thetennesseestar--2020-06-26--Meshawn Maddock Commentary: Trump Showed Leadership When Michigan Needed It Most

President Trump is standing up for Michigan workers and business owners at a time when our own lawmakers and elected officials have refused to do the same .
The riots that swept through America had a devastating impact on local communities throughout the country , including Michigan .
In Grand Rapids alone , the radical Antifa thugs caused nearly $ 1 million in private property damage , as well as costing taxpayers over $ 1.3 million in police overtime and damaged municipal property .
Sadly , our governor did little to protect Michiganders from this mayhem despite her duty to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ condemning the President ’ s call to restore law and order .
For days , business owners and workers were left at the mercy of the rioting mob , leaving many of them no choice but to flee for their lives , surrendering their property to the mob in order to avoid being assaulted , injured , or even killed .
This is not the way political demonstrations should go in a civilized country .
Allowing violent rioters to usurp the message of peaceful protesters while laying waste to both public and private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordinary citizens alike .
Luckily , President Trump was quick to put pressure on Democrat governors in states like Michigan , warning them that his administration was prepared to act if they continued neglecting their responsibilities .
“ Today , I have strongly recommended to every governor to deploy the National Guard in sufficient numbers that we dominate the streets , ” the President said during a recent address to the nation .
“ If a city or a state refuses to take the actions that are necessary to defend the life and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will deploy the United States military and quickly solve the problem for them.
” Michigan eventually heeded the Trump administration ’ s warning , strategically deploying additional forces to tamp down on the worst of the lawlessness — but it should not have taken this long for our elected officials to safeguard the lives and property of innocent citizens .
Just imagine what state officials might have done ( or not done , as the case may be ) if the White House didn ’ t take such a forceful stand on behalf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat presidential nominee Joe Biden , for instance , has been largely silent about the destructive wave of violence that has swallowed our cities .
Instead of strongly condemning looters and thugs who have been destroying countless communities throughout America , the former vice president pretended as if this tsunami of senseless violence simply didn ’ t exist , revealing that a hypothetical Biden administration would have stood by silently as rioters and looters appropriated the peaceful protests surrounding George Floyd ’ s death for their own radical purposes .
To make matters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Democrat Party have recently embraced a call to “ defund the police , ” latching on to the preposterous claim that policing is an extension of systemic racism in America .
These include Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar , who has urged Minneapolis to disband its police force ; New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , who has asked states “ to sacrifice to make sure that over-funded police departments are defunded ; ” and even one of the top contenders to become Biden ’ s running-mate , Rep. Val Demings , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its “ thoughtful ” stance on defunding its police department .
Now , the anarchists are exploiting that weakness to demand even more concessions .
In Seattle , Washington , they ’ ve literally taken over a section of the city that police intentionally abandoned , setting up an “ autonomous zone ” where the law doesn ’ t apply .
If they were to try the same thing in Detroit , it ’ s doubtful that Whitmer would have the courage or conviction to stop them .
We ’ re fortunate that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michigan business owners , workers , and residents when we were being attacked by an anarchist mob , because our governor refused to uphold law and order .
Michiganders will remember that come November .
Meshawn Maddock was a Michigan delegate for Donald Trump at the 2016 Republican National Convention .
She is also the Co-founder of Michigan Trump Republicans and the wife of Michigan State Representative Matt Maddock .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-26--Ohio AG Tells Ohioans Who Believe Their Unemployment Compensation Overpayment Notices Were Sent By M

Ohio AG Tells Ohioans Who Believe Their Unemployment Compensation Overpayment Notices Were Sent By Mistake to Appeal

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost released a statement Tuesday encouraging all Ohioans who received a notification about an overpayment of unemployment compensation to appeal their cases if they think their notices were sent by mistake .
“ It ’ s no secret that despite the state ’ s Herculean efforts , it was crushed with the unprecedented volume of new claims flooding in simultaneously , ” Yost said .
“ We will aggressively pursue any cases of fraud , but we want to make sure any non-fraudulent cases referred to us for collection have been thoroughly reviewed and appealed as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appealing these notifications have 21 days to file their appeal online , via fax , or through mail from the date the notice was sent , according to Yost ’ s press release .
Two weeks ago , almost 24,000 Ohioans received a notice saying that they would have to pay back the money they received as a result of overpayments .
Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services ( ODJFS ) Director Kimberly Hall said that there is nothing she could do about the overpayments because it ’ s a federal issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to News5Cleveland .
“ Any overpayment has to be repaid , whether or not it was due to fraud or due to lagging wage information , ” she said .
Over the last 14 weeks , the ODJFS has handed out more than $ 4.4 billion in unemployment compensation payments to over 716,000 claimants .
Since mid-March , Ohio has seen nearly 1.4 million unemployment claims .
This means that only around 51 percent of Ohioans have received unemployment benefits .
On June 11 , the Ohio House unanimously passed House Bill 614 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s unemployment compensation system .
“ House Bill 614 goes above and beyond in addressing constituents ’ concerns heard by all State Representatives , regardless of party , ” Mark Fraizer ( R-Newark ) said .
“ I look forward to working with interested parties to make sure the system never fails our constituents ever again.
” Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media .
If you have any tips , email Zachery at [ email protected ] Follow Zachery on Twitter @ zacheryschmidt2 .

by Joe Mueller
Attorneys general from 26 states are urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a lower-court decision upholding a California law banning the raising or importing pork, veal or eggs if the animals are confined.
The Supreme Court announced on March 28 that it would hear the pork industry’s challenge to California’s Proposition 12, a law restricting confinement practices in animal agriculture. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments on Oct. 11.
Prop. 12 was approved by 63% of California voters in 2018. The law established minimum space requirements based on square feet for calves raised for veal, breeding pigs and egg-laying hens. It banned the sale of products from those animals if they were “confined in a cruel manner,” defined as in areas below minimum square-feet requirements.
The case, National Pork Producers Council v. Karen Ross, the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, focuses on the regulation of animal products outside of California by prohibiting the in-state sale of products traceable to the animal being confined in a “cruel manner.” The Pork Producers and others argue the law violates the Interstate Commerce Clause and general constitutional restrictions against “extraterritorial regulation.”
The brief filed by the attorneys general states California consumes 13% of the nation’s pork and imports 99.87% of pork consumed. The attorneys general argue the “entire impact of Proposition 12 will be visited on out-of-state producers that, though they have no vote in California, must remodel their farms (or reduce their herds) to comply with the law.”
“Under no circumstances should the state of California be allowed to dictate to Missouri farmers and ranchers how they can raise and confine breeding pigs, egg-laying hens, and veal calves,” Missouri Republican Attorney General Eric Schmitt said in a statement. “Further, California is attempting to impose their will on Missouri farmers and ranchers by threatening to deny entry into the California market if those farmers and ranchers don’t comply with their pointless regulations. Missouri’s farmers and ranchers have been tending to their land and livestock for generations, they don’t need Californian politicians telling them how to do their jobs.”
Of the 19 briefs filed with the Supreme Court on the case last week, all urged the court to reverse the lower court’s decision, with the exception of two neutral parties providing economic information.
A brief filed to persuade the Supreme Court not to hear the case was filed last year by The Humane Society of the United States, Animal Legal Defense Fund, Animal Equality, The Humane League, Farm Sanctuary, Compassion in World Farming USA, and Animal Outlook. They stated the Pork Producers’ argument uses a “dormant Commerce Clause” to stop in-state sales of certain pork products from “animals confined in cruel and unsanitary conditions that threaten the health of California consumers. … Because that prohibition applies only to sales inside California, moreover, producers outside California are free to confine animals however they choose for products sold outside the state.”
States represented by the attorneys general are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.
– – –
Joe Mueller covers Missouri for The Center Square. After seven years of reporting for daily newspapers in Illinois and Missouri, he spent the next 30 years in public relations serving non-profit organizations and as a strategic communications consultant.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-26--Ohio Unemployment Claims Drop 10 Percent from Prior Week

As the nation emerges from lockdowns imposed in response to the coronavirus pandemic , new unemployment claims continue to decline .
The number of Ohio residents receiving unemployment checks decreased by 48,753 claims between the weeks ending June 13 and June 7 .
Advance claims for the week ending June 20 were 444,205 claims , compared to 492,958 claims the week ending June 13 .
According to U.S. Department of Labor data released Thursday morning , 1,226 more Ohio residents filed new unemployment claims in the week ending June 20 than the previous week .
DOL data reports 34,375 Ohio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , compared to 33,139 claims filed the week ending June 13 .
Nationally , new claims for the week June 20 also declined .
The advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 1,480,000 , a decrease of 60,000 claims from the previous week ’ s revised level .
As of June 20 , the DOL reports , approximately 19.5 million Americans continue to file for unemployment benefits .
The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate nationwide was 13.4 percent for the week ending June 13 , a decrease of 0.5 percentage point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate .
Bruce Walker is a regional editor at The Center Square .
He previously worked as editor at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy ’ s MichiganScience magazine and The Heartland Institute ’ s InfoTech & Telecom News .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-27--Tennessee Planned Parenthood Members Burn American Flag in Defense of Abortion

