thetennesseestar--2020-12-22--Taxpayers Have No Idea How Much Possible Nissan Stadium Renovation Could Cost

While the Tennessee Titans and Nashville Mayor John Cooper are talking about renovating Nissan Stadium and extending the team ’ s lease , a price tag for taxpayers has not been disclosed .
The franchise and the city announced their discussions last week , The Tennessee Star reported .
The negotiations have been going on for some time , but the team said it was making the process public , citing a story by The Tennessean .
Something should be known in about six months .
The Titans are seeking fan input on the possible renovations from focus groups , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of potential changes were reportedly emailed to season ticket holders .
“ Our biggest priority throughout this process has been to envision a space that Nashvillians would be proud of , built with the community in mind , ” Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk said in a statement .
The Titans tweeted a quote from Cooper : ” A bold vision brought the Titans to Nashville more than 20 years ago , and a renewed vision will secure the Titans ’ future in our great city.
” — @ JohnCooper4Nash The franchise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussed for several years , could potentially “ secure the Titans ’ future in Nashville and facilitate the creation of a new Nashville neighborhood surrounding the facility.
” The vision for the East Bank neighborhood project would foster the creation of thousands of jobs and generate millions in new tax revenue annually that would be used to mitigate the city ’ s direct financial burden outlined in the present lease .
The development would be privately funded and resulting tax revenue used to fund substantial upgrades to Nissan Stadium .
Current concepts for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public and private use facilities such as riverfront parks , green space , housing , offices , retail and restaurants .
Again , no price tag for taxpayers has been disclosed .
For a stadium to make money , it needs fans .
Cooper early in the season barred fans from attending games over COVID-19 concerns , The Star reported in September , citing sports reporter Paul Kuharsky ’ s website .
Eventually , attendance was set to about 21 or 22 percent capacity , FanSided said .
That means about 14,500 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 69,000 .
However , the Metropolitan Sports Authority lists the capacity at 67,700 .
The stadium , built in 1999 , cost about $ 264 million .
Listed revenues are : annual lease payments , Titans at $ 362,319 , and Tennessee State University at $ 131,522 .
Other revenues are from parking and payment in lieu of taxes ( PILOT ) of $ 4 million .
Football Stadium Digest in January 2020 reported that city officials expected to have “ future discussions ” with the Titans over renovations , but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shortfall would have to be worked out first .
No renovation estimates were mentioned then either .
Meanwhile , Nashville ’ s 34 percent property tax increase is the “ Pork of the Year , ” according to the Beacon Center of Tennessee ’ s annual Pork Report , The Star recently reported .
Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes .

The Arizona U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) recently revealed that 22 Arizonans have been indicted for drug-related charges following a multi-year investigation of a South Phoenix criminal street gang.
“According to the criminal complaints filed last week, in January 2020, the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) began an investigation targeting a drug and firearms supplier in South Phoenix. In February 2021, in conjunction with the DPS investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Violent Street Gang Task Force began investigating the Lindo Park Crips (LPC), a criminal street gang operating in South Phoenix,” according to a press release from the USAO.
The release outlined that DPS and FBI investigators targeted LPC members and drug suppliers, ultimately leading to a major bust. Investigators reportedly found over 2,000 grams of cocaine, 35,000 counterfeit pills suspected to contain fentanyl, 26 grams of methamphetamine, four and a half grams of crack, 32 doses of MDMA (commonly known as Ecstasy or XTC), and weapons, including 17 firearms and eight Glock conversion devices.
All 22 defendants are charged with either conspiracy to distribute cocaine or fentanyl, and some are charged with actual possession of the drugs. Furthermore, several are charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and carrying a firearm in relation to drug trafficking.
According to the release, these charges incur heavy fines and jail time if convicted. For the drug charges, a conviction for conspiracy to distribute or intent to sell the amount of cocaine charged in the complaint carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and a $5,000,000 fine, while a conviction for the amount of fentanyl can be up to life in prison and a $10,000,000 fine. Moreover, a conviction for illegally possessing a firearm carries jail time up to 10 years and a $250,000 fine.
Most of the 22 individuals come from Phoenix, but others hail from cities across Arizona, including Avondale, Florence, Buckeye, and Goodyear. The youngest defendant is Jesus Salazar, 24, of Avondale, while the eldest is 62-year-old Terry Lee King of Phoenix.
The USAO stated that this case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCFETF) operation which seeks to dismantle the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States.
All defendants are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
As The Arizona Sun Times reported, Border Patrol agents recently seized 4.2 kilograms of fentanyl and 2.1 kilograms of heroin at a highway checkpoint at the El Centro Station. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBS) said the drugs confiscated had an estimated street value of $190,000. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) states that as little as two milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal, depending on the person’s tolerance. Based on that statistic, this bust alone involved enough fentanyl to kill over 2 million people.
According to statistics from CBS, 3,513.15 kilograms of illicit fentanyl were confiscated in May, which would hypothetically be enough to kill 1,756,575,000 people under the DEA’s metric.
– – –
Neil Jones is a reporter for The Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network. Follow Neil on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Phoenix Police Department” by Phoenix Police Department.


thetennesseestar--2020-12-22--Commentary: Biden’s Latest Identity Politics Pick is a Radical with a Land Grab Scheme

New Mexico Rep. Deb Haaland — a Native American through her mother ’ s lineage — is the newest addition to Biden ’ s identity politics bingo card .
Haaland was tapped for Secretary of the Interior , a position with control over conservation and oil and gas drilling on public lands , the Bureau of Indian Affairs , and a swath of other agencies like the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Indian Education .
Environmentalists were titillated to see a Native American nominated to take charge of land conservation and Native affairs , especially after President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the border wall on land considered by some Native activists to be sacred .
“ Historic appointment , ” tweeted Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez upon the announcement .
“ A visionary Native woman in charge of federal lands .
Unequivocally progressive .
Green New Deal champion .
Exquisitely experienced.
” Haaland , a first-term representative , was selected over the obviously more qualified Sen. Tom Udall , who has served five terms in the House and two terms in the Senate .
Udall has been a point person for the Democratic Party on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going back to his time in the House when he served as the Co-Vice Chair of the House Native American Caucus and Co-Chair of the International Conservation Caucus .
In contrast , Haaland hasn ’ t even finished her freshman term in Congress , and her only other applicable experience includes serving as the chair of the Democratic Party of New Mexico for two years and serving as the tribal administrator for the San Felipe Pueblo for two years .
The New York Times reported that some Biden advisers counseled him against selecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of experience would cause managerial problems .
Haaland ’ s nomination was also warned against because it leaves Democrats with a razor-thin majority in the House .
Their numbers were worn down after losing at least nine seats in the election ( two races are still too close to call ) and now three others to Biden ’ s cabinet .
In the months before special elections can be held , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will have to contend with a remarkably small margin for error .
Yet Haaland still won the position @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Biden to select an Indian for interior secretary , with one petition saying the secretary should be Native American because that group “ culturally is best suited to protect our natural resources in a sustainable and honorable manner.
” Haaland not only fills the Native American spot on Biden ’ s identity politics bingo card in his cabinet .
Unfortunately for America , her selection also mollifies the progressive mob .
Haaland is a hardcore environmentalist radical whose primary objective is stopping climate change by the most extreme measures .
She ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Deal , co-led legislation to end the use of fossil fuels by 2050 , and unapologetically wants to ban fracking .
When protests broke out over the Dakota Access Pipeline , she visited the protesters ’ blockade and even cooked them a Native meal of green chili and tortillas .
Even more troubling is Haaland ’ s radical land-grab scheme seeking to steal back huge portions of the United States from private companies and citizens .
Haaland introduced a bill in the House called “ The 30 by 30 resolution to save Nature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States to conserve 30 percent of its land and 30 percent of its oceans by 2030 .
The goal is now part of Biden ’ s “ Plan for a Clean Energy Revolution and Environmental Justice.
” The goal was also added to the 2020 Democratic platform , which , according to Haaland , was at her suggestion .
Currently , 12 percent of U.S. lands are conserved — meaning they are controlled by the government .
In order for Haaland to meet her conservation goal , the government would have to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ land , which is greater than the land size of the 23 smallest states .
Viewed another way , Haaland wants to conserve additional land larger than the size of Texas , California , Montana , Florida , and Massachusetts combined .
That ’ s 36 million acres larger than the state of Alaska .
Barack Obama took over more than 550 million acres of land and water during his presidency — the most of any president — but the vast majority of this was water , including the addition of 261.3 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Monument .
The Antiquities Act gives the president the power to set aside public land for conservation as national monuments without Congress ’ approval .
So even if Republicans maintain their majority in the Senate , Biden could still grab hold of huge areas of land .
Obama controversially took hold of 1.35 million acres of land when he created Bears Ears National Monument in December 2016 .
Conservatives felt the federal government had trampled on residents ’ rights in taking the land , and the Trump administration later shrunk the monument @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interior secretary , Haaland would urge Biden to seize huge parcels of land and place them under her control .
In order to meet Haaland ’ s goal , Biden will need to take over hundreds of millions of more acres of land than Obama .
Haaland is predicted to end all new permits for drilling on public lands and implement new regulations on fracking on public lands .
But she ’ ll face a legal battle on regulating fracking , as a federal judge ruled during the Obama administration that the interior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulate fracking and struck down the department ’ s fracking regulations .
The Biden administration also plans to make all public lands carbon neutral by 2030 .
Currently , oil and gas produced on federal lands account for one-fifth to one-fourth of U.S. carbon emissions .
So you can expect that Haaland ’ s interior department will aim to dismantle energy production .
Progressive magazine the New Republic fawned over how Haaland ’ s Native American identity gives her an almost spiritual connection to land that might otherwise be used for oil drilling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wall .
“ When she speaks of sacred sites , ” the New Republic ’ s Nick Martin wrote , “ she is not speaking about something she has learned about but something she has known .
It is not abstract or foreign or academic ; it is something she can connect to and defend from a place of deep understanding.
” Apparently , by contrast , some white guy appointee would have lacked the same spiritual connection to nature .
Haaland plans to take over hundreds of millions of more acres that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or mining for the sake of conservation .
It ’ s speculated that Haaland will give some of this land to Native American tribes .
And when Haaland does so , progressives will celebrate the land grab as a Native woman taking back land from the thieving Americans who wrongfully took it in the first place .
Ellie Gardey is a senior at the University of Notre Dame and a member of The American Spectator ’ s Young Writers Program .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-22--MTS Nutrition CEO Marc Lobliner Floats 2022 Run Against Governor Bill Lee, Discovers He’s Not Eligib

