Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson Visits The Tennessee Star Report In Studio: ‘Jesus Number One Nashville, Let’s Go For Him!’

On Friday’s Tennessee Star Report with Steve Gill and Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville’s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 am to 8:00 am-the duo welcomed in studio guest Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty to talk about his past, Duck Dynasty, the Gospel, and his new book. Towards the conclusion of the show, Robertson recited some scriptures from the Bible and encouraged Nashville to make Jesus number one in their lives. Gill: Today we’re talking with in studio Phil Robertson. He’s authored a new book, The Theft of America’s Soul and talking about blowing the lid off the lies that are destroying our country. He’s detailed ten lies that are blowing things up. Now I mentioned just before the break that Phil had an athletic background before he got into more duck hunting and fishing. Terry Bradshaw and you were teammates. He stayed in the football ranks you went the other way. And your knees hurt a little less than his. Robertson: Well, I was first string, Bradshaw was second string. So before my last year I sat down in the locker room with him, I sat down with him and I said, “Bradshaw, I…

Read the full story

TIP: Williamson County School System Blocks The Tennessee Star on Servers

The Tennessee Star has apparently fallen out of the good graces of the Williamson County School System. Sources in-the-know, who requested anonymity, told us last week The Star was no longer available for viewing through the school district’s Internet network. Teachers, students, school administrators could not read The Tennessee Star, at least not at work, and not while using the school system’s Internet. This week sources told us our stories are still unavailable for viewing. The Star emailed school system spokeswoman Carol Birdsong for comment early Thursday afternoon. By Friday evening Birdsong had not responded to our request for comment. As The Star reported during March, school teachers had to watch videos preaching “white privilege” and America’s supposed dysfunctional history. Superintendent Mike Looney thought up the idea. At a gathering in Franklin late last month, Looney told parents they were never supposed to see these videos and even publicly scolded a County Commissioner for asking questions about this curriculum. Many parents have told The Tennessee Star they don’t believe Looney has shown enough transparency with board members, the public, or the media. Many parents wonder if transparency is the order of the day when it comes to how the Williamson County School…

Read the full story

Commentary: Mitch McConnell Opposes Nominees Who Agree With President Trump

by CHQ Staff   Personnel is Policy, and despite his effectiveness in confirming some relatively conservative federal judges, the Senate’s Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has long been recognized as one of the major impediments to governing America according to conservative principles. And McConnell’s real anti-conservative character was on full display this week at a private luncheon where Republican Senators were gathered and he asked Republican Senators to head off “problematic nominees” before President Donald Trump officially picked them, particularly singling out as a nominee who should be opposed our friend principled limited government constitutional conservative Ken Cuccinelli, who is a potential nominee for Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. We hope that President Trump understands that McConnell’s opposition to Cuccinelli is not based on any allegation that the former Attorney General of Virginia is unqualified for the job, or that his views on border security are out of sync with the President’s because that is simply not true. The fact of the matter is that McConnell opposes Ken Cuccinelli because Cuccinelli agrees with Trump, and the last person an establishment Chamber of Commerce-type Republican like Mitch McConnell wants running DHS is someone who actually believes in and will…

Read the full story

Google Backs Down After Labeling Pro-Life Movie ‘Propaganda’

by Mary Margaret Olohan   Google is backing down after labeling the pro-life “Unplanned” movie as “propaganda” on Thursday. “Unplanned,” the story of an abortion doctor and clinic director Abby Johson who left her practice after witnessing an ultra sound abortion, was listed on Google’s search engine as a “drama/propaganda” film, according to a tweet from The Daily Signal’s senior writer and producer Kelsey Bolar. (RELATED: Twitter Temporarily Suspended ‘Unplanned’ Movie Account On Opening Weekend) “Who knew that “propaganda” was a movie genre? @Google once again exposing its gross political bias,” Harkness said in a tweet. Who knew that “propaganda” was a movie genre? @Google once again exposing its gross political bias. @UnplannedMovie pic.twitter.com/jOh6TlqQ7C — Kelsey Bolar (Harkness) (@kelseybolar) April 11, 2019 Live Action founder and president Lila Rose pointed out in a tweet that though “Unplanned” was labeled as propaganda, a 1935 Nazi propaganda film is listed on a Google search engine as “war/history.” “Yesterday @Google had their contempt for pro-life voices on full display by labeling @UnplannedMovie as “propaganda.” Meanwhile, “The Triumph of the Will” a literal Nazi propaganda film is labeled as “history/war” Was this just another “mistake,” or “algorithm” error?” Asked Rose in a tweet. Yesterday…

