thetennesseestar--2020-07-08--Commentary: Supreme Court Rules Right in Case About Soros-Backed Organization Wanting US Foreign Aid

Commentary: Supreme Court Rules Right in Case About Soros-Backed Organization Wanting US Foreign Aid to Go to Anti-American Groups

The Supreme Court has upheld the right of the United States government to distribute aid to foreign organizations in accordance with American interests .
The June 29 decision in Agency for International Development v. Alliance for Open Society International represents a significant win for the protection of American freedoms .
The case affirms a vital principle of U.S. foreign involvement , one dear to the heart of the American taxpayer—U.S .
money spent abroad must support U.S. interests and priorities .
If a foreign organization wants our money , it can not violate American positions .
The U.S. Agency for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aid agency , won by a vote of 5-3 over Open Society—an affiliate of billionaire George Soros ’ mega-group , Open Society Foundations .
Open Society argued that the U.S. government can not withhold funds to foreign groups that contravene U.S. views .
The Supreme Court held that it is the prerogative of the government to require foreign organizations to comply with the commitments of the U.S. to receive funding .
Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote in the majority opinion that the U.S. “ supplies more foreign aid than any other nation in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a foreign organization ’ s ideological commitments … pro-democracy , pro-women ’ s rights , anti-terrorism , pro-religious freedom , anti-sex trafficking , or the like.
” Undoubtedly , the ruling will have implications for a vast array of American priorities , as Kavanaugh delineates .
Moreover , conditionality , as mandated by Congress , “ helps ensure that U.S. foreign aid serves U.S. interests ” —a basic precondition for American involvement .
The U.S. government maintains many definitive foreign policy positions that affect international funding .
It was the protection of American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World Health Organization , which received $ 900 million in U.S. funding last year alone .
It also led to a request by USAID that United Nations coronavirus assistance not go toward abortion .
Both concerned the fact that American money should not be channeled via international institutions for ends that violate U.S. interests .
At the risk of an untenable hypocrisy , efforts to hold the international system accountable must go hand in hand with the domestic accountability for ensuring American interests that this ruling upholds .
As Justice Clarence Thomas emphasized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ First Amendment does not mandate a viewpoint-neutral government.
” The American people have every right to ensure that their money goes to the promotion of the global good as determined by this viewpoint .
The Supreme Court has grappled with this question once before .
In 2013 , it held that money allocated to organizations via the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS , Tuberculosis , and Malaria Act could not be restricted on the basis of an organization ’ s position on prostitution .
This ruling pertained specifically to American organizations , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the First Amendment .
The Supreme Court ruled against the government , deciding that an American organization could not be denied funds for not aligning with the U.S. government ’ s commitment to eradicating prostitution .
The current case concerns the same act as it relates to foreign organizations , and here the majority clearly states that , “ Congress required foreign organizations to oppose prostitution in return for American funding .
And plaintiffs can not export their own First Amendment rights to shield foreign organizations from Congress ’ s funding conditions.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign entities merited the same rights as affiliates of their American counterparts was rejected by the Supreme Court .
Kavanaugh further states that , “ we see no constitutional justification for the federal judiciary to interfere in that fashion with American foreign policy.
” As he notes , forcing the government to fund noncompliant foreign programs would have the effect of either violating U.S. commitments or cutting off funding altogether—both unacceptable alternatives .
The Leadership Act , around which the case revolves , is considered one of the most successful U.S. aid programs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ estimated 17 million lives .
U.S. aid conditionalities are designed not only to enhance American interests , but also to hinge assistance on the promotion of human rights abroad—a process which may be imperfect in its execution , but by no means need be mutually exclusive .
Although the dissenting justices are correct to emphasize the vital importance of free speech—a rarity in a time of increasing censorship—their claim that this ruling “ will seriously impede the countless American speakers who communicate overseas ” does not ring true .
American free speech protections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free to oppose American views , they just can not benefit from our money at the same time .
Far from curtailing speech , this ruling preserves the longstanding ability of the U.S. government to leverage its influence for its interests—a basic goal in any transactional interchange .
That the U.S. seeks to benefit domestically from the conferral of vast sums of aid is a reality entirely befitting of a sovereign state .
Efforts to encourage global human rights protections via this aid are a crucial corollary of American international engagement that must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Koren is director of U.N. advocacy for Alliance Defending Freedom International .
She is based in New York City .

by Elyssa Koren
The Supreme Court has upheld the right of the United States government to distribute aid to foreign organizations in accordance with American interests. The June 29 decision in Agency for International Development v. Alliance for Open Society International represents a significant win for the protection of American freedoms.
The case affirms a vital principle of U.S. foreign involvement, one dear to the heart of the American taxpayer—U.S. money spent abroad must support U.S. interests and priorities. If a foreign organization wants our money, it cannot violate American positions.
The U.S. Agency for International Development, the U.S. federal foreign aid agency, won by a vote of 5-3 over Open Society—an affiliate of billionaire George Soros’ mega-group, Open Society Foundations.
Open Society argued that the U.S. government cannot withhold funds to foreign groups that contravene U.S. views. The Supreme Court held that it is the prerogative of the government to require foreign organizations to comply with the commitments of the U.S. to receive funding.
Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote in the majority opinion that the U.S. “supplies more foreign aid than any other nation in the world … Congress may condition funding on a foreign organization’s ideological commitments … pro-democracy, pro-women’s rights, anti-terrorism, pro-religious freedom, anti-sex trafficking, or the like.”
Undoubtedly, the ruling will have implications for a vast array of American priorities, as Kavanaugh delineates. Moreover, conditionality, as mandated by Congress, “helps ensure that U.S. foreign aid serves U.S. interests”—a basic precondition for American involvement.
The U.S. government maintains many definitive foreign policy positions that affect international funding. It was the protection of American interests that resulted in withdrawal from the World Health Organization, which received $900 million in U.S. funding last year alone.
It also led to a request by USAID that United Nations coronavirus assistance not go toward abortion. Both concerned the fact that American money should not be channeled via international institutions for ends that violate U.S. interests.
At the risk of an untenable hypocrisy, efforts to hold the international system accountable must go hand in hand with the domestic accountability for ensuring American interests that this ruling upholds. As Justice Clarence Thomas emphasized in his concurring opinion, “The First Amendment does not mandate a viewpoint-neutral government.”
The American people have every right to ensure that their money goes to the promotion of the global good as determined by this viewpoint.
The Supreme Court has grappled with this question once before. In 2013, it held that money allocated to organizations via the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act could not be restricted on the basis of an organization’s position on prostitution.
This ruling pertained specifically to American organizations, which enjoy strict protections for freedom of speech under the First Amendment. The Supreme Court ruled against the government, deciding that an American organization could not be denied funds for not aligning with the U.S. government’s commitment to eradicating prostitution.
The current case concerns the same act as it relates to foreign organizations, and here the majority clearly states that, “Congress required foreign organizations to oppose prostitution in return for American funding. And plaintiffs cannot export their own First Amendment rights to shield foreign organizations from Congress’s funding conditions.”
Open Society’s argument that foreign entities merited the same rights as affiliates of their American counterparts was rejected by the Supreme Court.
Kavanaugh further states that, “we see no constitutional justification for the federal judiciary to interfere in that fashion with American foreign policy.”
As he notes, forcing the government to fund noncompliant foreign programs would have the effect of either violating U.S. commitments or cutting off funding altogether—both unacceptable alternatives.
The Leadership Act, around which the case revolves, is considered one of the most successful U.S. aid programs, credited with the saving of an estimated 17 million lives.
U.S. aid conditionalities are designed not only to enhance American interests, but also to hinge assistance on the promotion of human rights abroad—a process which may be imperfect in its execution, but by no means need be mutually exclusive.
Although the dissenting justices are correct to emphasize the vital importance of free speech—a rarity in a time of increasing censorship—their claim that this ruling “will seriously impede the countless American speakers who communicate overseas” does not ring true. American free speech protections remain untouched. Foreign organizations likewise are free to oppose American views, they just cannot benefit from our money at the same time.
Far from curtailing speech, this ruling preserves the longstanding ability of the U.S. government to leverage its influence for its interests—a basic goal in any transactional interchange. That the U.S. seeks to benefit domestically from the conferral of vast sums of aid is a reality entirely befitting of a sovereign state.
Efforts to encourage global human rights protections via this aid are a crucial corollary of American international engagement that must be vigilantly protected and encouraged.
– – –
Elyssa Koren is director of U.N. advocacy for Alliance Defending Freedom International. She is based in New York City.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-08--Lt. Gov. Flanagan Shares Post Calling Mount Rushmore ‘Symbol of White Supremacy’

Minnesota Lt. Gov .
Peggy Flanagan shared a post on social media over the Independence Day weekend calling Mount Rushmore a “ symbol of white supremacy.
” “ Mount Rushmore is a symbol of white supremacy , of structural racism that ’ s still alive and well in society today .
It ’ s an injustice to actively steal Indigenous people ’ s land , then carve the white faces of the colonizers who committed genocide , ” said the post , which Flanagan shared on her Instagram .
The post was quoting Nick Tilsen , a member of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a local South Dakota activist organization called NDN Collective , which organized protests for President Donald Trump ’ s July 3 visit to the historic monument .
Like Tilsen , Oglala Sioux President Julian Bear Runner said Mount Rushmore should be “ removed but not blown up , ” The Minnesota Sun reported .
“ I don ’ t believe it should be blown up , because it would cause more damage to the land , ” Bear Runner told the Sioux Falls Argus Leader .
“ To me , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dakota Gov .
Kristi Noem has vowed to defend Mount Rushmore amid threats from protesters .
“ Now we ’ re seeing threats to Mount Rushmore .
To those who would threaten America ’ s Shrine of Democracy , I have one simple message for you : Not on my watch , ” she said in a recent statement .
“ We will do everything in our power to make sure that Mount Rushmore remains as majestic and inspiring as it is today.
” Flanagan , who chairs the Capitol Area Architectural and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the destruction a Christopher Columbus statue outside the Minnesota Capitol last month .
“ I can ’ t say I ’ m sad the statue of Christopher Columbus is gone .
I ’ m not , ” Flanagan said after protesters toppled the statue of Columbus on June 10 .
“ The arrival of Christopher Columbus to what is now the Americas set in motion centuries of violence and genocide against the Indigenous people who already lived here .
As the highest-ranking Native woman elected to executive office in the country , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I could see a statue honoring that legacy from my office window , ” she added .
“ Our Lt. Gov .
does not speak for me .
Our country has flaws and are leaders aren ’ t perfect , but I ’ m proud to be an American , and I ’ m grateful for the four leaders presented at Mount Rushmore , ” he said on Twitter .
Shortly after Flanagan ’ s election in November 2018 , she temporarily covered a number of controversial paintings located in the Minnesota Capitol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said contain “ insensitive ” and “ historically inaccurate ” depictions of Native Americans .
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .

Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan shared a post on social media over the Independence Day weekend calling Mount Rushmore a “symbol of white supremacy.”
“Mount Rushmore is a symbol of white supremacy, of structural racism that’s still alive and well in society today. It’s an injustice to actively steal Indigenous people’s land, then carve the white faces of the colonizers who committed genocide,” said the post, which Flanagan shared on her Instagram.
OUTRAGEOUS: Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan took to social media over the Independence Day weekend to smear Mount Rushmore as a "symbol of white supremacy." #mnleg #mngop pic.twitter.com/kW8NPLbvzv — MN House Republicans (@mnhousegop) July 6, 2020
The post was quoting Nick Tilsen, a member of the Oglala Lakota tribe and the president of a local South Dakota activist organization called NDN Collective, which organized protests for President Donald Trump’s July 3 visit to the historic monument.
Like Tilsen, Oglala Sioux President Julian Bear Runner said Mount Rushmore should be “removed but not blown up,” The Minnesota Sun reported.
“I don’t believe it should be blown up, because it would cause more damage to the land,” Bear Runner told the Sioux Falls Argus Leader. “To me, it’s a great sign of disrespect.”
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has vowed to defend Mount Rushmore amid threats from protesters.
“Now we’re seeing threats to Mount Rushmore. To those who would threaten America’s Shrine of Democracy, I have one simple message for you: Not on my watch,” she said in a recent statement. “We will do everything in our power to make sure that Mount Rushmore remains as majestic and inspiring as it is today.”
Flanagan, who chairs the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board as lieutenant governor, welcomed the destruction a Christopher Columbus statue outside the Minnesota Capitol last month.
“I can’t say I’m sad the statue of Christopher Columbus is gone. I’m not,” Flanagan said after protesters toppled the statue of Columbus on June 10.
“The arrival of Christopher Columbus to what is now the Americas set in motion centuries of violence and genocide against the Indigenous people who already lived here. As the highest-ranking Native woman elected to executive office in the country, I have often reflected on the fact that I could see a statue honoring that legacy from my office window,” she added.
Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka (R-East Gull Lake) responded to Flanagan’s Instagram post on Monday.
“Our Lt. Gov. does not speak for me. Our country has flaws and are leaders aren’t perfect, but I’m proud to be an American, and I’m grateful for the four leaders presented at Mount Rushmore,” he said on Twitter.
Our Lt Gov does not speak for me. Our country has flaws and our leaders aren't perfect, but I'm proud to be an American, and I'm grateful for the 4 leaders presented at Mount Rushmore. pic.twitter.com/JL2M6XMMRs — Paul Gazelka (@paulgazelka) July 6, 2020
Shortly after Flanagan’s election in November 2018, she temporarily covered a number of controversial paintings located in the Minnesota Capitol’s transition offices, which she said contain “insensitive” and “historically inaccurate” depictions of Native Americans.
– – –
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].


thetennesseestar--2020-07-08--Whitmer Announces Appointments to Coronavirus Nursing Home Task Force

Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday announced that she had appointed 13 health industry and medical professionals to the Michigan Nursing Home COVID-19 Preparedness Task Force .
In addition to the 13 members appointed by Whitmer , the task force also includes Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon or his designee , Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Director Orlene Hawks or her designee , Michigan State Long Term Care Ombudsman Salli Pung , State Sens .
Rosemary Bayer ( D-12-Oakland ) and Curt VanderWall ( R-35-Benzie ) and State Reps. Leslie Love ( D-10- Redford ) and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ task force was created in June to create a plan for “ any future wave of COVID-19 cases by developing an action plan based on timely and high-quality data , ” according to the executive order creating the task force .
The group has to give a recommendation to the governor by August 31 .
“ We have taken great strides here in Michigan to protect families from the spread of COVID-19 , but we must stay engaged and continue to protect our most vulnerable Michiganders and those who have dedicated their lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement .
“ These appointees have the knowledge and professional backgrounds that will help our state protect more nursing home residents and staff in the case of a second wave.
” The task force includes David Herbel , the president and CEO of LeadingAge Michigan ; Dr. Betty Chu , the senior vice president and associate chief clinical officer of Henry Ford Health System ; Alison Hirschel , the director and managing attorney for the Michigan Elder Justice Initiative ; and Mia Moore , a certified nurse assistant with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mount Clemens , among others .
The governor has been widely criticized for policies that allowed people confirmed to have the coronavirus to stay in nursing homes , a move they say allowed the virus to spread to a more vulnerable population .
The state began releasing data about the virus in nursing homes in June .
Read the full list of appointed task force members below , as provided by Michigan : Trece Andrews , of Detroit , is a caregiver for Regency at St. Clair Shores , where she has worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member of SEIU Healthcare of Michigan and attended Wayne County Community College .
Renee L. Beniak , of Fowlerville , is the executive director of the Michigan County Medical Care Facilities Council .
She holds an Associate in Applied Science in Registered Nursing from Schoolcraft College and a Master of Arts in Social Science from Eastern Michigan University .
Betty Chu , M.D.
, of Birmingham , is the senior vice president and associate chief clinical officer of Henry Ford Health System and the chief medical officer and vice president of medical affairs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Dr. Chu earned her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Michigan Medical School .
She also holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Michigan .
The Governor has designated Dr. Chu to serve as Co-Chair of the Task Force .
Ann M. Hepfer , of Mayville , is the health officer for the Huron and Tuscola County Health Departments .
She earned her associate degree in nursing from Kirkland Community College and Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from Central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of East Lansing , is the president and CEO of LeadingAge Michigan .
He holds a master ’ s degree in business administration and management from Central Michigan University and a bachelor ’ s degree in health services administration from Ferris State University .
Alison E. Hirschel , of East Lansing , is the director and managing attorney for the Michigan Elder Justice Initiative , an elder law attorney for the Michigan Poverty Law Program , and a lecturer for the University of Michigan Law School .
She holds a Bachelor of Arts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Michigan and a Juris Doctor degree from Yale Law School .
Steven M. Kastner , of Plymouth , is the president and CEO of Trinity Health Senior Communities .
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Manchester University and a Master of Science in Administration from the University of Notre Dame .
Preeti N. Malani , M.D.
, of Ann Arbor , is the chief health officer at the University of Michigan where she is also a professor and faculty member , medical director of MHealthy , and director of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Malani received her Doctor of Medicine from Wayne State University School of Medicine .
She also holds a Master of Science in Journalism from Northwestern University and a Master of Science in Clinical Research Design and Statistical Analysis from the University of Michigan .
Hari “ Roger ” Mali , II , of Bingham Farms , is the owner and CEO of Mission Management Services , LLC in Troy , where they specialize in skilled nursing care and senior housing management .
He received his Juris Doctor from Wayne State University Law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spanish from Bowdoin College .
The Governor has designated Mr. Mali to serve as Co-Chair of the Task Force .
Mia K. Moore , of Clinton Township , Moore is a certified nurse assistant with the Martha T. Berry Medical Care Facility in Mount Clemens .
She is CPR and first-aid certified and attended the Detroit Job Corps Center .
Melissa K. Samuel , of Lansing , is the president and CEO for the Health Care Association of Michigan .
She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Telecommunication with an emphasis in Political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ L. Sederburg , of East Lansing , is the director of healthy aging for the Michigan Health Endowment Fund .
She holds a bachelor ’ s degree in business and public relations from Ferris State University and a Master of Public Administration from Ohio University .
Melissa Seifert , of DeWitt , is the associate director for government affairs for AARP of Michigan .
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government and a Master of Public Administration from Central Michigan University .
Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at @ JordynPair .
Email her at [ email protected ] Photo “ Ohio National Guard Helping Out at Nursing Home ” by The National Guard .
CC BY 2.0 .