Members of the Tennessee chapter of Planned Parenthood gathered at an unspecified location this week and posted a Twitter video of themselves incinerating an American flag .
Those same Planned Parenthood members then placed the burning flag into a garbage container before someone extinguished the flames with a fire extinguisher .
“ Do not despair , from destruction comes creation .
Let us invoke a mere word from these ashes , ” an unknown woman seemed to say in the video , which wasn ’ t entirely audible , as the person recording the event stood several feet away .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Statue of Liberty .
She and the others then chanted repeatedly that they want justice — and they want it now .
In a subsequent tweet members of Planned Parenthood said Tennessee Gov .
Bill Lee “ has disrespected our constitution and practically lit the flag on fire by banning abortion.
” “ But we won ’ t stop until we live in a new America that respects the rights of pregnant people .
Full stop , ” members of the group tweeted .
They quoted additional lines from the skit in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our constitution .
I think it is garbage .
This is nothing more than just a piece of paper to me , which is why I introduced the unconstitutional abortion ban in the first place , ” according to the first of the two tweets .
“ I plan to sign law to purposefully undermine your constitutional protections .
Where does garbage belong ?
In the Freedom Trash Can , ” the second tweet said .
U.S. Senate candidate Bill Hagerty , in a statement on his campaign ’ s website , condemned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disrespectful to me than burning the American flag .
Too many men and women have given their lives defending our flag and our freedoms , ” Hagerty said .
“ The liberal mob has come to Tennessee .
This behavior disrespects America and those who have been willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for our precious freedom .
What we need now , more than ever , is law and order .
We should defund Planned Parenthood , not the police .
President Trump won ’ t stand for this , and neither @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the key reasons he ’ s endorsed me .
As your Senator , I will stand up for America , and against the angry mob .
I ’ ll support our law enforcement officers 120 percent and defund abortion businesses like Planned Parenthood once and for all.
” As The Tennessee Star reported this week , members of the Tennessee General Assembly passed a pro-life heartbeat bill .
The bill passed the Tennessee House in a vote of 69-17 and was then approved by the Tennessee Senate 23-5 .
“ One of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be pro-family is to protect the rights of the most vulnerable in our state , and there is none more vulnerable than the unborn .
We have passed the strongest pro-life law in our state ’ s history , ” Lee said after its passage , thanking the General Assembly for “ making the heartbeat bill law.
” As its name suggests , the bill prohibits doctors from performing an abortion on “ a pregnant woman whose unborn child has a fetal heartbeat.
” Other provisions in the bill prevent abortions from being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ child , the race of the child , or a Down syndrome diagnosis in the unborn child .
Furthermore , doctors will be required to inform pregnant women of the gestational age of their unborn children , provide them with ultrasound images , and allow them to listen to the fetal heartbeat before performing an abortion .
The bill also requires health care facilities that provide abortions to post a sign with information about the possibility of reversing a chemically-induced abortion .
Just hours after the bill was passed , the American Civil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rights , and Planned Parenthood asked the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee to block the bill from becoming law .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ American Flag Burning ” by Tennessee Advocates for Planned Parenthood .

by Thomas Catenacci
A group of 27 Republican congressmen urged President Donald Trump to order a Justice Department-appointed special counsel investigation of “legitimate questions” about election irregularities.
The Republican congressmen asked Trump to direct Attorney General William Barr to appoint the special counsel, according to a letter obtained by Politico that was sent to the White House on Wednesday. Reps. Lance Gooden, Paul Gosar, Louie Gohmert, Scott Perry and Jody Hice were among the 27 congressmen who signed onto the letter.
“The American people deserve a definitive resolution to the uncertainty hovering over the outcome of our election, but legitimate questions of voter fraud remain unanswered,” the congressmen wrote.
Barr said on Dec. 1 that the Department of Justice has yet to find any evidence of election fraud that could sway the result, sparking criticism from conservatives. Trump hesitated when asked if he still had confidence in Barr.
“The Department of Justice has been asked on multiple occasions to launch an investigation into this matter, but inaction from the Department along with public comments made by the Attorney General indicate a lack of willingness to investigate the irregularities your campaign and other elected officials across the nation have alleged,” the Republican congressmen continued.
“The appointment of a Special Counsel would establish a team of investigators whose sole responsibility is to uncover the truth and provide the certainty America needs,” they added.
Several news organizations including The Associated Press and Fox News declared former Vice President Joe Biden the winner of the election on Nov. 7. Trump’s campaign has filed numerous lawsuits alleging widespread fraud, but courts across the country have handed the campaign many defeats.
Texas filed a new lawsuit against Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin Tuesday arguing the states altered their election procedures illegally. Alabama and Louisiana have expressed interest in joining the suit, according to Newsweek.
“Our Country stands at an important crossroads,” the lawsuit said. “Either the Constitution matters and must be followed, even when some officials consider it inconvenient or out of date, or it is simply a piece of parchment on display at the National Archives.”
“We ask the Court to choose the former,” it continued.
– – –
Thomas Catenacci is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-27--Commentary: Obama-Biden Knew the FBI Was Investigating Flynn and Trump in January 2017 for Russia Co

Commentary: Obama-Biden Knew the FBI Was Investigating Flynn and Trump in January 2017 for Russia Conspiracy Theory and Didn’t Stop It

A newly released hand-written note by former FBI agent Peter Strzok from early Jan. 2017 confirms knowledge and direction of the investigation of former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn by former President Barack Obama and former Vice President Joe Biden .
The note was submitted as evidence by Flynn ’ s lawyers Jesse Binnall and Sidney Powell on June 24 just as the D.C .
Circuit Court of Appeals issued a rare writ of mandamus ordering Judge Emmet Sullivan to dismiss the case against Flynn .
Per Binnall and Powell , both Obama and Biden were aware there was nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussions with Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak , “ Yesterday , the Government produced further stunning and exculpatory evidence , previously withheld from General Flynn , showing that Director Comey himself and the highest levels of the Obama Administration had the transcripts of Flynn ’ s phone calls with officials of other countries and knew General Flynn ’ s calls were lawful and proper.
” Binnall and Powell continued , “ Strzok ’ s notes believed to be of January 4 , 2017 , reveal that former President Obama , James Comey , Sally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Susan Rice discussed the transcripts of Flynn ’ s calls and how to proceed against him .
Mr. Obama himself directed that ‘ the right people ’ investigate General Flynn .
This caused former FBI Director Comey to acknowledge the obvious : General Flynn ’ s phone calls with Ambassador Kislyak ‘ appear legit.
’ According to Strzok ’ s notes , it appears that Vice President Biden personally raised the idea of the Logan Act .
That became the admitted pretext to investigate General Flynn.
” Turns out Comey was right .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak on Dec. 23 , 2016 , Dec. 29 , 2016 and Dec. 31 , 2016 confirm that Flynn was engaging with Kislyak to stop a dangerous escalation in U.S.-Russian relations from occurring during the transition .
The investigation into whether Flynn was a Russian agent had been closed on Jan. 3 , 2017 , only to be reopened by Strzok based on the intercepted conversations between Flynn and Kislyak .
This came at the time the Obama administration was levying sanctions against Russia and expelling many Russian diplomats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dec. 29 , 2016 that “ we need cool heads to prevail ” and advised that Moscow only respond in a “ reciprocal ” fashion .
By Dec. 31 , 2016 , Kislyak had reported that Moscow had received Flynn ’ s message and would only respond in reciprocal fashion .
Nothing much to that .
Flynn was protecting U.S. national security and ensuring a smooth transition on U.S.-Russian relations headed into 2017 .
As Comey reportedly noted , the conversations “ appear legit.
” The Strzok note , if dated correctly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2017 meeting between former President Barack Obama , former Vice President Joe Biden , former FBI Director James Comey and former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates than was shown a now fully declassified letter former National Security Advisor Susan Rice wrote to herself on Jan. 20 , 2017 , memorializing the meeting .
Per Rice ’ s summary “ On January 5 , following a briefing by IC leadership on Russian hacking during the 2016 Presidential election , President Obama had a brief follow-on conversation with FBI Director Jim Comey and Deputy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Office .
Vice President Biden and I were also present.
” This was the Russian interference into the 2016 election briefing given a day before then-Director of National Intelligence James Clapper issued the joint intelligence assessment on the same .
However , the version that was given to former President Barack Obama and then-President-Elect Trump on Jan. 5 , 2017 included some of the allegations leveled by former British spy Christopher Steele ’ s dossier , paid for by the Hillary Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee , that Trump was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debunked by none other than Special Counsel Robert Mueller , who in his 2019 report stated , “ [ T ] he investigation did not establish that members of the Trump Campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in its election interference activities , ” and “ the evidence does not establish that the President was involved in an underlying crime related to Russian election interference.
” After the core intel briefing on Jan. 5 , 2017 , in the conversation between Obama , Comey , Yates , Biden and Rice with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the incoming administration : “ President Obama began the conversation by stressing his continued commitment to ensuring that every aspect of this issue is handled by the Intelligence and law enforcement communities ‘ by the book ’ .
The President stressed that he is not asking about , initiating or instructing anything from a law enforcement perspective .
He reiterated that our law enforcement team needs to proceed as it normally would by the book .
From a national security perspective , however , President Obama said he wants to be sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incoming team , we are mindful to ascertain if there is any reason that we can not share information fully as it relates to Russia.
” The memo continued , with Comey noting that no classified information had been passed along to Kislyak : “ Director Comey affirmed that he is proceeding ‘ by the book ’ as it relates to law enforcement .
From a national security perspective , Comey said he does have some concerns that incoming NSA Flynn is speaking frequently with Russian Ambassador Kislyak .
Comey said that could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sharing sensitive information .
President obama asked if Comey was saying that the NSC should not pas sensitive information related to Russia to Flynn .
Comey replied , ‘ potentially.
’ He added that he has no indication thus far that Flynn has passed classified information to Kislyak , but he noted that ‘ the level of communication is unusual.
’ ” Afterward , somebody leaked the Flynn call to the Washington Post on Jan. 12 , 2017 , and then the FBI was sent to ask Flynn about it on Jan. 24 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The rest , as they say , is history , leading swiftly to Flynn ’ s firing , former Attorney General Jeff Sessions ’ recusal , Comey ’ s firing and then the appointment of Mueller .
It is possible that the Strzok note details the same Jan. 5 , 2017 meeting in the Oval Office , and that Pannell and Powell have the date wrong , in which case it provides additional context to the conversation .
Either way , both the Rice memo and now the Strzok note show that Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directing the criminal investigation against Flynn and thus Trump .
All at a time when the Trump campaign and then transition were already under active FISA Court-ordered surveillance based on the Steele dossier , spying on the opposition party in an election year for what turns out were false allegations of being Russian agents .
This one goes all the way to the top — and Obama and Biden did nothing to stop it .
Robert Romano is the Vice President of Public Policy at Americans for Limited Government .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-27--Biden Floats Issuing an Executive Order Requiring Every American to Wear Masks

