asked that of the legislature.
” Whitmer also asked for a state of emergency extension from the legislature on April 1 , originally requesting an extension of 70 days .
The legislature only granted her an extension of 23 days , saying that the initial 70-day request was too long .
The state of emergency order allows Whitmer to hold certain powers and leverage resources without legislature approval .
Whitmer originally declared a state of emergency for Michigan on March 10 .
Senate Republicans have “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an extension of the Governor ’ s emergency declaration , ” Amber McCann , a spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey ( R-16-Clark Lake ) told MLive .
“ I have multiple distinct independent authorities of constitutional and statutory power to keep people safe as the governor of the state of Michigan , ” Whitmer said in a response to a question asking if there would be a court battle if the legislature does not grant an extension .
“ The emergency powers that I have as governor do not depend on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the protections for our health care workers do .
And , so , it ’ s better for everyone if we work together to get this right , and that ’ s precisely what I am trying to do.
” There are currently more than 39,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Michigan , according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services .
The death toll in the state is 3,567 .
Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Michigan Star .
Follow her on Twitter at @ JordynPair .
Email @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Photo “ Michigan Legislature ” by Steve & Christine .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-29--Nashville Mayor John Cooper Formally Introduces Huge Property Tax Increase After COVID-19 and Recent

Nashville Mayor John Cooper Formally Introduces Huge Property Tax Increase After COVID-19 and Recent Tornadoes

Nashville Mayor John Cooper wants to raise property taxes by as much as 32 percent , and he said the recent tornadoes and the COVID-19 pandemic give him no other choice .
Cooper formally unveiled his $ 2.447 billion budget for fiscal year 2021 Tuesday .
He did this during a live video conference with Metro Council members , according to a press release .
“ The financial impact of the tornado and COVID-19 on Q4 and FY21 require a budget that increases the property tax rate by $ 1.00 , raising the current rate of $ 3.155 up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Metro Finance estimates the city will have a $ 470 million revenue decline over a 16-month time frame due to the impact of COVID-19 and the March tornado .
The decline in revenue during Q4 of fiscal year 2020 required Metro to cut expenditures and spend down remaining fund balances , leaving Metro with only $ 12 million of fund balances at the end of FY20 , the press release said .
“ This is an unprecedented and difficult time for all Nashvillians .
Thousands of residents have lost their jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the necessary decision to raise taxes all the more difficult .
And as I mentioned during the State of Metro address , the city has thinned its cash reserves to a point where we find ourselves without a rainy-day fund during a stormy season .
This is a crisis budget – not a discretionary budget – that will ensure Metro and Metro Nashville Public Schools can continue to meet our community ’ s needs , ” Cooper said .
The mayor went on to say that “ Nashville is stronger than our current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ budget that will get us through this crisis and prepare for a return to prosperity .
While this budget does not include the many new investments I had hoped to make in a full deployment of body cameras , affordable housing , transportation , social and emotional learning , and much more , this budget will provide needed financial stability to Metro Government , ” Cooper said .
According to Nashville Public Radio , the budget includes $ 234 million in deferred spending and no pay increases for city employees — but no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ typical Nashville household , where the median home value is about $ 277,000 , the annual tax payment would rise from about $ 2,100 to $ 2,800 , an increase of $ 700 , ” the station reported .
As The Tennessee Star reported last week , Cooper ’ s staff did not address the likely unintended consequences of raising property taxes to make up for the COVID-19 pandemic diminishing the city ’ s finances .
Cooper ’ s staff also would not say whether it ’ s wise to grant restaurant and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sooner rather than later , so they can again generate tax revenue and help the city .
This , even if business owners took reasonable precautions to protect people ’ s health .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ John Cooper ” by John Cooper .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-30--Nashville School Board Members Say No to More Charter Schools

Members of the Metro Nashville School Board this week shot down the idea of having five more charter schools .
Board members said , among other things , that charter school staff didn ’ t meet the county school district ’ s curriculum standards .
Board members also said that charter schools relied on too many volunteers and turned in too many generic applications .
This , according to this week ’ s school board meeting , available on YouTube .
The following charter schools applied , according to the board meeting ’ s agenda sheet : Board members also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the recent tornadoes and the COVID-19 pandemic , and they had to show fiscal restraint .