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday announced that she had appointed 13 health industry and medical professionals to the Michigan Nursing Home COVID-19 Preparedness Task Force.
In addition to the 13 members appointed by Whitmer, the task force also includes Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon or his designee, Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Director Orlene Hawks or her designee, Michigan State Long Term Care Ombudsman Salli Pung, State Sens. Rosemary Bayer (D-12-Oakland) and Curt VanderWall (R-35-Benzie) and State Reps. Leslie Love (D-10- Redford) and Hank Vaupel (R-47-Livingston).
The task force was created in June to create a plan for “any future wave of COVID-19 cases by developing an action plan based on timely and high-quality data,” according to the executive order creating the task force. The group has to give a recommendation to the governor by August 31.
“We have taken great strides here in Michigan to protect families from the spread of COVID-19, but we must stay engaged and continue to protect our most vulnerable Michiganders and those who have dedicated their lives to caring for them,” Whitmer said in a statement. “These appointees have the knowledge and professional backgrounds that will help our state protect more nursing home residents and staff in the case of a second wave.”
The task force includes David Herbel, the president and CEO of LeadingAge Michigan; Dr. Betty Chu, the senior vice president and associate chief clinical officer of Henry Ford Health System; Alison Hirschel, the director and managing attorney for the Michigan Elder Justice Initiative; and Mia Moore, a certified nurse assistant with the Martha T. Berry Medical Care Facility in Mount Clemens, among others.
The governor has been widely criticized for policies that allowed people confirmed to have the coronavirus to stay in nursing homes, a move they say allowed the virus to spread to a more vulnerable population. The state began releasing data about the virus in nursing homes in June.
Read the full list of appointed task force members below, as provided by Michigan:
Trece Andrews, of Detroit, is a caregiver for Regency at St. Clair Shores, where she has worked since 2010. She is also a member of SEIU Healthcare of Michigan and attended Wayne County Community College.
Renee L. Beniak, of Fowlerville, is the executive director of the Michigan County Medical Care Facilities Council. She holds an Associate in Applied Science in Registered Nursing from Schoolcraft College and a Master of Arts in Social Science from Eastern Michigan University.
Betty Chu, M.D., of Birmingham, is the senior vice president and associate chief clinical officer of Henry Ford Health System and the chief medical officer and vice president of medical affairs for the Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital. Dr. Chu earned her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Michigan Medical School. She also holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Michigan. The Governor has designated Dr. Chu to serve as Co-Chair of the Task Force.
Ann M. Hepfer, of Mayville, is the health officer for the Huron and Tuscola County Health Departments. She earned her associate degree in nursing from Kirkland Community College and Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from Central Michigan University.
David E. Herbel, of East Lansing, is the president and CEO of LeadingAge Michigan. He holds a master’s degree in business administration and management from Central Michigan University and a bachelor’s degree in health services administration from Ferris State University.
Alison E. Hirschel, of East Lansing, is the director and managing attorney for the Michigan Elder Justice Initiative, an elder law attorney for the Michigan Poverty Law Program, and a lecturer for the University of Michigan Law School. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and History from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor degree from Yale Law School.
Steven M. Kastner, of Plymouth, is the president and CEO of Trinity Health Senior Communities. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Manchester University and a Master of Science in Administration from the University of Notre Dame.
Preeti N. Malani, M.D., of Ann Arbor, is the chief health officer at the University of Michigan where she is also a professor and faculty member, medical director of MHealthy, and director of the National Poll on Healthy Aging. Dr. Malani received her Doctor of Medicine from Wayne State University School of Medicine. She also holds a Master of Science in Journalism from Northwestern University and a Master of Science in Clinical Research Design and Statistical Analysis from the University of Michigan.
Hari “Roger” Mali, II, of Bingham Farms, is the owner and CEO of Mission Management Services, LLC in Troy, where they specialize in skilled nursing care and senior housing management. He received his Juris Doctor from Wayne State University Law School and his Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Bowdoin College. The Governor has designated Mr. Mali to serve as Co-Chair of the Task Force.
Mia K. Moore, of Clinton Township, Moore is a certified nurse assistant with the Martha T. Berry Medical Care Facility in Mount Clemens. She is CPR and first-aid certified and attended the Detroit Job Corps Center.
Melissa K. Samuel, of Lansing, is the president and CEO for the Health Care Association of Michigan. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Telecommunication with an emphasis in Political Science from Michigan State University.
Kari L. Sederburg, of East Lansing, is the director of healthy aging for the Michigan Health Endowment Fund. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business and public relations from Ferris State University and a Master of Public Administration from Ohio University.
Melissa Seifert, of DeWitt, is the associate director for government affairs for AARP of Michigan. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government and a Master of Public Administration from Central Michigan University.
– – –
Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Michigan Star. Follow her on Twitter at @JordynPair. Email her at [email protected]
Photo “Ohio National Guard Helping Out at Nursing Home” by The National Guard. CC BY 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-08--Ohio Town Announces It’s a ‘Sanctuary City’ for Historical Statues

The manager of a small town in Ohio has declared his municipality a “ sanctuary city ” for statues being toppled in other parts of the country .
A proclamation signed July 4 by Newton Falls City Manager David Lynch declares that monuments of the Founding Fathers and others will find safety in Newton Falls .
“ I , David M. Lynch , as City Manager for the City of Newton Falls do hereby proclaim that Newton Falls shall be known as a ‘ Statuary Sanctuary City ’ welcoming statues rejected by other cities across the United States and also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Abraham Lincoln , Thomas Jefferson , Ulysses S. Grant , Patrick Henry , Francis Scott Key , Theodore Roosevelt , and Christopher Columbus as represented by statues removed all across the United States , ” his proclamation reads .
Newton Falls , Ohio , is a town of about 4,500 people some 60 miles east of Cleveland .
In the six weeks since the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25 , protesters have torn down or attempted to tear down statues of Confederate Gen. Robert E. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; and even Presidents Washington and Lincoln , among others .
While acknowledging that the country is not perfect , the proclamation calls for respect for all that America has achieved to end injustices , such as slavery .
“ The great leaders of our country and Western civilization , though flawed in many ways , have risen to great achievement , such as the founding of our nation , the ending of slavery , establishment and protection of our national parks , the establishment of antitrust laws to protect our citizens from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discovery of the New World itself , ” the proclamation reads .
An online petition , dubbed “ No Sanctuary for Racist Statues , ” has since been launched to render Lynch ’ s proclamation “ null and void.
” Werner Lange , a resident of the town , launched a petition on MoveOn.org , saying , “ We resolutely reject the proposed denigration of our fair town into a mecca for racists and their ilk , and declare this shameful proclamation null and void .
We shall overcome.
” Rachel del Guidice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Signal .
She is a graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville , Forge Leadership Network , and The Heritage Foundation ’ s Young Leaders Program .

by Rachel del Guidice
The manager of a small town in Ohio has declared his municipality a “sanctuary city” for statues being toppled in other parts of the country.
A proclamation signed July 4 by Newton Falls City Manager David Lynch declares that monuments of the Founding Fathers and others will find safety in Newton Falls.
“I, David M. Lynch, as City Manager for the City of Newton Falls do hereby proclaim that Newton Falls shall be known as a ‘Statuary Sanctuary City’ welcoming statues rejected by other cities across the United States and also proclaiming a general amnesty for George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, Ulysses S. Grant, Patrick Henry, Francis Scott Key, Theodore Roosevelt, and Christopher Columbus as represented by statues removed all across the United States,” his proclamation reads.
Newton Falls, Ohio, is a town of about 4,500 people some 60 miles east of Cleveland.
In the six weeks since the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25, protesters have torn down or attempted to tear down statues of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee; Grant, a Union general-turned-president; and even Presidents Washington and Lincoln, among others.
While acknowledging that the country is not perfect, the proclamation calls for respect for all that America has achieved to end injustices, such as slavery.
“The great leaders of our country and Western civilization, though flawed in many ways, have risen to great achievement, such as the founding of our nation, the ending of slavery, establishment and protection of our national parks, the establishment of antitrust laws to protect our citizens from overaggressive monopolization of industry, and the discovery of the New World itself,” the proclamation reads.
An online petition, dubbed “No Sanctuary for Racist Statues,” has since been launched to render Lynch’s proclamation “null and void.”
Werner Lange, a resident of the town, launched a petition on MoveOn.org, saying, “We resolutely reject the proposed denigration of our fair town into a mecca for racists and their ilk, and declare this shameful proclamation null and void. We shall overcome.”
– – –
Rachel del Guidice is a congressional reporter for The Daily Signal. She is a graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville, Forge Leadership Network, and The Heritage Foundation’s Young Leaders Program.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-08--Walz Expected to Call Another Special Session to Extend Emergency Powers

Gov .
Tim Walz is expected to call another special session by the end of the week in order to extend his peacetime emergency powers .
House Speaker Melissa Hortman ( DFL-Brooklyn Park ) alerted members and staff in a Monday email about the likely special session .
“ We anticipate the governor will issue a proclamation on Friday , July 10 , calling the Legislature into special session on Monday , July 13 , ” Hortman said .
Walz ’ s peacetime emergency declaration , first issued March 13 in response to the coronavirus pandemic , will expire on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the governor must convene both houses of the Legislature if he wishes to extend a peacetime emergency when the Legislature is not in session .
Lawmakers were called back to St. Paul in June for an eight-day special session that cost taxpayers an estimated $ 108,000 .
The special session concluded on June 20 after Republicans in the Senate and Democrats in the House failed to reach an agreement on police reform legislation , the allocation of federal coronavirus relief funds , and other leftover business from the regular session , such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ projects .
Walz then announced that he would use his executive authority to distribute the coronavirus relief money by himself .
One of the only things the special session did accomplish was the extension of Walz ’ s emergency powers .
Under current law , the governor can extend a peacetime emergency indefinitely for 30 days at a time .
State law only grants the Legislature the option to cancel an emergency declaration with a majority vote from both the House and Senate .
Republican lawmakers have unsuccessfully attempted to end Walz ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though the most recent attempt received some bipartisan support .
At least 13 Republican legislators have joined a lawsuit against the governor for his use of emergency powers during the pandemic .
A hearing for the lawsuit has been set for July 16 .
On that day , a Ramsey County District Court judge will determine if the lawsuit will proceed .
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Minnesota Capitol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3.0 .