Former Vice President Joe Biden floated the idea Thursday of issuing an executive order requiring all Americans to wear masks to curb the spread of coronavirus .
Wearing a mask can make the difference between life and death in some circumstances , Biden told a CBS affiliate in Pittsburgh .
The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee suggested that making masks a requirement could help reduce cases and deaths .
“ The one thing we do know is these masks make a gigantic difference .
I would insist that everybody out in public be wearing that mask .
Anyone to reopen would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into a business that had masks , ” Biden told KDKA in an interview while wearing a black mask .
“ Yes , I would .
From an executive standpoint , yes I would , ” Biden said in response to a question about whether he would use federal power to mandate wearing a mask in public .
The KDKA reporter pressed the former vice president , asked Biden if he would mandate mask-wearing .
He responded : “ I would do everything possible to make it required that people had to wear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump in May for nearly half of the coronavirus-related deaths in the United States .
The virus originated in Wuhan , China , before spreading to the United States , where it has killed nearly 124,000 people , according to the Johns Hopkins coronavirus tracker .
The former vice president has accused Trump in the past of bumbling the U.S. ’ s response to coronavirus , or COVID-19 .
Polls indicate that the barbs may be hitting their mark , with Trump trailing by significant margins in six battleground states .
Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North Carolina , Wisconsin , Pennsylvania and Arizona , for instance , all by at least 6 points , according to data gathered by The New York Times and Siena College surveys .
Biden ’ s lead Wisconsin and Michigan is closer to 11 points .
Biden ’ s campaign has not responded to the Daily Caller News Foundation ’ s request for comment for clarification .
Chris White is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Joe Biden ” by Gage Skidmore .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-27--FBI Refuses to Disclose Records on Source Who Undermined Steele Dossier

The FBI is refusing to release documents related to the primary source for dossier author Christopher Steele , saying in response to a public records request that the information is classified and risks identifying a confidential FBI source .
The source , whose identity remains a mystery , holds key information that could shed light on apparent inaccuracies in Steele ’ s dossier , which the FBI cited extensively in applications for surveillance orders against Trump campaign aide Carter Page .
The decision , which the FBI made in response to a Freedom of Information Act request filed by The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican lawmakers have increasingly accused the FBI and its director , Christopher Wray , of withholding documents relevant to the investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian government .
The DCNF sought all FBI records for an individual identified as “ Primary Sub-Source ” in a Justice Department inspector general ’ s report released on Dec. 9 .
According to the IG report , the source undercut key allegations that Steele made in his dossier , which the FBI used to obtain four Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act ( FISA ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tracked down the source and interviewed him for the first time in January 2017 .
The source provided information directly to Steele that he collected from a network of sub-sources .
The IG report says the source said that Steele misrepresented information that ended up in the dossier .
The source said he shared “ rumor and speculation ” with Steele , but the retired spy presented it as fact .
The source ’ s statements to the FBI “ raised significant questions about the reliability of the Steele reporting , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the inspector general , blasted the FBI for failing to disclose the bombshell information in its final two FISA applications against Page .
The Justice Department deemed the two FISA orders to be invalid because of the FBI ’ s omission of information about Steele ’ s source .
The IG report said that an FBI case agent who has been identified in the media as Stephen Somma took part in the interview with the source .
David Laufman , who served as the time as the Justice Department ’ s chief of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attended the interview .
The report faults Somma for being “ primarily responsible for some of the most significant errors and omissions ” in the FISA applications .
Steele , who investigated the Trump campaign on behalf of the Clinton campaign and DNC , said in a court deposition in London in March that the source had worked with his firm , Orbis Business Intelligence , for several years .
Steele said he paid the source a retainer of up to $ 5,000 per month .
The FBI has disclosed information about Steele @ @ @ @ @ @ @ source , or CHS , for the FBI since 2013 .
The bureau did not address the disparity in the handling of information about Steele versus information about Steele ’ s dossier source .
In its letter to the DCNF , the FBI cited three exemptions under FOIA to deny releasing the documents about the source .
The bureau also indicated for the first time that it considers the Steele source to be a confidential source for the FBI .
“ The nature of your request implicates records the FBI compiles pursuant to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Michael G. Seidel , the acting section chief for the FBI ’ s information management division .
Seidel said that disclosing the information “ would trigger harm to national security interests…and/or reveal intelligence sources and methods.
” Seidel also rejected the request , saying that the information would reveal the “ identity of confidential sources and any information furnished by such sources in criminal law enforcement and national security investigations.
” “ Disclosing source related records about an individual or entity could reasonably be expected to undermine the use of confidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FBI in the future.
” It is unclear if the FBI considers the Steele source to be a CHS .
While little is known about Steele ’ s source , the former spy reportedly told his business partners at the firm Fusion GPS that the source was “ well known to U.S. intelligence and law enforcement officials.
” Republicans digging into the origins of the FBI ’ s investigation of the Trump campaign have recently accused Wray of being too slow in releasing documents about the probe .
Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Judiciary Committee , has led the charge in accusing Wray of obstinance in producing the documents .
Wray addressed some of those concerns in an interview Wednesday with Fox News anchor Bret Baier .
“ I think we ’ ve tried very , very hard to be transparent and cooperative with all the relevant congressional committees .
We ’ ve produced all sort of information to try to really lean forward , ” Wray said .
Congress typically has greater leverage than the media in obtaining documents from federal agencies .
Some lawmakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the dossier source .
“ The Primary Sub-source substantially undercut Steele ’ s election reporting , calling into question the accuracy and reliability of any of Steele ’ s reports , ” Sen. Lindsey Graham , the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee , wrote Attorney General William Barr on April 20 .
Graham is seeking all documents and communications related to the FBI ’ s interviews with the source , including FBI reports written about the individual .
Steele has said little about the IG report or the statements attributed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the IG report was released , Steele ’ s lawyers issued a statement disputing the claims attributed to the source , and said that Steele had “ meticulously documented and recorded ” his interactions with the source .
Steele revealed in court testimony in March that he no longer has documents related to the source .
He said his computers were “ wiped ” in December 2016 and January 2017 .
The FBI did not respond to a request for comment for this story .
Chuck Ross is a reporter for The Daily @ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-06-27--US Consumer Spending Up 8.2 Percent, Partly Erasing Record Plunge

