Tennessee Republican Governor Bill Lee <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/03/02/tennessee-governor-bill-lee-signs-anti-trans-bill-drag-restrictions-into-law/11385343002/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">signed</a> two pieces of legislation into law Thursday protecting children from sex-change procedures and sexually explicit drag shows.
The new law against sex-change treatments targets procedures such as mastectomies on girls who come to believe they are boys and makes it illegal to give children cross-sex hormones and puberty blockers. The bill <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/tennessee-bill-to-ban-sex-change-procedures-on-minors-advances-to-governors-desk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">passed</a> the Republican-controlled state House by a vote of 77-16.
“We should not allow permanent, life-altering decisions that hurt children. With the partnership of the General Assembly, this practice should end in Tennessee,” Lee said in the fall after an investigation by Daily Wire host Matt Walsh revealed that the Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) had performed double mastectomies on minors.
VUMC <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/breaking-vanderbilt-pediatric-gender-clinic-pausing-transgender-surgeries-on-minors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">paused</a> all such surgeries in October 2022 after an inquiry from Republican lawmakers.
The law could face legal challenges as Left-wing groups in the Volunteer State, like the ACLU-TN, have <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/big-money-how-the-worlds-first-trans-billionaire-could-impact-tennessees-fight-to-protect-children">vowed to sue</a>, claiming that the life-altering procedures are “necessary” for children.
A second piece of legislation signed into law by the Republican governor bans adults from impersonating the opposite sex in public or near where children could see it while appealing to prurient interests — that is, engaging in a sexually suggestive performance.
&#8220;The bill defines an &#8216;adult cabaret performance&#8217; to mean a performance in a location other than an adult cabaret that features topless dancers, go-go dancers, exotic dancers, strippers, male or female impersonators who provide entertainment that appeals to prurient interest, or similar entertainers, regardless of whether or not performed for consideration,&#8221; according to the bill&#8217;s <a href="https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0003&amp;ga=113" target="_blank" rel="noopener">summary</a>.
Anyone who violates the law would be hit with a misdemeanor, and repeat offenders could face felony charges.
<a class="c-link" href="https://onelink.to/dwapp" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://onelink.to/dwapp" data-sk="tooltip_parent" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-4883">CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILY WIRE APP</a>
Leif Le Mahieu contributed to this report.

Bill Lee

Tennessee Gov Signs Bills Protecting Children From Sex-Change Procedures, Drag Shows

Tennessee Governor Signs Bills Protecting Tennessee Children From Sex-Change Procedures And Sexually Explicit Drag Shows

Drag Queens

LGBTQ

Tennessee

Transgender

A bill to ban sex-change procedures on minors in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/tennessee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tennessee</a> passed in the state House on Thursday and will go to the desk of Republican Governor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/bill-lee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bill Lee</a>. 
If signed by Lee, the bill will ban such procedures as mastectomies on girls who come to believe they are boys and make it illegal to give children cross-sex hormones and puberty blockers. The bill passed the Republican-controlled body by a vote of 77-16. 
&#8220;These treatments and procedures have a lifetime of negative consequences that are irreversible,&#8221; House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland) said during the floor&#8217;s discussion of the bill. 
The bill, introduced by Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) and Lamberth, is expected to be approved by Lee, who has previously signaled support for the bill. 
“We should not allow permanent, life-altering decisions that hurt children. With the partnership of the General Assembly, this practice should end in Tennessee,” Lee said in the fall after an investigation by Daily Wire host Matt Walsh revealed that the Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) had performed double mastectomies on minors. 
VUMC <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/breaking-vanderbilt-pediatric-gender-clinic-pausing-transgender-surgeries-on-minors">paused</a> all such surgeries in October 2022 after an inquiry from Republican lawmakers. In an opinion story for The Tennessean that same month, Lamberth said that the surgeries should be considered “abuse” and had no place in Tennessee. 
“And let’s be clear: these treatments and surgeries are cosmetic. No procedure or drug can change a human being’s sex, the structure of their chromosomes or their DNA. It is surgical mutilation for the purpose of altering the appearance of a child and it qualifies as nothing less than abuse,” Lamberth said. 
Earlier this month, Walsh testified in support of the bill in front of the House Health Committee at the Cordell Hull Building in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/nashville">Nashville</a>. “We should be able to agree that it is never OK to chemically castrate, sterilize, butcher, or mutilate a child. And in fact, all decent people do agree on this point,” he said during his testimony. “But many of the people who hold power in this country and who run our institutions — including our medical institutions — do not pass this basic test of decency.”
<a href="https://onelink.to/dwapp" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILY WIRE APP</a>
The bill could face legal challenges if signed as Left-wing groups in the Volunteer State, like the ACLU-TN, have <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/big-money-how-the-worlds-first-trans-billionaire-could-impact-tennessees-fight-to-protect-children">vowed to sue</a>, claiming that the life-altering procedures are “necessary” for children. 
Lamberth previously told The Daily Wire that the issue should not be “partisan” and that most Tennessee citizens supported Republican-backed efforts to ban the gender procedures and protect children from explicit performances. 
“An overwhelming majority of Tennesseans agree that children should be protected from sexual mutilation and adult performances with sexual content. This should not be a partisan issue,” he said.