Gov. Tim Walz is expected to call another special session by the end of the week in order to extend his peacetime emergency powers.
House Speaker Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) alerted members and staff in a Monday email about the likely special session.
“We anticipate the governor will issue a proclamation on Friday, July 10, calling the Legislature into special session on Monday, July 13,” Hortman said.
BREAKING: Gov. Tim Walz is likely to issue a proclamation on Friday calling for another special session of the Minnesota Legislature to start Monday, July 13. DFL House Speaker Melissa Hortman just notified members and staff. pic.twitter.com/Vtp1HWU3JJ — Tom Hauser (@thauserkstp) July 7, 2020
Walz’s peacetime emergency declaration, first issued March 13 in response to the coronavirus pandemic, will expire on July 13. According to Minnesota law, the governor must convene both houses of the Legislature if he wishes to extend a peacetime emergency when the Legislature is not in session.
Lawmakers were called back to St. Paul in June for an eight-day special session that cost taxpayers an estimated $108,000.
The special session concluded on June 20 after Republicans in the Senate and Democrats in the House failed to reach an agreement on police reform legislation, the allocation of federal coronavirus relief funds, and other leftover business from the regular session, such as a borrowing package for public infrastructure projects.
Walz then announced that he would use his executive authority to distribute the coronavirus relief money by himself.
One of the only things the special session did accomplish was the extension of Walz’s emergency powers.
Under current law, the governor can extend a peacetime emergency indefinitely for 30 days at a time. State law only grants the Legislature the option to cancel an emergency declaration with a majority vote from both the House and Senate.
Republican lawmakers have unsuccessfully attempted to end Walz’s peacetime emergency on four occasions, though the most recent attempt received some bipartisan support.
At least 13 Republican legislators have joined a lawsuit against the governor for his use of emergency powers during the pandemic. A hearing for the lawsuit has been set for July 16. On that day, a Ramsey County District Court judge will determine if the lawsuit will proceed.
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Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Minnesota Capitol” by Gabriel Vanslette. CC BY-SA 3.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-08--State Lawmaker Wants to Give Attorney General Power to Prosecute Vandalism on State Property

A state lawmaker has proposed a bill to give the state attorney general the authority to investigate and prosecute vandalism on state property , including the Ohio statehouse .
Republican state lawmakers have expressed their frustration as protesters in downtown Columbus vandalized the Ohio Statehouse in recent weeks .
In announcing his proposal , state Rep. Jeff LaRe , R-Violet Township , cited a WBNS-TV report that the Columbus city prosecutor dismissed at least 59 charges stemming from the recent protests .
Under current law , the state attorney general can not investigate such crimes , according to a news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney general would be empowered to investigate vandalism on any property the state owns or leases .
“ I support the constitutional right of people to peacefully assemble and protest .
That ’ s an important cornerstone of our democracy , ” LaRe said in a statement .
“ But destruction and violence is a crime .
And when crimes are not prosecuted , it sends the message that the criminal activity is not only condoned but endorsed.
” If the proposal makes it into law , it would only apply to future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could not levy charges against anyone for previous cases of vandalism .
Under the bill , local prosecutors could still investigate and prosecute crimes that occur on state property .
The state attorney general could present evidence to a grand jury or refer the matter to local authorities for further consideration .
Last month , House Speaker Larry Householder , R-Glenford , threatened to cut state funding to the city of Columbus after protesters vandalized the Ohio Statehouse .
Protesters defaced the Ohio Statehouse with red handprints .
Householder subsequently said he wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come from the city ’ s budget .
“ It is our goal to protect the public ’ s right to peacefully protest , but that does not condone acts of vandalism , ” Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther tweeted at the time .
A spokesperson for the state attorney general declined to comment on the proposal , while a representative for Columbus ’ city attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
Todd Defeo is a contributor to The Center Square .

by Todd Defeo
A state lawmaker has proposed a bill to give the state attorney general the authority to investigate and prosecute vandalism on state property, including the Ohio statehouse.
Republican state lawmakers have expressed their frustration as protesters in downtown Columbus vandalized the Ohio Statehouse in recent weeks. In announcing his proposal, state Rep. Jeff LaRe, R-Violet Township, cited a WBNS-TV report that the Columbus city prosecutor dismissed at least 59 charges stemming from the recent protests.
Under current law, the state attorney general cannot investigate such crimes, according to a news release. Under the proposal, the attorney general would be empowered to investigate vandalism on any property the state owns or leases.
“I support the constitutional right of people to peacefully assemble and protest. That’s an important cornerstone of our democracy,” LaRe said in a statement. “But destruction and violence is a crime. And when crimes are not prosecuted, it sends the message that the criminal activity is not only condoned but endorsed.”
If the proposal makes it into law, it would only apply to future instances of vandalism. The attorney general could not levy charges against anyone for previous cases of vandalism.
Under the bill, local prosecutors could still investigate and prosecute crimes that occur on state property. The state attorney general could present evidence to a grand jury or refer the matter to local authorities for further consideration.
Last month, House Speaker Larry Householder, R-Glenford, threatened to cut state funding to the city of Columbus after protesters vandalized the Ohio Statehouse.
Protesters defaced the Ohio Statehouse with red handprints. Householder subsequently said he wanted the cost to clean up the vandalism to come from the city’s budget.
“It is our goal to protect the public’s right to peacefully protest, but that does not condone acts of vandalism,” Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther tweeted at the time.
A spokesperson for the state attorney general declined to comment on the proposal, while a representative for Columbus’ city attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
– – –
Todd Defeo is a contributor to The Center Square.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-08--Bill Hagerty, Manny Sethi Release Internal Polls Showing Wildly Different Results

Two members of the GOP running to replace the retiring U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander ( R-TN ) have released their own separate polls concerning which Republican leads the race for the primary election and by how much .
Bill Hagerty ’ s campaign released a poll that said he leads opponent Manny Sethi by 17 points .
But Sethi ’ s campaign released a poll showing Hagerty instead leads his opponent by two points .
Hagerty ’ s poll , which his campaign released July 1 , sampled 651 likely Republican voters between June 28 and June 30 of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s campaign said , found the following : • Hagerty stands with a 17 point lead over the field in the Republican primary election .
Forty-six percent of Republican primary voters indicate they would vote for Hagerty , while 29 percent would vote for Sethi .
• Hagerty has a double-digit advantage among primary voters in the Nashville , Knoxville , Memphis , and Tri-Cities media markets .
Hagerty dominates the ballot among the most conservative parts of the primary electorate , according to Hagerty ’ s poll .
• Hagerty gets more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four of four primary voters , age 65 and older , those who strongly approve of the job U.S. President Donald Trump is doing , strongly pro-life voters , and voters who get their news and information from FOX News .
• Fifty-seven percent of Republican primary voters in Tennessee know that Trump endorsed Hagerty .
Among those Republicans who are aware of Trump ’ s endorsement , 58 percent will vote for Hagerty , the poll said .
• Hagerty ’ s name ID among Republicans across the state is up at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent of Republican primary voters who have a favorable impression of Hagerty , the poll said .
• Primary voters throughout Tennessee believe Hagerty is a true conservative .
Two-thirds of Republican primary voters across the state indicate they believe that Hagerty shares their conservative beliefs and principles .
Members of Sethi ’ s campaign released their poll Tuesday .
That poll showed Hagerty has 33 points , while Sethi had 31 points .
“ New polling from this past week by our campaign shows Dr. Manny Sethi statistically tied with Bill Hagerty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Voting Begins , ” according to a memorandum the Sethi campaign released to the press Tuesday .
“ When our campaign went on TV at the beginning of June , we showed Bill Hagerty with a lead of 27-11.
” Among those who have seen , read or heard about the race , Sethi does 12 points better than Hagerty among voters who are much more likely to vote for a candidate , according to the Sethi campaign poll .
The Sethi campaign said it surveyed 800 likely Republican primary voters in Tennessee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a blend of cell phones and land lines .
Additionally , of voters who have a strong view of the candidates , Sethi ’ s very favorable image is 5 points higher than Hagerty ’ s very favorable image .
Exactly 34 percent of voters have a very favorable view of Sethi , compared to only 29 percent of voters who have a very favorable view of Hagerty , according to a press release Sethi released Tuesday .
“ Of voters who have a strong view of the candidates , Dr. Manny ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher than Bill Hagerty ’ s very favorable image , ” according to the Sethi memorandum .
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 .
CC BY-SA 4.0 .

Two members of the GOP running to replace the retiring U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) have released their own separate polls concerning which Republican leads the race for the primary election and by how much.
Both polls tallied wildly different results.
Bill Hagerty’s campaign released a poll that said he leads opponent Manny Sethi by 17 points.
But Sethi’s campaign released a poll showing Hagerty instead leads his opponent by two points.
Bill Hagerty’s Poll
Hagerty’s poll, which his campaign released July 1, sampled 651 likely Republican voters between June 28 and June 30 of this year.
That poll, Hagerty’s campaign said, found the following:
• Hagerty stands with a 17 point lead over the field in the Republican primary election. Forty-six percent of Republican primary voters indicate they would vote for Hagerty, while 29 percent would vote for Sethi.
• Hagerty has a double-digit advantage among primary voters in the Nashville, Knoxville, Memphis, and Tri-Cities media markets. Hagerty dominates the ballot among the most conservative parts of the primary electorate, according to Hagerty’s poll.
• Hagerty gets more than 50 percent of the vote among four of four primary voters, age 65 and older, those who strongly approve of the job U.S. President Donald Trump is doing, strongly pro-life voters, and voters who get their news and information from FOX News.
• Fifty-seven percent of Republican primary voters in Tennessee know that Trump endorsed Hagerty. Among those Republicans who are aware of Trump’s endorsement, 58 percent will vote for Hagerty, the poll said.
• Hagerty’s name ID among Republicans across the state is up at 91 percent, and there are 72 percent of Republican primary voters who have a favorable impression of Hagerty, the poll said.
• Primary voters throughout Tennessee believe Hagerty is a true conservative. Two-thirds of Republican primary voters across the state indicate they believe that Hagerty shares their conservative beliefs and principles.
Manny Sethi’s Poll
Members of Sethi’s campaign released their poll Tuesday. That poll showed Hagerty has 33 points, while Sethi had 31 points.
“New polling from this past week by our campaign shows Dr. Manny Sethi statistically tied with Bill Hagerty, with just 11 days until Early Voting Begins,” according to a memorandum the Sethi campaign released to the press Tuesday.
“When our campaign went on TV at the beginning of June, we showed Bill Hagerty with a lead of 27-11.”
Among those who have seen, read or heard about the race, Sethi does 12 points better than Hagerty among voters who are much more likely to vote for a candidate, according to the Sethi campaign poll.
The Sethi campaign said it surveyed 800 likely Republican primary voters in Tennessee on June 30 and July 1 with a blend of cell phones and land lines.
Additionally, of voters who have a strong view of the candidates, Sethi’s very favorable image is 5 points higher than Hagerty’s very favorable image. Exactly 34 percent of voters have a very favorable view of Sethi, compared to only 29 percent of voters who have a very favorable view of Hagerty, according to a press release Sethi released Tuesday.
“Of voters who have a strong view of the candidates, Dr. Manny’s very favorable image is 5 points higher than Bill Hagerty’s very favorable image,” according to the Sethi memorandum.
– – –
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. CC BY-SA 4.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-09--Forces Behind Nashville Major League Soccer Stadium Start Public Relations Campaign, Despite Dire Wa