WASHINGTON , D.C. ( AP ) — American consumers increased their spending by a record 8.2 % in May , partly erasing huge plunges the previous two months , against the backdrop of an economy that ’ s likely shrinking by its steepest pace on record this quarter .
Last month ’ s rebound in consumer spending followed record spending drops of 6.6 % in March and 12.6 % in April , when the viral pandemic shuttered businesses , forced millions of layoffs and sent the economy into a recession .
Since then , many businesses have reopened , drawing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restoring some lost jobs .
Friday ’ s Commerce Department report showed that Americans stepped up their spending in May despite a 4.2 % decline in personal income , which had soared by 10.8 % the previous month .
Income had jumped in April on the strength of billions of dollars in support through government payments in the form of unemployment aid as well as one-time $ 1,200 stimulus checks .
In May , those stimulus checks were no longer counted as income for most people .
Besides the unemployment aid states are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the federal government is providing $ 600 a week in additional benefits .
The federal money has pumped nearly $ 20 billion a week into the economy and enabled many of the unemployed to stay afloat .
But the $ 600 a week in aid will expire after July , and Trump administration officials have said they oppose an extension .
Without the stimulus checks or an extension of unemployment aid , it ’ s unclear whether consumers will keep spending freely .
In testimony to Congress last week , Federal Reserve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consider providing some form of extended unemployment benefits beyond their typical six-month period , on the assumption that joblessness will likely still be quite high by year ’ s end .
Last month ’ s rise in consumer spending also coincides with a sudden surge in coronavirus cases that ’ s forcing states and businesses to consider scaling back or even reversing the re-openings .
If an escalation of the pandemic does force another round of widespread business shutdowns , fewer people would shop , travel , eat out or attend large events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spending and would further weaken the economy .
Consumer spending is closely watched because it accounts for about 70 % of economic activity .
Despite the increased spending in May , economists have estimated that the economy , as measured by the gross domestic product , is contracting at a roughly 30 % annual rate in the April-June quarter after shrinking at a 5 % rate in the January-March period .
That would be , by far , the worst U.S. quarterly contraction since record-keeping began in 1948 .
Economists cautioned against reading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in consumer spending .
They noted that the increase followed two record declines and that it still left spending 11 % below its pace before the pandemic hit .
“ Amid rapidly rising infections across many states , risks to the outlook are dangerously tilted to the downside , ” Gregory Daco , chief U.S. economist at Oxford Economics , said in a research note .
Friday ’ s report showed that among the categories for which consumers ramped up spending in May , the sharpest increase — a 29 % jump — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purchases of autos and recreation vehicles .
Spending on non-durable goods , which are items like food and clothing , rose nearly 8 % .
And spending on services — everything from cellphone contracts to hospital visits — rose more than 5 % .
The service-sector increase was led by spending on healthcare .
That category of spending had been curtailed before May by limits imposed on elective surgery as hospitals focused on the initial surge in COVID-19 patients .
Last month ’ s 4.2 % drop in incomes was the sharpest such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economic stimulus checks and other emergency government benefits tumbled by an annualized $ 1.1 trillion in May after having surged $ 3 trillion in April , when most of the payments were distributed .
Inflation , as measured by a gauge tied to consumer spending , edged up a scant 0.1 % in May , the report showed .
Inflation over the past year is just 0.5 % , far below the Fed ’ s annual 2 % target .
In February , the economy fell into a deep recession , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the association of economists that is the official arbiter of recessions in the United States .
Most analysts expect the economy to rebound in the second half of this year before potentially regaining its pre-pandemic level in late 2021 at the earliest .
The Trump administration is predicting a relatively fast and robust economic rebound starting this summer .
Most private economists are far less optimistic .
And they warn that if the pandemic intensifies and forces a second round of business closures , it would set the job market and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be dire .
One hopeful sign , in the meantime , comes from data compiled from Chase Bank credit and debit cards .
It shows that consumers have gradually but consistently increased their spending since the government distributed the stimulus checks in mid-April .
Martin Crutsinger is a reporter for The Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo : Shoppers , left , head to the entrance as a sign on the outside wall invites customers to shop inside a Best Buy store Wednesday , June 24 , 2020 in Richfield , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have eased in Minnesota .
( AP Photo/Jim Mone )


thetennesseestar--2020-06-27--Facebook, Contractor Pass the Buck on Who Fired HR Manager Who Said ‘No One Has the White Man’s Back

Facebook, Contractor Pass the Buck on Who Fired HR Manager Who Said ‘No One Has the White Man’s Back Anymore’

Leslie Brown , the woman who appeared in a Project Veritas video about Facebook who made incendiary comments that debuted Thursday , has been fired .
That ’ s according to a text message received by Project Veritas CEO James O ’ Keefe .
Project Veritas made the announcement here .
“ Journalist : I mean , they were able to fire him without having to worry about discrimination .
Brown : Due diligence , right .
Because he ’ s a white man .
Yeah , white man .
No problem .
You can ’ t do it that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brown : No one has the white man ’ s back anymore.
” Brown , a senior HR executive , claimed she had been fired just hours after the video debuted .
Brown also clarified her connection with the social media giant , resulting in her changing her employer on her LinkedIn page from Facebook to US Tech Solutions , a sub-contractor for Facebook .
US Tech Solutions told Project Veritas only the client ( Facebook ) can make hiring/termination decisions .
“ Any contractor hiring/termination is confidential information and we can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We will be happy to respond to Leslie directly if she has any questions about her temp assignment with US Tech , ” said Manoj Agrawal , CEO of US Tech Solutions .
However , O ’ Keefe said in a statement that he had a conversation Friday with Agarwal that reaffirmed Facebook was the one who terminated Brown .
In a text message received by James O ’ Keefe , CEO of Project Veritas , Brown confirmed she has been fired from her job .
“ I have now been fired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video and I ’ ve received death threats .
Thank you for absolutely screwing up my life.
” It came to light after the video was released that Brown in fact worked for US Tech Solutions , a sub-contractor for Facebook .
In a phone conversation with Agarwal , O ’ Keefe pressed for a comment or reason of the termination .
O ’ Keefe : Leslie Brown is an employee at your company , uh , and has done work with Facebook .
And she was on a tape today saying , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know , we can confirm with her that she has in fact been terminated from your company I ’ d like a comment from you about why she was terminated .
Agarwal : We ’ re a contracting agency , they work for our clients .
So I don ’ t really know… It ’ s the clients that make the call , not us .
They hire the contractors .
O ’ Keefe : Understood , and you guys work with Facebook , correct ?
Agarwal : Yes , Facebook is one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them , but I don ’ t handle that … In an email to , Agarwal reaffirmed his comments saying only the client ( Facebook ) can make hiring/termination decisions .
“ Any contractor hiring/termination is confidential information and we can not comment to a third party on it .
We will be happy to respond to Leslie directly if she has any questions about her temp assignment with US Tech.
” Hours later , Facebook issued the following statement : “ The individual who made those comments has never been a Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employed through one of our partners and is no longer on assignment with Facebook .
While such comments are disgusting and unacceptable at any time , they were made prior to the work she did on the Facebook contract , and we were unaware of them.
” Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes .
Photo “ Leslie Brown ” by Project Veritas .
Editors ’ note : Neil McCabe , The Tennessee Star and Star News Network National Correspondent , also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Project Veritas .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-27--Steve Bannon Urges Trump to Emphasize Action Over Rallies to Save Campaign

Steve Bannon , a former White House chief strategist , urged President Donald Trump to forget the rallies and instead emphasize “ action ” during the final four months of the presidential campaign .
“ He is trying to get conservative commentators to go negative on the campaign so that they wake up and realize they are in bad shape before it is too late to do anything , ” a former White House official told The Washington Examiner in regards to Bannon ’ s recent appearance on “ The John Fredericks Show.
” During the Tuesday interview , Bannon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of rallies , no campaign speech , no messaging ” that will save the president ’ s campaign .
“ It ’ s how you govern every day .
He ’ s the incumbent .
He ’ s the protagonist in this drama .
He ’ s the driver of action .
You have to drive action , ” said Bannon .
He praised actions like Trump ’ s Tuesday visit to the border wall in Arizona and his signing of an executive order to protect the nation ’ s monuments from radical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of order , Biden is the pusher of chaos , ” Bannon added .
“ Biden and the Democrats support the chaos , and Trump has got to show that he is the stability factor and the provider of order .
And that ’ s through action.
” Bannon said the Trump base and his supporters in the media are “ getting too hung up on ” the rallies and messaging .
“ That ’ s all important , ” he said .
“ But this is about governing .
You ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comfortable that you ’ re taking action and you ’ re actually governing.
” “ You don ’ t need a campaign to get the message out , ” he continued .
“ He is the president of the United States .
He ’ s not a candidate for president .
He ’ s the president of the United States .
You act like president of the United States , you take action like the president of the United States , you govern like you are president of the United States , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The campaign “ needs a slogan ” and “ the right ball cap , ” but none of that ’ s going to “ make a difference on November 3 , ” said Bannon .
“ It ’ s just not .
What ’ s going to make a difference is the actions you ’ ve taken and the results of those actions , ” he said .
“ It ’ s very simple : action , action , action .
You have jobs , you have law and order with necessary reform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have this pandemic , you have this overall financial and economic crisis .
This is probably the most turbulent time in , I think , modern American history , maybe all of American history.
” “ Everything that ’ s converging towards us plus this radicalism of Antifa , which is a cultural Marxist organization that now is trying to go to the actual underpinnings of society – and they ’ re very open about that – so that ’ s gasoline on this fire of the pandemic , the financial and economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That ’ s all part of it .
But that ’ s called being president of the United States , ” Bannon continued .
He said the president “ is a man of action , ” and the actions he takes over the next four months can serve as his campaign .
“ You take action – that ’ s your campaign , ” he said .
“ It shouldn ’ t be a rally .
We don ’ t need rallies .
What we need is the president five days a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things and showing people that he is , as president , the driver of action.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Steve Bannon ” by Gage Skidmore .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .
Background Photo “ Trump Rally ” by raschau .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-27--Pelosi Says House Police Reform Bill ‘Worthy of George Kirby’s Name’