Tennessee Bill To Ban Sex-Change Procedures On Minors Advances To Governor’s Desk

Tennessee Bill To Ban Sex-Change Procedures On Minors Advances, Heads To Governor's Desk

Matt Walsh

Nashville

transgender surgery

Republican <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/tennessee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tennessee</a> Gov. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/bill-lee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bill Lee</a> proposed this week the allocation of $100 million in state funds to help women facing a &#8220;crisis pregnancy,&#8221; including resources for crisis pregnancy centers. 
Lee made the comments during his State of the State address on Monday, saying that the funding was a necessary part of the state’s commitment to pro-life values. If approved by the state legislature, the grants will be awarded to various nonprofit organizations. 
&#8220;This year, I’m proposing a $100 million grant program to partner with nonprofits that serve mothers, fathers, and families during a crisis pregnancy,&#8221; Lee <a href="https://www.tn.gov/governor/sots/2023-state-of-the-state-address.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> during his speech. &#8220;Our Office of Faith-Based Initiatives has a unique ability, and an important opportunity, to engage nonprofits and community organizations. I believe it’s time to equip them with the resources they need to play a bigger role as we endeavor to better serve children and families.&#8221;
“We can have a healthy debate about the policy specifics, but we can also agree that America is rooted in a commitment to human dignity,” he added. “There was a significant shift in this country last year when it comes to protecting the lives of the unborn. We now all have an opportunity and a moral obligation to support strong Tennessee families.”
The proposed funding, which will go to the state legislature for approval, comes as a broad Tennessee abortion ban took effect after the overturning of Roe v. Wade in June 2022, giving the Volunteer State some of the strongest pro-life protections in the nation. 
According to the governor’s press secretary, Jade Byers, the resources will go to nonprofits that provide direct services for crisis pregnancies, adoption support, counseling around pregnancy, workforce assistance for new moms, housing assistance for mothers needing a place to stay, and other “wraparound services” to support mothers. 
Several of the nonprofits that will be eligible for grants are crisis pregnancy centers, of which <a href="https://crisispregnancycentermap.com/">there</a> are about 60 in Tennessee. The $100 million in funding would appear to be more money than the combined funding for such centers from all states in 2021-2022, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-politics-bill-lee-tennessee-7509c03331225cc884ac2878ae71ef0c" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to the Associated Press. 
Lee has also proposed using state funds to pay for infants&#8217; diapers for their first two years on behalf of mothers who use TennCare, a health coverage program for lower-income individuals.
“In light of the Dobbs decision last year, Tennessee has in place maximum legal protection for unborn children under our law and the opportunity to significantly boost support for mothers, children and families facing a crisis pregnancy, and Gov. Lee is making it a top priority,” Byers told The Daily Wire in an email.
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti <a href="https://www.tn.gov/attorneygeneral/news/2023/2/7/pr-23-05.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">joined</a> 23 state attorneys general on Tuesday in sending a letter to Yelp, asking about its alleged discrimination against pregnancy resource centers.

Key Speakers At Conservative Political Action Conference

Tennessee Governor Proposes Millions In Funds For Crisis Pregnancy Centers

Abortion

Social Issues

U.S.

Tennessee Republican Gov. Bill Lee announced Tuesday that iconic California fast food chain In-N-Out Burger has decided to place its first corporate hub in the Volunteer State.
&#8220;In-N-Out Burger is a great family business that has been operating for decades in this country, with a value system and a way of serving their customers that lines up just right here in Tennessee,&#8221; Lee said in a tweet. &#8220;It means a lot of opportunity and a lot of jobs for a lot of Tennesseans.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Breaking News — Welcome to Tennessee, <a href="https://twitter.com/innoutburger?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@innoutburger</a>! <a href="https://t.co/hZCsRth1Sr">pic.twitter.com/hZCsRth1Sr</a>
&mdash; Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovBillLee/status/1612849632870125570?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Lee did not disclose where the corporate headquarters would be located. However, local media <a href="https://www.newschannel5.com/news/in-n-out-burger-making-its-way-to-middle-tennessee">reported</a> Williamson County would be home to the burger chain&#8217;s eastern hub, which plans to invest millions into its first expansion east of Texas.
&#8220;This expansion is significant for our company,&#8221; In-N-Out owner and president Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson told local media. &#8220;For many years, we&#8217;ve heard requests from our customers in Tennessee to consider opening locations near them, further east than we&#8217;ve ever been.&#8221;
&#8220;Our customers are our most important asset at In-N-Out, and we very much look forward to serving them in years to come and becoming part of the wonderful communities in the Volunteer State,&#8221; Snyder-Ellingson added.
The chain is expected to create more than 270 jobs in the county.
In-N-Out plans to open its doors to Tennesseans by 2026, starting with locations in the Nashville area.
Harry Snyder introduced the burger chain in California in 1948 with a drive-thru hamburger stand in a space in Los Angeles County that was approximately 10 square feet.
The Snyder family comes from a Christian background, leading the company decades ago to place Bible verses on some of its packages, including &#8220;John 3:16&#8221; on its soda cups.
In-N-Out Burger&#8217;s owner told <a href="https://www.christianpost.com/news/in-n-out-billionaire-lynsi-snyder-on-spiritual-warfare-desire-to-be-plugged-in-to-gods-plan.html">The Christian Post</a> in 2019 about her family&#8217;s Christian faith, explaining why the company shares Bible verses on its product.
&#8220;It was my Uncle Rich who put the Bible verses on the cups and wrappers in the early &#8217;90s, just before he passed away,&#8221; Snyder-Ellingson told The Christian Post. &#8220;He had just accepted the Lord and wanted to put that little touch of his faith on our brand.&#8221;
She told the faith outlet that she strives to &#8220;maintain what we&#8217;ve started with: Not compromising the quality of product, service, or standards.&#8221;