Read the full story

Swain Raises $118K In Less Than A Month In Nashville Mayoral Race

Nashville mayoral candidate Carol Swain said she raised $118,000 in less than a month. The Swain campaign spent less than 7 percent of the money raised compared to incumbent Mayor David Briley who spent about 62 percent of the funds raised this past quarter, Swain said in a statement. Swain said, “We are pleased with our first quarter fundraising and have no intention of slowing down. Our fundraising momentum proves that Nashville is ready and eager for new leadership, and I am ready to serve. We are proud to have a donor base that is incredibly diverse in every sense of the word. This campaign is one that ALL citizens can rally behind regardless of gender, race, age, or political affiliation. I look forward to utilizing the funds generously donated to our campaign to take our message directly to the voters. Together we can elect a mayor who will address our transit issues, partner with law enforcement to lower crime rates, and work to provide affordable housing options.” The former Vanderbilt University professor announced her candidacy in March during her keynote address at a faculty breakfast club event hosted at Tennessee State University in Nashville, The Tennessee Star reported. Swain…

Read the full story

Liz Cheney Slams Ocasio-Cortez: You Owe Dan Crenshaw an Apology and a Thank You

by Molly Prince   GOP Conference Chair Liz Cheney criticized Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for her “indefensible and uninformed” attack of Rep. Dan Crenshaw after the congressman took offense to Rep. Ilhan Omar’s description of the 9/11 terrorist attacks that left nearly 3,000 Americans dead. “It’s nauseating, frankly,” Cheney said Friday, referring to a video that surfaced of Omar calling the Sept. 11 attacks merely an event where “some people did something.” The video was from a fundraiser for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) on March 23 — Omar, a Minnesota Democrat, was delivering the keynote speech and was shown urging Muslim Americans to “raise hell” and “make people uncomfortable.” .@RepLizCheney doesn't hold back on her thoughts on Rep. @IlhanMN's comments on 9/11 on @BreitbartNews Daily on @SiriusXMPatriot 125 pic.twitter.com/gCHhQquL62 — SiriusXM Patriot (@SiriusXMPatriot) April 12, 2019 “I’m glad that you played the whole clip because some of our colleagues, including Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez, have launched a defense of her, claiming that her comments were ‘taken out of context,’” Cheney said while appearing on “Sirius XM Patriot.” “First of all, there’s no context in which calling 9/11 ‘some people did something’ is anything other than a disgrace,” she continued. “Secondly, Congresswoman…

Read the full story

Citizenship Question Used on Census for 175 Years, GOP Report Shows

by Rachel del Guidice   A new report from House Republicans shows a citizenship question appeared on the U.S. census in one form or another for nearly 175 years, and argues that its addition to the 2020 census should not be controversial despite Democrats’ objections. “Every decennial census from 1820 to 1950 inquired about citizenship,” the minority staff report released Thursday by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform says, adding: From 1970 to 2000, the long-form census—sent to a segment of the population—inquired about citizenship. Since 2005, the Census Bureau has asked 3.5 million Americans about their citizenship every year. Those census appearances cover almost 175 of the 229 years since the first U.S. census in 1790. “This report analyzes the history of the citizenship question and demonstrates that Democrats’ efforts to sow fear and controversy around its reinstatement are without any merit beyond scoring political points,” the minority committee staff says in a press release. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, ranking member on the committee, authorized release of the nine-page report and appendix. Mike Gonzalez, a senior fellow at The Heritage Foundation’s Allison Center for Foreign Policy, said 1950 was the last time the government asked the citizenship question…