MTS Nutrition CEO Marc Lobliner Floats 2022 Run Against Governor Bill Lee, Discovers He’s Not Eligible

Marc Lobliner announced that he would run in 2022 against Governor Bill Lee – if not for the state ’ s residency requirement .
According to the law , an individual must reside in the state for at least seven years prior to the gubernatorial election .
Lobliner moved to Tennessee at the end of last summer .
The massive fitness influencer issued the statement in response Governor Bill Lee ’ s latest executive order .
Since Sunday , in-person gatherings have been limited to 10 or less people .
The order didn ’ t indicate what the punishments were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ strongly urged ” employers to implement remote working , and for individuals to maintain social distancing and practice health department guidelines for weddings , funerals , and worship services .
The order ends in about a month , on January 19th .
Lee ’ s order followed his press conference from this past weekend , which coincided with some of the first vaccines administered in the state .
In his statement to viewers , Lee admonished those of his constituents that gathered for the Thanksgiving holiday .
The governor derided the decisions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and foolish .
Lobliner publicized his idea to run against Lee in a series of tweets on Sunday .
“ I ’ m thinking about running against Governor Bill Lee in Tennessee .
It ’ s time for normal people to do extraordinary things , ” wrote Lobliner .
“ When I boxed , we were taught to fight out of the corner .
Once I am back from my working vacation I will start exploring a run for Governor of Tennessee .
Not even sure I should run as a Republican , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” However , after learning of the legal requirements Lobliner floated the idea of running for more local offices .
Lobliner shared that he would aim for other seats , including Williamson County Mayor or a state senator .
Lobliner added that all individuals should consider running to become elected officials .
“ I am just a businessman with a family who wants the best for my community and country , ” Lobliner told The Tennessee Star .
“ Don ’ t let the bad jokes and cursing fool you , I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Another Tennessee transplant , acclaimed director and producer Robby Starbuck , plans to run for office in 2022 .
Starbuck announced that he will challenge Representative Jim Cooper ( D-TN-05 ) .
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and the Star News Network .
Follow her latest on Twitter , or email tips to [ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-22--Coronavirus Vaccines Can Guard Against New, More Contagious UK Strain, Experts Say

The two coronavirus vaccines that have been approved for emergency use authorization in the U.S. will be able to combat a new , more contagious strain of the virus in the U.K. , experts said Monday .
Vaccines made by pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Moderna will be effective against the new strain , which is “ very similar ” to previous strains at the genetic level , University of Washington ’ s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation affiliate assistant professor Vin Gupta told CNBC .
The Food and Drug Administration has approved both vaccines for emergency use authorization after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 90 % .
“ There is a strong belief here that the vaccine , as it exists today … will have effectiveness in warding off infection from this new strain in England , in addition to the old strain that we ’ ve been contending with for months now , ” Gupta said , according to CNBC .
“ The effectiveness of these vaccines in producing antibodies that can really attack and kill Covid-19 is extraordinary , ” he continued .
“ I don ’ t expect these minor changes at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ performance in the near term.
” European countries instituted various travel restrictions to the U.K. on Sunday after the British government announced the rapidly spreading new coronavirus strain .
The U.K. informed the World Health Organization Saturday that the mutant strain of coronavirus could spread quicker than previous strains .
“ Given this latest development it is now more vital than ever that the public continue to take action in their area to reduce transmission , ” England Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty said in a statement Saturday .
Canada , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries that have banned travel to and from the U.K. , according to The Guardian .
“ There ’ s no reason to believe that the vaccines that have been developed will not be effective against [ the new U.K. strain ] as well , ” Dr. Vivek Murthy , President-elect Joe Biden ’ s pick for surgeon general , said Sunday , according to CNBC .
Danny Altmann , professor of immunology at Imperial College London , and Andrew Freedman , a researcher of infectious diseases at Cardiff University , echoed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CNBC reported .
“ It ’ s quite likely , given that the vaccine provides immunity to different regions of the spike protein , not just the one where the mutations are , it is quite likely that the vaccine will work against this thing , ” Freedman said Monday .
The U.K. was among the first nations to begin inoculating the general public with the coronavirus vaccine .
On Monday , the European Union approved the Pfizer vaccine for emergency use , according to NPR .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-22--Pelosi Claims ‘Faith-Oriented’ Lawmakers Say They ‘Don’t Believe in Science’

Democratic Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said Monday that “ faith-oriented ” people in Congress have told her they “ don ’ t believe in science.
” The California Democrat spoke Monday on the house floor where she discussed coronavirus relief and the recently approved vaccines , accusing the White House of spreading “ quackery ” notions of herd immunity .
“ So now we have a vaccine , and that gives us hope , ” Pelosi said .
“ A vaccine that springs from science .
People say around here sometimes , ‘ I ’ m faith-oriented so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ And I say , well , you can do both.
” “ Science is an answer to our prayers , ” Pelosi said .
“ And our prayers have been answered with a vaccine.
” Speaker Pelosi did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation .
She often references her Catholic faith as a motivating factor in her political positions and sparked a backlash in December 2019 when she was asked if she hated President Donald Trump .
“ I don ’ t hate anybody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Catholic , I resent your using the word hate in a sentence that addresses me .
I don ’ t hate anyone … So , don ’ t mess with me when it comes to words like that.
” Critics have pointed out that Pelosi ’ s faith is at odds with several of her political stances , particularly on her support for abortion , which the Catholic Church calls a “ crime against human life .
”


thetennesseestar--2020-12-22--Famed Chemist Tells the World: Scientists Are Totally ‘Clueless’ About the Origin of Life

Students across America are taught an origin of life story that goes a little something like this : billions of years ago , energy from the sun , lightning , and Earth ’ s heat combined with the planet ’ s early atmosphere of hydrogen , methane and other gases , creating chemical reactions that formed molecules in a primordial soup that eventually produced a cell , in other words , life .
But one prominent professor argues that that simplistic explanation is not only unproven , it ’ s highly improbable .
Professor James Tour , a synthetic organic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considered one of America ’ s leading experts in nanotechnology and nanoengineering , said that current research into the origins of life fails to explain not only the formation of the first cell , but the parts that make up the cell , such as carbohydrates , proteins and nucleic acids such as RNA and DNA .
Tour , who is also a professor of materials science at the private , Houston-based institution , has become over the last five years the leading critic of origins of life research , pointing out that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or illustration of how RNA or a single protein was formed by chance , let alone a whole cell , within Earth ’ s primordial soup .
In effect , the origin of life has not been explained , despite all the claims in K-12 textbooks , simplistic news headlines , and even among those with PhDs , Tour said .
“ This is how far the misunderstanding has gone , even science professors — even biology professors — think that … we understand the ways to build life .
We do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many videos on YouTube that feature his take on the subject .
“ None of the homochiral molecules have been made ab initio under prebiotic-like conditions , ” he said , referring to current research into the origins of life .
In other words , even scientists working in a lab with all the right equipment and right ingredients have not been able to build a cell , so therefore how could it have happened over hundreds of millions of years in a vast primordial ocean , he said .
While Tour is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the word “ God ” when he challenges atheist scholars on this topic .
Instead , he said , he focuses solely on their lack of evidence , insufficient explanations , and inability to replicate or reproduce their hypotheses .
“ There have been many people who have tried , in origin of life research , to make the chemical building blocks for life , ” Tour said in a video .
“ … Using prebiotic environment , it ’ s never been successful for homochiral syntheses.
” “ The chemicals needed for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ water , ” the professor said .
“ One needs the amino acids .
The amino acids then have to hook together to form proteins .
It ’ s not easy to get amino acids to hook together .
One can get very small amounts if you just add a catalyst to it , but the yields are extremely low .
There are many activation steps that are needed to get this sufficiently.
” “ In nature , in biology , once you have life this is all done with nature ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ But what we are talking about is prebiotic , long before enzymes themselves are made .
And the enzymes themself are made out of the amino acids in proteins.
” “ Then , after we have the amino acids , we have to have the carbohydrates , then you have to hook the carbohydrates together .
The carbohydrate hooking together pattern is extremely complex.
” He points out that with just one simple carbohydrate , d-mannose , six units of that can be hooked together in over one trillion different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work .
But wait , there ’ s more , he said , pointing out that next comes the lipids , but not just any lipids , they must have two tails to be stable enough to help form the cell .
“ How is that done in a prebiotic system ?
Nobody knows , ” Tour said .
The video is one of dozens across YouTube that feature the scholar making the argument in a variety of different ways , whether being interviewed , giving a lecture , or discussing the issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year Tour launched his own YouTube channel .
It ’ s focused on science and faith , and includes interviews of various scientists hailing from various fields .
Tour , on his website , points out that he does not want to be labeled as an intelligent design proponent : “ I do not know how to use science to prove intelligent design although some others might.
” But he has written at length about the origin of life issue , stating on his website that it “ is clear , chemists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that privately , many science colleagues admit to him that he is right .
But others surely disagree with him , including one of the top origin of life researchers in the world , University of Glasgow chemist Lee Cronin , whom Tour met with in a video posted on YouTube earlier this year .
Asked what he would say to his critics in the science field , Tour told The College Fix he would say : “ Look at the scientific critiques that I have published .
Where am I incorrect ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ topic can be deemed as controversial in a world in which academics who question the scientific status quo are often mocked , shunned and protested .
Asked to describe the pushback he has received for being something of a whistleblower on the origins of life debate , Tour said “ history will prove me correct.
” “ We are nowhere close to an understanding of life ’ s origin , ” the professor told The Fix .
Jennifer Kabbany is editor of The College Fix .
She previously worked as a daily newspaper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Southern California , and prior to that held editorial positions at The Weekly Standard , Washington Times and FrontPageMagazine .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-22--Cornell Student Government Members Expel Fellow Senators Who Voted Against Disarming Police