In-n-Out Burger in Badwin Park for

Iconic California Chain ‘In-N-Out Burger’ Opening New Corporate Hub In Tennessee

Iconic California Chain 'In-N-Out Burger' Opening New Corporate Hub In Tennessee

Business

California

Economy

Restaurant

A performing arts center in part funded by <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/tennessee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tennessee</a> taxpayers hosted an “all ages” <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/drag-queen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">drag show</a> last month as Republicans in the Volunteer State propose protecting children from “sexually explicit” performances. 
Over the Thanksgiving weekend, the James K. Polk Theatre, a part of the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) in Nashville, hosted a presentation of “A Drag Queen Christmas,” which was put on by Murray &amp; Peter Present. The event was <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1089887155253391/?privacy_mutation_token=eyJ0eXBlIjowLCJjcmVhdGlvbl90aW1lIjoxNjY1MDY2MTEwLCJjYWxsc2l0ZV9pZCI6MzU5MDM2MDAxOTY4NDMyfQ%3D%3D&amp;acontext=%7B%22ref_newsfeed_story_type%22%3A%22regular%22%2C%22source%22%3A%223%22%2C%22feed_story_type%22%3A%22117%22%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D&amp;paipv=0&amp;eav=AfadIgM8uCHYhQqXWawe6fextPuknGpiMP_zWtWw4bEM5mUpeCPEQ4yZG-JOHE3v5rc&amp;_rdr">advertised</a> on Facebook as open for “all ages.” 
The performance comes as State Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson has<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/tennessee-gop-moves-to-protect-children-from-sexualized-drag-queen-events"> introduced</a> legislation that would prohibit children from being exposed to sexually explicit drag and other performances
Johnson told The Daily Wire his legislation might apply to the performance at TPAC depending on if the drag performance was sexually explicit or not. 
“I think we would all agree that some of the video we have seen recently of some of these drag shows that were quote-unquote family-friendly were anything but that. And If I had attended one of those with my kids I would have been mortified and I would have wanted someone to be prosecuted for engaging in that kind of entertainment in front of my kids,” he said.  
He added that he was “cautiously optimistic” that his legislation would pass in the upcoming legislative session.
Jade Byers, a spokeswoman for Republican Governor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/bill-lee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bill Lee</a>, told The Daily Wire that “The Governor is grateful to Leader Johnson for his efforts on this important issue, and we look forward to working with the General Assembly to pass legislation that protects Tennessee children.” 
According to program details, it was the eighth year that such a performance has been held at the venue. Video from performances of the Christmas drag show  in other locations has <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/media/video-all-ages-christmas-drag-show-sparks-outrage-children-being-groomed-adults">emerged</a> that appears to be explicit. 
TPAC receives some funding through the Tennessee Arts Commission (TAC), a state government-sanctioned group to <a href="https://www.tn.gov/artscommission/about-us.html">invest</a> “public dollars” in projects that promote the state&#8217;s cultural life. 
The TAC is listed as a “high impact” partner of TPAC. According to the TAC, money it designated in 2022 for TPAC went toward programs such as teacher training, afterschool programs, and theater performances for lifelong learners. 
The TAC also designated about $1.9 million in federal money to TPAC over revenue loss due to the pandemic. The TAC did not comment on whether it was appropriate to send state funds to TPAC given its promotion and hosting of the drag Christmas show open to children. 
A review of state <a href="https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/finance/budget/documents/2023BudgetDocumentVol1.pdf">budgets</a> also shows that Tennessee allocates about $300,000 per year to TPAC, which TPAC says goes toward state “facilities in the Polk Cultural Center and the historic War Memorial Auditorium” that it operates. 
According to Tony Marks, the vice president of marketing and communications for TPAC, the arts center has a “strong working relationship” with the state of Tennessee. “As a result, we are aware of these concerns and will take them into consideration related to venue rental decisions going forward,” Marks told The Daily Wire. 
Murray &amp; Peter Present&#8217;s drag Christmas show tour, which began in November, will conclude on December 29 after several performances in Florida.

IMG_20221221_145939313_HDR

Taxpayer-Funded Tennessee Performing Arts Center Hosted ‘All Ages’ Drag Christmas Show As Republicans Propose Banning Similar Events

Taxpayer-Funded Tennessee Performance Center Hosted ‘All Ages’ Drag Christmas Show As Republicans Propose Banning Similar Events

Tennessee Republican Governor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/bill-lee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bill Lee</a> said Tuesday that he had been informed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that the agency would be transporting &#8220;multiple busloads” of illegal aliens to the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/tennessee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Volunteer State</a> to await trial. 
Lee said the agency informed him on Monday and called the move “irresponsible.” It is unclear where the detainees will be housed or how many are expected to arrive, but Lee did confirm they would be coming from New Orleans. 
“We’ve been informed by ICE that they plan to release single adult detainees into Tennessee while they await court proceedings. This is irresponsible and a threat to the safety of Tennesseans,” Lee <a href="https://www.tn.gov/governor/news/2022/12/20/gov--lee--senators-blackburn-and-hagerty-demand-biden-administration-reverse-plan-to-release-ice-detainees-in-tennessee.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in a statement. “It’s not compassionate to perpetuate a problem that leads to more exploitation and trafficking.”
Lee said he would demand that the Biden administration reverse course.
“This crisis is too big to ignore, and the only way to stop it is to secure the border,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Placing the burden on states is not a solution, and we should not bear the brunt of the federal government’s failures.&#8221;
Sens. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/marsha-blackburn" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marsha Blackburn</a> and Bill Hagerty, both Republicans representing Tennessee, also condemned the plan, with Blackburn accusing the Biden administration of “trafficking illegal immigrants into communities across the country.”
Hagerty referenced the deadly fentanyl being trafficked over the border and the sheer number of unlawful crossings that have occurred in 2022. 
“In the last year, nearly three million migrants have illegally entered the country — a population larger than the largest four cities of Tennessee combined — Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga,&#8221; Hagerty said. &#8220;This does not even include the number of &#8216;gotaway&#8217; migrants who illegally crossed into our country undetected.”  
Tennessee GOP Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti <a href="https://www.tn.gov/attorneygeneral/news/2022/12/20/pr22-54.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> his office would explore all options to halt the plan. 
Tennessee was one of the states that <a href="https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2022/12/20/feds-plan-to-transport-some-migrants-to-tennessee-as-title-42-ends/69744596007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pushed</a> to extend Title 42, a Trump-era policy allowing migrants to be turned away based on concerns over COVID. The rule, which was set to expire on Wednesday, was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/breaking-supreme-court-blocks-key-immigration-policy-title-42-from-ending" target="_blank" rel="noopener">allowed</a> to be extended when the Supreme Court put a temporary hold on its termination. 
Customs and Border Protection officials warned lawmakers that approximately 50,000 foreigners were waiting to cross into the United States once Title 42 ended.

