TN Bill Would Ban Teaching ‘Religious Doctrine’ Until High School

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No Tennessee public school course could include anything deemed “religious doctrine” unless the course is taught in 10th, 11th or 12th grade if a newly proposed bill becomes law.

The bill from Rep. Sheila Butt, R-Columbia, comes on the heels of complaints from some parents in several communities as to what their children are learning in middle school about Islam.

“I think that probably the teaching that is going on right now in seventh, eighth grade is not age appropriate,” Butt said Friday afternoon. “They are not able to discern a lot of times whether its indoctrination or whether they’re learning about what a religion teaches.”

Parents in Williamson County, Maury County and several other areas have complained about information contained in courses related to world history. Some, like U.S. Rep Diane Black, R-Tenn., argue the teachings border on indoctrination.

Tennessee education officials and teachers recently argued courses were appropriate and based on secular fact during a discussion of the curriculum with The Tennessean. They acknowledged students might learn the Five Pillars of Islam or read from religious texts, but that information is used to provide historical context about the influence the religion had on regions of the world. (Read more from “TN Bill Would Ban Teaching ‘Religious Doctrine’ Until High School” HERE)

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‘I Love You… But You Owe Me $127,000’: New York Aunt Sues 12-Year-Old Nephew Over This

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A New York woman is suing her 12-year-old nephew who accidentally broke her wrist while greeting her at his eighth birthday party.

Jennifer Connell is seeking $127,000 from Sean Tarala of Westport, Connecticut, after the youngster jumped into her arms whens she arrived at his party on March 18, 2011.

Connell – a 54-year-old human resources manager – described her nephew in court as ‘very loving’ and ‘sensitive’ towards her, but told Judge Edward Stodolink that the youngster should be held accountable for his behavior . . .

According to her testimony, Connell claimed that Sean got excited when he saw her and shouted: ‘”Auntie Jen, Auntie Jen”. All of a sudden he was there in the air, I had to catch him and we tumbled on to the ground, I remember him shouting, “Auntie Jen I love you,” and there he was flying at me’ . . .

According to court documents: ‘The injuries, losses and harms to the plaintiff were caused by the negligence and carelessness of the minor defendant in that a reasonable eight year old under those circumstances would know or should have known that a forceful greeting such as the one delivered by the defendant to the plaintiff could cause the harms and losses suffered by the plaintiff.’ (Read more from “‘I Love You… But You Owe Me $127,000’: New York Aunt Sues 12-Year-Old Nephew Over This” HERE)

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Here’s Who Says the US Is Not Headed in the Right Direction

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As the presidential debate season intensifies, small-business owners are pessimistic about the business climate and feel America is on the wrong track, according to a new survey.

The wide-ranging survey, “Opinions of Small Employers,” from the conservative-leaning National Federation of Independent Business released Monday found nearly 70 percent of small-business owners believe the overall U.S. business climate is fair or poor. What’s more, six years out of the Great Recession, 63 percent of those polled said the country is on the wrong track. The NFIB surveyed 500 business owners with up to 250 employees.

“Small-business owners just aren’t convinced that things are headed in the right direction,” said Holly Wade, director of research at the NFIB. The survey was conducted during the second quarter of this year.

The report comes as optimism among small businesses is holding steady, but still lingering below historical averages.The NFIB’s Small Business Optimism Index for September, released separately Tuesday, found confidence edged up slightly to 96.1 last month. But fewer business owners expect strong sales.

Looking ahead to the 2016 election year, the NFIB found business owners believe Washington should prioritize dealing with the federal budget as their top economic problem with a third of the vote, followed by slowing the rise of health-care costs with 23 percent and reforming the federal tax code with 18 percent. (Read more from “Here’s Who Says the US Is Not Headed in the Right Direction” HERE)

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Woman’s Act of Kindness Touches Needy Couple

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A photo and an act of kindness quickly spread on social media, after one woman posted the details of her interaction with a couple who needed help.

On Friday, Ariane Nelson told her Instagram followers and Facebook friends about a man who asked her for a gallon of milk at a gas station . . .

Photo caption from Ariane Nelson:

“This young man approached me and asked me to buy him a gallon of milk. My first thought was to say no but as I was paying for my gas I grabbed the milk. Outside was his girlfriend holding a box of cereal. He thanked me and I started to walk to my car. Something in me made me turn around. I told them I was about to get a car wash but if he wanted to wash it for me I’d pay him $20. We went to the nearest car wash and he had tears in his eyes after I paid him! He told me that more than anything he appreciated me giving him the opportunity to be a man again in the eyes of his girlfriend and work for the money. The whole time his girlfriend helped him. It’s like she was proud of him. You could tell the love was so real. Real beyond material things and what he could do for her! She told him he did a great job and he couldn’t stop smiling! I had a long talk with him and her and he had a backpack full of paperwork from all of the places he’s been going to get help for them. I drove them to my apartment complex and gave him clothes for interviews and a few outfits and fitted caps! I don’t have much but life is about sharing what you do have. Be a blessing to someone today because you could be in that situation before you know it! I gave them my number and I plan to take them to any interviews or appointments they have. It’s a great day to be alive no matter what your situation is. Someone has it worse than you! #LoveIsReal #ItsTheBestThingYouHaveToOffer”

(Read more from “Woman’s Act of Kindness Touches Needy Couple” HERE)

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Finally, the Government Has Decided to Eliminate Pork — From This Menu

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The nation’s pork producers are in an uproar after the federal government abruptly removed bacon, pork chops, pork links, ham and all other pig products from the national menu for 206,000 federal inmates . . .