Activist members of the student government at Cornell University are waging an ideological war against fellow Cornell Student Assembly members who recently voted against disarming campus police .
From launching recall petitions and rallying against their fellow representatives in November , to earlier this month ousting some of them from subcommittees or the entire assembly , these activist student government members say they are motivated to set right what a “ white-cis-het ” group of their peers did in voting down the disarmament resolution .
“ These 15 student assembly members watched us pour out our traumas and fears on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no , and finally send a message to the university that we can no longer allow these oppressive institutions to keep us down , ” said Uchenna Chukwukere , the Student Assembly vice president of finance , at a protest rally in mid-November .
“ Many of these assembly members are white-cis-het men and women who quite literally laughed and danced in our faces when the resolution failed , ” Chukwukere said .
“ Their faces are all over social media , ” he added .
“ We will never forget .
… @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We must disarm , defund , and disband the Cornell University Police Department.
” In November , the Cornell Student Assembly narrowly voted against Resolution 11 , a bill calling for the disarmament of Cornell Student Assembly .
In the days following the initial failure of Resolution 11 , vulgar language and threats of violence were directed at student assembly representatives who opposed the bill .
Comments on social media obtained by The College Fix from students include : After weeks of intimidation , online harassment , and ultimately , the removal of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police armed , the assembly ’ s activist faction was able to approve on Dec. 10 a new measure , Resolution 30 , calling to disarm campus police .
It passed 15-1-13 despite some members opposed to the bill who left the meeting before the vote in an attempt to reduce attendance below a quorum , the Cornell Daily Sun reports .
“ Under the resolution , which will now go to President Martha Pollack , disarmament would mean revoking the Cornell University Police Department ’ s access to lethal weapons , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the editor of the Sun , the student representatives under fire for refusing to support disarming the police denounced the attacks against them , saying these activist student government representatives are using “ existing , but unenforced , S.A. rules on attendance and committee membership in order to remove members who voted no on Resolution 11.
” “ These actions are undemocratic , authoritarian and a flagrant abuse of the S.A. ’ s rules and procedures , ” the Dec. 9 letter states .
“ It goes without saying that these efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the S.A. who believe everyone must think as they do has attempted to strip power from anyone who disagrees with them and browbeat them into silence , ” it adds .
“ Their actions have created a hostile , toxic and untenable atmosphere within the S.A. , hampering its ability to function and causing unnecessary anxiety and emotional distress to its members.
” Part of the tensions during the initial vote back in November included racial ones .
Student Dakota Johnson , a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps who attended a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to disarming police , was told during the hearing by Moriah Adeghe , the SA director of elections , that “ As a white man , you can not be the arbiter of what is and isn ’ t racist and who is a good or bad person .
… You will never be the arbiter because you are a white man.
” In a comment to The College Fix , Johnson stated , “ I ’ ve never felt more discriminated against based on my skin color than I did in that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ downright sad and disappointing that there are people that think like that in the SA .
I know for a fact that we as a student body can elect better quality individuals for these positions in the future.
” Johnson was not the only student who was chided for his white skin by Student Assembly members , according to Young America ’ s Foundation , a conservative group that “ combed through hours of footage from several weeks of student government meetings.
” “ The chair of the student government , Cat Huang @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over white students after one representative said ‘ I want them to like have their voices be amplified before white people start talking , ’ ” YAF reported .
“ Another representative , Uche Chukwukere , told one student that “ when a black woman is speaking you do not interrupt her.
” He then went on to attack the student , saying “ You are a white man .
You can not tell me how I ’ m supposed to feel around CUPD , ’ ” the foundation reported .
College Fix @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He studies government and applied economics .
Joe is the editor-in-chief of The Cornell Review , and has been published in Legal Insurrection , the Staten Island Advance , and various other media outlets .
Photo “ Defund the Police ” by Eden , Janine , and Jim CC2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-22--Tennessee Nurse Who Fainted After Receiving COVID-19 Vaccine Says It Was Due to Underlying Condition

The nurse who appeared to faint after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine in a viral video has recovered , according to a statement issued by her employer .
Tiffany Dover , a nurse at CHI Memorial Hospital , reportedly came close to passing out due to a medical condition unrelated to the vaccination .
The hospital also cited information from the Centers for Disease Control ( CDC ) website , which stated that fainting sometimes occurs after all types of vaccinations .
In the viral video , a masked Dover spoke with reporters about receiving the vaccine .
Mid-sentence , Dover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stated that she felt “ really dizzy.
” Dover took several steps aside to leave before falling , with several staffers rushing to treat her .
After Dover fainted , she told reporters that she had a history of “ overactive vagal response.
” The condition causes fainting in response to certain triggers such as extreme emotional distress or , as Dover shared , the slightest amount of pain .
The hospital issued a follow-up video of Dover standing with her colleagues .
The other staffers held signs that indicated they supported Dover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Memorial Hospital issued their first doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines last Thursday .
The response to Dover ’ s fainting spell coincided with medical officials ’ concerns with the vaccine .
Following the first rounds of vaccinations in multiple states , some recipients began developing allergic reactions .
Researchers have offered up several theories to explain the varied allergic reactions .
Some theorized that the nanoparticles within the vaccine may be the culprit .
Others speculated that the chemical ingredient polyethylene glycol was to blame .
Nobody has discovered the exact cause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that reactions are “ rare.
” According to the CDC , over 4.6 million doses of the vaccine have been distributed .
Of those , over 614,000 vaccines have been administered .
The CDC hasn ’ t included the total number of allergic reactions on their tracker .
Officials stated that only 6 individuals so far have reported allergic reactions to the Pfizer vaccine .
Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and the Star News Network .
Follow her latest on Twitter , or email tips to [ email protected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” by WRCB News 3 Chattanooga .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-22--Georgia State Senate Report: Election Results Are ‘Untrustworthy;’ Certification Should Be Rescinded

The chairman of the judiciary subcommittee in Georgia that examined evidence of fraud in the 2020 election , has released a scathing 15-page report calling the results of the 2020 election , “ untrustworthy ” and recommending that the certification of the results be rescinded .
Georgia State Senator William T. Ligon , Chairman of the Election Law subcommittee , reached that conclusion after reviewing the recount process , the audit process , current investigations taking place , and litigation that is moving forward .
His Subcommittee also heard testimonies from witnesses during an open hearing at the Georgia State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 .
“ The November 3 , 2020 General Election ( the “ Election ” ) was chaotic and any reported results must be viewed as untrustworthy , ” Sen. Ligon wrote in his executive summary .
Among the findings in Ligon ’ s report is the probability that “ fraudulent ballots ” were “ purposely placed ” into the final vote totals by election workers at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta .
The events at the State Farm Arena are particularly disturbing because they demonstrated intent on the part of election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the counting of ballots , an intentional disregard for the law .
The number of votes that could have been counted in that length of time was sufficient to change the results of the presidential election and the senatorial contests .
Furthermore , there appears to be coordinated illegal activities by election workers themselves who purposely placed fraudulent ballots into the final election totals .
The state failed to provide adequate transparency during the signature verification and audit processes .
The Georgia Secretary of State implemented an “ unconstitutional gag order ” to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to record the counting process .
Officials at all levels failed to secure test ballots and there was a “ systematic failure ” to maintain appropriate records of the chain of custody for those ballots .
“ The oral testimonies of witnesses on December 3 , 2020 , and subsequently , the written testimonies submitted by many others , provide ample evidence that the 2020 Georgia General Election was so compromised by systemic irregularities and voter fraud that it should not be certified , ” said Ligon .
In his report , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to secure the election , including requiring photo identification and following signature match procedures faithfully for absentee ballots , as well as requiring election workers sign in for their shifts , surveillance cameras , meaningful access for poll watchers , and the purging unqualified voters from the system .
The chairman also recommended that procedures be established to ensure a proper chain of custody for all ballots .
There should be clearly stated penalties for violations and those violations should be enforced , the report goes on to say .
To rectify the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recommended that the Georgia Legislature “ carefully consider ” rescinding the certification of the election .
“ If a majority of the General Assembly concurs with the findings of this report , the certification of the Election should be rescinded and the General Assembly should act to determine the proper Electors to be certified to the Electoral College in the 2020 presidential race , ” Ligon stated .
“ Since time is of the essence , the Chairman and Senators who concur with this report recommend that the leadership of the General Assembly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further consideration by the entire General Assembly.
” President Trump slammed Georgia Governor Brian Kemp , Lt .
Governor Geoff Duncan , and Sec .
of State Brad Raffensperger for refusing to “ allow ” signature verification .
The president argued that Senators Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue “ will not be able to win ” their runoff races in January unless the governor moves to enforce the common sense election integrity requirement .
On Saturday , following a reportedly contentious meeting at the White House , Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FYSA ” ( for your situational awareness ) that “ President Trump will not be conceding ” the election .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-22--Tennessee Stands Says Gov. Bill Lee Displays ‘Complete Lack of Leadership’ on COVID-19