Biden Admin Sending ‘Busloads’ Of Illegal Aliens To Tennessee, Governor Says

Biden Admin Sending 'Busloads' Of Illegal Aliens To Tennessee, Governor Says

Border Crisis

Illegal Immigration

Immigration

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

Marsha Blackburn

Politics

Title 42

Tennessee Republican Governor Bill Lee sat down with Ben Shapiro on this week&#8217;s episode of &#8220;<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/episode/ep-133-bill-lee">The Sunday Special</a>&#8221; to discuss why American businesses and citizens across the United States have relocated to the southern state.
Lee, who operated a family-owned business for 25 years before becoming governor, said creating a business-friendly environment ranked as one of his top priorities before entering office in 2019. Since he was sworn in, the state has garnered 272 project commitments to create almost 40,000 jobs and $12.9 billion in capital investments, according to the state website.
&#8220;Americans right now look around the country, and they see things that are worrisome,&#8221; Lee told Shapiro. &#8220;They want to be reminded that America is the greatest nation in the world, they want to see places that remind them that America hadn&#8217;t lost their way, and I think when they look at Tennessee — they see that and a whole lot of them have decided they want to be there.&#8221;
According to a report by the <a href="https://www.hoover.org/research/california-business-exits-soared-2021-and-there-no-end-sight">Hoover Institution</a>, Tennessee, Florida, and Texas have attracted California businesses — like The Daily Wire — and others from predominantly blue states. States like Tennessee, which offer fewer regulations, taxes, and workforce development strategies for business owners, help create jobs and opportunities for its residents.
<a href="https://chiefexecutive.net/best-worst-states-business/">The Tax Foundation</a>, a nonpartisan think tank focusing on state and national tax policies, ranks Tennessee 3rd for quality state business climates.
&#8220;Tennessee is a place that values opportunity and security and freedom,&#8221; Lee said. &#8220;And those things are things that Americans are looking for.&#8221;
But it&#8217;s not just the state&#8217;s business environment driving new residents and companies into Tennessee. The governor has been fighting against the federal government&#8217;s COVID policies since the early days of the pandemic.
Shapiro said the COVID response from individual states opened a wide gap between areas with strict protocols and those more focused on freedom. While legacy media praised states like California and New York for shutting down businesses and schools early and mandating face coverings, states like Tennessee &#8220;didn&#8217;t get enough credit.&#8221;
Lee said his background as a business owner in the private sector helped navigate his decisions to keep the state open as much as possible, despite the massive pushback he received from the media and the federal government.
&#8220;At the end of the day, I decided we can trust Tennesseans more than we can trust anybody else, frankly, because they know best,&#8221; he said.
Lee said the philosophy that people should be given the freedom to make their own decisions also extends to parents making choices about their children&#8217;s education and health care.
As a proponent for funding students over school systems, Lee also discussed how Tennessee became a pro-school choice state for families and why lawmakers are working on legislation for parents to moderate the content taught in the classroom and shared in the libraries.
&#8220;The Left says we&#8217;re attacking this or attacking that,&#8221; Lee said. &#8220;What we really are doing . . is we&#8217;re just protecting and preserving.&#8221;
Lee commended Daily Wire host Matt Walsh for his exposé on Vanderbilt University Medical Center&#8217;s transgender treatment of minors, which led to lawmakers demanding an investigation into the Nashville pediatric gender clinic.
&#8220;Whenever we can expose and make transparent things that are going on that people don&#8217;t know about — that&#8217;s a good thing,&#8221; he said, adding adults should not allow children to make life-altering decisions for themselves.
&#8220;It&#8217;s sad, and it shouldn&#8217;t happen.&#8221; Lee said. &#8220;It&#8217;s wrong on every level.&#8221;
Lee&#8217;s office also said he would contact state lawmakers about legislation regarding transgender care for minors after shocking videos showed a Vanderbilt doctor calling certain transgender surgeries &#8220;huge money makers.&#8221;
Gov. Lee also shared his optimism for the country&#8217;s trajectory ahead of the 2022 midterm elections, believing Americans &#8220;tend to stay on track when the country gets too far&#8221; on either side of the political spectrum.
With many Americans worried the country could fall apart without any uniting principle, Lee said Americans recourse to stand together rather than rely on the federal government.
&#8220;We make a course adjustment,&#8221; he said. &#8220;We&#8217;ve done it for 300 years . . . and we find ourselves moving down the path of a more perfect union. And every time we make that adjustment, we become a little bit more of a perfect union.&#8221;
WATCH the latest Sunday Special episodes <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/show/sunday-special">here</a>.

‘A Place That Values Opportunity, Security, And Freedom:’ Gov. Bill Lee Explains Why Americans Are Drawn To Tennessee