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said during her weekly press briefing Friday that the Democrat-led police reform bill is “ worthy of George Kirby ’ s name.
” The bill , however , is named for George Floyd , who died one month ago while in the custody of the Minneapolis police .
Pelosi said Floyd ’ s brother , Philonise , approached her before he testified in front of the House Judiciary Committee earlier this month .
“ He said to me , ‘ Madam Speaker , do you think I can tell George ’ s daughter that his name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll name the bill for him ?
’ And I said , ‘ Well , I ’ ll recommend that to the Judiciary Committee and to the Congressional Black Caucus , who have shaped the bill , but I only will do that if you tell me that this legislation is worthy of George Kirby ’ s name , ’ ” Pelosi explained .
“ He said it is.
” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer mistakenly referred to Floyd as “ Floyd Taylor ” and “ George Taylor ” during a debate on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House bill , called the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act , passed the House Thursday in a vote of 236-181 .
Pelosi said the competing Senate Republican police reform bill does “ nothing ” and attacked the press for giving “ Republicans too much credit.
” According to Rep. Karen Bass ( D-CA-37 ) , chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and lead sponsor of the House legislation , the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act would ban the use of chokeholds by law enforcement officers and end racial and religious profiling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eliminate qualified immunity for law enforcement , establish national standards for the operation of police departments , mandate data collection on police encounters , streamline federal law to prosecute excessive force , and establish independent prosecutors for police investigations .
The Senate police reform bill has been criticized by Democrats because it would withhold some federal dollars from any law enforcement agency that has not implemented a chokehold ban , but wouldn ’ t institute an outright ban on the maneuver .
However , Sen. Tim Scott ( R-SC ) , sponsor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill doesn ’ t actually ban chokeholds at the state or local level , only the federal level , and imposes weaker financial penalties on agencies that use chokeholds .
“ They don ’ t ban chokeholds on the local level , the state level .
You know why ?
There ’ s this little thing called the Constitution .
They can ’ t ban chokeholds .
Eric Garner ’ s situation would not have been cured by their ban on chokeholds because their ban on chokeholds were for federal agents , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .
“ Our legislation instructed the attorney general to ban chokeholds for federal agents .
And what else did we do ?
Well , we said we would reduce funding by 20 percent .
They reduced funding by 10 percent .
So our penalty was twice the penalty of the other side , and this is supposed to be an issue , ” he continued .
Scott ’ s speech was delivered after Senate Democrats blocked the bill from being put up for further debate during a procedural vote this week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is being offered .
It is who is offering it , ” Scott added .
“ Because the who matters , they can not allow this party to be seen as a party that reaches out to all communities in this nation , and unfortunately without the kind of objectivity in the media that is necessary to share the message of what ’ s actually happening , no one will ever know.
” Rep. Ilhan Omar ( D-MN-05 ) , who represents Minneapolis in Congress , said after the passage of the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have long lived in terror from law enforcement sworn to protect them.
” “ This legislation is an important step in the right direction , but we can ’ t stop here , ” she said in a statement .
“ We must heed the calls of the people who are impacted by police brutality daily and restructure broken police departments across our country.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-27--Memphis Requires Masks, But Exemptions Include Unconscious People, Children, Runners, and Bikers, Wh

Memphis Requires Masks, But Exemptions Include Unconscious People, Children, Runners, and Bikers, Who Are Told Not to Spit

The Memphis government is mandating the use of masks in many instances , with detailed instructions on when to do so or who may be exempt .
Mayor Jim Strickland signed a mask ordinance Thursday , WREG reported .
The city council approved the ordinance 9-4 last week .
People are required to wear facial coverings in businesses , government offices , hospitals , public transit and some public spaces within the city limits during the current public health emergency .
They ’ re even required while standing in line outside a business .
Enforcement is expected to be enforced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monetary fines or criminal penalties .
Businesses may be fined $ 100 .
The ordinance is available here .
It is highly detailed on the dos and don ’ ts of wearing masks .
The government does give its permission for restaurant patrons to remove their masks when they are seated for dining .
Because bicyclists and runners expel airborne particles more forcefully , they should take such precautions as wearing a mask when possible , crossing the street when there are pedestrians and “ never spitting.
” Oh , and children under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mask .
Kids 2 and younger “ must not ” due to the risk of suffocation .
The mayor ’ s Friday COVID-19 update showed there had been 116,242 tests performed in Shelby County and 8,688 cases , or 7.5 percent .
With 176 deaths , the death rate is 2 percent .
Strickland is trying to sell his mask requirement by bringing in personal narratives .
The mayor asked Dr. Manoj Jain , the city ’ s contracted medical advisor , to give a statement on why he believes it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The doctor told a story of how he urged two mechanics to wear a mask when he had his car worked on .
His daughter ( wearing a mask ) was with him .
At the end of his story , he dragged his daughter into the narrative .
Strickland hopes you listen to Jain and his daughter , too .
Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-27--House Passes Bill to Make DC a State

House Passes Bill to Make DC a State

The House of Representatives passed a bill Friday that would make Washington , D.C. , a state amid increasing congressional support for the nation ’ s capital to be granted statehood .
The “ Washington , D.C .
Admission Act , ” which had 227 Democratic cosponsors , was originally introduced by Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton , D.C. ’ s nonvoting at-large representative in Congress , in October of last year .
It passed Friday 232-180 without any Republican support .
“ My great-grandfather , who walked away from slavery in Virginia , got as far as the District of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to equality , ” Holmes Norton told NPR ’ s Ari Shapiro .
Though the bill was all but assured to pass the Democratic House , it is likely dead-on-arrival in the Republican Senate .
Sen .
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell likened the D.C. statehood efforts to “ full-bore socialism ” telling Laura Ingraham in July 2019 that “ as long as I ’ m the majority leader of the Senate , none of that stuff is going anywhere.
” President Donald Trump said in a policy statement Wednesday that he would veto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ desk .
While the District of Columbia would be the smallest state in terms of area , its population of approximately 700,000 is greater than those of both Wyoming and Vermont .
Despite D.C. residents paying federal income taxes , they do not have voting representation in Congress .
While Holmes Norton ’ s bill is unlikely to become law , public support for D.C. statehood has increased .
In 2020 , 48 % of respondents said they favored the measure , according to a Harris poll reported by The Hill .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 29 % of Americans supported the measure .
Andrew Trunsky is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-27--Thales Academy Announces July 20 Grand Opening of Franklin Campus

Thales Academy , a college preparatory network of Pre-K-12 independent schools , announced that it will hold a grand opening for its new Franklin campus on July 20 .
The grand opening will mark the first day of the school ’ s year-round calendar for the 2020-2021 academic year , Thales Academy said in a press release .
Franklin , Tennessee joins Glen Allen , Virginia as locations Thales Academy has identified for expansion this year .
The Franklin campus will begin with grades K-3 during its first year and expand from there .
In addition to Franklin and Glen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in North Carolina .
“ We are thrilled to open the doors to our first campus in Tennessee and provide our newest Thales Academy students with our high-quality education at an affordable price in a safe environment , ” said Bob Luddy , founder and chairman of Thales Academy .
The Thales model emphasizes Direct Instruction rather than Common Core to learn the basics of reading , writing , and arithmetic for K-5 students , and a classical curriculum for 6-12 students .
Another factor that sets Thales Academy apart is its ability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a low cost .
Tuition at Thales Academy Franklin is $ 5,300 per year ( or $ 5,000 annually if paid in full upfront ) , and scholarships , discounts , and payment plans are available to further reduce this cost .
Luddy said the school will be following all required health practices known at this time and will adopt many recommended practices , based on necessity and feasibility for the campus .
All procedures will be subject to change based on the most up-to-date information available throughout the school year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conditions and adjust accordingly .
“ In this time of uncertainty for many school districts , we are glad to be able to offer educational strength and consistency for families at Thales Academy .
Seats are filling fast , but we do still have a few spaces available at our new Franklin campus if anyone is still looking for a school option for their child for this school year , ” said Bethany Bateman , admissions counselor .
Thales Academy educators said they are eager to begin teaching again in the classroom .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in-person educational experience is of utmost importance for the well-being of our students and families , ” Dean of Students Josh Herring said .
“ Returning to school will help students to continue progressing academically and socially , will promote positive mental health , and will allow our working parents to focus on their obligations to their employers.
” Thales Academy said some of the hallmarks of its program include rigorous , college-prep academics that emphasize learning to mastery , character formation , real world skills development , personalized attention , and affordable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The school strives to cultivate critical thinkers by teaching how to think , not what to think ; fostering often forgotten skills such as writing and grammar ; and developing confident leaders with strong character , ” Thales Academy said in a statement .
“ I can not wait to get the 2020-2021 school year started and meet everyone on the first day of school , ” said Rachael Bradley , administrator of Thales Academy Franklin .
“ I welcome anyone who is interested in more information or a private tour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] org.
” A prospective parent information session is being held on Wednesday , July 8 from 3:00-4:00 p.m. at the Franklin Mercantile Deli ( 100 4th Ave N , Franklin , TN ) , and those interested in attending can sign up at : https : //bit.ly/ThalesFranklinM ercMeet .
For more information on Thales Academy and to apply for admission online , visit : www.thalesacademy.org Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-27--Black Lives Matter Kneels as Emancipation Memorial Slave Rises, Crom Carmichael Weighs In