Forces Behind Nashville Major League Soccer Stadium Start Public Relations Campaign, Despite Dire Warnings

The people behind the movement to build a Major League Soccer ( MLS ) stadium in Nashville have apparently started a public relations campaign to let the city know they ’ re moving forward .
But a Nashville-based attorney who has fought the stadium said Wednesday that “ it ’ s still a terrible deal for Nashville.
” Jim Roberts told The Tennessee Star that this MLS team might not choose to stay in the city .
The people behind the website Buildthestadium.com mass emailed supporters Wednesday .
They said , among other things , the team will pay for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vicinity at a cost of $ 19 million .
They said they will relieve the Nashville Metro Government of its obligation to pay up to $ 35 million toward lease payments .
“ And we told you we were glad the Mayor said yes .
Since then , we ’ ve moved forward .
We held meetings in the neighborhood .
We listened .
The site has been demoed , ” members of the group wrote .
“ Even though everyone ’ s world has changed , we know that we have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So , we ’ re ready to start construction .
We wanted you to know that we hadn ’ t forgotten about you .
You ’ ll hear from us more regularly.
” But Roberts said there ’ s more that the public doesn ’ t know .
“ I ’ m not saying these things aren ’ t true , but it ’ s still a terrible deal for Nashville .
They didn ’ t pay for the demolition .
No one can really account for that infrastructure that they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the money .
The development statement of general principles is worth about — well — if you run out of toilet paper then if might be worth something , ” Roberts said .
“ The real question is what control does Nashville Soccer Holdings have over keeping the team in Nashville ?
The answer is zero .
That ’ s the dirty secret , and no one wants to talk about it .
They will get a 99-year lease , and , in return , we get nothing .
There is no guarantee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one month .
Where the team plays is governed by the MLS Board of Governors.
” As reported last month , a Chancery Court judge ruled that Metro Nashville ’ s contract to build the MLS stadium on The Fairgrounds Nashville is invalid because the meeting approving it violated the Tennessee Open Meetings Act .
The Sports Authority gave only 48 hours ’ notice before holding a special meeting to sign off on the $ 192 million contract with M.A .
Mortenson Co./Messer Construction Co. on November 1 , 2018 .
The authority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public notice and conduct another vote , Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle said .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]

The people behind the movement to build a Major League Soccer (MLS) stadium in Nashville have apparently started a public relations campaign to let the city know they’re moving forward.
But a Nashville-based attorney who has fought the stadium said Wednesday that “it’s still a terrible deal for Nashville.” Jim Roberts told The Tennessee Star that this MLS team might not choose to stay in the city.
The people behind the website Buildthestadium.com mass emailed supporters Wednesday. They said, among other things, the team will pay for infrastructure in the stadium’s immediate vicinity at a cost of $19 million. They said they will relieve the Nashville Metro Government of its obligation to pay up to $35 million toward lease payments.
“And we told you we were glad the Mayor said yes. Since then, we’ve moved forward. We held meetings in the neighborhood. We listened. The site has been demoed,” members of the group wrote.
“Even though everyone’s world has changed, we know that we have to prepare for the future and better times. So, we’re ready to start construction. We wanted you to know that we hadn’t forgotten about you. You’ll hear from us more regularly.”
But Roberts said there’s more that the public doesn’t know.
“I’m not saying these things aren’t true, but it’s still a terrible deal for Nashville. They didn’t pay for the demolition. No one can really account for that infrastructure that they’ve spent. We’ve spent the money. The development statement of general principles is worth about — well — if you run out of toilet paper then if might be worth something,” Roberts said.
“The real question is what control does Nashville Soccer Holdings have over keeping the team in Nashville? The answer is zero. That’s the dirty secret, and no one wants to talk about it. They will get a 99-year lease, and, in return, we get nothing. There is no guarantee the team will stay one year or one month. Where the team plays is governed by the MLS Board of Governors.”
As reported last month, a Chancery Court judge ruled that Metro Nashville’s contract to build the MLS stadium on The Fairgrounds Nashville is invalid because the meeting approving it violated the Tennessee Open Meetings Act.
The Sports Authority gave only 48 hours’ notice before holding a special meeting to sign off on the $192 million contract with M.A. Mortenson Co./Messer Construction Co. on November 1, 2018. The authority must reschedule a meeting, provide adequate public notice and conduct another vote, Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle said.
– – –
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected]


thetennesseestar--2020-07-09--Commentary: A Reign of Error

Commentary: A Reign of Error

At the end of The Unheavenly City : The Nature and the Future of Our Urban Crisis ( 1968 ) , Edward Banfield presents a prospect regarding race relations that seems to have been fulfilled since his tumultuous years and ours : a reign of error .
Let me set the stage .
America had become the wealthiest nation in the history of the world , and the wealth was making its way to the lower classes also .
Thus the main “ accidental factor ” that had locked Americans in a vicious cycle of white discrimination and prejudice on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for blacks on the other would be largely alleviated .
Such prejudice , said Banfield , writing during the years of urban riots , was already in decline .
By any reasonable criterion , he was correct about that decline .
Consider , for one example , our nearly universal acceptance of interracial marriage .
Such acceptance was unimaginable when “ Guess Who ’ s Coming to Dinner ?
” was nominated for the Academy Award for best picture of 1967 , largely on account of its message ( for a much superior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racial animosity , and rank injustice , see 1964 ’ s “ One Potato , Two Potato ” ) .
More than 1-in-6 new marriages in the United States are interracial .
That alone , I had once thought , would suffice to put those animosities to rest , as it had done between other embittered groups .
Why have improvements in our material circumstances and markedly improved attitudes about race not settled the problem , even now that for tens of millions of people interracial marriage is a family affair ?
Banfield @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough .
Improvement causes expectations to rise , and that means bad actions will appear more perverse , injustices more unjust .
“ To a large extent , ” Banfield says , “ our urban problems are like the mechanical rabbit at the racetrack , which is set to keep just ahead of the dogs no matter how fast they may run.
” Such is the case when we define poverty by ever-rising standards , so that although the level of material privation that my parents and my wife ’ s parents knew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing of the past , we still have the problem of relative poverty , whereby people will feel less content than my parents felt , because we measure our welfare by comparison with what other people have .
Relative poverty , if it were a matter of extrinsic circumstances alone , might be eliminated by a redistribution of goods ; that was the reasoning behind the welfare system .
But perhaps it is not so easily cured .
Banfield , who had written about a dysfunctional village in southern Italy in The Moral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , never forgot that man was a moral creature and not just a passive thing acted upon by forces from without .
We possess moral codes , he says , “ certain styles of life that are learned in childhood and passed on as a kind of collective heritage.
” In America , one ’ s social class depended upon two moral factors : the “ ability to imagine a future , ” and the “ ability to discipline oneself to sacrifice present for future satisfaction.
” But the lower-class individual , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He “ suffers from feelings of self-contempt or inadequacy , and is often apathetic or dejected , ” .
.
.
“ suspicious and hostile , aggressive yet dependent.
” He “ resents all authority .
.
.
and is apt to think that he has been ‘ railroaded ’ and to want to ‘ get even.
’ ” The lower-class household is usually headed by a female , and the boy so raised “ is likely to learn at an early age to join a corner gang of such boys and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tough ’ style of the lower-class man.
” Such a boy will have a strong taste for risk and violence , nor will he want to marry or to settle down to one mate .
It follows , then , that government initiatives which , despite the best of intentions , encourage the formation of female-headed households , or make it harder or to all appearances unnecessary to domesticate the strongest , most aggressive , and most spirited young men and direct their energy toward productive ends , will confirm the self-thwarting pathologies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ welfare programs may destroy more incentives to look ahead and provide for the future than improved job and other opportunities can provide.
” So it is that what we think about things can be as important as the things themselves , because it forms our moral stance toward the world .
But what if our thoughts are in error ?
There is less violent crime in our cities now than there was 30 years ago ( in part because of our dreadfully high rate of incarceration , including self-incarceration behind gates and guards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence .
Mass media causes an atrocity in Boise to be known in Perth , when most of the people in each city could not find the other city on a map .
Persuaded that their cities are war zones , people retreat to their havens , and the streets are abandoned to the most antisocial .
It is a self-fulfilling prophecy .
Jane Jacobs said much the same thing in The Death and Life of Great American Cities ( 1961 ) .
When you think that your streets are unsafe for children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are eyes , and they are everywhere and unpredictable , a strong deterrent to serious crime .
This is how “ a false public definition of the situation may , ” says Banfield , citing the sociologist Robert K. Merton , “ evoke new behavior that makes the originally false definition come true , thus perpetuating a ‘ reign of error.
’ ” The decline in racial prejudice “ counts for little if the Negro thinks that white racism is as pervasive as ever.
” The opening up of his opportunities “ counts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ massive ’ government welfare , housing , and other programs—and only these—can help him.
” The original error , shared by many people who wish him well , may cause him to “ do things that are counterproductive ( for example , to cut himself off from ‘ white ’ schools , jobs , and politics and to enter the fantasy world of black separatism ) .
” Indeed , it would be better for him , says Banfield , to put the best construction on things rather than the worst , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of racial factors would be as great a blessing as its opposite would be a curse.
” One way to determine whether racism or a destructive perception of racism is at work is to control for race and separate groups by perception .
The fabulous success of Nigerian immigrants to America is powerfully suggestive .
It is not simply that the best and brightest are leaving Nigeria for America—explaining why Nigerian-Americans have higher educational attainments than any other ethnic group in the nation .
It is also that they come without the burden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ divided country , with plenty of Islamic terrorism .
But the Nigerian does not arrive in New York thinking , “ Here I will be despised for my race , ” or , “ Every light-skinned person I meet might be the great-grandchild of slave owners.
” That story is not his story .
Instead , the Nigerian immigrant is likely to assume that most people will like him if he treats them cheerfully , and they will be glad to see him succeed , and this assumption contributes to his chances of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He has no wicked past to forget .
Banfield seems to have had little religious sensibility .
The true aim of life lay beyond what he could imagine .
It was not—and is not—success in this world .
It is friendship with God and man .
In what soil does friendship flourish ?
Gratitude , modesty , generosity , self-denial ; the willingness to see the best in your friend and to overlook or to forgive the worst ; and , of paramount importance , the knowledge that if God should give us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us would see salvation .
If we do not know that , we dwell in a reign of error indeed .
Anthony Esolen is a professor and writer in residence at Magdalen College of the Liberal Arts , in Warner , New Hampshire .
Dr. Esolen is a senior editor for Touchstone Magazine and a contributing editor for Chronicles .
He is a regular contributor to Crisis Magazine and the author of many books , including The Politically Incorrect Guide to Western Civilization ( Regnery Press , 2008 ) ; Ten Ways to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ISI Books , 2010 ) and Reflections on the Christian Life ( Sophia Institute Press , 2013 ) .
His most recent books are Reclaiming Catholic Social Teaching ( Sophia Institute Press , 2014 ) ; Defending Marriage ( Tan Books , 2014 ) ; Life Under Compulsion ( ISI Books , 2015 ) ; Real Music : A Guide to the Timeless Hymns of the Church ( Tan Books , 2016 ) ; Out of the Ashes ( Regnery , 2017 ) ; and Nostalgia ( Regnery , 2018 ) .
Photo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Davis .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .

by Anthony Esolen
At the end of The Unheavenly City: The Nature and the Future of Our Urban Crisis (1968), Edward Banfield presents a prospect regarding race relations that seems to have been fulfilled since his tumultuous years and ours: a reign of error.
Let me set the stage. America had become the wealthiest nation in the history of the world, and the wealth was making its way to the lower classes also. Thus the main “accidental factor” that had locked Americans in a vicious cycle of white discrimination and prejudice on one side and low standards and attainments for blacks on the other would be largely alleviated. Such prejudice, said Banfield, writing during the years of urban riots, was already in decline.
By any reasonable criterion, he was correct about that decline. Consider, for one example, our nearly universal acceptance of interracial marriage. Such acceptance was unimaginable when “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?” was nominated for the Academy Award for best picture of 1967, largely on account of its message (for a much superior and gut-ripping film on interracial marriage, racial animosity, and rank injustice, see 1964’s “One Potato, Two Potato”). More than 1-in-6 new marriages in the United States are interracial. That alone, I had once thought, would suffice to put those animosities to rest, as it had done between other embittered groups.
Why have improvements in our material circumstances and markedly improved attitudes about race not settled the problem, even now that for tens of millions of people interracial marriage is a family affair? Banfield warned that such things might not be enough.
Improvement causes expectations to rise, and that means bad actions will appear more perverse, injustices more unjust.
“To a large extent,” Banfield says, “our urban problems are like the mechanical rabbit at the racetrack, which is set to keep just ahead of the dogs no matter how fast they may run.” Such is the case when we define poverty by ever-rising standards, so that although the level of material privation that my parents and my wife’s parents knew when they were children is now a thing of the past, we still have the problem of relative poverty, whereby people will feel less content than my parents felt, because we measure our welfare by comparison with what other people have.
Relative poverty, if it were a matter of extrinsic circumstances alone, might be eliminated by a redistribution of goods; that was the reasoning behind the welfare system. But perhaps it is not so easily cured. Banfield, who had written about a dysfunctional village in southern Italy in The Moral Basis of a Backward Society (1967), never forgot that man was a moral creature and not just a passive thing acted upon by forces from without. We possess moral codes, he says, “certain styles of life that are learned in childhood and passed on as a kind of collective heritage.”
In America, one’s social class depended upon two moral factors: the “ability to imagine a future,” and the “ability to discipline oneself to sacrifice present for future satisfaction.” But the lower-class individual, white or black, lacked those abilities.
He “suffers from feelings of self-contempt or inadequacy, and is often apathetic or dejected,” . . . “suspicious and hostile, aggressive yet dependent.” He “resents all authority . . . and is apt to think that he has been ‘railroaded’ and to want to ‘get even.’” The lower-class household is usually headed by a female, and the boy so raised “is likely to learn at an early age to join a corner gang of such boys and to learn from the gang the ‘tough’ style of the lower-class man.”
Such a boy will have a strong taste for risk and violence, nor will he want to marry or to settle down to one mate. It follows, then, that government initiatives which, despite the best of intentions, encourage the formation of female-headed households, or make it harder or to all appearances unnecessary to domesticate the strongest, most aggressive, and most spirited young men and direct their energy toward productive ends, will confirm the self-thwarting pathologies of the lower class: “Overgenerous welfare programs may destroy more incentives to look ahead and provide for the future than improved job and other opportunities can provide.”
So it is that what we think about things can be as important as the things themselves, because it forms our moral stance toward the world. But what if our thoughts are in error?
There is less violent crime in our cities now than there was 30 years ago (in part because of our dreadfully high rate of incarceration, including self-incarceration behind gates and guards). But people still register the violence. Mass media causes an atrocity in Boise to be known in Perth, when most of the people in each city could not find the other city on a map.
Persuaded that their cities are war zones, people retreat to their havens, and the streets are abandoned to the most antisocial. It is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Jane Jacobs said much the same thing in The Death and Life of Great American Cities (1961). When you think that your streets are unsafe for children, they become so: for children are eyes, and they are everywhere and unpredictable, a strong deterrent to serious crime.
This is how “a false public definition of the situation may,” says Banfield, citing the sociologist Robert K. Merton, “evoke new behavior that makes the originally false definition come true, thus perpetuating a ‘reign of error.’” The decline in racial prejudice “counts for little if the Negro thinks that white racism is as pervasive as ever.” The opening up of his opportunities “counts for little if he thinks that ‘massive’ government welfare, housing, and other programs—and only these—can help him.”
The original error, shared by many people who wish him well, may cause him to “do things that are counterproductive (for example, to cut himself off from ‘white’ schools, jobs, and politics and to enter the fantasy world of black separatism).” Indeed, it would be better for him, says Banfield, to put the best construction on things rather than the worst, “for a self-fulfilling prophecy of the unimportance of racial factors would be as great a blessing as its opposite would be a curse.”
One way to determine whether racism or a destructive perception of racism is at work is to control for race and separate groups by perception. The fabulous success of Nigerian immigrants to America is powerfully suggestive. It is not simply that the best and brightest are leaving Nigeria for America—explaining why Nigerian-Americans have higher educational attainments than any other ethnic group in the nation. It is also that they come without the burden of history. Nigeria is a deeply divided country, with plenty of Islamic terrorism. But the Nigerian does not arrive in New York thinking, “Here I will be despised for my race,” or, “Every light-skinned person I meet might be the great-grandchild of slave owners.” That story is not his story.
Instead, the Nigerian immigrant is likely to assume that most people will like him if he treats them cheerfully, and they will be glad to see him succeed, and this assumption contributes to his chances of success. It enters his behavior. He has no wicked past to forget.
Banfield seems to have had little religious sensibility. The true aim of life lay beyond what he could imagine. It was not—and is not—success in this world. It is friendship with God and man. In what soil does friendship flourish? Gratitude, modesty, generosity, self-denial; the willingness to see the best in your friend and to overlook or to forgive the worst; and, of paramount importance, the knowledge that if God should give us what we justly deserve, none of us would see salvation.
If we do not know that, we dwell in a reign of error indeed.
– – –
Anthony Esolen is a professor and writer in residence at Magdalen College of the Liberal Arts, in Warner, New Hampshire. Dr. Esolen is a senior editor for Touchstone Magazine and a contributing editor for Chronicles. He is a regular contributor to Crisis Magazine and the author of many books, including The Politically Incorrect Guide to Western Civilization (Regnery Press, 2008); Ten Ways to Destroy the Imagination of Your Child (ISI Books, 2010) and Reflections on the Christian Life (Sophia Institute Press, 2013). His most recent books are Reclaiming Catholic Social Teaching (Sophia Institute Press, 2014); Defending Marriage (Tan Books, 2014); Life Under Compulsion (ISI Books, 2015); Real Music: A Guide to the Timeless Hymns of the Church (Tan Books, 2016); Out of the Ashes (Regnery, 2017); and Nostalgia (Regnery, 2018).
Photo “George Floyd Riots” by Chad Davis. CC BY-SA 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-09--Crom Carmichael: If Kanye West Runs for President in 2020 It Will Destroy Joe Biden