Gov. Bill Lee Explains Why Americans Are Drawn To Tennessee

Ben Shapiro

General

School Choice

Small Businesses

Sunday Special

Republican Governor of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/tennessee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tennessee</a> Bill Lee weighed in on the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/covid" target="_blank" rel="noopener">COVID</a> vaccine mandate debate on Thursday after an advisory group recommended the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/kids-covid-vaccine-cdc-group-says-add-vaccine-routine-immunization-sch-rcna53129" target="_blank" rel="noopener">add</a> the shot to the vaccine schedule.
On Thursday, every member of the panel voted to have the vaccine included in the vaccine schedule, and the CDC now has the final say in whether the shot is added. States and local governments are in charge of making decisions and regulations regarding what vaccines kids need to get in order to attend school.
Governor Lee <a href="https://twitter.com/GovBillLee/status/1583164112661381122" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tweeted</a> about his approach to vaccine mandates, stating, “I’ve always said mandates are the wrong approach, &amp; TN has led in pushing back on federal covid vaccine requirements.”
“Thanks to our work with the General Assembly, TN families won’t be impacted by today’s CDC vote. We&#8217;ll continue to stand for TN children &amp; for personal freedom,” he added.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
I’ve always said mandates are the wrong approach, &amp; TN has led in pushing back on federal covid vaccine requirements.
Thanks to our work with the General Assembly, TN families won’t be impacted by today’s CDC vote. We&#39;ll continue to stand for TN children &amp; for personal freedom.
&mdash; Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovBillLee/status/1583164112661381122?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
In November of 2021, Lee <a href="https://www.huschblackwell.com/newsandinsights/tennessee-and-florida-state-law-restrictions-on-employer-vaccine-mandates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">signed</a> <a href="https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/112/CCRReports/CC9002.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">House Bill 9077/Senate Bill 9014 (SB 9014)</a> into <a href="https://www.butlersnow.com/2021/11/new-tennessee-covid-legislation-has-significant-impact-on-employers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">law</a>, <a href="https://www.wallerlaw.com/news-insights/3999/Tennessee-passes-legislation-limiting-COVID-related-rules-restrictions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">banning</a> governmental entities, schools, and local education agencies from mandating that someone get a COVID vaccine. It also does not allow such groups to require a private business or school to mandate &#8220;proof of vaccination as a condition to access the private business&#8217;s or school&#8217;s premises or facilities or to receive the benefits of the private business&#8217;s or school&#8217;s products or services.”
Private businesses, schools, governmental bodies, and local education groups are also not allowed to force someone to show proof of vaccination.
Leading up to and following the CDC panel’s unanimous decision to recommend the vaccine for the schedule, there was significant pushback and questions from those concerned about the decision.
Fox News host Tucker Carlson <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/factcheck-cdc-coronavirus-vaccine/fact-check-cdc-can-advise-childhood-vaccine-schedules-but-vaccine-mandates-for-school-attendance-are-decided-at-state-level-idUSL1N31L2LW" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tweeted</a>, “The CDC is about to add the Covid vaccine to the childhood immunization schedule, which would make the vax mandatory for kids to attend school.”
The CDC replied, “States establish vaccine requirements for school children, not ACIP or CDC.”
Carlson noted on his show, “More than a dozen states follow the CDC’s immunization schedule to set vaccination requirements for children to be educated,” adding, “The point is, the CDC sets the standard, and then it becomes required across the country.”
Alabama’s Republican Governor Kay Ivey also <a href="https://twitter.com/GovernorKayIvey/status/1583201473844088832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1583201473844088832%7Ctwgr%5Ee23eacaa43d43dacfb60f2bdec33f44778f23a29%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https://www.al.com/news/montgomery/2022/10/parents-make-decisions-alabama-wont-mandate-covid-vaccine-for-kids-after-cdc-vote-ivey-says.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">discussed</a> the news on Twitter, saying “Here in Alabama, the parents make decisions when it comes to their children’s health care. We do NOT mandate the covid shot for kids – nor will we ever.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Here in Alabama, the parents make decisions when it comes to their children’s health care. We do NOT mandate the covid shot for kids – nor will we ever. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/alpolitics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#alpolitics</a>
&mdash; Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovernorKayIvey/status/1583201473844088832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The Alabama Department of Public Health pointed out that there are no state requirements for kids to get the COVID vaccine.
“The ACIP’s vote to include COVID-19 in VFC is the mechanism to ensure that, when COVID-19 vaccine is no longer provided free by the federal government, uninsured and underinsured children can have access to the vaccine without charge. Including COVID-19 vaccine under VFC is not a mandate for children to take the vaccine,” the agency <a href="https://www.al.com/news/montgomery/2022/10/parents-make-decisions-alabama-wont-mandate-covid-vaccine-for-kids-after-cdc-vote-ivey-says.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">noted</a>.
“VFC is a federally funded program that provides vaccines at no cost to children who might not otherwise be vaccinated due to inability to pay,” ADPH’s statement continued. “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) buys vaccine at a discounted rate for distribution to registered VFC providers. Many physicians in Alabama are VFC providers so that their patients can receive recommended vaccines. Children who are eligible for VFC vaccines are entitled to receive the same ACIP recommended vaccines as any other child.”

Nurse putting adhesive bandage on boy’s arm at vaccination center

Governor Bill Lee Says Tennessee Families Won’t Be Impacted By CDC Vote

Governor Bill Lee Says Tennessee Families Won't Be Impacted By CDC Vote On COVID Vaccine