According to Nashville Public Radio , these officials opted not to add more than 3,000 new charter seats .
“ We have a limited pool of funds .
We ’ re now looking at cutting that pool quite a bit … our budgetary future is uncertain , ” said Amy Frogge , school board member for Bellevue and West Nashville .
As the station went on to report , Nashville Mayor John Cooper had asked the district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ budget .
The district has cut its private custodial contract by 9 percent — saving $ 2 million through the end of the year — but it ’ s unclear when larger cuts will be made .
“ We have a pretty clear choice to make .
We have to prioritize where those funds go .
We can choose to open charter seats or we can choose to pay our teachers and our staff members , ” Frogge said .
Nashville Public Radio described Frogge as “ a longtime time critic of charter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learning opportunities for students in traditional schools.
” Maya Bugg , CEO of the Tennessee Charter School Center , told the station that charter schools increase the quality of education in the school district .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]

by Eric Lendrum
The United States Capitol Police (USCP) announced on Thursday that the department is currently investigating 29 officers, and has suspended six, for their actions during the protests at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, according to CNN.
A department spokesman said that “Acting Chief Yogananda Pittman has directed that any member of her department whose behavior is not keeping in line with the Department’s Rules of Conduct will face appropriate discipline.” The six who were suspended will still be receiving pay, and the 29 total officers under investigation is nearly three times the amount of officers who were previously announced as being under investigation back in January.
Pittman said that, as part of the ongoing investigations, the USCP was “reviewing video and other open source materials of some USCP officers and officials that appear to be in violation of Department regulations and practices.” Some Democrats, including Congressman Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), have claimed, without evidence, that some officers openly supported the protesters, allowed them inside, and even guided them around the interior of the building.
During the mostly peaceful protests, Trump supporters entered the Capitol out of protest of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election, as the questionable electoral college results were being formally tabulated by Congress. One Trump supporter, Air Force veteran Ashli Babbitt, was shot in the neck by a plainclothes police officer at close range; the officer who killed her will not be facing any charges for her death.
Several other people died that same day due to sudden medical conditions that had nothing to do with the protests, including Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick; Sicknick has been confirmed to have died of a stroke after it was erroneously reported that he had been beaten to death by protesters with a fire extinguisher.
– – –
Eric Lendrum reports for American Greatness.
Photo “Capitol Police” by Elvert Barnes. CC BY-SA 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-04-30--Commentary: Political Ideology Is Pushing Religion Out of Religious Studies

Many academic disciplines have gotten “ woke ” in recent years , especially in the humanities and social sciences .
For the most part , this transformation has occurred in plain view as colleges created departments for ( and offered degrees in ) “ Women ’ s and Gender Studies , ” “ Black Studies , ” “ LGBTQ Studies , ” “ Latino Studies , ” and the rest of the intersectionality parade .
One discipline , however , sports an innocent-sounding moniker— “ Religious Studies.
” Studying religion would seem to be immune to the current trends in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns .
That impression , however , is inaccurate .
Religious studies—one of the most “ woke ” disciplines on America ’ s college campuses—is an ideological wolf in sheep ’ s clothing , luring students , parents , and alumni into a false sense of security .
In the innocuous guise of religious studies , many colleges and universities are promoting a leftist political agenda .
I discovered this recently when a local college invited a “ religious studies ” scholar to deliver a lecture on faith that turned out to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not a single word about God or the Bible .
This episode was eye-opening , but unfortunately not an aberration .
To my surprise , the field of religious studies is no longer primarily about religion , but rather a radicalized amalgam of socialism , LGBTQ activism , and identity politics .
Hundreds of schools , both private and public , offer degrees in “ religious studies , ” including many of the nation ’ s leading universities .
No longer the exclusive domain of seminaries , divinity schools , and Bible colleges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most Ivy League schools .
Perhaps because of the limited job market , relatively few students major in religious studies , but it is a popular elective .
At Yale , for example , while the volume of religious studies degrees has declined to a trickle , enrollment in undergraduate courses offered by the religious studies department has increased over the past decade .
A Yale official admitted that one reason for the increased popularity of religious studies classes is that they no longer focus primarily on Christianity and Judaism , and instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and religious traditions.