The Bureau of Prisons, which is responsible for running 122 federal penitentiaries and feeding their inmates three meals a day, said the decision was based on a survey of prisoners’ food preferences: . . .

“Why keep pushing food that people don’t want to eat?” asked Edmond Ross, a spokesman for the prison bureau. “Pork has been the lowest-rated food by inmates for several years,” It also apparently got more expensive for the government to buy, although he did not provide specifics.

The National Pork Producers Council isn’t buying it. “I find it hard to believe that a survey would have found a majority of any population saying, ‘No thanks, I don’t want any bacon,’” said Dave Warner, a spokesman for the Washington-based trade association, which represents the nation’s hog farmers.

“We’re going to find out how this came about and go from there,” Warner said. “We wouldn’t rule out any options to resolve this.” He said the association “is still formulating our strategy” to reverse the prison decision, which the industry first learned about Monday when the Fort Worth Star-Telegram called for comment. (Read more from “Finally, the Government Has Decided to Eliminate Pork — From This Menu” HERE)

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Obama: European Discovery of New World Introduced ‘Disease, Devastation and Violence’ [+video]

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By Penny Starr. In a proclamation marking Columbus Day issued by the White House on Friday, President Barack Obama said that while the federal holiday recognizes the accomplishments of Italian explorer Christopher Columbus and his discovery of the New World, it is marred by mistreatment of indigenous people.

“Though these early travels expanded the realm of European exploration, to many they also marked a time that forever changed the world for the indigenous peoples of North America,” Obama wrote. “Previously unseen disease, devastation, and violence were introduced to their lives — and as we pay tribute to the ways in which Columbus pursued ambitious goals — we also recognize the suffering inflicted upon Native Americans and we recommit to strengthening tribal sovereignty and maintaining our strong ties.”

Obama noted that Columbus’ curious nature has become part of the national “spirit” and highlighted his ethnic heritage. (Read more from “Obama: European Discovery of New World Introduced ‘Disease, Devastation and Violence'” HERE)

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Farrakhan on Columbus Day: ‘No Indigenous People Want to Celebrate ‘the Wicked One’ Who ‘Dislodged Them’

By CNS News. Nation of Islam leader Minister Louis Farrakhan called Christopher Columbus “the wicked one.”

(Read more from this story HERE)

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National First: Alaska’s PC Governor Walker Replaces Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day

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In a historical first, Alaska became the first state in the nation to replace “Columbus Day” with “Indigenous Peoples Day.” Surprising many across the state, the increasingly liberal governor declared the new name as Alaska’s Federation of Natives met in Anchorage yesterday.

Noting that “Alaska is one ‘big village,’ with over 16 percent of the State population having indigenous heritage – the highest percentage among all the United States,” the Governor praised native Alaskans. He contended that without them, “the building of the state would not be possible.” The Governor intended the name change to signal the State’s opposition to “systematic racism toward Indigenous Peoples of Alaska.”

Governor Walker also noted the role of the United Nations in his decision stating, “Indigenous Peoples’ Day was first proposed in 1977 by a delegation of Native Nations to the United Nations sponsored International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas.”

News of the Governor’s executive order traveled quickly across Alaska. In buildings across the state, the words “Columbus Day” were scrawled out and replaced with “Indigenous Peoples’Day,” such as in this photo of a closure notice at an Alaskan post office:

Governor Walker defended his decision noting that “Alaska joins a growing number of cities that have recognized the second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples Day, creating an opportunity to promote appreciation, tolerance, understanding, friendship, and partnerships. . .”

Ben Carson on the ‘End of Days’

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By Al Weaver. Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson has weighed in on whether the world is coming to an end.

During a Sunday interview with new TV host Sharyl Attkisson, the former neurosurgeon said that one could “guess that we are getting closer” to the end of the world as we know it if we are approaching the Biblical “end of days” . . .

“Do you think we’re at the end of days?” Attkisson asked.

“You could guess that we are getting closer to that,” Carson said. “You do have people who have a belief system that sees this apocalyptic phenomenon occurring, and that they’re a part of it, and who would not hesitate to use nuclear weapons if they gain possession.”

The former CBS News investigative reporter went on to ask the 2016 hopeful if there is “a chance to change the course,” noting that it is “something that is prophesied.” (Read more from “Ben Carson on the ‘End of Days'” HERE)

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Ben Carson: We’re ‘Closer’ to End of Days

By Tal Kopan. Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson says the world could be approaching its end — but we may be able to change course.

When Carson was asked by journalist Sharyl Attkisson if he believed the “end of days” was near, he said, “You could guess that we are getting closer to that. . .”