COVID

COVID-19 Vaccine

Top <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/tennessee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tennessee</a> officials disavowed a state-created HIV task force that was designed to help <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/transgender">transgender</a> individuals but has since expanded in scope to promote transgender surgeries and abortion.
In response to a Daily Wire inquiry, Governor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/bill-lee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bill Lee</a> (R-TN) and the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) said that the state does not support the Tennessee Transgender Task Force (TTF), a group created in 2018 prior to the Lee administration. But the task force has repeatedly <a href="https://www.hivtn.net/ttf">aligned itself</a> with the state health department, even though state officials say it&#8217;s now an independent group with no members employed by the state. 
&#8220;The State of Tennessee does not support the task force, nor its promotion of gender-affirming treatment, abortion and other extreme ideologies. These ideologies are not consistent with the values of Tennesseans, and we will continue efforts to ensure they are not promoted or funded by state government,” Casey Sellers, a spokeswoman for Lee, told The Daily Wire.
Information on the task force added during the Haslam administration was still <a href="https://archive.ph/YEW33" target="_blank" rel="noopener">available</a> on the TDH as recently as this month, and was only removed after The Daily Wire asked about it. 
A health department spokesperson told The Daily Wire that the task force and others have been misrepresenting their involvement by using their name and logo, and that the department doesn&#8217;t oversee or provide funding for the task force. 
&#8220;The task force was formed prior to the Lee administration and remains an independent organization. To be clear, the department does not fund or promote gender-affirming treatments or ideologies,&#8221; TDH spokesperson Dean Flener said. 
Middle Tennessee State University Professor Marisa Richmond, a former member of the task force and the first transgender person to become a Nashville city board member, told The Daily Wire in an email that the task force &#8220;expanded&#8221; from focusing solely on HIV care and into a more general &#8220;access to health care for transgender Tennesseans.&#8221;
According to materials reviewed by The Daily Wire, the task force and individuals linked to the health department continued to associate itself with TDH even after Haslam left office and as recently as 2022.
For example, a November 2019 presentation given by then-TDH STD Prevention Director Leo Parker at an STD conference <a href="https://www.ncsddc.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/112019-900a-PlazaBallroom-InnovationsHealthEquity.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">showed</a> how the task force had moved to other &#8220;trans health challenges.&#8221; During his presentation, Parker discussed the &#8220;lack&#8221; of gender identity and pronouns on state medical forms, the cost of hormone replacement treatment at pharmacies, gender markers on state IDs, &#8220;sex work,&#8221; &#8220;undocumented transgender individuals,&#8221; &#8220;lack of transgender-inclusive sexual education,&#8221; and &#8220;gender-neutral language in reproductive spaces,&#8221; according to PowerPoint slides with the TDH logo on them from the event.
Resource guides put out by the task force have promoted transgender treatments, abortion, and other services not related to HIV care. A 2021 <a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5b2bedd8f2e6b18c0de8d577/t/609588bb102ab66c40e86e2c/1620412708277/TTF+Resource+Guide+PDF+V+1.0.pdf">iteration</a> of the resource guide included a list of over 30 clinics, doctors, and other entities across Tennessee that the group has apparently deemed to provide “trans-affirming” services, including “general reproductive care,&#8221; “youth services,” “letters for surgery,” “surgical care,” “fitness classes,” abortion, land letters for “gender marker change.&#8221;
The guide also lists doctors or professional organizations that provide &#8220;youth services,&#8221; including Vanderbilt Pediatric and Adolescent Transgender Health Clinic — which paused gender surgeries earlier this month in response to Daily Wire reporting — and the Oasis Center in Nashville — which runs &#8220;Just Us&#8221; programs for youth and celebrates the &#8220;fluidity of identity.&#8221;
In April 2022, Ray Holloman, who has been chair of the task force, gave a presentation on &#8220;Queer Cultural Humility,&#8221; at the Tennessee Department of Health annual statewide HIV conference. The Daily Wire has reached out to Holloman for comment asking for clarity on the relationship between the task force and the state health department.
The association between the task force and the TDH appeared to continue up until October 2022, as a recent <a href="https://us16.campaign-archive.com/?u=d99a916515ccec2fc503221a1&amp;id=025ee337a0">mailer</a> from the United Way of Greater Nashville, an HIV treatment group, with the TDH logo emblazoned on the top also encouraged people to contribute &#8220;trans-affirming&#8221; health care providers to be vetted by the task force and added to the resource guide.
The task force did not respond to a request for comment.

Transgender Flag Waving Against Trees

Tennessee Governor, Officials Disavow State-Created Task Force Over ‘Extreme’ Trans Activism

Tennessee Distances Itself From State Created Transgender Task Force That Promotes Trans Procedures, Abortion