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 the original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael to the studio .
At the top of the third hour , Carmichael discussed Kanye West ’ s recent announcement that he will run for president in the 2020 election and what that means for both Biden and Trump .
He stated that he believes a West run will destroy Joe Biden and help get Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are barely halfway through 2020 .
It seems like this has been a decade pushed into six months and eight days .
It seems to get crazier .
I don ’ t know if it is crazy but kind of amusing but odd is Kanye West who is apparently worth over a billion dollars for fashion merchandising and music .
A little bit erratic shall we say .
Married to Kim Kardashian .
He announced on the Fourth of July that he ’ s going to run for President of the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he has 30 days to make a final decision about running for president .
And he missed filing deadlines then .
An hour into the interview with Forbes magazine he says he definitely plans to run in 2020 versus his original plan to run in 2024 .
The campaign slogan , yes his running mate apparently Michelle Tidball an obscure preacher from Wyoming and he ’ ll run under the Birthday Party .
That ’ s what he ’ s going to call his party because when we win , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : If Kanye were to enter the race it would create all kinds of problems for Biden .
All kinds of problems .
Because it is impossible for Biden to call Kanye West a racist .
He can ’ t do it .
And then if Kanye West called Biden out for his pathetic record on helping Black people over his 50 years in public life , Joe Biden has not lifted a finger .
He has not done one thing .
I think he should be challenged to name three Black people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money .
And I don ’ t think he could because I don ’ t think he has .
And if Kanye West challenged Biden , Biden would not have the answers anyway , but he would look even worse than just confused .
So Kanye would be to Biden what Perot to the first George Bush .
Leahy : That ’ s a very good point .
He says he told Forbes magazine that he ’ s ok with siphoning off Black votes from Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
“ I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you to say that the Black vote is Democratic is a form of racism and white supremacy.
” That ’ s what he says about Joe Biden .
Carmichael : And it ’ s exactly true .
Leo Terrell who is a long , he ’ s probably 70 years old and he has a lifetime of being a civil rights activist and an attorney and a very very smart guy and until Joe Biden made that statement Terrell was a supporter of Biden ’ s .
And that statement so shocked Leo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He is now a 100 percent supporter of Trump .
And the main reason he ’ s a supporter of Trump is he despises Joe Biden .
Despises the man because he said Joe Biden looks at Black people like he owns them .
And that ’ s Leo Terrell talking .
So , I don ’ t think Biden will get away from that statement .
Leahy : You know it ’ s a crazy year .
And frankly , if you look at the possibility of President Trump being re-elected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West gets in that ’ s going to increase the president ’ s chances of re-election .
Carmichael : It will destroy Biden .
If Biden is destroyed , Trump wins .
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 .

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 the original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael to the studio.
At the top of the third hour, Carmichael discussed Kanye West’s recent announcement that he will run for president in the 2020 election and what that means for both Biden and Trump. He stated that he believes a West run will destroy Joe Biden and help get Trump re-elected.
Leahy: Crom, we are barely halfway through 2020. It seems like this has been a decade pushed into six months and eight days. It seems to get crazier. I don’t know if it is crazy but kind of amusing but odd is Kanye West who is apparently worth over a billion dollars for fashion merchandising and music. A little bit erratic shall we say. Married to Kim Kardashian.
He announced on the Fourth of July that he’s going to run for President of the United States. Forbes magazine interviewed him and he said he has 30 days to make a final decision about running for president. And he missed filing deadlines then.
An hour into the interview with Forbes magazine he says he definitely plans to run in 2020 versus his original plan to run in 2024. The campaign slogan, yes his running mate apparently Michelle Tidball an obscure preacher from Wyoming and he’ll run under the Birthday Party. That’s what he’s going to call his party because when we win, it’s everybody’s birthday.
Carmichael: If Kanye were to enter the race it would create all kinds of problems for Biden. All kinds of problems. Because it is impossible for Biden to call Kanye West a racist. He can’t do it. And then if Kanye West called Biden out for his pathetic record on helping Black people over his 50 years in public life, Joe Biden has not lifted a finger.
He has not done one thing. I think he should be challenged to name three Black people that he has helped with his own money. And I don’t think he could because I don’t think he has. And if Kanye West challenged Biden, Biden would not have the answers anyway, but he would look even worse than just confused. So Kanye would be to Biden what Perot to the first George Bush.
Leahy: Ah. George H. W.
Carmichael: Yes.
Leahy: That’s a very good point. He says he told Forbes magazine that he’s ok with siphoning off Black votes from Democratic nominee Joe Biden. “I’m not denying it I just told you to say that the Black vote is Democratic is a form of racism and white supremacy.” That’s what he says about Joe Biden.
Carmichael: And it’s exactly true. Leo Terrell who is a long, he’s probably 70 years old and he has a lifetime of being a civil rights activist and an attorney and a very very smart guy and until Joe Biden made that statement Terrell was a supporter of Biden’s. And that statement so shocked Leo Terrell that he has done a 180.
He is now a 100 percent supporter of Trump. And the main reason he’s a supporter of Trump is he despises Joe Biden. Despises the man because he said Joe Biden looks at Black people like he owns them. And that’s Leo Terrell talking. So, I don’t think Biden will get away from that statement.
Leahy: You know it’s a crazy year. And frankly, if you look at the possibility of President Trump being re-elected I agree with you. If Kanye West gets in that’s going to increase the president’s chances of re-election.
Carmichael: It will destroy Biden. If Biden is destroyed, Trump wins.
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--2020-07-09--Tennessee Highway Patrol Arrests Left-Wing Activist Justin Jones and Other Protestors

Authorities have released left-wing activist Justin Jones from the Davidson County Jail after Tennessee Highway Patrol officers arrested him and several other activists at Legislative Plaza .
As reported , Jones and several of those activists have taken turns occupying that space for weeks as they demand a meeting with Gov .
Bill Lee .
After his release , Jones took to Twitter and made clear he was still unwilling to concede his battle against state officials .
He called Lee “ a damn coward who is waging war against his own constituents.
” Jones also described his arrest .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ night .
1 ) criminal trespassing/ disorderly conduct for those on Capitol grounds around 10:30 pm 2 ) raid by THP at 2 am and mass arrests as they cleared and destroyed the Plaza arresting everyone on site Still unclear but 50-60 arrested , ” Jones tweeted .
“ Those detained in early morning raid are still being released .
This was clear provocation and escalation ordered by @ GovBillLee .
Nonviolent protests have consistently been met with excessive force and false charges .
Can ’ t even be mad anymore , just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urged his supporters to “ rise up ” and “ fight back.
” Jones wants Tennessee officials to remove a bust of Nathan Bedford Forrest from the state capitol .
“ This is so much more than a monument .
The whole administration is monument to white supremacy and must be removed .
RESIGN BILL LEE , ” Jones tweeted .
As The Tennessee Star reported last month , Jones walked into the Capitol , more than a year after state officials banned him from the facility for allegedly assaulting then-Speaker of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic officials , as well as those from the Tennessee Highway Patrol , provided no information about how Jones entered the building .
Also , as reported , Jones and other protestors — who demand that government defund the police — alleged that one man there sexually assaulted two of them .
Some protestors said they supported the idea of the victims filing police reports .
The victims ultimately chose not to do that , according to videos Jones posted on social media .
As The Star reported , Jones , during a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mayor John Cooper if he would “ commit to demilitarize the police department and defund the police department ?
” Jones seemed disappointed when Cooper declined to say if he would .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Justin Jones Arrest ” by Alex Kent .

Authorities have released left-wing activist Justin Jones from the Davidson County Jail after Tennessee Highway Patrol officers arrested him and several other activists at Legislative Plaza.
As reported, Jones and several of those activists have taken turns occupying that space for weeks as they demand a meeting with Gov. Bill Lee.
After his release, Jones took to Twitter and made clear he was still unwilling to concede his battle against state officials. He called Lee “a damn coward who is waging war against his own constituents.”
to the Plaza tonight. The Governor is a damn coward who is waging war against his own constituents. We must rise up, fight back. This is so much more than a monument. The whole administration is monument to white supremacy and must be removed. RESIGN BILL LEE. 3/3 — Justin Jones (@brotherjones_) July 8, 2020
Jones also described his arrest.
Two groups of arrests happened last night. 1) criminal trespassing/ disorderly conduct for those on Capitol grounds around 10:30 pm 2) raid by THP at 2 am and mass arrests as they cleared and destroyed the Plaza arresting everyone on site Still unclear but 50-60 arrested. 1/ — Justin Jones (@brotherjones_) July 8, 2020
“Two groups of arrests happened last night. 1) criminal trespassing/ disorderly conduct for those on Capitol grounds around 10:30 pm 2) raid by THP at 2 am and mass arrests as they cleared and destroyed the Plaza arresting everyone on site Still unclear but 50-60 arrested,” Jones tweeted.
Those detained in early morning raid are still being released. This was clear provocation and escalation ordered by @GovBillLee. Nonviolent protests have consistently been met with excessive force and false charges. Can’t even be mad anymore, just asking folks to show up 2/ — Justin Jones (@brotherjones_) July 8, 2020
“Those detained in early morning raid are still being released. This was clear provocation and escalation ordered by @GovBillLee. Nonviolent protests have consistently been met with excessive force and false charges. Can’t even be mad anymore, just asking folks to show up.”
Jones urged his supporters to “rise up” and “fight back.”
Jones wants Tennessee officials to remove a bust of Nathan Bedford Forrest from the state capitol.
“This is so much more than a monument. The whole administration is monument to white supremacy and must be removed. RESIGN BILL LEE,” Jones tweeted.
As The Tennessee Star reported last month, Jones walked into the Capitol, more than a year after state officials banned him from the facility for allegedly assaulting then-Speaker of the House Glen Casada. Various Republican and Democratic officials, as well as those from the Tennessee Highway Patrol, provided no information about how Jones entered the building.
Also, as reported, Jones and other protestors — who demand that government defund the police — alleged that one man there sexually assaulted two of them. Some protestors said they supported the idea of the victims filing police reports. The victims ultimately chose not to do that, according to videos Jones posted on social media.
As The Star reported, Jones, during a rally for George Floyd, asked Nashville Mayor John Cooper if he would “commit to demilitarize the police department and defund the police department?” Jones seemed disappointed when Cooper declined to say if he would.
– – –
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “Justin Jones Arrest” by Alex Kent.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-09--Gov. Lee Says Nathan Bedford Forrest Bust Should be Removed from the Capitol