” Now , in the words of the Yale Daily News , “ there is…no single dominant religious tradition in the curriculum.
” The ecumenical—even secular—nature of religious studies is what appeals to students at Yale , one of whom explained that “ The field itself really studies people ; it studies everything.
” In other words , religious studies has become a potpourri of the latest progressive fads .
That transformation is both recent and profound .
Historically , ordained clergy performed religious studies instruction at many colleges and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perspective , typically emphasizing the Bible and Christian doctrine .
Even after this practice was discontinued at public institutions due to legal challenges , the perception remained that “ religious studies is indistinguishable from religious practice.
” When religious studies was expanded to include other religions , such as Buddhism , Hinduism , and Islam , and then reimagined as a secularized comparative approach , it became an inter-disciplinary subject lacking any meaningful religious component .
In the process , it became the perfect vehicle for indoctrination .
One religious studies scholar admitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students to interact with the world in a responsible and informed way.
” This is the state of religious studies in a nutshell : The field is an academic invention with no established tenets , methodological consensus , or fixed pedagogy .
A blank canvas disconnected from religion , religious studies has become a free-wheeling gestalt of leftist sociology , economics , history , anthropology , and philosophy .
As such , it is the ideal platform for aspiring academics wishing to avoid a more rigorous specialty with recognized scholarly standards .
Religious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be filled with the instructors ’ favorite flavor of progressive ideology .
Students willing to parrot the professors ’ views can bag a few easy credit hours .
Broad generalizations about religious studies must acknowledge that the field is not monolithic .
The faculty and curriculum at , say , Liberty University are quite different than those at Yale .
Overall , however , the professoriate teaching religious studies is quite skewed to the left , as evidenced by the field ’ s leading trade association , the American Academy of Religion .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biblical Instructors in American Colleges and Secondary Schools , the organization sponsors an annual meeting—held in conjunction with Society of Biblical Literature—that it boasts is “ the world ’ s largest gathering of scholars interested in the study of religion.
” The content of the joint AAR/SBL annual meetings , which attract upwards of 11,000 attendees , is very revealing .
In light of the economic populism evident in the Progressive-era Social Gospel movement , one might expect religious studies scholars to exhibit some modestly reformist attitudes , but the field is pre-occupied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meetings are organized in large part by AAR committees called “ program units , ” some of which have an explicit LGBTQ emphasis , such as “ Gay Men and Religion , ” “ Lesbian-Feminisms and Religion , ” and “ Queer Studies and Religion.
” Not surprisingly , the AAR/SBL annual meetings reflect this emphasis .
The 2016 meeting featured more than 40 LGBTQ events .
The presentations included these topics : “ Ruth as Undocuqueer : Re-Reading the Book of Ruth at the Intersection of Queer and Postcolonial ; ” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Time in Genesis 18-19 ; ” “ Daniel 11:37 and the Invention of the Homosexual Antichrist ; ” “ The Gospel and Acts of the Holy Ghost : Queer Spectrality , Affective Homohistory , and Luke-Acts ; ” and “ Crucifixion ’ s Idolatrous Resonance : Animality , Slavery , and Sexuality in Pauline Rhetoric.
” The 2017 meeting , held in Boston , was similar , including a presentation on “ Queering Martin Luther.
” The agenda , however , was dominated by condemnation of President Trump .
According to one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the AAR/SBL program 27 times .
A book of essays , Faith and Resistance in the Age of Trump , was among the hottest sellers at the religion publishers ’ exhibition hall…Trump was denounced as a danger to the values of free inquiry , diversity , inclusion and respect.
” The Boston meeting was also noteworthy for featuring a talk by the notorious Palestinian activist Linda Sarsour .
Earlier in its history , when the organization still focused on religion , the annual meetings were quite different .
When the un-woke antecedent to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included a “ half-a-dozen addresses with such titles as ‘ Recent Excavations in Palestine , ’ ‘ The Bible and Modern Education , ’ ‘ A School Principal ’ s Reactions to the Problems of Biblical Instruction , ’ and so forth.
” In other words , actual religious studies , focusing on the Bible .
But in recent decades , the AAR has taken a hard-left turn , outpacing even the rest of the academy .