Health Care

Tennessee Republican Governor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/bill-lee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bill Lee</a> has called for an investigation of the Pediatric Transgender Clinic at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) after <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/huge-money-maker-video-reveals-vanderbilts-shocking-gender-care-threats-against-dissenting-doctors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shocking videos</a> posted by <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/show/the-matt-walsh-show" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Matt Walsh</a> detailed a doctor&#8217;s promotion of “big money maker” transgender surgeries.
The videos obtained by Walsh also show apparent threats made against medical professionals at VUMC if they objected to the procedures, even for religious reasons.
“The ‘pediatric transgender clinic’ at Vanderbilt University Medical Center raises serious moral, ethical and legal concerns,” Lee said in a statement to The Daily Wire. “We should not allow permanent, life-altering decisions that hurt children or policies that suppress religious liberties, all for the purpose of financial gain. We have to protect Tennessee children, and this warrants a thorough investigation.”
Lee’s comments follow a detailed thread from Daily Wire host and author Matt Walsh on the medical center. In one of the video’s shared by Walsh, VUMC Clinic for Transgender Health’s Dr. Shayne Sebold Taylor admitted, “These surgeries are labor intensive, they require  a lot of follow-ups, they require a lot of our time, and they make money,” she emphasized. “They make money for the hospital.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Vanderbilt opened its trans clinic in 2018. During a lecture the same year, Dr. Shayne Taylor explained how she convinced Nashville to get into the gender transition game. She emphasized that it&#39;s a &quot;big money maker,&quot; especially because the surgeries require a lot of &quot;follow ups&quot; <a href="https://t.co/zedM7HBCBe">pic.twitter.com/zedM7HBCBe</a>
&mdash; Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) <a href="https://twitter.com/MattWalshBlog/status/1572313523232931840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
At another Medicine Grand Rounds lecture, staffers are warned by Vanderbilt health law expert Ellen Wright Clayton that any “conscientious objection” will be met with “consequences,” and are told they probably shouldn’t be working at VUMC if they don’t want to participate in the trans surgeries, which include minor patients.
“If you are going to assert conscientious objection, you have to realize that that is problematic,” Clayton said. “You are doing something to another person, and you are not paying the cost for your belief. I think that is a … real issue.”
Clayton said conscientious objectors would be “accommodated,” but said these people have to find someone else to carry out such surgeries for them.
“I just want you to take home that saying that you’re not going to do something because of your conscientious — because of your religious beliefs, is not without consequences, and should not be without consequences,” she stressed. “And I just want to put that out there.”
“We are given an enormous — if you don’t want to do this kind of work, don’t work at Vanderbilt,” she stressed.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Vanderbilt was apparently concerned that not all of its staff would be on board. Dr. Ellen Clayton warned that &quot;conscientious objections&quot; are &quot;problematic.&quot; Anyone who decides not to be involved in transition surgeries due to &quot;religious beliefs&quot; will face &quot;consequences&quot; <a href="https://t.co/CgNicrG4Mg">pic.twitter.com/CgNicrG4Mg</a>
&mdash; Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) <a href="https://twitter.com/MattWalshBlog/status/1572313566589468672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The medical center has also detailed transgender surgeries and treatments available for minors. Video from the Vanderbilt Psychiatry YouTube channel reveals the medical center “explicitly [admits] that they will give and have given irreversible hormone drugs to children as young as 13,” Walsh wrote.
“So, let’s review. Vanderbilt got into the gender transition game admittedly in large part because it is very financially profitable,” he closed the Twitter thread. “They then threatened any staff members who objected, and enlisted a gang of trans activists to act as surveillance in order to force compliance.”
“They now castrate, sterilize, and mutilate minors as well as adults, while apparently taking steps to hide this activity from the public view,” Walsh added. “This is what ‘health care’ has become in modern America.”
VUMC released a <a href="https://news.vumc.org/2022/09/21/statement-about-transgender-health-care-at-vumc/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a> Wednesday claiming to be victims of posts that “misrepresent facts.”
“We have been and will continue to be committed to providing family-centered care to all adolescents in compliance with state law and in line with professional practice standards and guidance established by medical specialty societies,” the statement said.
The medical center seemed to acknowledge it provides highly controversial transgender treatment to minors, but said “VUMC requires parental consent to treat a minor patient” and “never refuses parental involvement in the care of transgender youth who are under age 18.”
“Our policies allow employees to decline to participate in care they find morally objectionable, and do not permit discrimination against employees who choose to do so,” the statement continued, referring to video of Vanderbilt health law expert Ellen Wright Clayton seemingly threatening dissenting doctors. “This includes employees whose personal or religious beliefs do not support gender-affirming care for transgender persons.”
The controversial Trans Buddy program at VUMC, the statement said, “has received national acclaim. Its purpose is to provide peer volunteers who support persons who are seeking highly personal care in an unfamiliar environment, and who may have been refused medical services in the past or avoided seeking them out of fear of being met with hostility.”
This piece has been updated to included comment from Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Amanda Prestigiacomo contributed to this report.

Vice President Pence And CDC Roundtable Discussion On Vaccination Distribution

Gov. Bill Lee Calls For Investigation Of Vanderbilt’s Pediatric Transgender Clinic Following Matt Walsh Revelation

Gov. Bill Lee Calls For Investigation Of Vanderbilt University Medical Center Following Matt Walsh Bombshell

Investigation

Vanderbilt University

Nearly two dozen Republican governors slammed a massive spending bill that Democrats are trying to ram through the U.S. Senate in a statement Thursday, saying that the bill will worsen inflation.
The statement comes as Senate Democrats rush to make last minute changes to a massive $740 billion spending bill that they will try to pass before the August recess by using the reconciliation process because the bill lacks bipartisan support.
&#8220;The Democrats’ solution to 40-year high inflation is passing another reckless tax and spending spree to the tune of $740 billion, affecting Americans in every tax bracket,&#8221; the statement said. &#8220;While denying recession, Democrats want to raise taxes on businesses and manufacturers, which will force higher costs onto consumers, worsen inflation, and aggravate shortages.&#8221;
&#8220;With sky high prices at the pump, the last thing Americans need is for Democrats to punish energy producers, which will ultimately hurt working families struggling to pay for gas, goods, food, and utilities,&#8221; the statement continued. &#8220;Our citizens cannot afford Joe Biden’s broken promises on taxes and Democrats’ inflationary spending that will only exacerbate the economic crisis they created.”
Governors Henry McMaster (R-SC) and Brian Kemp (R-GA) led the 22 Republican governors in issuing the joint statement.
The other Republican governors who signed onto the statement included Ron DeSantis (R-FL), Doug Ducey (R-AZ), Asa Hutchinson (R-AR), Brad Little (R-ID), Kim Reynolds (R-IA), Tate Reeves (R-MS), Mike Parson (R-MO), Greg Gianforte (R-MT), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Kristi Noem (R-SD), Bill Lee (R-TN), Greg Abbott (R-TX), Mark Gordon (R-WY), Chris Sununu (R-NH), Kevin Stitt (R-OK), Doug Burgum (R-ND), Kay Ivey (R-AL), Spencer Cox (R-UT), Glenn Youngkin (R-VA), and Eric Holcomb (R-IN).
The statement from the governors comes after the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/rogan-slams-democrats-for-trying-to-claim-economy-is-not-in-a-recession-what-a-bunch-of-weasels">released</a> data last week showing that the U.S. economy shrank for the second straight quarter, satisfying the traditional requirement of a recession.
The Biden administration has downplayed the poor economic news by claiming that the economy is transitioning out of a fast-paced, post-pandemic recovery to a more stable environment. The White House’s claims come as Americans continue to be battered by inflation, which measured over 9% in June.
Tim Pearce contributed to this report.