Live from Music Row Friday 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 .
During the second hour , Carmichael found irony in Colin Kaepernick ’ s kneeling , and the Emancipation Memorial that portrays a slave is rising from his knees .
He also discussed the pending lawsuit against the mayor of Seattle for not keeping her oath of office by refusing to protect the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CHOP/CHAZ zone .
Leahy : We are joined now by our good friend and the original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael .
Crom , good morning .
Leahy : I am delighted to be back in Tennessee .
Wednesday I called into my own program as you said .
Carmichael : Yes and you sounded marvelous .
( Leahy laughs ) Michael , I was listening as I was driving in , and first of all , your last caller with a little story about Hillary Clinton .
That was very interesting .
Carmichael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up against a hard break .
Leahy : We ’ ll hear more about that .
Carmichael : We need to hear more about that .
I thought that was very interesting .
Leahy : So you know , Michael Patrick Leahy Genealogy Detective… Carmichael : So dig into that and add to what she says .
Leahy : Gloria , I want to thank you for that because Michael Patrick Leahy Genealogy Detective will be on that case .
We ’ ve got one other we ’ re looking into .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to look into that case .
Carmichael : Now I heard you talking about the statue of Lincoln and the slave and the history behind that .
And you said that the slave was kneeling .
Carmichael : Isn ’ t that an incredible irony that Colin Kaepernick has led a movement to destroy the country by kneeling on one knee .
Previously you had a slave where the statue was depicting him rising from one knee .
Leahy : Crom , this is why you are the original all-star panelist .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ these things because it matters a great deal in the environment that we are in today aspiring to become better .
Or whether or not we are going to become a country that spirals into an abyss .
And quite frankly that really is the choice .
If you listen to the people who support Biden there is absolutely nothing positive about what they say .
Leahy : They say tear it down .
Burn it down .
Leahy : Burn it down .
That ’ s what the Black Lives Matter guy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it down .
Carmichael : Yes .
He said this is either literal or figurative .
And Martha , I wish she would have asked which one is it to you ?
She didn ’ t follow up .
The only point I ’ m trying to make is that we as a country have our problems with the past and so does every country because we are all human beings .
But we have over the years and little over two centuries that we ’ ve been our own country or 250 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better and better .
At least we ’ ve tried to .
And now you have people who are doing literally everything they can to take us back to I don ’ t even know if it ’ s taking us back to anything in particular .
I think you might have seen where the people of Seattle that were taken over the residences and the businesses that in the so-called CHOP zone are now suing the mayor for not keeping her oath of office .
And that will be a very interesting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public officials who run and take an oath of office to protect the very people that they claim to represent if they knowingly chose not to .
Carmichael : And then you ’ ve probably heard that 911 call .
Carmichael : It was in Fredericksburg , Virginia where this lady was driving in her car with a five-year-old child and she was set upon by a bunch of rioters who were jumping on her car and beating on her car .
Leahy : When was this ?
Carmichael : In the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car and she called 911 and the 911 person said I ’ m sorry we can ’ t send the police .
You ’ ll have to take it up at the city hall .
I would suggest that you call city hall and file a complaint with them because we ’ ve been told not to send police into the area where you are right now .
Leahy : So they are basically abrogating their duties .
Carmichael : OK .
Thank you .
Carmichael : I just wanted to be sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making a conscious decision to leave citizens to the whims of the mob .
Leahy : It ’ s interesting because I was in Fredericksburg , Virginia yesterday and stayed there overnight .
I did not have that problem .
But I was not in that area of the city that was a no-go zone .
Carmichael : I don ’ t think this happened last night because it was on Tucker Carlson .
He played the 911 tape .
It ’ s interesting to watch the Black Lives Matter crowds which are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just like to scream a lot .
Leahy : Yes .
They are hooligans .
By the way , word of the day abrogate .
Abrogate .
( Carmichael chuckles ) To abolish by formal or official means .
Annul by an authoritative act ; repeal .
To put aside ; to put an end too .
Carmichael : Not to be confused with Abigail .
( Leahy laughs ) Someone that talks a lot .
Abigailyou .
Carmichael : Thank you .
Thank you .
Leahy : Abigailyou .
By the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to you for pointing out the hypocrisy of the Left in the Black Lives Matter movement .
They want to praise Colin Kaepernick the failed NFL quarterback who ’ s making millions now on social justice through Nike .
They want to praise him for kneeling in public before the national anthem .
But they want to tear down a statue that shows a freed slave rising from a kneeling position .
Carmichael : Yes .
One is going down in praise .
And one is rising up , and that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a metaphor for our country .
Do we want to rise up and continue to get better ?
And by any science and any data that you want to look at .
And that ’ s a good thing better than they were 50 years ago .
Much better .
But yet the Left wants to tear it all down .
And by the way , the coronavirus and the policies of the Democrats in states and cities where the lockdown lasted much longer and was much stronger , the effect that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greater than it had on the white communities .
And so it ’ s really quite interesting that it ’ s almost as if the Democrats don ’ t like the idea of Blacks rising up over time .
There are some very wealthy and successful Black people whose livelihoods would disappear if they couldn ’ t be what I think Alan Keyes once called Jessie Jackson , he called him a poverty pimp .
Carmichael : And that made Jackson so mad that he wouldn ’ t discuss it .
And that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defend himself .
And so that ’ s what you have now .
You have these people and they are truly race-baiters .
And they are race-baiters for money .
Leahy : Their goal is to divide the country and destroy our constitutional republic .
Carmichael : Then you have Biden running around when he ’ s half coherent saying he wants to unify the country when he ’ s supported by the very people that want to divide the country .
This means that Joe Biden is being a very good and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of what he means .
Leahy : Exactly , the Victor Davis Hanson maxim .
Here is a question for you .
We talked about the YouGov poll that showed 48 percent of Americans are very proud to be Americans in our country .
It declines as you get younger .
62 percent of those over 55 are very proud .
I want to talk about the 18-24-year-old crowd many of whom are among the rioters that are tearing things down and breaking things and destroying property and engaging in violent activities .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ kid in Nashville who was arrested for hitting a very successful real estate developer Tony Giarratana with a skateboard over the head on May 30 ?
Carmichael : What was Tony doing ?
Carmichael : Oh my god .
Is he ok ?
Leahy : He ’ s ok but he was hospitalized etc .
It ’ s at The Tennessee Star where you can read all about it .
Carmichael : I ’ m just curious .
Do we have any idea whether this 25-year-old targeted him in particular ?
Do we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t know .
But 41 percent of 18-24-year-olds in America are either not very proud or not at all proud of America .
So my question to you to think about when we come back is , what in their lives has given them a reason to be not proud of America ?
Listen to the full second hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-27--Steve Bannon Presents: Descent Into Hell

An all new LIVE STREAM of Descent Into Hell : Rape of Hong Kong ; Crimes of the CCP starts at 9:00 a.m. Central Time on Saturday .
The second hour starts at 10 : 00 a.m. called The CCP ’ s Crimes Against the Chinese People .
The two-hour special takes a closer look at the life of everyday Chinese citizens under the Chinese Communist Party and will air live on the John Fredericks Radio Network , America ’ s Voice Network , Dish TV Channel 219 , The Epoch Times , ND TV , GTV and GNews in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A longtime China hawk and global leader in the fight for freedom of the Chinese people , Mr. Bannon was one of the first people in the world to accurately predict and call attention to the coronavirus pandemic outbreak .
This show will be groundbreaking in detailed strategy and the latest firsthand news from the world ’ s experts on the Chinese Communist Party.
” EP 253 : Rape of Hong Kong ; Crimes of the CCP : 9 a.m. Central Time EP 254 : The CCP ’ s Crimes Against the Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Bannon hosted a series of three , two-hour long special programs titled Descent into Hell : The Chinese People Confront the CCP .
The show ’ s broadcast partners are America ’ s Voice News , the John Fredericks Radio Network , Salem Media Group , and Newsmax TV and the podcast is available on Apple , Spotify , Stitcher , SoundCloud , and Google Play .
The former White House Chief Strategist began the daily War Room : Pandemic radio show and podcast on January 25 , when news of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of China around the Lunar New Year .
Bannon and co-hosts bring listeners exclusive analysis and breaking updates from top medical , public health , economic , national security , supply chain and geopolitical experts weekdays from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon ET .
You can watch past episodes here .
For more information , visit www.pandemic.warroom.org and @ WarRoomPandemic .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-27--Commentary: Black Lives Matter and Its Relationship with Marxism