In addition to the LGBTQ agenda , religious studies scholars promote a litany of issues that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic Party : Marxism/socialism , immigration reform , climate change , criminal justice reform , and identity politics .
The ideologues who preach this secular gospel of social justice are supported by a flotilla of sympathetic publications , such as The Immanent Frame , Religion and Politics , the Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion , Sojourners , and Religion Dispatches .
The connection to religion is often very loose , bordering on non-existent .
One woke religious studies scholar describes herself this way : “ I am a scholar of religion with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and labor ; religion in the Americas ; feminist , queer , and critical race theory ; and theory and method in the study of religion.
” On many university faculties , there is overlap between religious studies and , for example , African American studies .
At Princeton , Eddie S. Glaude , Jr. , a former president of the AAR , chairs the Department of African American Studies while also serving on the faculty of the Department of Religion .
At the University of Texas , religious studies scholar Ashley Coleman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Feminism , Black Genders and Sexualities , Pragmatism , Queer of Color Critique , Africana Religions , Puerto Rican Studies , Atlanta Studies.
” She is on the faculty of the Department of Religious Studies but also teaches in the Center for Women ’ s and Gender Studies .
The disciplines are seemingly interchangeable .
Two decades ago , historian D.G .
Hart called religious studies a “ field in search of a rationale.
” Hart opined further that religious studies , when unmoored from religious practice , became “ rudderless , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sadly , in today ’ s woke academy the field has found a purpose—camouflage for progressive activism .
Mark Pulliam is an attorney and commentator living in eastern Tennessee .
He is a graduate of the University of Texas School of Law .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-30--Bill Hagerty: Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden Are Cut from the Same Cloth

U.S. Senate candidate Bill Hagerty has weighed in on Hillary Clinton endorsing Joe Biden for president .
“ Crooked Hillary Clinton and Joe Beijing Biden are cut from the same cloth , they both enriched their family ’ s finances from the deepest depths of the Washington swamp , ” Hagerty said in a statement on his campaign website this week .
“ Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden ’ s failed , socialist policies would only increase taxes and provide fewer choices for hard-working Americans .
That ’ s why Tennesseans resoundingly rejected Hillary at the ballot box in 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden .
We strongly support President Donald Trump , because he ’ s fighting to drain the swamp and put America first .
I ’ m proud to have the President ’ s complete and total endorsement , and I look forward to continuing our work to get our economy going again.
” As The Tennessee Star reported this week , Hagerty also released a digital ad that he said exposes Biden for defending the Communist Chinese regime — as opposed to Biden holding them accountable for creating a global pandemic .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China and holds them accountable for the Wuhan virus , Beijing Biden has defended the Communist Chinese regime and even parroted their talking points , ” Hagerty said .
“ Beijing Biden ’ s family ’ s close economic ties to China are well known , and his track record of defending China prove that he can not credibly lead our nation .
In the Senate , I will continue to stand with President Trump to push back against the Communist regime ’ s propaganda and hold them accountable for what has become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Tennessee Star reported earlier this month , Hagerty released a television ad touting the candidate holding China accountable for what he called that nation ’ s deceitful actions .
Hagerty said China ’ s leaders continue to mislead and cover up their Wuhan coronavirus data .
China , Hagerty said , even accuses the United States of starting the global pandemic .
“ The Chinese Communist regime ’ s efforts to conceal and destroy valuable evidence – including silencing their own people – regarding the Wuhan coronavirus is the crime of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history , ” he said .
“ The Communist Chinese leaders must be held accountable for the death and destruction leveled on their own people and for the widespread damage to the world ’ s health and economy , ” Hagerty added .
The U.S. Senate candidate received President Donald Trump ’ s endorsement to replace the retiring Sen. Lamar Alexander ( R-TN ) .
Hagerty previously served as the U.S. ambassador to Japan .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
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thetennesseestar--2020-04-30--Metro Council Member at-Large Steve Glover Weighs in on Mayor Cooper’s Plan to Raise Davidson County

Metro Council Member at-Large Steve Glover Weighs in on Mayor Cooper’s Plan to Raise Davidson County Property Taxes By 32 Percent

Live from Music Row Wednesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed guest Metro Councilman-at-Large Steve Glover to the newsmakers line .