Tennessee Stands , based out of Williamson County , on Monday said Tennessee residents “ didn ’ t elect Bill Lee to have him cancel Christmas and stomp the Constitution.
” Tennessee Stands spokesman Gary Humble said this in an emailed newsletter , addressing Gov .
Bill Lee ’ s Sunday announcement that the state will ban indoor public gatherings of more than 10 people in response to COVID-19 .
“ While the governor makes the rounds on national news claiming that Tennessee was the last to lock down and the first to open , local economies are being crippled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to the tyrannical leadership of leftist mayors , county commissioners , local school boards , and local boards of health , ” Humble wrote .
“ Lee claims that allowing liberty-abusing decisions to be made at the local level is responsible leadership .
Tennessee Stands asserts Lee is displaying a complete lack of leadership .
On one hand , the governor claims absolute authority to issue a stay-at-home order and declare workers nonessential , yet declines to use the same authority to then open the state.
” As reported , Lee asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Christmas .
Lee also announced that the state will limit attendance at indoor sporting events , and he implored business owners to let employees work from home for the next month .
Tennessee is one of the few remaining states in America that has not implemented a statewide mask mandate or mandatory stay-at-home orders .
Until Sunday , it had not limited indoor gatherings .
But during his evening remarks , Lee lauded local governments that had implemented mask mandates , and he encouraged residents to wear them .
Humble , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this governor was supposed to be different.
” “ This governor was elected with the support of grassroots conservatives in Tennessee who believe in strict adherence to our Constitution and the security of God-given rights .
Yet Tennesseans ended up with another statist who believes that government ’ s first priority is making public officials feel comfortable and that the Constitution may be canceled when bureaucrats believe it ’ s necessary , ” Humble wrote .
“ We play ball with the GOP .
We do what the feds tell us regardless of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Tennessee .
And we spend millions of taxpayer dollars spreading the Anthony Fauci gospel and Pfizer ’ s ‘ safe and effective ’ propaganda.
’ ” Humble went on to say that “ blurred lines are getting us nowhere.
” “ And with pending disaster looming over the White House , it has never been more important that state leadership is strong and can stand up to the test of tyranny that is sure to come our way , ” Humble said .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-12-22--Political Appropriation: Crom Carmichael Dissects Big Money to Georgia Via Blue States

Live from Music Row Monday 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 to discuss the large amounts of out of state money being funneled into Georgia for the Senate run-off election .
Leahy : We are here with Crom Carmichael .
Crom this runoff election going on in Georgia , there is lots of money coming from outside of Georgia .
What ’ s the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And I took two pictures over the weekend when and this is for those people who like Charles Lane who say that there wasn ’ t any voter fraud .
This is very interesting .
When you left the studio or when you have the studio because I left earlier than you did .
Carmichael : On election night in Georgia .
And in Georgia Trump was ahead by 357,000 votes 12 .
And by December 15th Biden was ahead by 111,800 votes .
in Pennsylvania Trump had by 550,000 votes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michigan .
He was up 293,000 votes and lost by 154,000 votes .
And then in Wisconsin , he was up by 112,000 votes and lost by 20,000 .
So when people say well there ’ s no evidence of voter fraud I ’ m sorry , there ’ s plenty of evidence and if you don ’ t want to look at it , that ’ s that ’ s up to you .
Carmichael : That ’ s up to you now , but the other picture that I got .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ you .
Leahy : The picture was of graphic imagery of how the money ’ s coming into Georgia and where it ’ s coming from .
Carmichael : Yes .
And the money that ’ s coming into Georgia and the amount of money that ’ s coming in from California .
Leahy : This is for the Democrats .
Carmichael : Yes .
For the Democrats versus the Republicans is like 25 million dollars .
It ’ s coming in from California .
And for the Republicans , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas , Texas Republicans are sending in four-point six million and Democrats are sending in four point nine million .
Leahy : So it ’ s about the same .
Leahy : By the way , when you look at those donations , I ’ m going to tell you that probably a whole bunch of them are coming from unemployed people to the Democrats , not the Republicans .
Carmichael : In Georgia , the Democrats are giving four point three million and Republicans are given four point four million .
Leahy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yes .
That ’ s about the same but compared to out of state money .
In Florida , Republicans were giving four point five million and Democrats are giving four point eight million .
But from New York which doesn ’ t even register on the Republican side .
On the Democrat side , it ’ s 10.6 million dollars .
So when you look at California , New York , and then Massachusetts which is five point eight million .
Carmichael : Now , by the way , John Jay Hooker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a piece of legislation that said if you wanted to give money to a Senate candidate or Congressional candidate you had to at least live in the state from which they were running .
And I thought that that was kind of silly .
And then the more and more I think about it we ’ re supposed to have a federal form of government .
Leahy : That is a national government and then a state government that is separate with different roles and responsibilities and duties .
Carmichael : Our Democrat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have the legislature of California determine what all of the laws are here in Tennessee , including the tax laws ?
Would you want that ?
Because you don ’ t get to pick and choose which ones you have .
If you ’ re going to have a national if just one polity just one body that determines everything then you ’ re going to have to accept whatever that is .
And the beauty of a federal form of government is people in Tennessee can determine what the laws are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rest of it .
I don ’ t care what the people in California want to do to themselves .
That ’ s up to them .
But it ’ s interesting to see how much money is going into Georgia from out of state and we ’ ll know in two weeks .
Leahy : Yes .
Two weeks and one day .
By the way , my friend and colleague from Breitbart James Pinkerton has coined a phrase and written about this with the phenomenon of left-wing blue states trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or battleground states .
He calls it political colonization .
And that ’ s what they ’ re trying to do .
Carmichael : Political colonization to me is that people are at least moving .
If you ’ re moving from a blue state to a red state and then you continue to vote blue that ’ s colonization .
This is just appropriation .
Carmichael : I ’ m going to try to elect people who agree with me , even though I don ’ t live in that state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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--2020-12-22--Commentary: Medical Ethicists Legitimize ‘Woke’ Science, Death Panels