Read the full story

Georgetown Students Vote to Pay for Slavery Reparations

by Neetu Chandak   Georgetown University students voted in favor of increasing their tuition to pay for descendants of slaves sold by university affiliates nearly 200 years ago. More than 2,500 votes were cast in favor of the semester fee Thursday, according to a Georgetown University Student Association tweet. The results of the referendum are as follows: 66.08% for yes (2541 votes), 33.92% for no (1304 votes). This means that the referendum passes. — GUSA Election Commission (@GUSAElections) April 12, 2019 The fee, if passed by the school’s board of directors, would benefit the descendants of the 272 enslaved people sold by a Jesuit society affiliated with Georgetown in 1838, known as GU272. “Our students are contributing to an important national conversation and we share their commitment to addressing Georgetown’s history with slavery,” Vice President for Student Affairs Todd Olson said in a statement Friday. The fee would be $27.20 for each student per semester. Funding could possibly support projects like K-12 education and college scholarships, according to the school’s newspaper The Hoya. The fund would also be the first to focus on slavery reparations by a notable American institution, The New York Times reported. “The school wouldn’t be here…

Read the full story

Former Obama Aide Indicted for Lying to DOJ

by Paul Ingrassia   Former Obama White House counsel, Greg Craig, was indicted Thursday on two charges of lying to federal investigators about consulting work his former firm did on behalf of Russia-backed ex-Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych. Craig was accused of lying to the Department of Justice for allegedly making false statements and concealing “material facts,” which were revealed in a settlement announced Thursday. Craig’s former firm, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, was hit with a $4.6 billion fine for working with Paul Manafort in 2012 on behalf of Ukraine. The federal investigation began as an offshoot of the Mueller probe that was later handed off to Manhattan federal prosecutors. It was transferred to D.C. prosecutors in March, who leveled Thursday’s charge on Craig. Craig’s indictment stands as a violation of the DOJ’s Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) unit, the agency in charge of enforcing foreign lobbying laws. Craig is the first Democrat to be indicted in connection to the Mueller investigation. This prosecution comes amid reports that the DOJ, facing pressure by the Trump administration and top Republican lawmakers, is now considering investigating Obama-era abuses. South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, signaled…

Read the full story

Marcia Fudge Accuses Betsy DeVos of ‘Picking Winners and Losers’ in Education Budget

Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-OH-11) grilled Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos during a recent hearing before the House Education and Labor Committee over her new “Education Freedom Scholarships” incentive. The scholarship program was included in the Trump administration’s federal education budget, but there has been much debate about how exactly the program will work. The Department of Education describes the program as a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for individuals and businesses that donate to state-identified Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs). “A private donation isn’t a public resource. Is a donation to a non-profit that you claim on your taxes a public resource?” the Department of Education said on Twitter in response to claims that the new program will use public resources to expand school choice. A private donation isn’t a public resource. Is a donation to a non-profit that you claim on your taxes a public resource? — ED Press Secretary (@EDPressSec) April 4, 2019 “Despite what some may try to tell you, Education Freedom Scholarships are privately funded and do not take any money from public schools,” DeVos herself wrote on Twitter along with a graphic explaining how the scholarships are funded. Despite what some may try to tell you…Education Freedom Scholarships…

Read the full story

Ilhan Omar on Late Show With Stephen Colbert Amid Backlash Over 9/11 Comments

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05) was a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Wednesday night, just days after a video was released of her describing the 9/11 terrorist attacks as “some people did something.” In response to the comments, the GOP renewed its calls for Omar to be removed from the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Colbert began the interview by noting that his show booked Omar “a long time ago to be on the show,” and then asked Omar to explain how she’s become a “lightning rod for people.” “If you think about historically where our nation is at right now there are many members of our community that their are identities are a lightning rod—they’re being used as political football,” Omar said. “You’re talking about immigrants, you’re talking about refugees, women of color, people of color, minorities—and I just happen to embody all of those identities, and so it’s easy for this to kind of be self-explanatory.” Colbert then brought up the numerous occasions on which Omar has been accused of anti-Semitism, saying she was criticized for saying “some things that some people, on the right specifically but also some Democrats, saw as possibly being anti-Semitic.” “This whole…