During the third hour , Glover weighed in on Mayor Cooper ’ s plan to raise Davidson County property taxes to the tune of 32 % .
He assured listeners that he would not take this sitting down and would fight against it claiming that the people can not afford an extra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these unprecedented times .
Glover stated that this is not just a Conservative issue but an everybody issue and people need to start contacting their district council members now .
Leahy : We are joined now by our very good friend , Metro Council Member-at-Large here in Metro Nashville Davidson County , Steve Glover .
Good morning Steve !
Glover : Good morning Michael , how are you ?
Leahy : Well , we have a lead story and the lead story is that Mayor John Cooper ( Laughter ) wants to increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not going to furlough any employees .
I don ’ t know .
It doesn ’ t sound like a good plan to me .
What ’ s your take on it because you ’ ve been there ?
Glover : I thought we were going to be talking about upcoming Mother ’ s Day and what we can do .
This kind of shocks me that you want to talk about this .
( Leahy laughs ) No .
So , here ’ s the thing .
And I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be before I ever give it to you .
We shouldn ’ t make the people do anything differently than we the government are willing to do .
We laid off a ton of people in Nashville on March 16 and 22 by the executive order that we were shutting down .
Glover : Right .
Private business .
So we did that to the private businesses so I think to take anything off the table as far as how do we balance the budget and how do we look at making this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see anybody lose their job .
I didn ’ t want to see anyone lose their job in the private sector .
At the end of the day , it ’ s happened , it ’ s happening , and it ’ s going to continue to happen .
The longer this rolls on the more devastating it ’ s going to continue being for the pocketbooks of the small business owners out there .
The subcontractors , the 1099 workers , and everything .
I think to say that we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ table as far as having a robust conversation about how do we get through this is the wrong approach .
You and I are going to be aligned on that .
Absolutely .
Number one .
Number two .
There are some key essential things that we don ’ t touch .
Public safety you know where I am on that one .
The education pieces as far as the teachers .
But and I ’ m not saying that everybody else is not in an important position , but I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right now .
I think we have to look at every place to determine .
Frankly , I ’ ve heard of places that are doing the furloughs now .
That ’ s an interesting idea that I hadn ’ t really thought about until the last week or so but I think we have to explore it that way maybe we don ’ t lay anybody off but we sit down and say , how can we get through this without it being completely devastating to everybody involved ?
Because here ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If it stays exactly like it is or like it ’ s been proposed by Mayor Cooper we ’ re looking at roughly about a $ 720 annual bump in what you ’ ll be handing over the Metro .
That ’ s on the average household .
If you take some downtown businesses and some throughout Davidson County it ’ s going to be a much harder bump than just $ 720 .
But the average household roughly $ 720 .
That ’ s some really money there .
That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So about two dollars a day .
It may not sound like much but with today ’ s economy and you don ’ t have a job or you ’ ve been furloughed or laid off and you have that situation two dollars a day right now is not something you ’ ve got .
Leahy : Yes .
Now did the mayor give you a call or talk to you and say Councilman Glover you are an important at-large member of our council here ’ s what I ’ m thinking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ property taxes by 32 % and not lay anybody off or not do any furloughs for all of our Metro workers .
What do you think of this ?
Did you have that conversation with the mayor ?
Leahy : He didn ’ t ask for your advice ?
Glover : Well , no not really but I don ’ t know that he asked for anybody ’ s advice .
I ’ m not certain .
I think it would have been far better .
I regret it .
Personally I like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this plan .
And so I ’ m going to do everything I can .
The key thing is right here how many people like this plan as it is ?
I mean truly .
How many people… Leahy : Well , I think all of the Metro employees like it .
Glover : Do they really ?
Here you are looking at a 32 % increase in your property taxes and unfortunately for those who live in Davidson County which not all of them do .
But we ’ re going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t know .
I ’ ve seen some emails coming from Metro employees coming through that aren ’ t happy about it being 32 % at all .
There ’ s not step raises .
No raises period .
There ’ s nothing there .
And so no they ’ re not really happy with it .
I just think that right now given the unique circumstances and the unprecedented times that we ’ re in our lifetime , I think it ’ s irresponsible of government not to look at every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through this .
And when we do come through on it are we going to keep the taxes right there ?
You want to take a guess of what the answer will be ?