Since March , the Left has proclaimed itself the guardian of science in dealing with the COVID-19 epidemic .
Its champions are the World Health Organization , the Centers for Disease Control and Dr. Fauci .
All in the past have rendered valuable service to the public , and often life-saving aid .
Yet the mixture of COVID-19 , the first national quarantine , and Trump Derangement Syndrome have combined to give us reason to question their judgment .
These authorities variously have issued conflicting recommendations to wear , then not to wear , and finally to wear masks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ advised travel bans .
They variously have expressed skepticism about lockdowns , then strongly urged lockdowns , and then again questioned lockdowns .
When states and nations that are tightly locked down sometimes suffer commensurate rates of infection with those that are relatively open , we do not always receive scientifically based explanations .
More ominously , we still have no idea whether far more have died due to the lockdowns than to the virus itself – given the quarantines have caused greater familial , spousal , and substance abuse , suicides , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , educational deprivation , and long-term psychological damage .
Amid this void of knowledge , state and local officials have often claimed expertise and implemented Draconian measures that may well have made things far worse .
The reasons for our experts ’ ambiguity ?
Despite all their credentials , degrees , and confident arguments from authority , the experts , like 320 million other Americans , did not have sufficient information or experience with the strains of SARS-CoV-2 to appreciate how unpredictable were the spread and course of the mysterious COVID-19 disease – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absolutely deadly to a select few .
Yet again , scientific expertise also proves needlessly fallible because of politics .
To be blunt , aside from the mass quarantines , thousands of others may have died from COVID-19 , or will die because science has become ideologically weaponized .
Recent studies from a variety of sources , domestic and foreign – including the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit and New York ’ s Mount Sinai Health System – have concluded that hydroxychloroquine has some medical efficacy in early stages of COVID-19 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ : anything endorsed by Donald J. Trump must be denigrated .
Thus for the last nine months we have been lectured that the cheap , time-tried , and widely available hydroxychloroquine was dangerous and useless – even as millions worldwide felt it had saved thousands of lives from the ravages of COVID-19 .
Many clinicians certainly pleaded that the drug ’ s availability gave them greater choices in treatment , and its efficacy often had far outweighed its side-effects , which after years of use and hundreds of millions of doses were considered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether the politicized decision to demonize the drug cost the planet thousands or more lives .
In May and June , thousands of Antifa and Black Lives Matters demonstrators hit the streets of some of our largest cities , initially at least , protesting the death of George Floyd while in police custody .
Within days often mass looting and arson ensued .
Most states were under strict quarantines .
The logic of the lockdowns forbade large outdoor gatherings , and demanded strict social distancing and the use of masks .
But when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidelines , many health care providers lost all credibility by ignoring their own prior stern health advice .
Now suddenly they claimed that the angst occurring from not protesting was a greater health threat to would-be demonstrators than violating the quarantines and spreading the disease .
So much for their concern over friends and families of the protestors at home , who might come in contact each pre-protesting morning with the soon out and about woke .
So much for science .
In June over 1,200 health and medical professionals penned an open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States should not be shut down because of fears of spiking the disease .
Yet it was not as though they conceded their prior advice was now entirely fallacious .
Instead , it just needed a tweak and update .
Or as the progressive signees put it in good Foucauldian fashion , “ We wanted to present a narrative that prioritizes opposition to racism as vital to the public health , including the epidemic response .
We believe that the way forward is not to suppress protests in the name of public health.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , nurses , and health technicians felt protests and rallies – even those quite dangerous to all involved and that had propensities to result in violence , death , arson , injuries and massive property damage – were , well , necessary for public health .
Suddenly forbidding assembling in mass was not public spiritedness , but was a sort of suppression .
The risk of infecting someone with the virus , then , was less a public health crisis than advising a protestor not to hit the streets .
We will never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , after weeks on end of marching in mass , shouting , screaming in the faces of police , violating social dissenting , and often ignoring mask and hand cleansers – and then returning home to infect others likely more elderly and vulnerable .
Rioting , looting , burning , and demonstrating en masse seems a likely more risky proposition for spreading the virus than , say , eating outside , with tables six feet apart .
Once again , of course , the exemptions of the medical experts were selective .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rioting , later felt that it was now OK to attend an open-air rally to ensure that jobs would remain in America or border security might enhance the wages of the working poor , this Trump-support was given no such deference .
Instead , subjectively invoke the now loaded noun “ racism , ” and science in Medieval fashion was warped to serve an ideological agenda .
More recently , a number of doctors have advised that the new coronavirus vaccinations not be disseminated to the public on sound scientific principles that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ providers .
These , after all , are the linchpins of the health-care system , while those over 65 are statistically the most likely to die from COVID-19 .
But instead of prioritizing these two groups , some of our most credentialed experts now want vaccination queues to be governed by race .
If a particular racial group , of any age , for any purported reason , has had a disproportionate rate of COVID-19 lethality , then it collectively should go to the head of the line before the elderly .
Or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schmidt put it : But why only “ leveling ” only “ a bit ” ?
Why not “ lots ” – like denying them COVID-19 vaccinations in timely fashion ?
In other words , Dr. Schmidt advocated ignoring the medical science that all those , of every race , over 65 have a greater vulnerability to the virus than all those , of every race , under 65 .
It should be no surprise that we ’ ve all become skeptical of any medical professional who self-identifies as an “ ethicist ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ African-American of 25 , or someone who is a 30-year-old one-quarter Latino , should be given vaccination preference over a 70-year old “ white ” person who is 80-90 times more likely to die if infected with the coronavirus – or for that matter a 80-year old Asian American or a 74-year old Mexican American .
Of course , Dr. Schmidt has no real knowledge why precisely some studies have shown that some minority groups are believed to be more susceptible than others to COVID-19 , given the vast number of variables involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 million non-native born residents and citizens , who in large percentages arrived impoverished , and often without adequate prior medical care , from non- “ white ” majority countries , relative Vitamin D levels , greater comorbidities including obesity , diabetes , and heart disease , lifestyle choices , poverty , nature of employment or access to medical care , and perhaps different innate levels of resistance to this particular type of coronavirus .
Again , note what Schmidt did not say , “ We should vaccinate all those over 65 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to endanger the infected.
” Even if he is given the power to factor race in vaccination strategy , then any people of color , as well as any of those of no color , with vulnerabilities would have no worries .
But , of course , the ethicist Schmidt doesn ’ t seem to care much for such details .
As our version of a good progressive eugenicist , he could have defined , at least in his pseudo-scientific fashion , “ people of color ” and “ non-people of color ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one-drop racial purity .
Perhaps DNA badges to ascertain racial purity ?
A bar code to prevent a Ward Churchill or Elizabeth Warren from crowding up when the stakes are not a university billet , but someone ’ s life ?
And where are we to put Armenian Americans , Arab Americans , and Punjabi Americans in line ?
Or the Japanese American surgeon or the Brazilian-born Wall Street investor ?
Perhaps we can distribute handy plastic color-coded chips to be placed near the arm for those queued , to ascertain their degree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either advancement or retreat in the vaccination line ?
Perhaps there are historical examples that could guide us and improve efficiency in racially-governed health pre-selections – and maybe as soon as families got out of their transportation and lined up to be sent in one or the other direction ?
So Schmidt virtue-signals his woke credentials by stereotyping all older white people as having “ additional health benefits ” – from the corporate CEO to the impoverished of Appalachia .
Schmidt is ignorant apparently that rural , lower-middle class white males recently have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of any demographic .
No matter .
They can all take one for the American team .
Or as Schmidt characterized the obligation of the unlucky melanin-deprived – “ to level the playing field a bit.
” Note “ a bit ” – sort of like getting COVID-19 at 80 , for example ?
Will there be a pushback , an “ Old Poor White Lives Matter ?
” In Schmidt ’ s Orwellian world , we would , I suppose , vaccinate Oprah , Beyoncé , or Labron James first , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from rural southern Ohio , de facto to punish him with greater chances of non-vaccinated COVID-19 morbidity , all for his lifetime of “ additional ” perceived privileges – for which , demographically and medically , there is no statistical support .
In this brave new world of ours , we are now only a tiptoe away from the next step .
And we know what that is : pruning back the elderly altogether by credentialed “ ethicists ” who would now begin the preliminary culling process by more or less thinning out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ additional health benefits , ” whether because of their longevity or race or both .
A bit hyperbolic , too melodramatic ?
Not really .
One of Joe Biden ’ s chief medical advisors is another “ bioethicist ” Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel .
Not too long ago , Emanuel in The Atlantic advised that “ this manic desperation to endlessly extend life is misguided and potentially destructive .
For many reasons , 75 is a pretty good age to aim to stop.
” Joe Biden is rich , white , and he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bit “ manic.
” In any case , he is three years over Emanuel ’ s limit – and additionally by race and class way down on the pecking order for Schmidt ’ s envisioned national vaccination queue .
Perhaps in Schmidt ’ s phraseology , Biden could “ level the playing field a bit , ” take his unvaccinated chances with the virus , and thereby follow the counsel of his new medical advisor Emanuel – to concede that “ 75 is [ was ] a pretty good age to aim to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American military historian , columnist , former classics professor , and scholar of ancient warfare .
He was a professor of classics at California State University , Fresno , and is currently the Martin and Illie Anderson Senior Fellow at Stanford University ’ s Hoover Institution .
He has been a visiting professor at Hillsdale College since 2004 .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-22--Roger Simon Talks Trickery in Upcoming Georgia Runoff Election and Questions Republican Lawmakers

Live from Music Row Monday 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 Senior Political Editor for The Epoch Times , Roger Simon to the studio .
During the third hour , Simon predicted a split-decision with a Kelly Loeffler win in the Georgia Senate run-off election January fifth .
He also questioned whether or not Republicans in the state would be fooled a second time around .
Leahy : I ’ m in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is a political columnist at The Epoch Times .
Roger , we were going to handicap the two races runoff races that will determine the outcome of who has a majority in the Senate .
You have got one race with David Perdue the former CEO of Dollar General running against the guy I call pajama boy John Ossoff who ’ s never done anything except talk about how wonderful he is .
That guy .
And then you have Kelly Loeffler the appointed Senator who owns the WNBA team Atlanta Dream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leahy : She ’ s running against this leftist Black liberation theology guy named Raphael Warnock .
The polls show all both of those races very tight plus or minus one either way .
What ’ s your take on it ?
Simon : Well , you know as Yogi the Bear said ( Chuckles ) , predictions are dangerous particularly about the future .
( Leahy laughs ) .
Simon : But this is a short-term future .
So I ’ ll make my prediction that it will be a split decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who I agree with your characterization completely , he won ’ t wear pajamas in Congress but he should .
( Leahy chuckles ) The reason I think Loeffler will win against Warnock is that she ’ s done a good job of painting Warnock for what he is .
I mean , he ’ s the guy who said Fidel Castro was a complex figure .
He wasn ’ t a despot .
Of course , Fidel Castro is someone who murdered his colleagues in the revolution and put homosexuals in prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about that incidentally with Javier Bardem .
And then he impoverished his own people for like 50 years .
And then ended up a billionaire himself .
So he ’ s not exactly a complex figure unless you ’ re Michael Moore .
Carmichael : What I ’ m trying to figure out is why somebody would go into the polls and vote for Loeffler and then vote for Ossoff .
I don ’ t know why somebody would split that ticket .
To me it ’ s a get out the vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have the stones to keep the Democrats from cheating the way they did in the past time .
Simon : My answer to you there is you ’ re almost entirely correct .
But I think very few people will do that .
And those few people will be the ones who will of tossed one to Loeffler and one to Ossoff .
I was asked about my prediction now .
Don ’ t bring me back here after the answer .
Leahy : ( Laughs ) Here ’ s the way we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day you make them and disappear the day after .
Carmichael : I think both Republicans will win so long as the Republican Party keeps the Democrats from cheating the way that they cheated in Georgia this last time .
Carmichael : Okay , then my qualification doesn ’ t mean anything .
But the Republicans got up and left the room .
Are you telling me that Republicans when the Democrats say you can go home now , are you telling me that Republicans will get up and go home ?
Are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s what the Republican Party is going to do ?
Simon : The good Republicans are not doing that .
Carmichael : No .
No , I ’ m talking about the ones that got told to go home .
Carmichael : The last time in Fulton County .
Are you telling me that they ’ ll get up and go home again ?
I just can ’ t I can ’ t believe that to be true .
I just can ’ t believe that that that the people who are there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time and now know they got tricked last time .
Simon : They are not going to go home .
Carmichael : I can ’ t believe they ’ re going to get up and go home again .
I just can ’ t believe that .
Simon : Yeah , the real question is , you know them that ’ s not the only way they were tricked .
They were tricked on outer levels .
Carmichael : Well they know how they were tricked .
Simon : Some of it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ They do know how they were tricked some of those elements though are not going to be changed .
Carmichael : If somebody ’ s signature is completely illegible and you can ’ t match it to anything that that vote if you ’ re the Republican counter , you should say that votes not going to count and so it goes over in the contested pile .
And what I ’ m saying is that if the Republicans don ’ t have the stones to do that .
That ’ s all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Those two elements are a little different in terms of the complexity of actually executing it .
And the reason is that staying there , they will stay there .
They won ’ t be told to go home .
But the problem is what does exactly that mean when the rules set up by the Zuckerberg-funded election directors in Fulton County for instance are , we ’ re going to have a consolidated counting center and you can observe from the cheap seats .
Carmichael : No , no , no .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Republican Party allows that to happen and says I ’ m going to be there looking at the ballots and looking at those signatures , if they don ’ t have the guts to do that then they deserve to lose .
And we deserve to lose .
Simon : Oh , absolutely .
I ’ m with you there .
The real question is how is this exactly all going to go down .
I ’ m going to try to go down there again .
I ’ m going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Go to a Fulton County consolidated counting center and see what happens .
Crom , you make a very good point .
This is all part of the Zuckerberg requirement in these grants that they gave them .
Consolidated counting centers are huge places with you know , dozens and dozens of tables where people are counting .
The way they observe them was that they weren ’ t looking over each table .
They were in the room but couldn ’ t watch .
Now , will the Republicans in Fulton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each table ?
Carmichael : And if they don ’ t Michael then they deserve to lose because they already know how they got cheated .
If you are going to get cheated the same way the second time then you deserve it .
Simon : Yes .
Fool me twice as you said it .
Carmichael : Then you deserve it .
It ’ s like somebody who keeps leaving the keys in their car in their driveway and then complains when the car gets stolen .
Leahy : This would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party chairman down there .
However , he may be constrained by the way the rules are interpreted under the consent decree .
Simon : It ’ s really a bad set up .
The great guy down there is Garland Favorito .
I interviewed him a couple of times and talked to him recently .
Leahy : Well Crom and Roger , Mondays are always fun when we have Roger in here .
And Crom , we won ’ t see you until the next year .
I hope you have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
Photo “ Polling Place ” by Eden , Janine , and Jim CC2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-22--Bedford County Passes Resolution Opposing Repeal of Qualified Immunity