Read the full story

Rod Rosenstein Defends Attorney General’s Handling of Mueller Report

by Chuck Ross   Outgoing Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein on Thursday defended Attorney General William Barr against allegations that he is misleading Congress and the public about the special counsel’s Russia report. “He’s being as forthcoming as he can, and so this notion that he’s trying to mislead people, I think is just completely bizarre,” Rosenstein said in a rare interview with The Wall Street Journal. Democrats have accused Barr of releasing misleading information about special counsel Robert Mueller’s findings from his 22-month investigation, which focused on possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, as well as whether President Trump tried to obstruct the probe. Barr sent a letter to Congress on March 24 saying that Mueller was unable to establish that collusion occurred. On the obstruction matter, Barr said that Mueller declined to make a decision one way or the other on whether to recommend a case against Trump. Barr said that he conferred with Rosenstein and Justice Department lawyers and decided against pursuing a case. Barr said that since there was no allegation of conspiracy, Trump had no underlying crime to conceal by obstruction. Democrats heightened their criticism last week after The New York Times reported…

Read the full story

Chicago Sues ‘Empire’ Actor for Police Costs

The city of Chicago filed a lawsuit Thursday against Jussie Smollett, saying the actor owes it more than $130,000 for police costs incurred in the investigation of a hate crime that authorities allege was phony, according to legal documents. The lawsuit was filed in Cook County Circuit Court more than two weeks after prosecutors in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office dismissed all criminal charges against the “Empire” actor. Chicago officials previously said they would sue Smollett after he refused a demand by the city for $130,000 to cover police overtime costs. The actor’s criminal defense attorney, Mark Geragos, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Smollett, 36, who is black and gay, ignited a firestorm on social media by telling police on Jan. 29 that two apparent supporters of President Donald Trump struck him, put a noose around his neck and poured bleach over him while yelling racist and homophobic slurs on a Chicago street. After weeks of investigation, Chicago police determined that Smollett cooked up the scheme, in which they allege he hired two brothers to pose as his attackers, because he was dissatisfied with his salary on “Empire.” Smollett, best known for his role on…

Read the full story

Commentary: Don’t Assume Good Intentions from Campus P.C. Pushers

by Mark Bauerlein   No matter how much the general public abhors political correctness is higher education, the monitors of the Left continue to find methods of surveillance. Two Villanova professors described the latest development last week in the Wall Street Journal. It’s a revision to the course evaluation form that professors distribute to students at the end of the semester. Typical questions address workload, assignments, classroom management, grading, and the availability of the professor. But we now have an extra query. I’ve heard it floated before, but this is the first concrete implementation of which I am aware. As political scientist Colleen Sheehan and humanities professor James Matthew Wilson describe it: students are now being asked heavily politicized questions such as whether the instructor has demonstrated “cultural awareness” or created an “environment free of bias based on individual differences or social identities. You know what this means. Has the professor implied anything suggesting praise for Western civilization, a biblical conception of marriage and sexuality, American exceptionalism, or economic nationalism? Report him! Did he assign Huckleberry Finn (it has the n-word) or The Scarlet Letter (a woman has a child out of wedlock and is shamed and punished)? Write him…

Read the full story

Steve Gill Commentary: ‘Like a BAT Out of Hell’

The Tennessee teacher’s union, TEA, can’t seem to get out of their own way. Not only are they out of touch politically with most Tennesseans — with opposition to gun rights, funding for abortion groups, and support for Hillary Clinton — but they have also positioned themselves far to the left of their own members. This week they went “all in” and handed control of the parental choice debate to the most radical voices in their own organization who also seem to be encouraging an illegal strike that could cost teachers who join them their jobs. Tuesday retired teacher turned legislator Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville) was on stage for a rally against school choice with union leaders Lauren Hopson Sorensen from Knoxville and Tikeila Rucker from Memphis.  Two of the three leaders helped form a group called TN Teachers United, and are self-described Bad Ass Teachers (BAT). Rucker even wore a controversial t-shirt to the Tuesday event with large letters F and U on the front. It is unclear, if her target was legislators or her own union leadership, which Rucker has criticized by asserting: “They’re not listening to the members.” Rucker’s goals seem to include sparking a teacher strike. She…