Of course , we will .
It ’ s what we do .
Leahy : Taxes always go up , they never go down .
Glover : Well , I don ’ t remember them ever going down .
Leahy : At least in Democratic-controlled cities .
I am shocked !
I am really shocked that Mayor Cooper did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about this plan .
Is he pivoting now from away from lets everybody now talk together I want to hear from everybody ?
Is he pivoting to a command and control approach to the city ?
Glover : I don ’ t know the answer .
That ’ s a question you ’ d have to ask him .
The one thing I will say in his defense is that he inherited a mess before we even hit this .
He did .
No buts ands or ifs .
We knew it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we could get through it and it would be minimally painful for everybody .
This particular plan is going to be painful for everybody and its just not something that for me that sits well .
I think we would have been much better off to have long conversations about it .
It ’ s handed off to the council now .
But you have to understand the way our charter works .
The minute the mayor proposes a property tax in Nashville you ’ re going to have one unless we come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through with the cuts that are needed to eliminate that tax increase .
Leahy : Well , that ’ s not going to happen .
Glover : No .
Otherwise , you ’ re going to get a substitute budget and you ’ ll have several of those I suspect with alternative options that will be available .
I know I ’ m working on one and it will have some of these things in it where we don ’ t put the burden of every penny on the back of the taxpayers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s the timeline of turning this budget into reality ?
Glover : Well , they said yesterday at the budget briefing that we ’ ll have this done by June 15 .
So what do we got ?
6 weeks ?
Leahy : If you wanted to prognosticate for us , what ’ s the likelihood that this proposed budget by the mayor to increase property taxes in Nashville by 32 % and lay nobody off from the Metro employees .
What ’ s the likelihood that this very budget will be passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Well , if I told you that I thought it was very likely to I might as well roll over and quit right now .
That ’ s not who I am and what I will do and what I believe in .
So from my standpoint , I don ’ t think its got a good chance of passing right now .
Glover : But it ’ s going to depend upon the people of Nashville stand up and make their voices heard .
This is not a Conservative only issue .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ because nobody escapes this one .
The weird part is that we ’ re talking about how we want affordable housing and all these other things .
31.69 % Let ’ s round it to a 32 % increase in property taxes .
We just took away $ 32,000 on the average home in selling power and buying power in a market where the homes are already unbelievably expensive .
I hope once people understand the dynamics of this and the actual economic impact on their pocket they ’ ll start getting up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ council members telling them no .
Give me a different plan .
Listen to the full third hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-30--Manny Sethi Calls for Indefinite Pause of All Immigration

Republican Senate candidate Manny Sethi this week called for a halt of all immigration as the American economy begins to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic .
Sethi said this in an emailed press release Wednesday where he pointed out that his parents are legal immigrants .
Sethi said the American Dream faces unprecedented challenges because of the COVID-19 pandemic , and American workers must come first .
“ Last week , President Trump took a strong first step with his temporary executive order pausing legal immigration , ” Sethi said .
“ But it ’ s time for Congress to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moratorium until unemployment levels fall back to where they were before coronavirus .
We must protect American workers , American jobs , and the American Dream.
” Sethi ’ s “ Protect the American Dream ” plan includes the following : • Put an end to allowing illegal aliens to come to America , have children , and automatically give them citizenship .
People may read the plan on Sethi ’ s website .
As The Tennessee Star reported last week , Sethi applauded President Donald Trump ’ s announcement that our nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 as a country .
As The Star reported earlier this month , Sethi released his Conservative Strategic Agenda entitled “ Vertical Containment is the Way Forward to Get Tennessee and America Back to Work.
” As the shutdown of our economy continues and unemployment tops 22 million , Sethi said there is a growing threat to the livelihoods of Americans .
Public health intervention meant to slow the spread of COVID-19 has the potential to lead to hardship and even death as families lose incomes and individuals with other diseases are unable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I appreciate President Trump ’ s leadership in standing up to government bureaucrats who are threatening the economic health of our country .
As we have done in times of crisis like World War II , we must put fear aside and take a more offensive posture .
Our national economy can not withstand a prolonged shutdown .
Our country needs to get back to work , ” he said .
“ To stop the coronavirus , we should pursue vertical , or targeted , containment options , ” the Senate candidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ portions of our economy to begin to reopen , which will result in positive public health effects and get people back on the job.
” 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 .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-30--Half of US Workers Could Earn More While Unemployed

About half of the millions of U.S. workers laid off by the coronavirus pandemic could end up earning more out of work than when they had a job , new analyses of jobless benefits show .
As part of the U.S. recovery effort , the government is sending an extra $ 600 a week to laid-off workers through the end of July to augment widely varying unemployment payments normally paid jobless workers by each of the 50 states .
On average , the states pay unemployed workers 45 % of what they were earning .
But with the extra coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payments should increase over the coming weeks from the average $ 377.97 a week that was paid late last year to $ 978 .
While the extra payments will help jobless workers in the short term , the higher pay could end up stalling the U.S. recovery .
Laid-off workers who are earning more out of work will have no immediate monetary incentive to return to work if their employers are able to reopen retail stores , restaurants , factories and other businesses before the end of July .
The government says that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 957 a week in the first quarter of 2020 , meaning less than half made $ 50,000 a year .
On the other hand , employers could effectively force workers to return by making job openings for laid-off workers contingent on their return by a certain date , even if it was before the $ 600-a-week payments expire at the end of July .
Workers could ask employers to allow them to remain on furlough through July so they could continue to collect the higher unemployment compensation .
To date , 26 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an unemployment devastation not seen in the U.S. since the Great Depression of the 1930s .
Millions more have been added to the unemployment rolls each Thursday over the last five weeks when the government announces its tally from the week before .
Until the pandemic hit the U.S. , the jobless rate for the world ’ s biggest economy had for months been less than 4 % .
But when the April figure is announced May 8 , it is likely to reach well into the teens .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-30--The Tennessee Star Report: Washington Journalist Neil McCabe Joins the Tennessee Star and Star News

The Tennessee Star Report: Washington Journalist Neil McCabe Joins the Tennessee Star and Star News Family as National Correspondent

On Wednesday ’ s Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Michael Patrick Leahy spoke with special guest Neil McCabe who is a former Breitbart colleague and Washington journalist .
During the third hour , McCabe discussed the dynamics of news in Washington , D.C. , and how he would translate that as the new National Correspondent of The Tennessee Star .
Leahy : We are joined now by our very good friend , Washington journalist , and my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell everybody today Neil McCabe .
Welcome , Neil !
McCabe : Michael , so good to be with you , sir .
Leahy : The great news for us is that Neil McCabe is joining us as the National Correspondent for The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network .
You had your first report on Monday .
Tell us what we can expect to see in The Tennessee Star from Neil McCabe .
McCabe : You know Mike , I ’ ve spent most of my time in D.C. covering Capitol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its always interesting when you think that these two places really less than one mile away from each other .
And so I ’ ve enjoyed covering that and the opportunity to do that for the Star Newspapers is fantastic .
I ’ ve been to Trump rallies .
One of my last reports for One America News was covering the New Hampshire primary where I asked Joe Biden if Eric Ciamarella would be joining his administration .
( Leahy bellows ) So , obviously we want to be serious about the things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we want to have a little fun with it too and I think that ’ s kind of the vibe that you ’ ve built with this radio show and with the Star Newspapers and I ’ m very excited .
Leahy : We are too .
Your first report was very insightful .
You get the inside Washington scoop that a lot of people aren ’ t getting .
What ’ s going on today up in Washington ?
McCabe : This is really funny too , because when you think about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life .
For me , I don ’ t even go to the Drudge Report like I used to because everything is on Twitter .
There was one morning when I woke up and Roger Daltrey was trending on Twitter and I thought , “ Oh no Roger Daltrey is dead.
” Do you know Roger Daltrey was trending on Twitter Mike ?
McCabe : Because the president said he was no longer going to support the World Health Organization .
So many people typing in WHO ( Laughing ) people thought something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ OK. Well , there you go .
McCabe : For those listeners who have no idea what I ’ m talking about .
Roger Daltrey is the lead singer of a rock band called The WHO .
( Leahy laughs ) I ’ ve spent way too many hours listening to this .
But let me say this , Ross Perot ’ s trending right now on Twitter because of Justin Amash announcing that he is going to run for president .