The Bedford County Board of Supervisors ( BOS ) unanimously passed a resolution repudiating efforts to repeal qualified immunity , a legal doctrine that provides extra protection to law enforcement officers from personal liability while on-duty unless they commit willful misconduct .
An effort to repeal qualified immunity was defeated in the Virginia Senate during the recent special session .
“ Bedford County opposes any legislative repeal or revision of the judicial doctrine of qualified immunity and urges the County ’ s delegation to the General Assembly to oppose any such effort , ” the supervisors state through the resolution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mike Miller , and was quickly passed without any discussion .
Miller told the BOS that although qualified immunity was defeated in 2020 , he and his command staff had heard concern from deputies over future action the General Assembly might take .
Miller said , “ As we ’ ve talked this year to our deputies , one of the major concerns and worries that they have is the way qualified immunity was thrown around in Richmond , and I don ’ t think it was taken as seriously as it should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Miller said .
“ This does not protect those who are involved in criminal conduct or misbehavior .
It protects everyone else from frivolous civil suits.
” Bedford considered the resolution on December 14 , the same day a large crowd showed up to advocate a First-Amendment Sanctuary resolution .
A nearly-identical pro-qualified immunity resolution was passed unanimously by Augusta County in November , according to NBC29 .
The Bedford resolution states , “ [ L ] egislative repeal or revision of qualified immunity would manifestly harm law enforcement by putting law enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for almost every action they take.
” It adds , “ [ A ] ny legislative repeal or revision of qualified immunity would require the taxpayers of Bedford County to pay for the defense of any and every claim against law enforcement officials , no matter how frivolous or unjustified.
” The resolution continues , “ [ E ] fforts at repeal or revision represent ill-advised prejudice against the men and women of law enforcement who put their lives on the line every day to protect public safety.
” Miller said , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requirements of a law enforcement officer without the safeguards qualified immunity affords .
Those who lack the legal knowledge would invent opportunities to seek civil judgements against officers who acted within the law.
” Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-22--Virginia Legislators Blast 5,593 Page House Bill Passed Just Hours After Legislators Get The Full Dr

Virginia Legislators Blast 5,593 Page House Bill Passed Just Hours After Legislators Get The Full Draft

The U.S. House of Representatives leadership gave legislators just hours to consider a 5,593-page omnibus spending bill incorporating over $ 900 billion of coronavirus relief and $ 1.4 in government funding for fiscal year 2021 .
The bill was made available on Monday , with voting beginning on Monday evening , where it passed just after nine p.m. “ After several delays and last-minute haggling , we finally began receiving text of the COVID relief bill at 11:30 am this morning .
This bill is likely to be thousands of pages , so I ’ m canceling my afternoon appointments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reagan said , “ Trust , but verify , ” Congressman Ben Cline ( R-VA06 ) ( pictured above ) tweeted .
Cline and Congressman Morgan Griffith ( R-VA-09 ) criticized in advance the last-minute dump of an omnibus bill bundling both packages .
“ I fear they ’ re going to give it to us , it will be thousands of pages long , probably a couple thousand , maybe only 1,800 , maybe 2,800 .
But they ’ ll give us a bill that ’ s massive , and only give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Griffith said on Friday on The John Fredericks Radio Show .
The bill turned out to be larger , and Griffith had even less time to consider the full draft than he expected .
Just before two p.m. , he tweeted , “ While waiting on the omnibus spending bill over the weekend , I asked if even just part of the text was available to read and was told no .
I ’ ve gotten a bootleg back alley copy of the bill today to start reading.
” He added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ version of the omnibus bill now .
My bootleg copy was just over 3,000 pages .
The official bill is 5,600.
” Griffith told Fredericks that there are two political games at play .
The first was to keep President Trump from having COVID-19 relief as a positive campaign note before the November election .
Griffith said that now that the election is over , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA-12 ) is allowing relief to go forward .
“ Pelosi had the power to block it , and she blocked it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that presenting the bill at the last minute allows material to be inserted without giving legislators time to review it .
Last week , Cline told The Virginia Star , “ I am concerned that Speaker Pelosi has once again decided to rush through a mammoth spending package with little time to review it .
I remain hopeful that a bipartisan agreement will make its way to the House Floor for approval and resources can begin to flow quickly to those hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic.
” Eric Burk is a reporter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News Digital Network .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-12-22--New Ohio ‘Stand Your Ground’ Bill Heads to Governor for Signature

If Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine signs a new bill into law , Ohioans will no longer be required to retreat first before using deadly force to defend themselves .
Where they can defend themselves with deadly force would also expand .
DeWine , who has repeatedly over the past year asked the legislature to pass several pieces of his gun legislation , has not indicted if he would sign the bill .
State Rep. Kyle Koehler ( R-Springfield ) , who introduced the legislation , said the bill is straight forward and lawmakers must defend the Constitution .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force to defend themselves where they reasonably conclude that deadly force is being used against them , ” Koehler said .
“ We have a duty to defend the United States Constitution , and people who utilize their Second Amendment rights .
This straight-forward legislation will help us protect our constitutional right and the values on which this country was founded.
” Under the measure , a civilian would be able to defend themselves with deadly force as long as they are not the aggressor , if they are in fear of harm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they are in a place where they lawfully have the right to be .
It eliminates the responsibility to retreat and broadens the places where deadly force would be lawful .
House Democrats , in protest , removed their names from the bill , which originally gave civil immunity to nonprofit corporations for any injury , death or loss caused by the corporation for allowing those with handgun licenses to bring guns onto their property , or incidents resulting from guns being legally brought on their premises or to an event organized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the floor , said the legislation went too far , threatens Black lives and makes Ohioans less safe .
“ People should be able to defend themselves , absolutely , but it should not be a fact that people of color die disproportionately because of these laws , ” state Rep. Erica Crawley ( D-Columbus ) said .
“ We need to have some real , meaningful conversations about these types of laws and how they impact people of color … so we can figure out how to move forward.
” J.D .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center Square .
He is veteran journalist with more than 30 years of experience in newspapers in Ohio , Georgia , Alabama and Texas .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-22--Mercer Student Jailed in Caymans For Breaking COVID Lockdown Rules