Governor Bill Lee , on the eve of a vote by the State Capitol Commission ( SCC ) on the fate of the Nathan Bedford Forrest bust , said it should be moved from the second floor of the State Capitol to the Tennessee State Museum .
The consideration of the Nathan Bedford Forrest bust is the only item up for discussion by the SCC WebEx meeting scheduled for 9 a.m. on July 9 , according to the agenda .
The issue was taken up during the February 20 meeting of the SCC .
After much testimony , the then-Commissioner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stuart McWhorter announced that with a vacancy on the commission , no votes would be taken out of fairness to such an important topic and issue , The Tennessee Star reported .
The bust of Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest was placed in a vacant niche in the State Capitol in 1978 , the result of a 1973 joint resolution sponsored by beloved Democrat Senator Douglas Henry .
The measure passed unanimously in the Democrat-controlled Senate and with an 87-0 vote in the then-Democrat majority House .
Senator Henry ’ s resolution said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s greatest military hero on the Confederate side in the War between the States , but no bust of him is on display in the Capitol .
This , despite a bust of Tennessee ’ s greatest military hero on the federal side , Admiral Farragut , occupying a niche on the second floor of the Capitol .
The resolution indicated that Sons of Confederate Veterans Joseph E. Johnston Camp No .
28 , of which Senator Henry was a member , evidenced a desire to procure an appropriate bust of General @ @ @ @ @ @ @ During the last two years , several Democrats of the current General Assembly have proposed legislative efforts recommending the removal of the bust , although all such efforts have failed , despite numerous hours of deliberation and heated debate over the issue .
Lee said that the Nathan Bedford Forrest bust “ has spurred a heated debate that began long before all the national ruckus on monuments that we are seeing play out today.
” He went on to say that the issue of the Forrest bust has been going on for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very different from the destructive tide that has swept the nation in recent weeks that has been about defacing property and denying history.
” Contrasting that to the SCC , Lee said that process is “ the opposite of what we are seeing play out nationally.
” Lee said that as the SCC meets Thursday to take up the issue of the Nathan Bedford Forrest bust and its future in the statehouse , the meeting “ has been more than a year in the making as appointments have been made to the Capitol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been evaluated with respect to those who want to see it remain in the statehouse and those who want to see it moved to an alternate location.
” Most loud amongst those who want the bust removed is left-wing activist Justin Jones , who protested the presence of the Nathan Bedford Forrest bust on the legislative level of the State Capitol back in February 2019 , The Star reported , and more recently led a protester takeover of Legislative Plaza over a period of a couple of weeks until such time as Lee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The SCC , which meets on an as-needed basis , is comprised of 12 members : Three members of the governor ’ s cabinet ; the state ’ s three Constitutional officers ; one member from each of the two chambers of the General Assembly ; a member of the Tennessee Historical Commission ; and , a governor-appointed private citizen from each of the state ’ s three grand divisions .
Currently , the membership of the SCC includes Butch Eley , Commissioner , Finance and Administration and State Capitol Commission Chairman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Services ; David Salyers , Commissioner , Environment and Conservation ; Tre Hargett , Secretary of State ; David Lillard , State Treasurer ; Justin Wilson , Comptroller of the Treasury ; Jack Johnson , Legislative Member of the Senate ; Matthew Hill , Legislative Member of the House ; Howard Gentry , Private Citizen – Middle Tennessee ; Hallerin Hill , Private Citizen – East Tennessee ; and Dr. Logan Hampton – Private Citizen – West Tennessee .
The Tennessee Historical Commission ( THC ) seat on the SCC remains vacant , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting .
The issue was last taken up by the SCC in September 2017 , on the heels of the civil unrest surrounding the incident in Charlottesville , Virginia .
At the time , a motion was made to establish a three-person subcommittee that would prepare a written petition to the THC , presumably to move the bust .
The Tennessee Historical Commission has the final say-so in the movement or placement of any statues or monuments .
Those SCC members who voted against the motion and are still serving on the Commission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson .
Voting in favor and still sitting on the SCC was private citizen Howard Gentry .
Gentry was a Governor Bill Haslam appointee to the SCC and reappointed by Lee .
The two other private citizens are also Lee appointees as are the Governor ’ s three cabinet members .
The three Constitutional officers , ex-officio members of the SCC , are elected to their Constitutional offices by the General Assembly .
While Johnson has sat on the SCC for several years , Hill is a more recent appointee , replacing Representative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ endorsed Hill this week in his re-election bid for the House 7th District in a two-way Republican primary .
The 9 a.m. meeting of the SCC on July 9 can be watched here .
Laura Baigert is a senior reporter at The Tennessee Star .

Governor Bill Lee, on the eve of a vote by the State Capitol Commission (SCC) on the fate of the Nathan Bedford Forrest bust, said it should be moved from the second floor of the State Capitol to the Tennessee State Museum.
The consideration of the Nathan Bedford Forrest bust is the only item up for discussion by the SCC WebEx meeting scheduled for 9 a.m. on July 9, according to the agenda.
The issue was taken up during the February 20 meeting of the SCC. After much testimony, the then-Commissioner of Finance and Administration and the SCC Stuart McWhorter announced that with a vacancy on the commission, no votes would be taken out of fairness to such an important topic and issue, The Tennessee Star reported.
The bust of Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest was placed in a vacant niche in the State Capitol in 1978, the result of a 1973 joint resolution sponsored by beloved Democrat Senator Douglas Henry. The measure passed unanimously in the Democrat-controlled Senate and with an 87-0 vote in the then-Democrat majority House.
Senator Henry’s resolution said that General Nathan Bedford Forrest was Tennessee’s greatest military hero on the Confederate side in the War between the States, but no bust of him is on display in the Capitol. This, despite a bust of Tennessee’s greatest military hero on the federal side, Admiral Farragut, occupying a niche on the second floor of the Capitol.
The resolution indicated that Sons of Confederate Veterans Joseph E. Johnston Camp No. 28, of which Senator Henry was a member, evidenced a desire to procure an appropriate bust of General Forrest for display in the niche.
During the last two years, several Democrats of the current General Assembly have proposed legislative efforts recommending the removal of the bust, although all such efforts have failed, despite numerous hours of deliberation and heated debate over the issue.
Lee said that the Nathan Bedford Forrest bust “has spurred a heated debate that began long before all the national ruckus on monuments that we are seeing play out today.”
He went on to say that the issue of the Forrest bust has been going on for the last 40 years, and “is very different from the destructive tide that has swept the nation in recent weeks that has been about defacing property and denying history.”
Contrasting that to the SCC, Lee said that process is “the opposite of what we are seeing play out nationally.”
Lee said that as the SCC meets Thursday to take up the issue of the Nathan Bedford Forrest bust and its future in the statehouse, the meeting “has been more than a year in the making as appointments have been made to the Capitol Commission and options for the bust have been evaluated with respect to those who want to see it remain in the statehouse and those who want to see it moved to an alternate location.”
Most loud amongst those who want the bust removed is left-wing activist Justin Jones, who protested the presence of the Nathan Bedford Forrest bust on the legislative level of the State Capitol back in February 2019, The Star reported, and more recently led a protester takeover of Legislative Plaza over a period of a couple of weeks until such time as Lee met with them to hear their grievances.
The SCC, which meets on an as-needed basis, is comprised of 12 members: Three members of the governor’s cabinet; the state’s three Constitutional officers; one member from each of the two chambers of the General Assembly; a member of the Tennessee Historical Commission; and, a governor-appointed private citizen from each of the state’s three grand divisions.
Currently, the membership of the SCC includes Butch Eley, Commissioner, Finance and Administration and State Capitol Commission Chairman; Christi Branscom, Commissioner, General Services; David Salyers, Commissioner, Environment and Conservation; Tre Hargett, Secretary of State; David Lillard, State Treasurer; Justin Wilson, Comptroller of the Treasury; Jack Johnson, Legislative Member of the Senate; Matthew Hill, Legislative Member of the House; Howard Gentry, Private Citizen – Middle Tennessee; Hallerin Hill, Private Citizen – East Tennessee; and Dr. Logan Hampton – Private Citizen – West Tennessee.
The Tennessee Historical Commission (THC) seat on the SCC remains vacant, as it was for the February 20 meeting.
The issue was last taken up by the SCC in September 2017, on the heels of the civil unrest surrounding the incident in Charlottesville, Virginia.
At the time, a motion was made to establish a three-person subcommittee that would prepare a written petition to the THC, presumably to move the bust. The Tennessee Historical Commission has the final say-so in the movement or placement of any statues or monuments.
Those SCC members who voted against the motion and are still serving on the Commission were Hargett, Lillard, Wilson and Johnson.
Voting in favor and still sitting on the SCC was private citizen Howard Gentry.
Gentry was a Governor Bill Haslam appointee to the SCC and reappointed by Lee. The two other private citizens are also Lee appointees as are the Governor’s three cabinet members.
The three Constitutional officers, ex-officio members of the SCC, are elected to their Constitutional offices by the General Assembly.
While Johnson has sat on the SCC for several years, Hill is a more recent appointee, replacing Representative Curtis Johnson in the position.
Lee endorsed Hill this week in his re-election bid for the House 7th District in a two-way Republican primary.
The 9 a.m. meeting of the SCC on July 9 can be watched here.
– – –
Laura Baigert is a senior reporter at The Tennessee Star.