Attkisson was asking the devout Carson about his faith and feelings about religion and asked how he felt the state of the world today relates to what’s in the Bible.

She followed up by asking if the end times could be avoided or whether it is prophesied. (Read more from this story HERE)

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Carson Says Mainstream Media Can’t Stand the Thought of a Black Conservative

By Adelle Nazarian. Republican presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson says one of his predictions is coming true: The mainstream media is manipulating reality, based on its ideological underpinnings, to come after him during his presidential campaign.

“They’re actually playing right into the narrative that I have predicted for them,” Carson told host Matt Boyle on Breitbart News Sunday. “Because they can’t stand the thought of a black person who is a conservative, who hasn’t had to make it on their handout and be at their beck and call and doing the things that they want them to do. It just infuriates them.”

Carson’s comment came in response to Boyle’s request that he weigh in on the hypocrisy inherent in Daily Show host Trevor Noah’s recent criticism of Carson for saying he would defend himself by fighting back against the gunman in the deadly Oregon shooting on his show, only to admit on a different outlet that the neurosurgeon was correct.

Carson said Noah, along with the mainstream media, lack the quality of “integrity” that would allow for him to admit on his own show that he was wrong suggesting that there’s very little of that value in the mainstream media.

So none of that surprises me. In fact, because I fly in the face of the secular, progressive ideology, I expect them to continue to attack me constantly. The only thing that they don’t seem to be bright enough to realize that the more they attack me, the stronger I get. People expect them to do that.

(Read more from this story HERE)

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LAS VEGAS SHOWDOWN: Pressure on Clinton to Keep Rivals at Bay — and Biden on Sidelines — in 1st Debate

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Hillary Clinton faces heavy pressure during the first Democratic presidential debate Tuesday to outperform primary rivals cutting into her lead and perhaps keep her biggest potential challenger on the sidelines.

Vice President Biden, still mulling a bid, is not expected to be on stage in Las Vegas. But he’ll surely be watching as the former secretary of state spars in person for the first time with her 2016 Democratic opponents . . .

Most recently, Clinton has taken jabs from Democrats for coming out just last week against a major Pacific nation trade deal. In a taste of what awaits her on the debate stage, underdog rival Martin O’Malley noted he opposed the deal eight months ago, and didn’t just come out against it “on the eve of a debate … because polling told me to do it.”

A big question for Clinton on Tuesday night is whether she can shake that image and in doing so counter the ‘draft Biden’ push by showing she’s not so vulnerable after all.

Joe Desilets, managing partner for the Republican-leaning 21st & Main strategy firm, said that Clinton must “reintroduce herself to her Democratic base and to the country at-large,” if she’s going to change the narrative. (Read more from “LAS VEGAS SHOWDOWN: Pressure on Clinton to Keep Rivals at Bay — and Biden on Sidelines — in 1st Debate” HERE)

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What It Would Take for Paul Ryan to Run

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By Jake Sherman. Paul Ryan has made it abundantly clear he does not want to be speaker of the House. He enjoys the wonkery that comes with being Ways and Means chairman and believes he’d lose that as ringleader of the unwieldy Republican Conference.

But there’s one remote scenario, people close to him say, in which Ryan would consider abandoning his long-laid career plans and go for the speakership: if he was the true consensus choice of the party. That means no opposition, no sniping, no acceding to demands in exchange for support.

Republicans — including the hard-liners who pushed out John Boehner and convinced Rep. Kevin McCarthy to drop his bid for speaker — would need to show they’re prepared to follow Ryan.

There are some early signs that may be possible, though the sentiment on the right about Ryan is not unanimous. Two leaders of the conservative House Freedom Caucus — Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan and South Carolina Rep. Mick Mulvaney — indicated over the weekend that they could be comfortable with a Speaker Ryan. Mulvaney said on CBS’ “Face the Nation” that Ryan would “be a good speaker,” and Jordan said on “Fox News Sunday” that the 40-member caucus would “look favorably” on Ryan.

But both said they would ask Ryan whether he would commit to a host of changes to the institution’s rules. The Freedom Caucus is insisting that the next speaker run a more bottom-up operation — more floor votes on conservative legislation even if it lacks the votes to pass, less cracking down on members who buck leadership. (Read more from “What It Would Take for Paul Ryan to Run” HERE)

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Mike Allen: White House Would Like Ryan as Speaker

By Charlie Spiering. Politico’s Mike Allen thinks President Barack Obama likes the idea of Rep. Paul Ryan for Speaker.

“The White House would like that idea,” Allen said during an interview with Laura Ingraham on her radio show today. “Because they would like one more win … what they’ve always told me is that they admire Paul Ryan for being a substantive, smart guy.”

Speaking to business leaders in Washington D.C. last month, Obama acknowledged that his administration was working with Ryan to negotiate some level of tax reform, even though Senate Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell disagreed.

“To his credit, Paul Ryan expressed real interest in discussions and negotiations,” Obama said during his remarks to the Business Roundtable Headquarters in September.

But the administration’s relationship with Ryan wasn’t always so close, especially after he challenged Obama on health reform during a 2010 public forum. (Read more from this story HERE)

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