As we have explained in numerous articles , the Black Lives Matter organization is a hardcore Marxist revolutionary cell , whose ideology would undoubtedly shock African American religious leaders , business leaders and church members if they were widely known .
Back in January of 2016 our friend James Simpson published an outstanding exposé of the connection between the Black Lives Matter ( BLM ) activists who provide the shock troops for this revolution and the longtime hard core Leftists who fund it and put it into motion .
In “ Reds Exploiting Blacks : The Roots of Black Lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launched in 2013 with a Twitter hashtag , # BlackLivesMatter , after neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman was acquitted in the Trayvon Martin killing .
Radical Left activists Alicia Garza , Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi claim credit for the slogan and hashtag .
Following the Michael Brown shooting in August 2014 , Dream Defenders , an organization led by Working Families Party ( ACORN ) activist and Occupy Wall Street anarchist Nelini Stamp , popularized the phrase “ Hands Up–Don ’ t Shoot !
” which has since become BLM ’ s widely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tometi all work for front groups of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization ( FRSO ) , one of the four largest radical Left organizations in the country .
The others are the Communist Party USA ( CPUSA ) , Democratic Socialists of America ( DSA ) , and the Committees of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism ( CCDS ) .
Nelini Stamp ’ s ACORN—now rebranded under a variety of different names—works with all four organizations , and Dream Defenders is backed by the Service Employees International Union ( SEIU ) , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and others .
FRSO is a hereditary descendant of the New Communist Movement , which was inspired by Mao and the many communist revolutions throughout the world in the 1960s and 1970s .
FRSO split into two separate groups in 1999 , FRSO/Fight Back and FRSO/OSCL ( Freedom Road Socialist Organization/Organizacion Socialista del Camino para la Libertad ) .
Black Lives Matter and its founders are allied with the latter group .
Now , here ’ s what we see as the key point in Simpson ’ s article – following the money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is too long to include in its entirety , we will pull one key element – the role of Nazi collaborator and hard-core Leftist billionaire George Soros .
Soros has put tens of millions of dollars into the Black Lives Matter movement and the shadowy radical Leftist network that funds it for one purpose and one purpose only – to destroy the “ white ” American core of capitalism , free markets , limited government and American traditional culture and values .
Please note that in this context “ white ” does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ White ” in radical construction means anyone of any race , creed , nationality , color , sex , or sexual preference who embraces these beliefs which to the radical Left are irredeemably evil and anyone who aligns with them is “ white ” in spirit and thus equally guilty of “ white crimes.
” The Black Lives Matter movement carries this narrative to unprecedented heights , observes Simpson , claiming that only whites can be racists .
And while justifying violence to achieve “ social justice , ” the movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ society to replace it with a Marxist one .
Moving Jim Simpson ’ s research forward , our friends at Capitol Research have just released a must-read research article , “ A Terrorist ’ s Ties to a Leading Black Lives Matter Group ” showing that at least one board member of Thousand Currents—the group fiscally sponsoring the most organized part of the Black Lives Matter ( BLM ) movement , who have been involved in most of the activity surrounding the current unrest—tried the same thing almost 40 years ago during Ronald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it landed her in federal prison for 16 years .
If there was any question about whether Black Lives Matter has ideological ties to the Communist terrorists of the 1960s , the story of Susan Rosenberg [ archived here ] should put that issue to bed , wrote Scott Walter , president of the Capital Research Center .
Rosenberg , who started out as a member of the 1960s revolutionary group Weather Underground , graduated into even more violent , and arguably successful , forms of terrorism in the 1970s and 1980s—including bombings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Island , the Navy Yard Officers ’ Club in Washington , DC , and even the U.S. Capitol building , where she damaged a representation of the greatest of the Democrat defenders of slavery , John C. Calhoun .
She currently serves as Human and Prisoner Rights Advocate and a Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of Thousand Currents .
As Robert Stilson of Capitol Research explains here , BLM Global Network Foundation has been a fiscally sponsored project of Thousand Currents , a 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) nonprofit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BLM group , which runs the BlackLivesMatter.com website , does not have its own IRS tax-exempt status but is operating as a “ project ” of an organization that does .
In the case of 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) fiscally sponsored projects , this allows tax-deductible donations to be made to the project .
When people say they support the Black Lives Matter organization , their money is most likely going to the BLM Global Network Foundation that traces its beginnings to “ three radical Black organizers — Alicia Garza @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” ( mentioned above in James Simpson ’ s research ) .
Cullors recently went viral online when she admitted that she and others in the group were “ trained Marxists.
” As Scott Walter noted , this leads to confusion when people express their support for “ Black Lives , ” because they may not realize this organization is ideologically tied—to the point of having Rosenberg on the board of the central group—with trained Marxists with a history of extremism and violence .
In fact , Rosenberg was a member of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It was , according to this NY Post article from January 2020 , “ the nation ’ s only woman-run terror group , ” as recounted by William Rosenau in his book Tonight We Bombed the U.S. Capitol .
According to the Post , M19 spent two years engaged in bombings in New York and Washington , DC , that were meant “ to cast a cloud over what President Ronald Reagan ’ s re-election campaign was promising : a sunny , prosperous ‘ Morning in America.
’ Reagan ’ s election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s radical left that the country had rejected their call to revolution.
” Middle-class and college-educated , M19 ’ s members shared a disdain for their own whiteness .
To prove they weren ’ t merely “ mouthing revolution , ” they allied with the Black Liberation Army to break cop-killer Joanne Chesimard ( aka Assata Shakur ) out of prison in 1979 .
Two years later they assisted in the notorious Brink ’ s robbery of 1981 , which killed two Nyack police officers and a bank guard .
Rosenberg and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were arrested in November 1984 in Cherry Hill , NJ , in front of a storage unit containing 740 pounds of unstable dynamite stolen from a Texas construction firm four years earlier .
Rosenberg was also wanted in connection with the 1981 Brink ’ s robbery .
She was never charged in those crimes .
It should surprise no one that after 16 years in prison , and a lot of pushing from New York Congressman Jerrold Nadler of Trump impeachment fame , she was released in 2001 when President Bill Clinton commuted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even the left-leaning New York Times .
National Review columnist and former federal prosecutor Andrew McCarthy described her trial this way in a 2008 column : Rosenberg turned her New Jersey terrorism trial into a circus , posturing as a political prisoner .
At her sentencing , she urged her supporters to continue their war against the United States .
( “ When we were first captured we said , we ’ re caught , we ’ re not defeated , long live the armed struggle .
We ’ d like to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revolutionary principles , to our commitment to continue to fight for the defeat of U.S. imperialism.
” ) She expressed remorse about only one thing : she hadn ’ t had the courage to shoot it out with the police who ’ d apprehended her .
And as Scott Walter noted in his article , Rosenberg has written a book about her exploits in which she justifies her actions this way : I pursued a path that seemed to me a logical step beyond legal protest : the use of political violence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ In my mind , then and now , the answer is no .
I say this because no act in which I was involved ever had violence against persons as its object or consequence .
Would the “ protestors ” destroying statues say the same about their behavior over the last several weeks ?
It ’ s a fair bet they would Scott Walter concluded .
Walmart and other useful idiots in the corporate boardrooms that have pledged millions of dollars to Black Lives Matter , and others sponsoring fundraising for the organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are supporting militant and violent Marxists committed to destroying constitutional liberty and replacing it with a Marxist oligarchy run by a convicted terrorist long-allied with Democrat politicians – or maybe they do , and its just taken them this long to admit which side they are on .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-27--Gov. Abbott Orders Texas Bars to Close Again Amid Coronavirus Surge

Republican Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott ordered that bars be shut down across the state for a second time on Friday amid a growing surge in coronavirus cases in his state .
Abbott also ordered restaurants to scale back their operating capacity from 75 % to 50 % starting Monday .
In addition , Abbott ordered that outdoor gatherings of 100 people or more must also receive approval by local governments before taking place .
Rafting and tubing businesses in the state have been ordered to close as well .
The new restrictions came as Texas has seen more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resulting in a record-high 4,739 hospitalizations as of Thursday , according to The Associated Press .
Abbott had previously stated that he would reintroduce preventative measures if the coronavirus positivity rate in Texas exceeded 10 % .
The positivity rate in the state on Thursday was 12 % , according to the AP .
“ At this time , it is clear that the rise in cases is largely driven by certain types of activities , including Texans congregating in bars , ” Abbott said in a statement Friday .
“ The actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our mission to swiftly contain this virus and enhance public health.
” The restrictions were announced after Abbott said Thursday the last thing he wants to do is “ go backwards and close down businesses.
” Abbott said every Texan has a role to play in ensuring the economic restrictions can be lifted in as limited duration as possible .
“ Every Texan has a responsibility to themselves and their loved ones to wear a mask , wash their hands , stay six feet apart from others in public , and stay home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I know that our collective action can lead to a reduction in the spread of COVID-19 because we have done it before , and we will do it again.
” Abbott has issued repeated warnings about the spread of coronavirus in Texas this week , saying Monday that the virus was “ spreading at an unacceptable rate.
” Houston ’ s largest medical center said Wednesday that the city ’ s hospital capacity could soon become overrun due to young people increasingly becoming hospitalized from coronavirus .
“ While everyone is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeing significantly larger number of younger patients being admitted to our hospitals , ” the Texas Medical Center said .
As of Friday , TMC ’ s reported ICU bed occupancy was at 99.6 % of normal levels , compared to its normal base occupancy of around 70 % to 80 % .
The system has the ability to increase its capacity for about 1,000 additional beds during public health emergencies , but at the rate the city is going , that emergency capacity could be exhausted within the next two weeks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 % nationwide since the beginning of June , according to Axios .
Arizona has also been the site of a massive surge of the virus , with positive cases increasing 77 % over the past week .
Republican Arizona Gov .
Doug Ducey said Thursday the recent spike in cases and hospitalizations were “ unacceptable ” and urged residents of his state to wear masks in public and to refrain from gathering in large groups .
Andrew Kerr is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Gregg Abbott @ @ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-06-27--AG Barr: There Are Roughly 500 Active Investigations into Arson, Destruction of Property Stemming fr

AG Barr: There Are Roughly 500 Active Investigations into Arson, Destruction of Property Stemming from Riots

Attorney General William Barr said Thursday that the Department of Justice is conducting about 500 investigations into acts of arson and destruction associated with the protests and riots over the past several weeks .
The DOJ is ramping up investigations into the activists who participated in destruction of private and public property over the last several weeks , Barr said during an episode of the Verdict podcast with Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas .
“ We ’ ve had scores of indictments so far for such things as arson , destruction of federal property , ” Barr said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bore on a probe .
“ We have right now about 500 investigations underway , so it ’ s picking up pace .
We are committed to holding accountable the people who engaged in this.
” He added : “ State and local are not doing their jobs.
” Activists began demonstrating shortly after the death of George Floyd , a black man who died May 25 after a former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for nearly 9 minutes , according to video of the incident .
Chauvin was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manslaughter charges .
“ Defund the police ” became a common slogan among protesters and left-wing figures as the demonstrations continued .
The Minneapolis City Council voted on June 12 to “ dismantle ” the city police department as a way to solve what activists believe is rampant police brutality .
Barr called the ongoing violence “ domestic terrorism ” in a press statement in May .
“ [ T ] he voices of peaceful and legitimate protests ” have become “ hijacked by violent and radical elements ” consisting of “ outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exploiting the situation to pursue their own separate , violent , and extremist agenda , ” the Republican attorney general said in the May 31 statement .
Chris White is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Rioters in Minnesota ” by Lorie Shaull .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-27--Nashville Boutique Venues Owner Dan Cook Discusses COVID Mandates and Its Affect on the Quality of S

Nashville Boutique Venues Owner Dan Cook Discusses COVID Mandates and Its Affect on the Quality of Services

Live from Music Row Friday 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 owner of Nashville Boutique Venues Dan Cook to the newsmakers line .
During the third hour , re-occurring guest Cook offered some positive news .
He cited some important facts pertaining to any mask mandates that would affect the quality of event services by stating how people are not going to patron restaurants or want to attend private events wearing masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the line our good friend Dan Cook .
He is the owner of Ruby and Clementine the premier private venues here in Nashville .
He ’ s been with us every Friday at 7:15 a.m. the past couple months to tell us how business is going and how the mayor ’ s quasi-dictatorial rulings are impacting his business .
Good morning Dan .
Cook : Good morning gentlemen .
I can ’ t believe its been almost two months now that I ’ ve been showing up every Friday .
I thought this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : I guess this past Monday we went to Phase Three in Nashville .
How has that played out in your business of private venues in Nashville ?
Good bad and different .
Cook : Obviously it ’ s good .
It could be a lot better .
But really what it ’ s done is re-charged the pipeline .
Think of it that way .
Up until last week or the week before we were telling most of our clients , we did not know when we could open up .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ typically book six months to a year in advance you essentially cut off your business .
What the mayor ’ s order going into Phase Three allowed us to do was to allow to turn the light switch back on .
That doesn ’ t mean the pipeline fills up immediately .
It gets us back into the first gear .
So the car has started up again but we ’ ve got a long way to go .
And I ’ ll tell you this weekend the intrepid independent venues in town @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having weddings .
Again , not their normal slate of weddings but they are happening again .
Leahy : Good .
Good .
Does that mean more people are employed ?
Cook : ( Laughs ) Yes .
Yes .
I think there is a lot of uncertainty around caterers in town .
I won ’ t use their name .
They are still surprised that weddings are happening .
On social media last night , I read that .
So there is still a lot of people that don ’ t know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ word is getting out quickly .
I think next weekend we ’ ll see more weddings and the weekend after that .
We expect come August we will be not back to normal but at 70 percent which is a far cry from being dead in the water .
Carmichael : Has the tourism business begun to come back yet ?
Cook : Well the private event business really doesn ’ t cater to the tourist market that much .
Weddings , corporate events , non-profit events tend to be locally driven events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so on .
Those aren ’ t really coming back .
I think those may be one of the last parts of the wedding business to come back .
Corporate business , oh my gosh , I don ’ t know when that will come back .
I ’ m hoping Christmas parties will restart that business .
By the way , if you have any corporate listeners out there give us a call .
We are ready to book some Christmas parties .
Leahy : What ’ s your phone number ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ You can go right to our websites at clementinehall.com or rubynashville.com and all our contact information is right there .
It ’ s an interesting year , typically every Thursday , Friday , Saturday in December is booked .
There is still probably 50 percent availability on our books this year which is a blessing to a lot of these companies that are willing to get off the sidelines quite frankly .
I know a lot of people don ’ t want to attend corporate events or these learning events .
I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t really want to pay for them or put them on .
I think all that stops with Christmas parties .
I think everybody wants to attend those .
It ’ s time to restart .
Carmichael : So is a big part of the venue business , is it educational programs put on either by or for businesses ?
Cook : It ’ s not a big part .
A typical corporate business could be a learning event .
It could be a reception of some kind .
It could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all forms .
But I think all of those are fairly easy for a company to justify setting aside in this environment .
Christmas parties , less so .
Leahy : What could go wrong as you are starting to come back ?
You see 70 percent is better than zero percent .
But what do you see on the horizon ?
Cook : Well you know , ( Chuckles ) I ask myself that every day .
What can go wrong ?
I think we were are all amused initially and perhaps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the talk about a mandatory mask edict .
I didn ’ t take that seriously but you know in this environment with our mayor you ’ ve got to take all of this very seriously .
And I can tell you there aren ’ t a lot of brides and grooms that want to wear a face mask .
It just doesn ’ t work .
Leahy : I was up in Washington , D.C. , and Virginia and mandatory face masks are required in most businesses up there .
And I looked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mask into our studios here every day just out of caution shall we say and out of respect for everybody in the building .
But you know I look at the evidence of this and the evidence on whether a mask makes a positive difference or a negative difference in terms of the spread of the COVID-19 , there is no conclusive evidence that I ’ ve seen medically that it stops the spread of COVID-19 .
Now the general perception is that it will .
But I ’ m not seeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence on this ?
Cook : No .
I read all the same pieces that you do .
I think there is a lot of doubt both ways .
I don ’ t think that prevents our mayor from doing something just because he ’ s lobbied to do so .
I guess where I ’ m going with is that this is not just a numbers game of how many people can come to our building .
It ’ s also a quality of experience kind of thing .
If you mandate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mandate mandatory temperature checks of everybody that comes into your business , people aren ’ t going to come to a restaurant .
They aren ’ t going to go to a retail store .
They are certainly not going to have a wedding .
It ’ s almost like a creeping ban that is lurking out there in the shadows and hopefully , that doesn ’ t come to pass .
Carmichael : The mayor I think owns commercial properties in Williamson County .
Office buildings and other commercial properties and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something like that for the citizens of Davidson County than he would logically mandate that all of the people who work in his buildings would follow that same constraint ?
Cook : Crom , you know that ’ s a setup question .
( Leahy laughs ) I vehemently disagree with that .
We know that his son ’ s graduation went off yesterday with 600 people I ’ m told .
So you know it ’ s definitely still a do as I say not as I do situation with our mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s mandating at his offices but I ’ m sure it ’ s the bare minimum out there .
Leahy : Dan , this is an ongoing saga .
( Cook chuckles ) We are rooting for you and we are rooting for private venues .
If any corporate folks are listening here are the websites to book events with Dan .
Cook : Rubynashville.com and clementine.com .
And I know a lot of venues like the Schermerhorn and these institutional venues are not reopening anytime soon .
So if all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hey give me a call and we ’ ll find a date !
Listen to the full third hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ The Clementine ” by Nashville Boutique Venues .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-27--As Trump Prepares for Independence Day Visit to Mount Rushmore, Tribal Leaders Say They Want It ‘Rem

As Trump Prepares for Independence Day Visit to Mount Rushmore, Tribal Leaders Say They Want It ‘Removed’

President Donald Trump will kick off Independence Day weekend with an event at Mount Rushmore , which has prompted some local leaders to call for the removal of one of the nation ’ s most iconic monuments .
Several groups led by Native American activists are planning protests for Trump ’ s July 3 visit .
The event is slated to include fighter jets thundering over the 79-year-old stone monument in South Dakota ’ s Black Hills and the first fireworks display at the site since 2009 .
“ Mount Rushmore is a symbol of white supremacy , of structural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well in society today , ” said Nick Tilsen , a member of the Oglala Lakota tribe and the president of a local activist organization called NDN Collective .
“ It ’ s an injustice to actively steal Indigenous people ’ s land , then carve the white faces of the colonizers who committed genocide.
” Like Tilsen , Oglala Sioux President Julian Bear Runner believes Mount Rushmore should be “ removed but not blown up.
” “ I don ’ t believe it should be blown up , because it would cause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bear Runner told the Sioux Falls Argus Leader this week .
“ To me , it ’ s a great sign of disrespect.
” In a statement released Friday , South Dakota Gov .
Kristi Noem said she has partnered with the federal government and is “ offering the resources of South Dakota to make sure that proper security measures are in place.
” “ Now we ’ re seeing threats to Mount Rushmore .
To those who would threaten America ’ s Shrine of Democracy , I have one simple message for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Noem .
“ We will do everything in our power to make sure that Mount Rushmore remains as majestic and inspiring as it is today.
” Noem called it an “ honor ” to have the president “ visit South Dakota , especially to celebrate America ’ s birthday.
” “ Security measures will be in full force for the event , but we know that threats to Mount Rushmore may continue after the President leaves .
We ’ ll stay diligent about protecting it , ” she said .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men “ honored on Mount Rushmore weren ’ t perfect , ” but said “ they all had tremendous virtues as well.
” “ Today , America is the greatest nation in the history of the world , and that is in no small part thanks to each president memorialized on Mount Rushmore , ” said Noem .
“ We can learn from their successes , and we can also learn from their mistakes .
And in doing so , we must continue to fight for the American ideal that each of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an interview this week on Fox News , Noem called the destruction of monuments across the country “ a radical rewriting of our history.
” “ In South Dakota , we won ’ t stand for it .
This is a national monument , ” she said .
“ I think it should fire up every single American that loves this country .
This whole conversation has changed .
It ’ s gone away from equality.
” President Trump announced on Twitter Friday evening that he signed a “ very strong executive order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – and combating recent criminal violence.
” “ Long prison terms for these lawless acts against our great country , ” he said .
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Associated Press reporter Stephen Groves contributed to this report .