Read the full story

Kamala Harris Says She Owns a Gun – Meanwhile She Wants to Ban Them

by Henry Rodgers   California Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris said she owns a gun for “personal safety” Thursday, adding she wants to protect the second amendment after leading efforts to ban assault weapons. “I am a gun owner, and I own a gun for probably the reason a lot of people do — for personal safety,” Harris told reporters after attending a party with supporters in Des Moines, Iowa, according to Business Insider. “I was a career prosecutor.” The 2020 hopeful also said she believes she can solve gun control issues, mentioning a lack of leadership. “We are being offered a false choice,” Harris continued. “You’re either in favor of the Second Amendment or you want to take everyone’s guns away. It’s a false choice that is born out of a lack of courage from leaders who must recognize and agree that there are some practical solutions to what is a clear problem in our country.” Harris was the attorney general of California from 2011 to 2017 before being elected to the Senate. Now, she hopes to take on Trump in the 2020 election, but will have to get through a crowded Democratic primary first. The California Democrat has previously…

Read the full story

Nearly Four Dozen Arrested on Sex-Trafficking Charges During Final Four Weekend in Minnesota

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) arrested nearly four dozen people on child sex-trafficking and related charges during the Final Four weekend in Minnesota. The final games of the NCAA’s basketball tournament were hosted at Minneapolis’ U.S. Bank Stadium, home of the Minnesota Vikings. The BCA, with the assistance of ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Minneapolis and St. Paul police departments, conducted a four-day sting operation during the tournament. According to a press release from ICE, a total of 47 people were booked into Hennepin, Anoka, or Ramsey county jails on probable cause solicitation of a minor or solicitation of prostitution of people under 16 years of age. Of those 47, 11 were booked on charges of probable cause sex trafficking or promotion of prostitution. The operation also rescued 28 victims from sex-trafficking situations, including one minor. “This operation is an example of the aggressive steps necessary to stop traffickers and johns who buy and sell people for sex in our communities,” BCA Superintendent Drew Evans said. “We can’t let this crime continue, and we must work together to stop it.” The operation was a part of HSI’s Operation Predator initiative, which has arrested more than 19,000…

Read the full story

Kasich Calls Trump’s Latest Immigration Proposal ‘Wacky’ and ‘Just Crazy’

Former Gov. John Kasich called President Donald Trump’s latest immigration plan “wacky” and “just crazy” during a CNN interview Friday morning. The Washington Post reported Thursday night that Trump was once again considering a plan to release migrants into self-declared sanctuary cities. Trump confirmed the report in a pair of tweets Friday morning. “Due to the fact that Democrats are unwilling to change our very dangerous immigration laws, we are indeed, as reported, giving strong consideration to placing illegal immigrants in sanctuary cities,” Trump said. “Only the radical left always seems to have an open borders, open arms policy—so this should make them very happy.” Due to the fact that Democrats are unwilling to change our very dangerous immigration laws, we are indeed, as reported, giving strong considerations to placing Illegal Immigrants in Sanctuary Cities only…. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 12, 2019 Trump touted the idea again during a White House event Friday afternoon, according to The Hill. “We can give them an unlimited supply [of migrants] and let’s see if they’re so happy,” he said. “They say ‘we have open arms.’ They’re always saying they have open arms. Let’s see if they have open arms.” Speaker of…