A Georgia student has been ordered to spend four months in jail in Cayman Islands for breaking the British territory ’ s COVID-19 lockdown rules , according to several reports .
“ Skylar Mack and her boyfriend , Cayman Islands-based competitive Jet Skier Vanjae Ramgeet were jailed immediately after their sentences were handed down on Tuesday , ” Fox News said last week .
Mack is an 18-year-old student at Mercer University in Macon .
According to Cayman News Service , the four month sentence was handed down after the government appealed an initial punishment of 40 hours of community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both Mack and Ramgeet .
The government argued that the former punishment was too lenient , and a judge agreed .
“ This was as flagrant a breach as could be imagined ; it was borne of selfishness and arrogance , ” Justice Roger Chapple reportedly said , adding that “ the gravity of the breach was such that the only appropriate sentence would have been one of immediate imprisonment.
” In September , the island nation began issuing tracking bracelets to tourists in order to curb the spread of COVID-19 .
Mack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issuing her a looser tracking bracelet by claiming the original one she was given was too tight .
She then allegedly slipped out of the second bracelet , and went to watch Ragmeet compete in a Jet Ski event .
Now , Mack ’ s grandmother is asking the White House for assistance .
“ She ’ s terrified .
She called me last night , she couldn ’ t sleep , ” Jeanne Mack reportedly told Fox News .
Mack wrote a letter to President Donald J. Trump , and received a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff reviewed your correspondence and forwarded it to the appropriate Federal agency for further action.
” The elder Mack claimed that the government in the Cayman Islands is making an example out of her granddaughter , and that her granddaughter was the first person jailed on the island for breaking COVID-19 protocols .
“ They needed to make a statement , ” Mack said Friday in an appearance on Fox News ’ America ’ s Newsroom .
“ Their government is accusing her of causing major anxiety of everybody that was on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re not telling them that she was negative – she does not have the virus , she never has had the virus.
” Pete D ’ Abrosca is a contributor at The Tennessee Star and the Star News Network .
Follow Pete on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Skylar Mack ” by Skylar Mack and Vanjae Ramgeet is by Vanjae Ramgeet / Facebook .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-22--Fulton County Dismisses Election Whistleblowers from Working the Georgia Runoff Election Following T

Fulton County Dismisses Election Whistleblowers from Working the Georgia Runoff Election Following Their Testimonies

Fulton County election officials informed two whistleblowers that they were no longer eligible to work in the runoff election .
Bridget Thorne and Susan Voyles each received a letter notifying them of their dismissal last week following their testimonies to the General Assembly .
Both women were dismissed suddenly and without notice , after having served without issue in previous elections for years .
Thorne testified in an affidavit that ballots weren ’ t handled securely at the State Farm Arena .
She alleged that the “ test ballots ” that were printed for calibration purposes were “ indistinguishable ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those ballots were stacked haphazardly , left unattended for long periods of time , and transported without proper security protocol .
Thorne also testified that American Civil Liberties Union ( ACLU ) personnel were serving as absentee ballot “ clerks ; ” one of the ACLU clerks working that Thorne encountered allegedly used a personal laptop instead of the county-assigned laptop to access the voter roll database .
Thorne informed The Georgia Star News that she ’ d also been missing 400 emergency ballots .
These are paper ballots that are used when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the electronic voting systems .
Precincts are required to have emergency ballots that would cover at least 10 percent of their registered voters .
“ They sent 400 ballots to my precinct , but they were on yellow paper and said ‘ sample ’ across them , ” explained Thorne .
“ When I called the warehouse to get the [ correct emergency ballots ] , they said they couldn ’ t find them .
After that , I called a [ poll manager ] friend and he was missing his as well.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the entire election process was disorganized .
She shared that she ’ d experienced serious organizational issues as early as the primaries .
At one point , Thorne had to wait an entire week before confirming the totals for her ballot counts .
“ The most important thing you can have as a manager is your ballot recap sheet .
Let ’ s say you have 100 people check in on your poll pad , ” stated Thorne .
“ Then you add all your votes , and then all the ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ballots in the box .
If there ’ s a discrepancy where your count falls short of 100 , you have to be able to explain why .
[ Officials ] told me in June when I was missing my ballot recap sheet that I could use my security form instead .
But then they called me back and said I ’ d opened up a whole can of worms , and that I actually needed a ballot recap sheet – but we ’ d have to come back a week later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thorne added that Dominion Voting Systems ( Dominion ) workers had to run the warehouses because the usual warehouse workers were quarantined for COVID-19 .
She recounted how the delivery of election equipment was delayed in the county ’ s north precincts , with some of the equipment arriving between 7 pm and midnight the night before poll workers were expected to report to those precincts .
According to Thorne , the county plans on allowing individuals from the ACLU to work in the .
Thorne told The Star that she learned ACLU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manager training class prior to her firing .
Thorne stated that her dismissal was unexpected .
She explained that she ’ d served as a poll worker for about 9 years , and had been asked by the county this year if she would be interested in instructing others prior to the general election .
Thorne added that her daughter , also a poll worker , was dismissed without warning .
The other poll worker , Voyles , had testified that she ’ d counted absentee ballots that were in “ pristine ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or marks of any kind .
She also alleged that those ballots appeared to have “ unusually uniform ” markings for votes , as if machine-printed rather than hand-marked .
Voyles added that approximately 98 percent of those ballots were for Democratic candidate Joe Biden .
Voyles was unable to issue further statements on the matter to The Star regarding her dismissal by press time .
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger recently said that he disagreed with Fulton County ’ s decision to remove Voyles and Thorne .
Raffensperger ’ s response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the women for testifying .
Several days after Raffensperger issued his statement , Georgia Republican Party Chairman David Shafer also issued a joint statement with Fulton County Commissioners Liz Hausmann , Bob Ellis , and Lee Morris , condemning the county election officials ’ decision .
The group called on Raffensperger to undertake further action to protect whistleblowers from retaliation .
At the time of publication , Thorne told The Star that she hadn ’ t received any further responses from the county ’ s election officials .
Corinne Murdock is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Star News Network .
Follow her latest on Twitter , or email tips to [ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-22--Michigan House Approves $465 million COVID-19 Relief Funding Bill

The Michigan House on Monday approved a $ 465 million supplemental budget bill to provide relief to Michiganders in the COVID-19 pandemic .
Senate Bill 748 aims to provide $ 64 million in small business survival relief ; $ 220 million to extend unemployment benefits through April 1 , 2021 ; $ 75 million for hospitals and health care workers ; $ 22 million for increased testing ; and $ 57 million for vaccine distribution .
“ This budget bill provides critical support to the workers and small , family businesses who have been left behind by their government and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it the most , ” House Speaker Lee Chatfield , R-Levering , said .
“ We are listening and looking for ways to help .
Of course , the best way to help people is to follow the science and safely and securely reopen Michigan ’ s schools and small businesses .
Until that happens , we will continue to fight for the people we represent , support working families with our votes and ensure everyone can continue to make ends meet , ” Chatfield added .
The bill also aims to allocate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the state .
Chatfield called the bill “ an important spending plan to help families , but it is only a temporary solution .
Moving forward , state government must provide better answers.
” “ The coronavirus created an impossible situation , and many leaders did the best they can .
But the simple truth is the state government ’ s uneven , inconsistent and often-politicized approach to this virus created hardship for far too many Michigan residents , ” Chatfield said .
The bill would allocate $ 5 million to fund @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would get $ 2.5 million in grants .
“ The governor ’ s continued shuttering of certain sectors of our economy puts many of our local businesses in danger of permanent closure and forces people out of their jobs during the holidays .
Senate Republicans have delivered much-needed relief to Michigan families , ” Sen. Jim Stamas , R-Midland , said in a statement .
“ This important funding bill will send available state and federal dollars where they are needed most , to our workers and business owners struggling to stay afloat.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 testing and vaccine distribution , including funds to ramp up testing of teachers to ensure healthy school communities ; • $ 115.3 million to hospitals and nursing homes to address nursing shortages , including an extension of a pay increase for direct care workers ; • $ 45 million in Employee Assistance Grants to restaurant and other workers laid off or furloughed from Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ’ s shutdown orders ; employees can get grants up to $ 1,650 ; • $ 63.5 million in Small Business Survival Grants and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the governor ’ s orders avoid permanent closure .
Shuttered businesses can obtain grants up to $ 20,000 , while partially closed companies can get up to $ 15,000 .
Rep. Abdullah Hammoud , D-Dearborn , said the bill didn ’ t help enough small businesses slammed by COVID-19 .
“ What support is available for the countless small businesses who are now strapped with tens of thousands of dollars of debt who don ’ t qualify for any of the programming that we ’ re offering ?
, ” Hammoud said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ into law this year .
“ The Senate passed this bill with bipartisan support , but we can not do this alone , ” Stamas said .
“ We look forward to the governor ’ s support and signature before the end of the year.
” Whitmer , who in November proposed a $ 100 million stimulus bill , also celebrated the bill ’ s passing .
“ This bipartisan relief bill will provide families and businesses the support they need to stay afloat as we continue working to distribute the safe and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for all .
There is still more work to do to beat this virus and grow our economy , ” Whitmer said in a statement .
“ All Michiganders have a personal responsibility to do their part and mask up , practice safe social distancing , and avoid indoor gatherings where the virus can easily spread from person to person .
And I urge everyone who is still doing last-minute holiday shopping to buy local to support your favorite businesses and restaurants.
” Scott McClallen is a staff writer covering Michigan and Minnesota @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Hillsdale College , his work has appeared on Forbes.com and FEE.org .


thetennesseestar--2020-12-22--CVS Begins Effort to Administer COVID-19 Vaccinations