Bill Crystal who used to be brilliant and is now he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bill Crystal is saying , Justin Amash , don ’ t run for president because it might stop Joe Biden from beating Trump .
Let me tell you , Bill , Justin Amash ( Laughing ) is not going to have any impact movement never happens .
It ’ s not like it ’ s over , it never started .
( Chuckling ) We ’ ll see how that plays out Michael .
Leahy : What does a guy like Justin Amash who came into office during the Tea Party movement ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Party activists in the Michigan district that he represents .
He ’ s a guy I guess that gets up in the morning looks in the mirror and sees a President of the United States but he ’ s kind of an inconsistent guy from what I can tell .
McCabe : He ’ s sort of an angry guy .
It ’ s interesting it ’ s a job you make my rounds .
Because I started as a local reporter I ’ m kind of a shoe another guy .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I always forget that Justin Amash ’ s press secretary was back in the district .
He was one of these guys that never played the national political game because he focused on his district and the local media back there .
And there ’ s a lot of people who do that .
Frankly , Tim Scott , he only cares about South Carolina media .
That ’ s why you rarely see him nationally .
But Justin Amash is a prickly Libertarian guy .
Thomas Massie has a joy for life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the same vibe as a Justin Amash who is supposedly this hardcore Libertarian .
But with Amash , there is this nastiness .
I was in the House Chamber for the State of the Union Address which was 10-12 years ago .
Leahy : It seems like it .
McCabe : And it ’ s like nobody talks to Amash .
You go up to the House Chamber and he sits on the Democratic side .
He ’ s now an Independent .
He sits in the back row right next to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right over on the Democratic aisle side .
Nobody talks to him .
The Democrats hate him .
Republicans hate him .
And he just sort of sits there .
And he ’ s running for president because he ’ s not going to win that House seat .
If he thought he ’ d be re-elected he wouldn ’ t be running for president .
So much in politics right now is just your audition for CNN .
Leahy : You mean like John Kasich , former governor of Ohio and NeverTrumper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Leiman Brothers , I think… Leahy : That ’ s how he made his money right ?
McCabe : An interesting story to is that his wife , I ’ m pretty sure his wife was a reporter that he encouraged her to do profiles of him when he was a Congressman .
Leahy : ( Laughs ) The thing with all these Washington political guys none of them pass a mirror that they look into and don ’ t see a president I think .
McCabe : It ’ s stunning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time and they ’ re saying no .
I have trouble looking at him and seeing a Secretary of Congress .
But every Senator thinks they can be president .
And I thought it was a very interesting gig too because when you ’ re on Capitol Hill there ’ s this cultural divide between the House and the Senate .
Chuck Schumer was talking about one of these deals that he finally cut for the COVID assistance .
And he says I want to thank White House Chief of Staff Mark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Who has been like a big player in the House of Representatives for well over a decade .
McCabe : Senator ’ s don ’ t consider Congressmen like human beings .
They are like pets .
( Leahy laughs ) That ’ s why it was so funny .
So the whole House side would be in an uproar about impeachment .
And you ask the Senators about the impeachment and they say I ’ m not really following it you tell me what ’ s going on .
Leahy : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Neil .
Leahy : When will Joe Biden be asked a specific question… Leahy : Well before that .
When will he be asked about Tara Reade ’ s allegations that he sexually assaulted her in 1993 ?
When will he be asked to comment on those allegations ?
McCabe : They are not allowed to ask Biden a question like that until he has a VP in place .
Everybody has sort of agreed to this .
You know what it ’ s like ?
It ’ s just like everything has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talk about COVID , we can ’ t reopen the country until there ’ s testing right ?
So that ’ s the thing .
Everyone has agreed that we need to use the world testing for re-opening the country and for Biden nothing can get in the way of a Democrat beating Trump , not the least at which will be Tara Reade .
Leahy : So it ’ s April 28 and you won ’ t be asked till after the convention in August ?
Would that be your guess ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re going to put Kamala Harris in place and then they ’ re going to ask him and he ’ s going to regretfully say I have to step aside .
I think it will be a health scare because we ’ re seeing stuff happen with Michelle Goldman from The New York Times who was talking about it .
So people are starting to get a little wise .
Listen to the third hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ Neil McCabe ” by One America News Network .