Read the full story

Tea Party Backs ‘Stop Socialism, Choose Freedom’ Rallies on Tax Day

by Joshua Nelson   Americans across the country are preparing to organize 300 or more rallies against socialism on Monday, mobilized and assisted by a major tea party group. April 15 not only is Tax Day, when income tax returns are due, but also marks the 10th anniversary of a series of protests against high taxes and an economic stimulus package pushed by the fledgling Obama administration. This year’s rallies are planned under the name “Stop Socialism, Choose Freedom” and are supported by the group Tea Party Patriots. The taxpayer rallies in 2009 were born of resistance to the Temporary Assistance Relief Program, a government bailout of financial institutions passed by a Democrat-controlled Congress in 2008. Signed into law by President George W. Bush, a Republican, it was designed to counter the Great Recession that began in December 2007. Ever since, the tea party movement has stood for economic and personal freedom and a debt-free future, Jenny Beth Martin, co-founder and national coordinator of Tea Party Patriots, told The Daily SIgnal. “In 2009, we saw Obamacare move through Congress, watched as our government took over health care and moved toward a more socialized health care system,” Martin said. In the…

Read the full story

Stacey Abrams Under Investigation By State Ethics Commission

by Jason Hopkins   The Georgia state Ethics Commission will subpoena bank records from Stacey Abrams’ 2018 gubernatorial campaign and several other groups that raised money to help her candidacy. David Emadi, a former Douglas County prosecutor who became director of the state Ethics Commission Monday, announced on Thursday that he will soon subpoena Abrams’ gubernatorial campaign, various political action committees and special interest groups that supported her failed campaign, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “What I can say about the investigation into the Abrams campaign is in the relatively near future, I expect we will be issuing subpoenas for bank and finance records of both Miss Abrams and various PACs and special-interest groups that were affiliated with her campaign,” Emadi said to reporters on Thursday. It’s not immediately clear what Abrams’ camp is being investigated for specifically, and the new director did not give many details on the matter. The Ethics Commission, known formally as the Georgia Government Transparency & Campaign Finance Commission, is tasked with collecting reports on lobbying expenditures, vendor grift and campaign finance. The Commission is also in charge of issuing penalties for any violations pertaining to these issues. Abrams’ former campaign manager hit back hard…

Read the full story

U.S. Rep. Mark Green Updates Constituents at Brentwood Town Hall

BRENTWOOD — U.S. Rep. Mark Green, a Republican representing Tennessee’s Seventh Congressional District, held a town hall meeting in Brentwood Friday and updated constituents about what he’s done since he took office in January. About 50 people attended. Green told audience members he’s sponsored or co-sponsored the following bills during his short tenure in Congress: • A bill that would protect Gold Star families during federal government shutdowns. Gold Star families have lost family members fighting the War on Terror and receive federal benefits. • A bill that targets drug cartels. Green said there are three drug cartels that operate like terrorist organizations, and they also intimidate law enforcement. Green did not identify the three cartels. Green’s bill would formally label these cartels as terrorist organizations, he said. Green went on to say “the resources of the federal government can pounce on them and seize their financial assets.” U.S. Republican President Donald Trump is still considering whether to go along with the bill, Green said. • A bill to keep the U.S. Supreme Court limited to nine justices. • A bill pertaining to notorious drug trafficker Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman. The federal government seized $14 billion of “El Chapo’s” assets.…

Read the full story

Michael Harris Says He Deserves to Be Shelby County Democratic Party Chair Despite His Law License Being Suspended

Michael Harris, the new Shelby County Democratic Party chairman, says he supports unity a week after his controversial election what with revelations of his law license having been suspended, The Daily Memphian reports. A majority of the local Grass Roots Council voted for Harris on April 6; he was unopposed. His law license has been suspended since 2017 for ethical violations that include dishonesty, lack of diligence and communication, excessive fees, improper termination, failure to perform paid services and conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice. He is also repaying $22,975 to nine former clients, The Daily Memphian said. He spoke to The Daily Memphian Politics Podcast about why he deserves to be chair. “Absolutely I should be chair,” Harris said on The Daily Memphian Politics Podcast. “The requirements for being chair do not lie in the mistakes a person has made,” he said. “The skills and abilities and understanding of the organization are more important. The life experiences that shape us and give us perspective are more important. When we look at the world we live in, people make mistakes all the time.” The podcast is available here. Harris’ statement would seem to conflict with the Shelby County Democratic…

Read the full story