CVS announced Monday that it has formally launched its program to administer COVID-19 vaccines to residents and staff of long-term care facilities and will begin its efforts in Virginia on December 28th , according to a press release .
The company said that its teams will start administering doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine this week across 12 states – including Ohio , Connecticut , Florida and Oregon , among others – and expects to vaccinate a total of four million residents and staff at over 40,000 long-term care facilities through the program .
The Virginia Star reached out to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see how many facilities in Virginia will be visited by CVS teams , but did not get responses before press time .
According to NBC 12 , CVS teams will be administering vaccines at 874 skilled nursing and assisted living facilities in Virginia .
“ Today ’ s rollout is the culmination of months of internal planning and demonstrates how the private sector can use its expertise to help solve some of our most critical challenges , ” said Larry J. Merlo , president and chief executive officer of CVS Health .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ herculean efforts of everyone involved , including our health care professionals who will be deployed throughout the country to bring peace of mind to long-term care facility residents , staff , and their loved ones.
” Back in mid-October , the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Defense announced agreements with CVS and Walgreen to vaccinate long-term care facilities residents and staff nationwide .
Walgreens put out a similar release on Friday , stating that vaccinations for the priority group were beginning the same day at nursing homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Connecticut , and then expanding to 12 states this week , but did not offer a specific list .
CVS said its pharmacy teams will make three visits to each facility to make sure that residents and staff receive the initial shot and then the booster , and the majority of that group will be fully vaccinated three to four weeks after the first visit , depending on which vaccine is given , according to the release .
The company also estimates that its entire vaccination effort will be finished in roughly 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most vulnerable populations is the latest milestone in our multifaceted pandemic response , which includes testing more than 10 million people for the virus since March , ” said Karen S. Lynch , executive vice president of CVS Health and President of Aetna .
“ The eventual availability of COVID-19 vaccines in communities across the country will bring us one step closer to overcoming the most significant health challenge of our lifetime.
” Like many other states , Virginia will also be using CVS and Walgreens pharmacy teams to vaccinate the long-term care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first phase of the state ’ s plan , front-line healthcare workers who are treating COVID patients will receive the initial vaccinations and then , as the state gets more shipments , CVS and Walgreens teams will be administering vaccines to the care facilities residents and staff .
Overall , CVS , Walgreens and other pharmacy chains ability to safely vaccinate people will be vital to Virginia ’ s efforts .
In the second and third phases of the plan , pharmacies will have part of the responsibility for administering vaccinations to essential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public .
In the release , CVS said its pharmacies will be able to provide 20 to 25 million shots per month once the supply of vaccines increases and becomes more widely available .
Last week , the months-long mass vaccination process finally started in Virginia .
On Monday and Tuesday , Hospitals throughout the Commonwealth , including two in Richmond , began receiving their first shipments of the Pfizer vaccine and by now hundreds of healthcare workers have already been vaccinated .
Later in the week , the Virginia Department of Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost 110,000 fewer vaccine doses in December than originally anticipated , but that an order for 146,400 doses of Moderna ’ s COVID vaccine has already been placed , which received emergency-use approval on Friday .
Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network .
Follow Jacob on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-12-22--The Epoch Times Senior Political Columnist Roger Simon Reflects on His Family’s Return From Georgia

The Epoch Times Senior Political Columnist Roger Simon Reflects on His Family’s Return From Georgia Witnessing Weak Republican Leadership

Live from Music Row Monday 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 lead political columnist for The Epoch Times , Roger Simon to the studio .
During the third hour , Simon discussed his family ’ s disappointment with the disorganization of the Republican leadership during their trip to Georgia .
He noted that there were two Republican parties in Georgia .
The rank and file who want to do something and the establishment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with China .
Leahy : And joining us in the studio is the original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael .
Good morning Crom .
Leahy : Hello again .
And Roger Simon who is my former boss at Pajamas Media , PJTV .
He is now the lead political columnist for The Epoch Times Roger , good morning .
Leahy : Now , you were telling us that you have a report from Georgia .
You were down there a couple of weeks ago and apparently , members of your family are down there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican candidates .
Is it good news or bad news that you ’ re hearing ?
Simon : Very bad news .
I hate to do this because you know , we all know how important it is .
My wife and daughter were down there and they came back early .
They were so fed up with what was going on .
Leahy : Tell us why .
Simon : Because of the total disorganization of the door-to-door stuff that seemed to them totally silly .
When they were going around door @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all , they were sent to neighborhoods where nobody wanted them to be there .
They were given very poor instructions .
And then they were led by a woman who is a former DA down there .
I ’ m not going to give names but they were in Cobb County .
Now Cobb County which is right outside Atlanta is the place where they just tried to get a new look at the voting and the local electors who were Republicans refused to do it .
And this woman who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s important that they refused to do it because they don ’ t want lawsuits .
So , I mean , it ’ s crazy .
So my wife and daughter came back really depressed by the situation .
And I think there ’ s a message in it for all of us who care and that is we ’ ve got to fight harder .
And we have to deal with the bigger issues .
And the door-to-door stuff may have some relevance in certain areas but it actually doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia because all those people have been already bombarded .
Leahy : They are getting bombarded .
Carmichael : So was your family distressed with the way they were treated or were they distressed with it overall ?
Do they have an opinion on where the race stands or just an opinion of how poorly organized the Republican party is ?
Simon : The latter .
I mean it doesn ’ t take Nostradamus to figure out where the race is .
It ’ s been poorly done .
And if they win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been poorly done .
Carmichael : If anybody asked you who ’ s going to win the races in Georgia , you should say well I already know the answer to that but I ’ ve been asked not to tell .
( Laughter ) I heard an economist who years ago was giving a talk and he was asked by somebody in the audience if short-term rates , we ’ re going to go up or down .
And he gave that answer .
And the audience just roared .
Simon : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a piece for The Epoch Times and it said there were two Republican parties in Georgia .
And there really are .
There ’ s an establishment party there that doesn ’ t want to really do anything except maybe make deals with China .
Simon : And then there ’ s the rank and file who are hot and bothered and should be .
Carmichael : But which of those two within the Republican party , which of those two is larger ?
Simon : Oh , the rank and file are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : But if they will use the power that they have to change the leadership of the Republican party at least… Carmichael : Then they could get things done on the legislative side of things .
Simon : I had lunch down there with the guy who ’ s the chairman of the Republican Party David Shafer the other night .
Simon : Very good guy .
I agree .
A smart guy and a nice guy to hang with .
But the actual elected officials not so good .
Leahy : Let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are spot-on in your analysis there Roger .
We did a story at The Georgia Star News , which you can also see at the Tennessee Star .
I ’ ll just read it which reinforces everything you ’ re saying .
And the people that are the establishment and that isn ’ t with the pro-Trump conservatives are the Governor the Attorney General , the Secretary of State , the Lieutenant Governor , and the Speaker of the House of Representatives down there .
Here ’ s the story .
State Rep. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lied to Trump ’ after following through on efforts to convene a special session .
And here ’ s the story .
In an interview with The Georgia Star News on Friday , State Representative David Clark a republican from Buford alleged that Georgia Speaker of the House David Ralston has no intention to follow through on a promise he made to President Trump on a phone call earlier this month .
Clark alleged that in that phone conversation Ralston promised President Trump , he would use his power and influence to convene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Assembly for the purpose of reviewing the qualifications of electors in the aftermath of the November third election , which was fraught with allegations of voter fraud .
Clark further alleged that Ralston lied to the President telling them that he would collect enough signatures to convene a special session .
‘ Ralston lied to the President .
He ’ s always playing games .
That ’ s who he is .
If you had 15 minutes with him , he ’ ll say whatever you want him to say.
’ He could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ session , but he ’ s not doing anything .
There ’ s a petition out there .
They don ’ t have enough signatures yet and he ’ s not supporting it .
Carmichael : Let me ask a question .
Is this person that you ’ re identifying here , he ’ s the Speaker of the House ?
Carmichael : Are Republican members of the Georgia statehouse , just for purposes of discussion I ’ m going to say that this Speaker the House is bought and paid for by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that put him in that position , are they bought and paid for too ?
Simon : Some must be .
Carmichael : There has to be a majority of them .
Simon : Some of it is just human error and ignorance but some of it is what you ’ re saying .
Carmichael : Well , but you know , it ’ s like the expression , fool me once shame on me blah blah blah and all that stuff .
I mean this election was fraught with voter fraud and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a very planned strategy in each of the states .
Georgia had a particular strategy within Georgia for voter fraud .
Stacey Abrams headed that up and accomplished what she wanted to but the legislature in Georgia can fix that .
They can now come back into session .
Let ’ s assume for purposes of discussion that Biden is the next president and that we at least win one Senate seat .
Let ’ s just assume that .
The legislature in Georgia can come back into session and they can change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the consent decree because the Secretary of State didn ’ t have the authority to enter into the consent decree anyway .
Carmichael : And so now if they don ’ t do it then the fool me once fool me twice thing now , they are the ones responsible .
Carmichael : They ’ re the ones responsible because they got fooled the first time .
Okay .
Now if they get fooled a second time it ’ s because they want to be .
Simon : There ’ s a way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fix it is that the people have to do it .
They have to get out there and demonstrate .
They have to do what the left does .
We have to learn from the left .
Simon : We have to get out there and make a lot of noise and not just in Georgia obviously .
But Georgia is like right now kind of a petri dish for all this .
There are a lot of people I met down there who are really on our team , but they got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure .
Because you know , you have a lot of business as usual people in that statehouse obviously .
And those people don ’ t want to budge .
Carmichael : But this business as usual is not business as usual .
That ’ s the point I ’ m trying to make .
This is the greatest political theft in American history .
In Nashville , we used to have that type of thing when Fate Thomas was the sheriff .
Carmichael : Maybe even in the 60s and 70s .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ You live in Nashville now .
Now , you ought to read some of the historical books about the politics in Nashville .
And it was corrupt .
But the people of Nashville were willing to accept that .
Now , this isn ’ t the people of Georgia .
If the Republican people in Georgia will not change their legislators or force their legislators to pick a different Speaker of the House…we have a great Speaker of the House here in Tennessee .
Carmichael : We are well-governed here in Tennessee .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ become well-governed in Georgia .
Leahy : It ’ s any total mess down there now on the Republican side .
Roger .
Would you agree with that ?
Leahy : A total mess .
Not a good sign .
Two weeks and one day before the run-off elections are for these two seats that will determine who owns the majority in the United States Senate .
I hate to be pessimistic about it , but that ’ s just the reality .
Simon : Well Loeffler may sneak by .
Listen to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .