thetennesseestar--2020-04-27--Commentary: If You’re Going to Dance on Someone’s Constitutional Rights, You’d Better Have a Good Re

Commentary: If You’re Going to Dance on Someone’s Constitutional Rights, You’d Better Have a Good Reason

Curves are flattening worldwide thanks to stringent lockdown efforts.
” That bulletin from one of my favorite magazines made me sit up .
“ Really ?
” I thought , “ Is it because of the stringent lockdown that the ‘ curves ’ are flattening ?
” For that is what “ thanks to ” means here , right ?
Because , “ propter ” in Latin .
No one needs to ask what sort of curves we are talking about here .
There is only one subject that is being discussed now towards the end of April 2020 : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the world by the Chinese Communist Party .
After several weeks of rising numbers of cases and deaths , the bell curves have crested and are beginning to decline almost everywhere .
Hurrah !
Let ’ s pat the American people on their collective back .
It takes a lot of hard work to destroy the entire economy of a complex first-world nation like the United States in just a few weeks .
But we may have done just that .
We forced most businesses to close .
We forced people to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitals by making them treat only one thing : patients sick from the coronavirus .
We put more than 26 million people out of work .
We shaved trillions of dollars of wealth off the market .
Whew !
I think of the Caledonian Calgacus who ( according to Tacitus ) observed that the Romans solitudinem faciunt , pacem appellant : “ they make a wasteland and call it peace.
” Unless you are a public health official , for whom even one case of illness from coronavirus is unacceptable , most people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or nearly .
You can tell that because everywhere people are talking about , and embarking upon , an effort to restart the engines of everyday life .
Well , not only public health officials .
They are joined by many Democratic politicians who , like the Marxists of yore , believe that “ the worse , the better , ” that is , the worse things get , they better they are for “ the revolution.
” The more people suffer , they think , the more likely they are to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office come November .
Nothing Like a Little Human Sacrifice to Save Lives Which brings me back to that crucial distinction between post hoc and propter hoc .
Count on it : The narrative that is being carefully force-fed to us by the public health establishment and their political allies is that this scourge of scourges would have caused millions of deaths had it not been for the “ stringent lockdown.
” We had to destroy ourselves in order to save ourselves .
The Aztecs , as is well known , practiced human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sort of altar atop a temple , sliced open their chests , and extracted their still-beating hearts .
Hard cheese on the slicees , of course , but at least they died in the knowledge that their sacrifice was in a good cause .
For the Aztec priests did not perform this grisly ritual wantonly .
They did it in order to appease the sun god Huitzilopochtli who was constantly at war with darkness .
If they omitted the ritual , the darkness would extinguish the sun .
How did they know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And the sun rose today , right ?
Obviously , it was because they performed the ritual that the sun rose .
Or was it ?
By now , the political and public-health establishment has an enormous amount invested in a logically similar piece of reasoning .
We shut down the country .
It was ( is and will be ) painful .
Millions have lost their livelihoods .
We are already seeing an uptick in suicides , drug addiction , and other pathologies that follow on economic collapse .
But this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nosiree !
If we hadn ’ t done it millions would have died .
According to the original Imperial College model , the number was 2.2 million .
But that model was wrong .
So were the succeeding models that purported to tell us what we could expect with “ full mitigation.
” It ’ s hard to tell just how wrong because , starting a few weeks ago , all you had to do to count as a COVID-19 casualty was be in a position to have been exposed to it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths attributed to the seasonal flu ( for example ) dropped precipitously while those attributed to COVID have spiked .
Since hospitals get more Medicare money ( 15 percent per diagnosis ) for patients with COVID , more patients with COVID are forthcoming .
The narrative will be hard to shift .
Until it suddenly collapses under the weight of stories like this : “ Miami-Dade has tens of thousands of missed coronavirus infections.
” Hmm .
You ’ re seeing more and more such stories .
I talked about one from Santa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the most revelatory was a long video presentation from just a day or two back by two emergency room doctors in California .
It ’ s nearly an hour-long , but worth your time .
Those doctors are on the front line of the battle against COVID-19 .
They ’ ve treated many people who were made very sick from the virus .
They also understand the natural progress of respiratory diseases ( a subject I talked about here ) .
Some key takeaways from their presentation : the initial models predicting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woefully inaccurate.
” With every passing day , we get more and more data about how many people have been infected with the virus .
That number keeps jumping up .
The number of fatalities , however—even when juiced by adding in all the people who were old and gravely ill with something else—has stabilized and , in most places , is declining .
For example , as of April 23 , their data predicts that about 12 percent of Californians are positive for exposure to the virus .
There are some 39.5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4.7 million have been exposed .
As of the 23rd , 1227 people had died from the virus ( it ’ s up a few hundred since then ) .
That means that you have a 0.03 percent chance of dying from COVID-19 in California .
The bottom line about COVID-19 ?
“ Millions of cases , small amount of death.
” Does that , they ask , justify “ sheltering in place ” ?
Shutting down the medical system to everything except COVID ?
Staying home from work ?
Possibly , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and our knowledge of its lethality was limited , such precautions were rational .
But now ?
We Know Better Now We are told by the establishment that this respiratory illness is not the flu , is not like the flu , and anyone who says that it is is ignorant , malevolent , or both .
But with every passing day , it becomes more and more clear that COVID-19 is , in many respects , very much like the flu .
It seems to be less contagious , more lethal for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for anyone under 50 .
All told , the number of deaths attributable to this particular illness is about the same as the number of deaths attributed to a bad flu season .
And remember that many of the deaths that have been attributed to COVID-19 involve people who did not so much die from the disease as die with it ( another example of the importance of distinguishing between post hoc and propter hoc ) .
Throughout history , societies have quarantined people with communicable diseases to protect the general population .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been to quarantine the general population in order to “ slow the spread ” of the virus .
As more and more data reveals that the virus was among us much earlier than we initially thought and that many more people have been exposed than we initially thought , the rationale for shutting down the economy seems less and less compelling .
For one thing , isolating most of the population impedes the development of herd immunity .
For another , by encouraging people to isolate themselves from the world at large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our natural immune systems , which require regular challenges to remain robust .
In Sweden , a much milder regime of “ mitigation ” was enforced .
Schools and bars and restaurants remained open .
Large gatherings were prohibited .
People were encouraged to ( and did ) practice social distancing .
The elderly and ill were protected .
The results ?
Almost indistinguishable from the results in Norway where a much stricter regime of mitigation was enforced .
Perhaps the most important lesson from the presentation by those two emergency room @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reality are not always the same.
” The inescapable Dr. Anthony Fauci is an eminent epidemiologist , perhaps none more so .
He has not , these doctors speculate , seen a patient in 20 years .
He has been wedded to models that were constantly changing .
Hence his predictions have been woefully wrong and look increasingly alarmist .
In response to those predictions , we have enacted extraordinary emergency measures that have severely curtailed personal liberty while also expanding the apparatus of social control at every level .
Big government just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more intrusive .
Towards the end of their presentation , one of these doctors observed that “ If you ’ re going to dance on someone ’ s constitutional rights , you ’ d better have a good reason.
” An extreme national emergency might provide justification for extreme action .
The new coronavirus , however , is not an existential emergency but the vicissitudes of ordinary life .
We should , these doctors advise , treat it “ like the flu , ” not the Black Death .
I agree .
Roger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Criterion and the president and publisher of Encounter Books .
He is the author and editor of many books , including The Fortunes of Permanence : Culture and Anarchy in an Age of Amnesia ( St. Augustine ’ s Press ) , The Rape of the Masters ( Encounter ) , Lives of the Mind : The Use and Abuse of Intelligence from Hegel to Wodehouse ( Ivan R. Dee ) , and Art ’ s Prospect : The Challenge of Tradition in an Age of Celebrity ( Ivan R. Dee ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” by CBS News 8 San Diego .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-27--Tennessee has Nearly 10,000 COVID-19 Cases as of Sunday

Nearly 10,000 Tennesseans have tested positive for COVID-19 as of Sunday night , according to The COVID Tracking Project ’ s website .
Updated numbers showed 9,667 Tennesseans tested positive for COVID-19 since it broke out , while the virus had hospitalized 828 state residents .
COVID-19 had claimed the lives of 181 Tennesseans as of Sunday , according to The COVID Tracking Project ’ s website .
The Tennessee Department of Health , meanwhile , reported Sunday night that Shelby and Davidson counties continued to have the highest of the state ’ s COVID-19 numbers .
Hancock and Pickett @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TDH website listed the following number of cases in each of the Tennessee counties : The COVID Tracking Project obtains , organizes , and publishes high-quality data required to understand and respond to the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States , its website , said .
On their website , members of The COVID Tracking Project said they will continue to work until official national sources take over and publish comprehensive testing and outcomes data .
They said all of their information comes from public health authorities—or , occasionally , from news reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occasionally , tweets or Facebook updates from state public health authorities or governors .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]

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--2020-04-27--FDA Approves Home COVID-19 Test, Is Overseeing 72 Trials of Treatments

The Food and Drug Administration has ongoing clinical trials for 72 drugs to treat COVID-19 , therapeutics that aren ’ t a cure , but which will treat the symptoms of the disease , FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn announced Friday .
“ When it comes to therapeutics , we are leaving no stone unturned in finding treatments for COVID-19 , ” Hahn said at the daily White House press briefing .
“ You do know that we don ’ t have any currently approved therapeutics for COVID-19 , ” Hahn said .
“ But we are actively involved in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private sector to find those .
Seventy-two trials of therapeutics are underway in the United States under FDA oversight , and 211 are in the planning stages.
” He said the government anticipates it will be seeing more .
“ This includes convalescent plasma , as well as antiviral therapies , ” Hahn said .
Therapeutics are expected to offer a bridge for treating the virus until there is a vaccine , which likely will take more than a year .
Earlier Friday , the FDA announced the official approval of an at-home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The first at-home COVID-19 test kit just got approved , ” Trump said .
“ … The FDA has been incredible.
” Hahn said that the Burlington , North Carolina-based LabCorp , with a doctor ’ s supervision , will be mailing the test kits out .
“ The patient can perform the self-swab , and then mail it back and get the results … all under the guidance of a licensed physician , ” the FDA chief said .
Vice President Mike Pence , who has led the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major milestone for testing .
“ A bit of context : You may recall that one month ago , all of the testing that had been done in America , 80,000 Americans had been tested , ” he said .
“ But , as of this morning , 5.1 million have been tested for the coronavirus.
” Pence said testing will continue to accelerate , and that will automatically mean more confirmed cases .
As of Friday afternoon , there were 890,524 cases of the coronavirus in the United States , and 51,017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which has the most up-to-date numbers .
Trump , a frequent critic of foreign aid , demonstrated that with a surplus of ventilators , America will help supply other countries .
“ We have tremendous capacity , now overcapacity of ventilators .
We are filling up stockpiles for our states and for ourselves .
The federal government has over 10,000 ventilators , ” Trump said .
“ We could have a lot more if we wanted to do that .
But we are helping Mexico , Honduras , Indonesia , France .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ re sending to Spain .
We ’ re sending to Italy .
We ’ ll probably be sending to Germany , should they need them.
” Fred Lucas is the White House correspondent for The Daily Signal and co-host of “ The Right Side of History ” podcast .
Lucas is also the author of “ Tainted by Suspicion : The Secret Deals and Electoral Chaos of Disputed Presidential Elections .
”


thetennesseestar--2020-04-27--Amid Rumors of His Demise, Photos Show Train at Kim Jong-Un’s Compound in Resort Town

New photos obtained via satellite show North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ’ s train at his “ vacation compound ” in a resort town on the eastern coast of North Korea .
38 North – a foreign affairs news and information website that focuses on North Korea – released the photos , reporting the images were captured between Tuesday , April 21 and Thursday April 23 .
The news comes amid a flood of rumors recently that the reclusive leader has suffered a catastrophic injury during a heart procedure .
The website noted that the train appears to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added : However , there was no indication when that departure might take place .
The Wonsan complex includes nine large guesthouses and a recreation center .
At the center of the grounds is a large building that was constructed shortly after Kim Jong Un came to power in 2014 .
It also includes a protected port , shooting range , recreation building and a covered dock that is believed for his mega yacht .
Adjacent to the railway station is a small runway that was originally used for light aircraft but was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into a horse-riding track to match Kim ’ s latest hobby .
Kim Jong Un ’ s last reported public appearance was an inspection of an air force group at an unnamed airfield in the west of North Korea .
Photographs and satellite imagery indicate it was at the Sunchon Airport , about 50 km northeast of Pyongyang .
Reports since then have quoted various sources claiming he has been spotted walking around the Wonsan area to recovering at a compound in the north west of the country at Hyangsan in varying degrees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contrary by several media outlets across the globe , the official word from the Democratic People ’ s Republic of Korea – the DPRK – is that Kim Jong Un is enjoying a “ staycation .
”


thetennesseestar--2020-04-27--Climate Activists Want Michael Moore’s Doc Panning Green Energy Banned, Say It’s Chock Full of ‘Misi

Climate Activists Want Michael Moore’s Doc Panning Green Energy Banned, Say It’s Chock Full of ‘Misinformation’

Anti-fossil fuel activists unsuccessfully attempted to browbeat the film producer behind a new Michael Moore documentary panning green energy into permanently removing the movie over claims that it contains pro-oil industry misinformation .
Activist Josh Fox , climate scientist Michael Mann , and other environmentalists signed onto a petition Friday asking the producer to take down Planet of Humans , claiming Moore ’ s film relies on old data to claim solar and wind energy is dependent on fossil fuels .
Films for Action initially nixed the film before putting it back online , saying the move was meant to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disheartened and dismayed to report that the film is full of misinformation – so much so that for half a day we removed the film from the site , ” Films for Action noted in a press statement Saturday .
“ Ultimately , we decided to put it back up because we believe media literacy , critique and debate is the best solution to misinformation.
” The company then shared some of its thoughts on the film ’ s premise , which was directed by environmentalists Jeff Gibbs and argues human beings are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Films for Action decided that effectively banning the film would be a form of censorship .
“ We still need to transition to 100 % renewable energy .
There is no other option .
But the delusion that we need to dispel is the idea that renewables can power our industrial civilization as is , and that these technologies are entirely ‘ green ’ when they are themselves still destructive , ” Films for Action noted in the statement .
Gibbs and Moore lashed into wind , solar , and biomass in particular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to save us , ” Gibbs noted in the film before focusing his ire on environmentalists Bill McKibben , Van Jones , Robert F. Kennedy and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg , all of whom push for a combination of solar panels , nuclear or wind power to replace oil production .
Fox , who ’ s perhaps best known for producing the anti-fracking film “ Gasland , ” told his Twitter followers in a tweet Friday that the attempt to take down the film was successful .
He included in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Action ’ s statement , which did not include the section of the post explaining why the producer opted not to take down the film .
“ I just received notice that the distributor of Michael Moore ’ s # PlanetoftheHumans is taking the film down due to misinformation in the film , ” Fox wrote before criticizing Moore .
“ My hero has fallen .
I have watched @ MMFlint PUNCH UP at authority and hypocrisy with glee for his whole career .
He has deeply inspired me and taught me .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the room , PUNCHING DOWN at us.
” Neither Fox , Mann , nor Planet of Humans have replied to the Daily Caller News Foundation ’ s request for comment .
Mann , a Pennsylvania State University professor , has been criticized in recent years for embellishing his credentials .
Environmentalists wrote reviews of the film after it was posted for free on YouTube claiming that the movie relies on old , outdated , information .
Fox is a proponent of the Green New Deal , a policy idea meant to aggressively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry .
Watch the full film “ Planet of Humans ” here : Chris White is a reporter at Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Michael Moore ” by Nicolas Genin CC2.0 and “ Planet of Humans ” by Planet of Humans .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-27--Missouri and Mississippi File Lawsuits Against China for Unleashing COVID-19 on the World

The attorneys general of Missouri and Mississippi announced this week that they are filing lawsuits against the Chinese government over its handling of the coronavirus , which first appeared in Wuhan late last year and was allowed to spread to the rest of the world .
Missouri AG Eric Schmitt says that China ’ s “ campaign of deceit ” has led to great human suffering across the globe .
Schmidt , who filed the lawsuit Tuesday morning in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri , said he hopes the suit acts as a template for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese government accountable for their malfeasance .
In addition to the Chinese government , the complaint also names the Chinese Communist party and “ other various non-state actors , ” according to Schmitt .
“ During the critical weeks of the initial outbreak , Chinese authorities deceived the public , suppressed crucial information , arrested whistleblowers , denied human-to-human transmission in the face of mounting evidence , destroyed critical medical research , permitted millions of people to be exposed to the virus , and even hoarded personal protective equipment ( “ PPE ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was unnecessary and preventable , ” the complaint says .
Schmitt points out in the lawsuit that by late December , Chinese health officials had serious evidence of human-to-human transmission , but denied that fact when it reported the outbreak to the World Health Organization ( WHO ) on December 31 .
The World Health Organization went on to uncritically repeat China ’ s disinformation as fact .
Earlier this month , President Trump announced that the United States would halt funding to WHO for severely mismanaging its response to the coronavirus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries across the globe , causing sickness , death , economic disruption , and human suffering .
In Missouri , the impact of the virus is very real – thousands have been infected and many have died , families have been separated from dying loved ones , small businesses are shuttering their doors , and those living paycheck to paycheck are struggling to put food on their table , ” Schmitt said in a statement .
“ The Chinese government lied to the world about the danger and contagious nature of COVID-19 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop the spread of the disease .
They must be held accountable for their actions.
” The AG told Fox Business ’ Maria Bartiromo Thursday that China was aware that “ this vicious virus ” could spread person to person during the very critical weeks of January of February , and because they concealed this information “ valuable time was lost.
” “ All the while , they ’ re hoarding PPE .
China went from being a net exporter of PPE to being a net importer of PPE during this time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really avoidable .
This really could have been prevented , ” Schmitt lamented .
“ A worldwide pandemic like we ’ ve never seen has been unleashed and no corner of the globe has been spared.
” The attorney general of Mississippi also announced plans this week to file a lawsuit against China .
In a statement on Wednesday , AG Lynn Fitch ( R ) said that “ too many Mississippians have suffered as a result of China ’ s cover-up.
” “ They must not be allowed to act with impunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deserve justice and I will seek that in court.
” The lawsuit is seeking damages under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act , according to a release .
A national security expert with the Center for Security Policy , meanwhile , is calling for reparations against China .
“ We have to get reparations from the Chinese government , ” said CSP senior analyst for strategy Michael Waller on OANN Thursday .
“ This is what happens when any hostile power unleashes damage against everyone else .
There has to be reparations for it.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ unlikely that the Chinese Communist party would be willing to pay those reparations , the United States needs to just take them .
“ For example , the United States just defaults on its debts to China , ” Waller explained , adding that if all the other countries with debts to China do the same , together , they could collapse the regime .
Debra Heine is a regular contributor to American Greatness .
Photo “ Eric Schmitt ” by Eric Schmitt .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-27--Commentary: Big Tech, Privacy, and Power

The ground is shifting quickly beneath our feet when it comes to tech , privacy , and power .
And , although tech companies , their advocates , and even some policymakers , would like us to imagine these issues are cut and dried , they are not .
In their book The Sovereign Individual , published on the eve of the year 2000 , James Dale Davidson and William Rees-Mogg attempt to grapple with the forthcoming technological changes that the new millennium inevitably would bring .
“ As technology revolutionizes the tools we use , ” they wrote , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reshapes our morals , and alters our perceptions.
” This is the dynamic that has been unfolding slowly over the last 20 years , as Google , Facebook , Twitter , and other social media platforms have transformed how we engage with communications , culture , commerce , and one another .
But the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed that transformation into overdrive , while exposing just how significantly power dynamics—between individuals and corporations , and individuals and the state – have shifted .
Earlier this week , Facebook announced it was removing posts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policies in various states .
Initially , a Facebook spokesman claimed the company was doing this at the behest of state governments .
Nearly 12 hours later , the company clarified it was independently removing posts “ when gathering [ s ] do not follow the health parameters established by the government.
” Facebook did not clarify if this meant gatherings in violation of state laws , or executive orders with no force of law , or merely violations of government suggested practices .
This opens up a new , concerning lane for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As Big Tech cements itself as our primary facilitator of communication ( as it most certainly has during this pandemic ) , it wields outsized power .
Kalev Leetaru at George Washington University recently pointed out the significance of this shift , and the lines that blur as a result : The irony is that less than a year ago , Mark Zuckerberg gave a speech at Georgetown University where he extolled tech ’ s many virtues , including how tech platforms “ have decentralized power by putting it directly into people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s most recent actions confirm that power of communication for the 70 percent of American adults who use Facebook , rather than being made disparate , is still very much centralized in the tech platform .
YouTube has also put itself in the position of defining “ correct ” speech – but this time , by aligning itself with the World Health Organization .
YouTube ’ s CEO announced that the platform would remove “ anything that would go against World Health Organization ( WHO ) recommendations.
” YouTube ’ s apparent motivation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – which makes their choice of WHO recommendations an interesting one .
In mid-January , the organization was telling the world that COVID-19 wasn ’ t contagious .
WHO also publicly opposed the travel restrictions put in place by multiple countries and didn ’ t declare coronavirus a pandemic until March 11 .
All along , the organization has taken China ’ s obviously false claims at face value , allowing the virus to spread .
Yet this is the banner behind which YouTube will fly its “ user safety ” flag , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its massive user base .
Tracking You – For Your Health .
Then there is the thorny notion of contact tracing – the way in which public health experts attempt to contain a viral pathogen by tracing where an infected individual has been , and with whom they ’ ve been in contact .
Traditionally , contact tracing has been analog , based on a conversation between patient and doctor .
But the digital age has exploded contact tracing exponentially .
It is much more efficient and accurate to trace a virtual trail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ footprints wherever we go .
South Korea has typified this type of response , tracking COVID-19 patients using credit card data , surveillance camera footage , and cell phone location data .
The South Korean government recently announced they ’ d be requiring infected individuals to wear electronic wristbands to ensure patients did not breach quarantine .
It is unlikely U.S. citizens would tolerate such intense and mandatory surveillance measures .
But that ’ s where Big Tech comes in .
Without being asked , Google already has been sharing aggregate user location @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing measures .
The House Freedom Caucus , a group of conservatives , sent a letter to Google raising concern over the “ frightfully detailed , specific , and granular ” data being provided to government officials .
Google and Apple recently have announced the development of a contact tracing technology that will use cell phone Bluetooth proximity data to alert individuals if they have come into contact with an infected person .
The app ’ s effectiveness depends upon people self-reporting their own positive diagnosis .
Already , security experts have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , re-anonymization , and “ proximity marketing ” ( yes , you ’ re just trying to avoid getting sick , but tech advertisers could still make money ) .
Experts have also pointed out how easy it would be for this system to be abused .
The Google/Apple contact tracing app is opt-in – for now .
Epidemiologists suggest that contact tracing really only works to slow viral spread if at least 60 percent of the population participates .
It ’ s entirely possible that federal or state governments mandate the use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case corporate and state power over the individual would be co-mingled , with little differentiation .
Michael Kwet , a visiting fellow at Yale Law School ’ s Information Society Project , put it this way : There are other questions , too .
Could public health agencies get court orders to obtain phone tracking data from communications companies without consumers ’ permission ?
Is it acceptable for aggregate location data to be made public ?
We do know that the technology ’ s operating system will be made available only to governments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Google prevent authoritarian governments from using the technology in unintended ways ?
Will health authorities be able to build apps on top of the Google-Apple technology that could enable more invasive tracking ?
Then there is the security of personal health data itself .
This is supposed to be protected by HIPAA , the nation ’ s health privacy law .
But the Department of Health and Human Services recently announced it would relax enforcement of HIPAA to facilitate the disclosure of health information between healthcare providers and their business associates .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of several major hospital chains already , and as part of the relationship receives the full medical records of patients without their knowledge or consent .
What constitutes a HIPAA violation under this technology ?
Would Apple or Google be held liable ?
We Have Been Here Before COVID-19 has presented fundamentally difficult questions about the tradeoffs between public health and privacy , and the relationship between corporate and state power .
In some ways , however , we have been here before .
In the days after 9/11 , Congress grappled with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PATRIOT Act .
The law authorized massive surveillance of the American population , and the years since have seen that power abused and manipulated .
( Tech companies also got in on that game ; for years they willingly and secretly shared troves of user data with the National Security Agency . )
What we needed then was sober-minded deliberation and thoughtful analysis – not the rush to give away civil liberties as we grasped for a sense of security .
The lesson there should be applied here .
As we rightly seek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus that currently lacks a vaccine , the push toward erasing the boundaries of our private lives will only increase .
The belief that private industry “ innovations ” are inherently good and thus do not pose a risk to us has the potential to lull us into complacency .
Indeed , the people who warned us about the PATRIOT Act appear to have no such qualms about Google .
But the potential for mandated usage remains , as do a host of questions , both technical and broadly philosophical .
These questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interrogated , rather than dismissed .
As corporate power increasingly co-mingles with state power , this process becomes even more important .
The power of Big Tech has been growing slowly , and in a way that many of us have accommodated as a necessary infiltration .
But the scope of that power – and its costs to the culture we have ordered – have been less transparent .
Like the bird that falls asleep on the back of the hippopotamus , we don ’ t actually think much about the status of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And now , the hippo is moving .
And the massive power Big Tech has amassed has been revealed .
How much or how little say we have over the arrangement , however , is still being determined .
Rachel Bovard is senior director of policy at the Conservative Partnership Institute and Senior Advisor to the Internet Accountability Project .
Beginning in 2006 , she served in both the House and Senate in various roles including as legislative director for Senator Rand Paul ( R-Ky. ) and policy director for the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senator Pat Toomey ( R-Penn . )
and Senator Mike Lee ( R-Utah ) .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-27--WHO Director-General Was Top Ethiopian Official While Its Government Was Accused of Widespread Human

WHO Director-General Was Top Ethiopian Official While Its Government Was Accused of Widespread Human Rights Violations

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was a top official in the Ethiopian government at the same time that it was accused of widespread human rights violations .
Tedros is facing increasing scrutiny over the WHO ’ s alignment with China ’ s oppressive regime throughout the coronavirus pandemic .
Human rights watchdog groups repeatedly criticized the Ethiopian government ’ s poor human rights record while Tedros was a top minister .
Tedros served as Ethiopia ’ s health minister from October 2005 until November 2012 , during which time he was accused of covering up three different cholera @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister from November 2012 until November 2016 .
During his time as a high-profile Ethiopian official , the government was repeatedly castigated around the world for its human rights record , including the detainment and torture of political opponents .
When Ethiopia secured a non-permanent spot on the United Nations Security Council in June 2016 , Tedros said it was a sign that his country had won the world ’ s respect , but Amnesty International noted that Ethiopia had a deplorable human rights record .
“ The ruling government in Ethiopia has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ independent media , civil society organizations and political opposition , ” Amnesty International noted .
“ The government enacted many restrictive laws that have led to the dismantling of civil society , and through the misuse of the counter-terrorism law , has stifled peaceful dissent.
” The resolution stated that “ it is known that the Ethiopian Government is systematically repressing freedom of expression and association and banning individuals from expressing dissent or opposition to government policies , thereby limiting the civil and political space , including by carrying out politically motivated prosecutions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ independent media , dismantling substantial civil society activism and cracking down on opposition political parties.
” The international body “ [ s ] trongly condemns the recent use of excessive force by the security forces in Oromia and in all Ethiopian regions , and the increased number of cases of human rights violations ; expresses its condolences to the families of the victims and urges the immediate release of all those jailed for exercising their rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression , ” the resolution stated .
Ethiopia ’ s government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meant to improve Ethiopians ’ health , to fuel repression of political opponents and further tighten its authoritarian rule , a 2010 report from Human Rights Watch noted .
At the time , Tedros was Ethiopia ’ s health minister .
The watchdog found that “ development aid flows through , and directly supports , a virtual one-party state with a deplorable human rights record .
Ethiopia ’ s practices include jailing and silencing critics and media , enacting laws to undermine human rights activity , and hobbling the political opposition.
” In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pushed back on criticisms of the country ’ s human rights record .
In an October 2016 blog post , less than a year before he took over as the top WHO official , Tedros accused Human Rights Watch of encouraging political violence by criticizing the Ethiopian regime ’ s handling of protests at the time .
Tedros dismissed the watchdog ’ s criticism of the government ’ s clampdown on political protests and its response to an Oct. 2 , 2016 , protest that saw dozens of protesters die in a stampede @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fired warning shots to disperse the protesters .
Tedros argued that Human Rights Watch might bear responsibility for the stampede , writing that “ one reason for the panic , of course , might very well be people ’ s awareness of the scare stories Human Rights Watch has so assiduously propagated over the last few months.
” While the watchdog ’ s investigations found that “ it is clear that the number of dead is much higher than government estimates , ” Tedros insisted that there was “ no evidence ” that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tedros ’ s leadership , the WHO , which didn ’ t return a request for comment , has provided cover for China ’ s suppression of the truth about the coronavirus outbreak in its country .
China could have limited the global spread of the virus by up to 95 % if it had acted three weeks earlier to combat the virus , one study found .
Chinese authorities took steps to silence whistleblowers , journalists and doctors from warning the public about the virus ’ s severity in its early stages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significantly underreported the scale of its coronavirus outbreak , and Chinese authorities admitted that their initial numbers left out asymptomatic carriers of the virus .
Dr. Anthony Fauci said on April 16 that he still doesn ’ t “ feel confident at all ” that China is accurately reporting its coronavirus cases yet .
Nevertheless , Tedros and other top WHO officials have consistently lauded Chinese authorities ’ “ transparency ” in their handling of the global pandemic .
Peter Hasson is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
CC BY 2.0 .
Background Photo “ WHO Headquarters ” by Yann Forget / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA 3.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-27--Dozens of Oil Tankers Are Hovering Around Southern California Coast with Nowhere to Go

The U.S. Coast Guard is monitoring a situation in which dozens of oil tanker vessels are floating around the Southern California coast as they wait to dock while the country wrestles with what to do with the current glut in crude .
Oil companies are storing excess supplies on giant vessels as the country and industry ponder how and where to offload the oil .
There were 27 oil vessels churning up waters just off the Southwest Pacific coast Thursday , according to a press statement from the USCG .
“ Due to the unique nature of this situation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adapting our procedures to ensure the safety of the vessels at anchor and the protection of the surrounding environment , ” Cmdr .
Marshall Newberry said in the statement .
Newberry is managing the traffic jam from Los Angeles , California .
He added : “ Coast Guard watchstanders , in partnership with the Marine Exchange of Southern California , are closely monitoring each anchorage to manage the increased number of tank vessels we ’ re seeing off the California coast.
” The Coast Guard is responsible for maritime safety , security and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s ports and waterways .
The traffic jam came as the oil industry faces serious headwinds as consumer demand for crude fell off a cliff after U.S. officials enacted economic lockdowns to slow the spread of coronavirus , which originated in China and is reportedly responsible for more than 150,000 deaths worldwide .
Oil prices fell below zero Wednesday as producers struggle to give away their oil .
Saudi Arabia , Russia and other oil-producing nations ’ intent to continue producing despite shrinking demand played a part in the calamity .
President Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to drop output , bringing production to 9.7 million barrels a day .
But the deal is unlikely to show results for another month , experts said .
The U.S. Coast Guard has not replied to the Daily Caller News Foundation ’ s request for comment .
Chris White is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-27--Star Political Report: Trump Takes Weekend Off from Wuhan Flu Briefings; President Reaches Out to Ca

Star Political Report: Trump Takes Weekend Off from Wuhan Flu Briefings; President Reaches Out to Catholic Prelates, Educators; Happy Birthday, Melania!

by Neil W. McCabe , National Political Reporter for The Tennessee Star and the Star News Network President Donald Trump took a break from his daily showdowns with the White House press corps Saturday and Sunday that does not mean that the president is staying away from the West Wing press briefing room as he leads the administration ’ s response to the Wuhan Flu .
There was some confusion about whether or not there would be a briefing Sunday .
The White House press pool , reporters selected to cover events where it is impractical to have a large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 p.m. , at which point they would either cover something or be dismissed .
In the pre-Wuhan Flu days , the weekend pool would show up by 9 a.m. , load up into a van and then join the president ’ s motorcade to his Trump National Golf Club in Potomac Falls , Virginia , where Trump would golf and the reporters would hang out at an Italian restaurant just outside the club ’ s gate .
Those days seem like a long time ago in a galaxy far , far away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pool was told to be at the White House for 6 p.m. , which got people excited for the return of the COVID-19 briefings , but an hour later , the “ lid ” was called , meaning there would be no news out of the White House until the morning .
Washington Post reporter Anne Rumsey Gearan , who was the print pool reporter for the day , asked the White House press office about plans for First Lady Melania Trump ’ s 50th birthday , but there was no response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is important to remember Melania was born Slovenia , then part of Marxist Yugoslavia held together by strongman Marshal Broz Tito .
Raised in a rural Catholic home , under communism , the first lady is far more conservative than the president , who often had to forgo ideology to get his developments built in New York City .
Back in those pre-Wufan Flu days , such an occasion would be a blowout party at Mar-a-largo , or at least dinner at Washington ’ s Trump International Hotel .
At Friday ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the briefing lasted barely 20 minutes , unlike other briefings that regularly clock in at more than two hours .
Earlier in the day , the president did give it a try .
At roughly 10 minutes past noon , Trump hosted the day ’ s press pool , into the Oval Office for his signing H.R .
266 , the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act .
The $ 320 million extension of the Paycheck Protection Program had been held up by Capitol Hill Democrats , but when it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed 385 to 5 and by unanimous consent in the Senate .
Once the president signed the bill , the first question out of the gate asked Trump is he was , in fact , a mass murderer of Americans .
Q : Mr. President , 50,000 people have died today .
You ’ re saying that you want credit for what the government has done .
Do you take any responsibility for these 50,000 deaths that have happened in this country ?
Who could blame Trump for taking a break ?
Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 600 Catholic leaders and educators with a virtual meeting .
On the call were New York City ’ s Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Boston ’ s Sean O ’ Malley , along with Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson , and Catholic educators and bishops .
In the conference call , Trump heard about how Catholic schools , and the country ’ s 1.7 million schoolchildren receiving a Catholic education , were handling the pandemic triggered by the Wuhan Flu .
When O ’ Malley , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as it was rocked by a tsunami clerical abuse cases 17 years ago , was given his shot to speak to the president , he made the pitch for tuition aid for students in Catholic schools—which he pointed out had an unmatched record of pulling children out of poverty and into the middle class .
The president talked bout his appreciation for the Catholic parishes and schools he knew as he grew up in Queens , N.Y. , and took the opportunity to reaffirm his opposition to abortion rights and his support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Soon after the call , Trump Tweeted out that he would be tuning in for the 10:15 Sunday Mass , celebrated by Dolan at St. Patrick Cathedral in midtown Manhattan .
In his homily , the cardinal took time to wish the first lady a happy birthday and he gave his former midtown neighbor a shoutout and told Trump he was praying for him .
This is the same cardinal , who routinely wrote to President Barack Obama to protest Obama ’ s encroachment into Catholic faith practices , by which he used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ embrace same-sex marriage , abortion rights and birth control , among other sins .
When Obama called Dolan in 2012 , to say he was delaying compulsory birth control coverage for health insurance plans at Catholic institutions and orders , Dolan wrote : “ In effect , the president is saying we have a year to figure out how to violate our consciences .
”


thetennesseestar--2020-04-27--Minnesota’s State and National Dems Want to Cancel Rent and Mortgage Payments

An executive order from Gov .
Tim Walz bans evictions , foreclosures , and lease terminations for the duration of the state ’ s peacetime emergency , but one Democratic lawmaker wants to take things a step further .
State Sen. Jeff Hayden ( DFL-Minneapolis ) recently called for a “ rent and mortgage moratorium ” in Minnesota , an idea championed by Rep. Ilhan Omar ( D-MN-05 ) in the U.S. Congress .
“ Every Minnesotan deserves to have a safe , reliable place to call home .
Right now , communities across the state are facing loss of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this public health emergency , while their rent and mortgage obligations continue to pile up , ” he said in a statement .
Without the “ suspension of these payments , ” the state will continue to see “ devastating consequences both during this public-health emergency and after , ” according to Hayden .
“ Our priority should be to provide the immediate relief Minnesotans so greatly need in a timely manner , and that includes a moratorium on rent and mortgage payments , ” he concluded .
The Minnesota House is currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100 million from the general fund for housing assistance grants .
Under that bill , Minnesotans who are unable to pay their rent or mortgage because of a public-health emergency could qualify for a grant .
The Minnesota Legislature has yet to see a bill be introduced that would codify Hayden ’ s rent and mortgage moratorium proposal , but it ’ s an idea that has been pushed by the progressive wing of the Democratic Party .
“ We need to cancel rent until this crisis is over , ” Omar recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ housing as a “ human right.
” A few days later , she introduced a bill to institute a nationwide cancellation of rent and mortgage payments for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic .
“ We must take major action to protect the health and economic security of the most vulnerable , including the millions of Americans currently at risk of housing instability and homelessness , ” Omar said in a press release .
“ Congress has a responsibility to step in to stabilize both local communities and the housing market during this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2008 , we bailed out Wall Street .
This time , it ’ s time to bail out the American people who are suffering.
” Jeremiah Ellison , a member of the Minneapolis City Council and Attorney General Keith Ellison ’ s son , also expressed his support for the idea .
“ We can not allow this public health crisis to worsen the housing crisis we are already in .
Displacement does not make our communities stronger .
Increased homelessness does not make our communities stronger .
Right now , we should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 , and not risk making more people vulnerable .
Because this is not a matter of ‘ if ’ people will pay their rent – this is about how we formalize the reality that the rent is already canceled because people can ’ t pay , ” he said .
As The Minnesota Sun reported , his father ’ s office has been aggressively enforcing Gov .
Walz ’ s executive order suspending evictions and foreclosures .
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ email protected ] .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-27--Gov. Whitmer on Bankruptcy Comments: ‘It’s Outrageous for Senator McConnell to Even Suggest That’

Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer said Sunday that bankruptcy is not an option for Michigan in response to comments last week from U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell .
Whitmer appeared on ABC ’ s “ This Week with George Stephanopoulos ” on Sunday .
Stephanopoulos asked her if default was on the table for Michigan .
“ No , and it ’ s outrageous for Senator McConnell to even suggest that , ” Whitmer said .
“ But that ’ s what the matter is .
Our general fund budget when adjusted for the inflation is the same size it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our president .
We have been incredibly smart stewards and we have not made some of the investments I think we should have as a state because of this artificially low number that we ’ ve been working with.
” The governor ’ s comments came after McConnell said he would favor allowing states struggling with pension debt to declare bankruptcy rather than bailing them out .
McConnell said on the Hugh Hewitt radio show earlier this week that Republicans had little appetite for covering the costs of state pension debt .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any desire on the Republican side to bail out state pensions by borrowing money from future generations , ” McConnell said .
Michigan is projected to face a $ 3 billion budget shortfall .
Whitmer said the federal government needs to help states .
“ But the fact of the matter is that for Senator McConnell to suggest that is incredibly dangerous and I don ’ t think that the vast majority of governors in this country , Republican and Democratic , would agree with him , ” Whitmer said .
“ He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to step up and help states .
Because this pandemic – it ’ s because of this global pandemic that we are all having to make tough decisions .
We need the federal government to have our backs.
” Brett Rowland is a contributor to The Center Square .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-27--Walz Allows Up to 100,000 to Return to Work Monday, Cancels in-Person School for Remaining School Ye

Walz Allows Up to 100,000 to Return to Work Monday, Cancels in-Person School for Remaining School Year

Walz announced a plan on Thursday afternoon that will allow up to 100,000 people , or about 20,000 businesses , to safely return to work Monday .
Executive Order 20-40 applies to certain non-critical businesses , including industrial , manufacturing , and office settings .
Those businesses are allowed to open because they have a highly predictable and small workplace setting compared to some customer-facing companies .
Individual businesses in those categories each decide if they want to return to the office .
Walz said a collaboration with businesses , worker industries , and public health experts developed the plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ active until May 4 .
Walz also signed Executive Order 20-41 to cancel in-person school for the rest of the 2019-2020 school year .
He previously shut down in-person schools on March 15 .
“ As a former teacher , this is a heartbreaking decision , ” Walz said .
“ I am sorry for all of our students who will miss out on graduations , tournaments , and end of year celebrations .
While I recognize distance learning is a challenge for many families , it is critical to social distancing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s families .
We will continue looking for ways to improve the current system and better support our children.
” Walz said he hadn ’ t made any decisions yet regarding the next school year .
Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Steve Grove said that more than 536,000 Minnesotans have applied for unemployment benefits , more than applied in the Great Recession .
But this order will start getting some of them back to work .
“ This is a limited first step in the process of safely reopening some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Grove said .
“ We will continue to listen to and seek input from business and community leaders and work with public health experts on creative solutions to put more people back to work as safely and quickly as possible.
” Prior to loosening restrictions for a given setting , businesses must : • Create , share , and implement a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan , including actions they are taking to ensure social distancing , worker hygiene , and facility cleaning ; • Engage in health screening of employees and ensure sick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work from home whenever possible .
The state set up a website to answer questions .
Scott McClallen is a staff writer covering Michigan and Minnesota for The Center Square .
A graduate of Hillsdale College , his work has appeared on Forbes.com and FEE.org .
Previously , he worked as a financial analyst at Pepsi .
Photo “ Tim Walz ” by KARE 11 .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-27--Coronavirus Calls Status of Minnesota State Fair into Question

The opening day of the Great Minnesota Get-Together is still four months away , but state leaders are already suggesting that the whole thing could be called off .
During a daily press briefing last week , Gov .
Tim Walz sounded doubtful when discussing the prospects of hosting the annual gathering , which consistently attracts more than two million visitors in its 12-day stretch .
“ I think it ’ s a pretty tough lift .
Certainly at this point in time I wouldn ’ t make a definitive call , but I also don ’ t want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think it would be very difficult to see a state fair operating and I don ’ t know how you social distance in there , ” the governor said .
The Minnesota State Fair ’ s crowded nature , one of “ the great parts ” of the event , is also the “ worst thing for COVID-19 control , ” Walz said .
“ I know they ’ re looking at it .
At this point in time I just think it ’ s going to be a hard lift but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added .
Jerry Hammer , general manager of the Minnesota State Fair , said in a statement that the “ outlook for late summer events remains unknown.
” “ As of now , there is no specific date by which a decision to hold the fair must be made .
That picture will become more clear in the weeks ahead as we continue to be in contact with our partners that are vital to produce an event the size and scope of the Great Minnesota Get-Together , ” he added .
Hammer noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on workers from industries all across the state “ who must be at their very best to successfully produce the type of event that Minnesota expects and deserves.
” But canceling the event altogether could have a devastating impact on the economy and small businesses , many of which count on revenue from the fair each year .
The infamous Sweet Martha ’ s , for instance , brings in at least $ 3 million in just 12 days selling its product at the fair .
The year-round operations of the Minnesota State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Twin Cities economy in 2018 .
According to its website , the fair employs nearly 90 year-round , 450 seasonal , and 2,300 fair-time workers every year .
Hammer said that alternate fair dates , significant restrictions , or a change in the duration of the fair aren ’ t being considered , meaning the fair will either be canceled entirely or proceed as usual .
“ Central to this year ’ s preparations are the directives of state , national and international health agencies , ” he said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can celebrate this year in our usual style , but ultimately please know and rest assured the State Fair will do the right thing for Minnesota , our nation and our world.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Minnesota State Fair ” by Tony Webster .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-27--Business Groups Paint Dim Picture of Ohio Economy, Urge DeWine to Reopen ‘Sooner Rather Than Later’

Six of the state ’ s most influential business organizations sent a letter to Gov .
Mike DeWine last week urging him to reopen the economy as nearly one million Ohioans have now filed unemployment claims since the start of the coronavirus pandemic .
“ On behalf of our six organizations , and the thousands of Ohio businesses that we collectively represent , we write to you today regarding the dire state of Ohio ’ s economy and the urgent need to re-open businesses , ” states the April 21 letter .
The letter was signed by the Ohio Chamber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Ohio Manufacturers ’ Association , the Ohio Council on Retail Merchants , Ohio Farm Bureau , and NFIB-Ohio .
While the groups applauded DeWine for the steps he has taken thus far , they expressed alarm over the dreadful state of Ohio ’ s economy .
According to the letter , unemployment claims in Ohio will likely exceed one million by the end of the week , many small businesses have less than two weeks left of cash on hand , and the state continues to lose $ 10-20 billion in GDP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essential-only status .
“ It is alarming to know that we are losing more jobs per day than were created all of last year .
And even if the economy were to open up tomorrow , that devastating trend would continue .
Increasingly , small businesses that are closed will never reopen their doors again , ” the letter continues .
The state has set May 1 as its target date for reopening , but Gov .
DeWine has cautioned that it will be a “ gradual , multi-phased process.
” “ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a date that everything will be back to normal .
We want to make Ohio ’ s comeback strong , but we also want to make Ohio ’ s comeback safe , ” DeWine wrote on Twitter Tuesday , the same day the letter was sent .
It ’ s likely that customer-facing retail and service businesses , which make up an estimated 43 percent of Ohio ’ s small businesses , will be closed well past the May 1 date .
Furthermore , the letter warns that the economic consequences from this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the population ’ s health.
” “ Looking at past crises for insight , it is safe to assume we will see an uptick in drug abuse and overdoses , domestic violence , and suicides .
Research suggests that rural economies suffer more and recover slower from these economic disruptions , ” says the letter .
As The Ohio Star reported , Ohio alone accounts for almost four percent of the nation ’ s 26 million unemployed .
The state saw another 108,801 file for unemployment in the week ending April 18 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 964,566 .
“ These statistics , together with anecdotes we hear from our collective membership , provide a compelling case to get our state back to work sooner rather than later , ” the letter concludes .
“ We have no illusion that things will go back to ‘ normal.
’ We believe our state is capable of a deliberate , phased opening in a closely controlled manner with strict protocols that enable a responsible reopening where employee and customer safety is first.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Open Ohio ” by Becker1999 .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-27--Senate Democrats Propose Criteria for Reopening Ohio Economy

As Ohio works to reopen in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic starting May 1 , Senate Democrats are urging Gov .
Mike DeWine to ensure the state is prepared .
Specifically , they want the governor to require the use of masks in public and to guarantee Ohio has an adequate supply of sanitation items and personal protective equipment ( PPE ) .
They also want clear and publicized guidelines for businesses , protections for whistleblowers , child care accommodations for employees who need it and continued teleworking for employees who can or who are in high-risk categories .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ state must be to protect the health and safety of all Ohioans , ” they wrote in a letter to the governor .
“ We oppose any plan that disproportionately prioritizes the economy over people ’ s lives.
” The legislators ’ letter continued : “ Our most fundamental concern is the lack of access to testing and health care .
This is especially true regarding Ohio ’ s most vulnerable citizens , many of whom live in low-income communities that lack the resources to successfully resolve COVID-19 hardships in both the near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to announce additional information about the state ’ s reopening on Monday .
However , on Friday , DeWine took to Twitter to say that testing capacity and contact tracing will be two critical elements required for the reopening .
Starting Wednesday , the state will have the capacity to handle “ at least 7,200 tests per day , ” DeWine said in a tweet .
That number will increase to 15,000 by May 6 and 22,000 by May 27 , the governor added .
“ Contact exposure tracing is one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep our families , our friends , and ourselves healthy – all done in a voluntary way , where we can take some control back over this disease , ” DeWine said in a tweet .
In a statement , state Senate Minority Leader Kenny Yuko , D-Richmond Heights , said it ’ s imperative the state “ get this absolutely right.
” Yuko added : “ If we reopen the economy without first increasing our testing capacity and without making sure that hospitals and businesses have enough PPE and cleaning supplies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives at risk.
” Yuko continued : “ The economy is not going to recover if customers are afraid to go shopping and employees are afraid to go to work.
” Meanwhile , on Fox Business ’ Mornings with Maria earlier this week , U.S. Sen .
Rob Portman , R-Ohio , touted the importance of testing for COVID-19 .
“ We need the testing not just to reopen safely , but also once we reopen we don ’ t want to close again , ” Portman said .
“ We need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ability to test , to contact trace and to be able to appropriately stop the spread of the virus if it occurs again .
We want to reopen and stay open.
” Todd DeFeo is a contributor to The Center Square .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-27--Judge Rules Tennessee Must Allow ‘Constitutional Right’ of Abortions

A panel of federal judges ruled 2-1 that Tennessee must allow the “ Constitutional right ” to abortion during the Chinese Coronavirus pandemic .
The decision came Friday from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Cincinnati , available online here .
Ruling in favor of abortion were Judges Karen Nelson Moore ( pictured left ) and Helene N. White .
The dissenting opinion came from Judge Amul R. Thapar ( pictured right ) , appointed by President Donald Trump in 2017 .
Moore was appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1995 and White was appointed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and White ruled that the so-called right to an abortion applies even during the state ’ s ban on elective medical procedures during the COVID-19 crisis .
And , here , although we have great respect for the challenges Tennessee faces as it responds to this novel public health crisis , we agree with the district court that the State ’ s response , in this one respect , unduly curtailed constitutional liberty , and that judicial intervention was thus warranted .
By the same token , however , we also conclude that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scope of the district court ’ s injunction , the district court went too far in asserting its authority .
The case was an appeal from the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee at Nashville , which also sided with abortion advocates .
Tennessee Gov .
Bill Lee said it was his “ hope and expectation ” that abortion clinics would cancel elective procedures during the pandemic , as The Tennessee Star previously reported .
Lee issued an executive order that required all hospitals and surgical outpatient facilities to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” to free up personal protective equipment for health care professionals .
Tennessee Right To Life ( TNRTL ) called on Governor Bill Lee to halt elective abortions , which were still happening despite the executive order , The Star said .
TNRTL said the populations of those having abortions overlap with the highest number of cases of COVID-19 , and that 79 percent of abortions are among Tennessee residents aged 20 to 34 – while 47 percent of Tennessee Department of Health confirmed COVID-19 cases are among Tennessee residents aged 21 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 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. – Leahy was joined by all-star panelist Dr. Carol Swain .
Leahy and Swain discussed how it was that liquor stores and abortions fall under Governor Lee ’ s “ essential business ” category as these businesses remain in operation during the COVID-19 pandemic .
Swain said she thought the CDC was inflating the death count to assert governmental control .
“ I can tell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s been driving around snapping photos of testing sites , ” Swain said ; adding : And testing sites were set up for people who suspected they might have COVID-19 because they had some kinds of symptoms .
And every time he has driven by the place and taken photos there is nobody in line .
This whole coronavirus pandemic scare , it ’ s not a hoax .
I ’ m not saying it ’ s a hoax but I ’ m saying that it has been greatly exaggerated for political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coding that they are inflating the numbers with people who have flu and various other things when it comes to the deaths .
And as far as the people who test positive for it , most of them are just fine .
98 % of them are just fine .
And the ones who have difficulty are the ones who fall into those high-risk categories .
Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years ’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes .
Photo “ Judge Karen Nelson Moore ” by @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-04-28--Hundreds Rally at the State Capitol from Across the State in Support of the #FreeTN Movement

NASHVILLE , Tennessee – Hundreds of people from all parts of the state gathered again at the state capitol Monday in support of the # FreeTN movement , following a rally of the same name last Sunday .
In addition to those standing on either side of Dr. Martin Luther King , Jr. Boulevard with a wide variety of messaging on their hand-held signs , numerous others slowly drove in between sporting signs and flags while honking their horns .
The # FreeTN movement continues , even as the state is set to start a phased reopening under the guidelines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Governor Bill Lee and Tennessee ’ s Economic Recovery Group .
# FreeTN organizer , Kimberley Edwards scheduled the rally as a follow-up to those held in seven cities across the state last Sunday , The Tennessee Star reported .
The bipartisan effort is focused on the immediate lifting of the state and local government ’ s safer-at-home executive orders , allowing the opening of all businesses without social distancing mandates .
After saying that the event should exhibit gentleness , togetherness and kindness , Edwards ’ wedding DJ and musician husband @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The prayer was followed by an acapella rendition of the national anthem by Bridget Cheek , who traveled all the way from Johnson City in support of the # FreeTN movement .
Edwards told rally-goers that , following the events last weekend “ to an extent , we have been heard , and I want to celebrate that.
” While the long-term plans are something that they need to continue to fight , said Edwards , it is something that ’ s not going to be enforced by law .
She led the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is a win !
” By executing their constitutional rights to assemble peaceably for the purpose of instructing government , Edwards advised , what they are doing is providing instruction on how to govern the people , part of which is about protecting rights .
Edwards , who told The Star that her focus would likely turn toward local governments , also reminded attendees that six mayors in the state now need to hear their voices , the way Governor Lee has .
The mayors that Edwards referred to are those in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have their own health departments , including Davidson , Hamilton , Knox , Madison , Shelby and Sullivan counties and are opening under their own timeframe and guidelines .
While Edwards expressed appreciation for Governor Lee not using the force of law to enforce the reopening guidelines , she said the expectation is that “ fear and shame ” be used to coerce compliance .
“ We have come together because we support one another and this movement right here is one that says we are not going to be afraid , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shame , but we will act out in kindness , in love , in mutual respect with our freedom.
” “ I know that Governor Lee is in there today , so let ’ s make some noise for him , ” concluded Edwards .
The Edwards , like many of the attendees of all of the # FreeTN rallies are not the archetypal , often-maligned right-wing protestors .
Rather , they are folks of all ages and stations in life and from points all across Tennessee .
Jennifer Brown of Cookeville , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travelled from Cookeville , made a rousing speech invoking words of the founding fathers and summarizing the purpose of the rally .
My Fellow Americans and Citizens of Tennessee , Thank you for coming here today !
You have weighed the risks and found this cause to be worthy .
The Governor ’ s mandate as it currently stands under states that no more than 10 people should gather .
We are in violation of that order today , NOT because we want to be rebellious and NOT because we consider breaking the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we are gathered here today because we know that the Governor ’ s Executive Orders and the enforcement of those orders in certain municipalities have violated a higher power .
Abraham Lincoln himself once described the Declaration of Independence as “ a rebuke and a stumbling-block to tyranny and oppression.
” Let me start by reading the words our founding fathers recorded in that Declaration in 1776 .
‘ We hold these truths to be self-evident , that all men are created equal , that they are endowed by their Creator with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are Life , Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
’ These words continue to be increasingly relevant for us today .
As I was recently sharing the vision and purpose for this gathering with a reporter , I expressed the belief that we as citizens have the right for self-determination .
In this conversation , the reporter asked me this question : Where do you believe these rights come from ?
I replied , ‘ They are God-given and unalienable- basic to all human beings .
They are basic human rights.
’ Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came from , and they were rightly suspicious of governmental authority , because they knew that power once attained was not easily relinquished .
That is why these courageous and brilliant men came together for 100 days in 1787 to write what is arguably one of the greatest documents the world has ever seen .
The Constitution and the amendments which followed it are the legal foundation for the government of the United States of America .
The Preamble of this document begins with the following words : ‘ We the People of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We the People ’ as Americans and as Tennesseans in the last six weeks have witnessed a series of unprecedented and unilateral actions at every level of government which have violated those freedoms .
We grieve the estimated 180 some odd deaths statewide which have been attributed to COVID-19 .
We also grieve the hundreds of thousands of jobs that have been lost .
Many businesses , which are the backbone of our local and state economy , have shuttered their doors some of which will never reopen .
Many citizens are now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their bills .
Churches have closed their doors and canceled traditional religious worship services .
Families have refrained from visiting loved ones and friends out of fear of violating the executive orders .
Our liberties and livelihoods have been surrendered without the legislation from elected representatives and the traditional public debate which would normally precede it .
We are gathered together today as a freedom-loving , hard-working , and normal folks .
We are moms and dads , grandmas and grandpas , sisters and brothers , sons and daughters , friends and neighbors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faults , yet we still love her and what she stands for .
She is a shining city set on a hill !
A beacon of light and liberty to expose the darkness of tyranny .
COVID-19 is a problem .
We are concerned about those who are vulnerable to this disease .
Let there be no doubt here .
And we acknowledge and appreciate the challenges our great Governor and other leaders have faced and the difficult decisions they have been called to make .
However , we are greatly troubled about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Our leaders ’ solutions to this problem have now created circumstances which are more disturbing than the problem itself .
In Nashville , today , we are not protesting against any one person , instead , we have taken up the flame of liberty – this flame is in grave danger of being extinguished .
Yes , we are gathered here today because our economic livelihoods and our personal freedoms have been unduly infringed upon .
However , we understand what is ultimately at stake extends beyond even our own personal benefits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preserve that golden and glorious promise of freedom which our Founding Fathers entrusted to us over 230 years ago .
We are asking our leaders at every single level of government to choose freedom rather than fear during these perilous times .
Hear us today , elected representatives , Governor Lee , officials at level of government , choose liberty instead of tyranny !
John Maple came from about 200 miles away in Jefferson County with his young son , Sam .
Maple told The Star that he doesn ’ t like rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s been happening for far too long .
Maple said that the shut downs associated with the coronavirus pandemic “ just escalated things.
” The professionally printed sign he carried pointed out that vaccine makers are exempt from liability , which was one of the outcomes of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 .
The law acknowledged that vaccine injuries and deaths are real and that the vaccine injured and their families should be financially supported .
To that end , the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program ( VICP ) was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Information Center .
Mark Kosierowski , a Chicago native , moved to Warren County about two years ago when he tired of the “ authoritarian dictatorship ” there .
He brought to the rally a sign that read “ Land of the Free , Home of the Brave , ” and organized a volleying chant across the two sides of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard .
Kosierowski then lead a march up from the street to the steps of the Capitol , around the building and eventually outside of Governor Lee ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first asked rally-goers , “ What do we want ?
” to which they shouted , “ Freedom , ” followed by “ When do we want it ?
” to which they responded “ Now.
” He later told The Star that his parents owned a small grocery store when he was young .
Today under the current executive orders , Kosierowski said , small businesses are closed , while the big chains are open .
Kosierowski wants a “ level playing field , ” where the small businesses are let open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the first estimates related to the impact of the coronavirus were “ crazy wrong , ” and created an unintended alliance between epidemiologists and the mass media that resulted in a scary story .
Kosierowski doesn ’ t buy the conspiracy theories , and thinks that they meant well in trying to inform and protect .
But , he added , the old adage of “ garbage in , garbage out , ” started by using data from the communist regime in China .
Laura Baigert is a senior reporter at The @ @ @

by Peter Hasson
Twenty-eight congressional Democrats signed a letter Wednesday condemning the Department of Education for ruling that public schools that allow biological males who identify as transgender to play girls’ sports are violating Title IX civil rights legislation.
Democratic Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal joined 27 House Democrats in signing the letter, which charged that the department’s order “discriminates against transgender youth” by restricting girls’ sports to biological females.
“The decision of the Department of Education to issue a determination targeting transgender student athletes on the eve of Pride Month is not coincidental. It is a transparent example of their campaign against the rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ children,” Connecticut Rep. Jahana Hayes, the letter’s lead signer, said in a press release.
The DOE on May 15 issued a ruling stating that public schools that allow biological males into girls’ athletics are violating Title IX, which protects women’s access to education and athletics.
The Department of Justice previously backed a lawsuit filed by high school girls in Connecticut who said the liberal state’s transgender policies violated their rights.
Sports across the country are on hold due to the novel coronavirus, but biological males who identify as transgender have previously racked up accomplishments in female athletics.
Franklin Pierce University runner CeCe Telfer, for example, won an NCAA DII women’s track championship in May 2019. Telfer is a biological male who identifies as transgender.
University of Montana runner June Eastwood, a biological male who identifies as a transgender woman, was named the Big Sky Conference’s female athlete of the week in October 2019. Both Eastwood and Telfer previously competed on their university’s men’s team before switching to the women’s team.
Rachel McKinnon, a biological male who identifies as transgender, won women’s cycling world championships in both 2018 and 2019.
Wednesday’s letter isn’t the first instance of Democratic politicians arguing in favor of allowing biological males into female athletics.
Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar in February 2019 called for an investigation into USA Powerlifting for barring biologically male athletes from women’s events.
A piece of Democratic legislation called the Equality Act, which passed the House with unanimous support from Democrats, would require schools to allow biologically male athletes into girls’ sports, if the male athletes identify as transgender.
Former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, pledged to get the Equality Act passed into law within his first 100 days in office, if he wins the November election.
“Transgender equality is the civil rights issue of our time,” Biden wrote in a January tweet. “There is no room for compromise when it comes to basic human rights.”
– – –
Peter Hasson is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation.


thetennesseestar--2020-04-28--Tyson Tennessee Plants in Good Shape During COVID-19, Local Officials Say, Despite HQ’s Dire Warning

Tyson Tennessee Plants in Good Shape During COVID-19, Local Officials Say, Despite HQ’s Dire Warnings

Tyson Foods has four locations in Tennessee , and if the one in Union City ever closed then it would dent Obion County ’ s tax revenue in a big way , said County Mayor Benny McGuire .
Tyson officials took out dire newspaper ads this past weekend .
Those ads warned that America ’ s food supply chain might nearly collapse because of the way the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted some of their facilities .
McGuire told The Tennessee Star Monday that Tyson ’ s Union City plant hypothetically closing , even temporarily , would put 1,500 local people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t know how much tax revenue the place generates for our county , but it is a pretty big amount , ” McGuire said .
“ But the people who run our Tyson plant are good neighbors , and the people at the facility are following all of the COVID-19 regulations that they are supposed to.
” Worth Sparkman , spokesman for the Springdale , Ark.-based Tyson Foods headquarters , told The Star in a statement Monday that employees at all Tyson facilities do take proper precautions .
Among other things , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ check the temperature of team members before they enter company facilities .
They restrict visitor access .
They also coordinate with federal agencies to emphasize the need for Personal Protective Equipment , he said .
“ Our plant production areas are sanitized daily to ensure food safety , and we have stepped up deep cleaning and sanitizing of our facilities , especially in employee breakrooms , locker rooms and other areas to protect our team members , ” Sparkman said .
“ We have team members dedicated to constantly wiping down and sanitizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this additional cleaning involves suspending a day of production.
” In Tennessee , Tyson also has plants in Goodlettsville , Newbern , and Shelbyville , according to the company website .
Goodlettsville City Manager Tim Ellis said Monday that he speaks with management at his city ’ s plant two to three times per week to make sure they meet and exceed safety standards .
He said some employees recently tested positive for COVID-19 .
Local elected officials at the local and county levels in Newbern and Shelbyville did not return repeated requests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Tyson Foods ” by Tyson Foods .


thetennesseestar--2020-04-28--Commentary: Anti-Lockdown Protests and the Defiant Protestant Heart of America

In his 1904 masterwork , The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism .
German social researcher Max Weber argued that Western capitalism and the Protestant Reformation were inextricably linked .
Weber made the case that the Protestant theology of John Calvin and the idea of work and economic activity as a God-given “ calling , ” inspired Protestant societies to develop a strong work ethic , leading to the development of Western capitalism .
Today , only about 49 percent of Americans identify as Protestants , but the Pilgrims and Puritans continue to exercise a powerful influence on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Catholic , Jewish or adheres to no religion at all .
And , Weber ’ s monumental work , and the century of research and thought it spawned , tells us much about the psychological and philosophical underpinnings of the protests against the government-imposed lockdowns of the economy that have sprung-up in the past week .
In 2013 André van Hoorn and Robbert Maseland of the University of Groningen in the Netherlands published research demonstrating that the psychic harm from unemployment is about 40 % worse for Protestants than for the general population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ societies are hurt more by being unemployed than people living in other societies , according to their analysis of subjective well-being data on nearly 150,000 people in 82 societies .
An analysis of the data shows that the effects derive from an intrinsic appreciation of work among Protestants and in Protestant societies , the researchers say .
“ The resulting ‘ experienced preferences ’ provide strong support for Weber ’ s original thesis : for both Protestants and Protestant countries , not having a job has substantially larger negative happiness effects than for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Luzer in an article for the Pacific Standard .
While Weber ’ s work , and the work of later researchers such as van Hoorn and Maseland , helps explain how deeply unsettling being unemployed is to the millions of Americans put out of work by the COVID-19 epidemic and panic , what Weber and the others have failed to note is another idea central to Protestantism : the right of each individual to read and interpret the Gospel according to his own understanding and live his or her life according to it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ central idea of Protestantism is the notion that the interpretation and authority of priests and bishops and other hierarchical structures is unnecessary and can and should be defied when they conflict with the plain language of the Gospel .
Far from being “ anti-science ” this anti-authoritarian view is deeply rooted in Protestant ideas of individual conscience .
The very suggestion that individual conscience could oppose external authority would , in the years after Martin Luther launched the Protestant Reformation , crystallize into the affirmation of the ideal of individual freedom .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went so far as to claim that the ‘ essence of Protestantism – the priesthood of all believers – was logically a doctrine of individualist anarchy ’ .
The recognition of a sphere where political rule could not legitimately coerce the individual ultimately undermined the status of absolutist authority in all spheres of life .
It soon became clear that once individuals are granted inner freedom , they find it difficult to unquestioningly obey any form of authority .
What those who demand that Americans bow to the irrational demands of the high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rulers who use the supposed authority of “ science ” to justify their oppressive rule really want is a return to a pre-Protestant Reformation state of affairs where all authority is vested in a new self-appointed elite priesthood .
Thus , in today ’ s rebellion against the unholy alliance of authoritarian political rulers and the priesthood of the religion of “ science ” we see opposition to pre-Reformation ideas of intellectual coercion and punishments meted out for heresy and blasphemy : • In California , Naomi Soria , 27 , is facing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s downtown San Diego protest .
Around 400 people marched on the Hall of Justice demanding an end to California Governor Gavin Newsom ’ s stay-at-home order .
Police said Soria is the only protester facing charges as she violated the stay-at-home order by organizing the protest and encouraging others to gather .
• YouTube has banned any coronavirus-related content that directly contradicts World Health Organization ( WHO ) advice .
Chief executive Susan Wojcicki said the media giant wanted to stamp out “ misinformation on the platform.
” • In New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a protest organizer for violating emergency stay-at-home orders .
• Eight anti-abortion protesters ( who were originally part of a 50-person group ) in Charlotte , North Carolina were arrested outside A Preferred Women ’ s Health Center abortion mill designated as an “ essential business.
” In Raleigh , North Carolina , police announced protesting was “ non-essential ” activity .
Far from being anti-science these examples of defiance are deeply rooted in Protestant Enlightenment thinking in which all authority may be tested against the plain language of the Gospel and all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ observation and experimentation .
Much as Martin Luther studied the Bible , posted his 95 theses on the door of Wittenberg ’ s Castle Church , and refused to recant before ecclesiastical and secular authority , Americans have begun to gather the facts about the COVID-19 epidemic , interpret them and act upon them according to their own understanding .
This defiance of the authoritarian kings and queens of the universal lockdown order , the high priests of COVID-19 pseudo-science and the Inquisitors of the establishment media is not ignorant reaction .
Rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s cultural Calvinism and the Protestant Enlightenment which empowered men and women to challenge the Divine Right of Kings and to ask why they should be locked in their homes to “ save just one life ” by the same politicians who claim that abortion is “ essential ” healthcare and who put political correctness ahead of the germ theory of disease to place patients recovering from COVID-19 among aged New York nursing home residents , killing over 3,448 of them .
For more information about how you can end these unscientific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visit openthestates.com .
His ancestor , the Reverend Richard Mather , began his ministry in England after graduating from Brasenose College , Oxford .
He was twice suspended from the pulpit for nonconformity to the Anglican Church Discipline by that “ great adversary of the puritan faction , ” Richard Neile , Archbishop of York .
Mather joined the Puritan exodus to Massachusetts , in 1635 , and ministered from the pulpit of the First Congregational Church in Dorchester , Massachusetts , until his death in 1669 .
1 . )
There Really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Work Ethic , Harvard Business Review , Andrew O ’ Connell , August 29 , 2013 , https : //hbr.org/daily-stat/2013/08/there-really-is-such-a-thing-a.html


thetennesseestar--2020-04-28--Sen. Sherrod Brown Calls for Investigation into Reports Paycheck Protection Program Prioritized ‘Wea

Sen. Sherrod Brown Calls for Investigation into Reports Paycheck Protection Program Prioritized ‘Wealthier Clients’

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown ( D-OH ) joined two other Democrats in calling for an investigation into reports some Paycheck Protection Program ( PPP ) lenders are prioritizing “ larger and wealthier clients.
” In a letter to Small Business Administration ( SBA ) Inspector General Mike Ware , the senators allege some lenders “ have prioritized the applications of their larger and wealthier clients to the detriment of smaller [ businesses ] adversely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D-NY ) and Senator Ben Cardin ( D-MD ) joined Brown , the ranking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Housing , and Urban Affairs , in sending the letter .
The senators allege “ some private and commercial banking customers received special treatment from their banks when applying for [ the ] Paycheck Protection Program , ” including “ concierge ” services .
“ At the same time , many retail customers , including smaller [ businesses ] that are at greater risk because of the pandemic , have struggled to receive timely assistance from their banks to help complete their applications and receive these much-needed funds.
” The Payroll Protection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Relief , and Economic Security ( CARES ) Act , authorized up to $ 349 billion in forgivable loans for small businesses , which they could use to pay employees during the COVID-19 crisis .
The program ran out of money and drew criticism from some quarters after reports surfaced that publicly traded companies applied for help .
It “ supported more than 1.66 million small businesses and protected over 30 million jobs for hardworking Americans , ” SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza and U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act , which sent an additional $ 310 billion to the program .
In a statement in support of the additional funds on the floor of the U.S. House , U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot , R-Ohio , said , “ small businesses are resilient.
” “ Startups are pioneering new techniques to sanitize masks and surfaces , ” Chabot said .
“ Neighborhood grocers are bravely staying open to provide necessary supplies for their communities .
Small manufacturers are retooling to make personal protective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses and entrepreneurs make the America we know and love.
” Todd DeFeo is a contributor to The Center Square .