Sen. Lindsey Graham Holds Election Night Watch Party In Columbia

22 Republican Governors Blast Democrats’ Spending Bill, Warn About Impact On Inflation

Asa Hutchinson

Brian Kemp

Doug Ducey

Glenn Youngkin

Greg Abbott

Greg Gianforte

Joe Biden

Kristi Noem

Ron DeSantis

Hillsdale College President Larry Arnn tore into the state of public education last week during a private college event in Tennessee.
Arnn’s comments were caught on a hidden camera at a private college event in Franklin, Tennessee, just south of the state capital of Nashville. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee attended the event as Arnn’s “special guest.” The recording of the event was obtained by a local Tennessee outlet, <a href="https://www.newschannel5.com/news/newschannel-5-investigates/revealed/revealed-teachers-come-from-dumbest-parts-of-dumbest-colleges-tenn-governors-education-advisor-tells-him">News Channel 5 Nashville</a>.
Tennessee and Hillsdale College currently have a working partnership. Lee <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/tennessee-partners-with-hillsdale-college-in-statewide-charter-school-initiative">announced</a> in January that Tennessee was partnering with Hillsdale College to build dozens of classical K-12 charter schools across the state.
During the nearly two-hour event, Arnn criticized the institutions currently directing and influencing state-run education, such as the Department of Education, various universities with accredited education programs, and the National Association of Education union. After Channel 5 published its story, Claude Pressnell Jr., president of Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association, <a href="https://twitter.com/Pressnell/status/1542650038047739904">called</a> Arnn&#8217;s comments &#8220;incredibly disturbing&#8221; and an insult to educators.
Channel 5 reported clips of the event without publishing a full video of the event or Arnn’s comments. The Daily Wire was not able to obtain a full recording of Arnn’s comments, nor did Channel 5 respond to a request to share the full recording.
Channel 5 reported that Arnn “repeatedly mock[ed] the intelligence of public school teachers and question[ed] whether they really care about what is best for their students,” a characterization that both Hillsdale College and Lee’s office contest.
“Dr. Arnn was clearly criticizing the educational bureaucracy that has done a great disservice to both teachers and students by depriving them of the high-quality, content-rich education that makes for excellent teaching,” Hillsdale College spokeswoman Emily Davis told The Daily Wire in a statement.
“Hillsdale College has been in the serious business of education and teaching for more than 175 years. It wants what parents want: for as many children in America as possible to have access to high-quality educational options,” Davis continued. “The college’s approach to classical education in the liberal arts and sciences — combined with instruction in the principles of moral character and civic virtue — is the very best at teaching the whole child, helping students understand the world, and preparing young people for a life of service and flourishing. We look forward to assisting in that noble endeavor in Tennessee.”
Lee spokeswoman Laine Arnold told The Daily Wire, “Critics dishonestly claimed that a recent event with Hillsdale College criticized Tennessee teachers when it did not. Criticizing activism and other Left-wing issues that creep into the classroom is entirely separate from sentiments about the value or performance of Tennessee teachers. Our respect and support for educators in Tennessee wasn’t up for debate then and it isn’t now.”
Arnn’s college is a Christian liberal arts school in southern Michigan well known for its refusal to accept federal funds of any kind to limit the influence the federal government has on its curriculum. The college is popular among conservatives and often advertises with right-wing broadcasters.
Arnn said of the National Association of Education (NEA): “They’re the biggest gorillas, and they have a monopoly on education.” Teachers unions, of which the NEA is the largest, are generally highly partisan with 94% of donations backing Democrats, according to <a href="https://www.opensecrets.org/industries/indus.php?ind=l1300">Open Secrets</a>.
NEA’s president, Becky Pringle, has been an outspoken critic of any display of religion in public schools, whether or not it is sanctioned by the school itself. She <a href="https://twitter.com/BeckyPringle/status/1541433171761315843">slammed</a> the Supreme Court’s recent decision to side with a Washington state high school football coach who was disciplined for praying at midfield after football games. Pringle denounced the coach’s action as “sectarian religious coercion.”
Later on in the event, Arnn criticized the university education system for teachers and the approach to education overall inherent in them. “Ed departments in colleges, if you work in a college, you’ll know this – unless you work in the Ed department, ours is different – but they are the dumbest part of every college,” Arnn said.
The Hillsdale College president went on to suggest that teaching is not a skill that needs to be taught at universities, so much as the knowledge and topics the teachers will need to master in order to teach their students.
“If you study physics, there’s a subject, right? How does the physical world work? That’s hard to figure out. Politics is actually the study of justice. What is justice? Some of the greatest books ever written are written about that. ‘Plato’s Republic’ is written about that. Literature – they don’t do it much anymore, but you can read the greatest books, the most beautiful books ever written. Education is the study of how to teach. Is that a separate art? I don’t think so,” Arnn said.
Arnn cited theologian C.S. Lewis’ book “The Abolition of Man,” which in part argues that a rejection of an objective morality leads to the collapse of society. “[Bad] education destroys generations of people. It’s devastating. It’s like the plague.”
“The philosophic understanding at the heart of modern education is enslavement and we have to break out of that,” Arnn said.
Arnn said that most teachers are currently taught to “do” something to children rather than cultivate their minds and souls.
“It’s an organized force. The teachers are trained in the dumbest parts of the dumbest colleges in the country, and they are taught that they are going to go and do something to those kids,” Arnn said. “Do they ever talk about anything except what they are going to do to these kids?
“My wife is English, and she’s a gardener,” he said, “and she doesn’t talk about what she is going to do to these plants. She talks about what they need, because if you give them what they need, they will grow. It’s not a manufacturing operation.”
“They’re messing with people’s children, and they feel entitled to do anything to them, and if you mess with that, they’ll call the FBI on you,” Arnn said at one point, an apparent reference to a Department of Justice action last year.
Last summer, outraged parents spoke out at numerous school board meetings across the U.S. in protest of continuing COVID protocols and the influence of LGBT and Critical Race Theory content on their children’s education. Amid the outrage, the Department of Justice <a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/education-news/articles/2021-10-21/garland-defends-decision-to-mobilize-fbi-against-threats-to-school-board-members">mobilized</a> the FBI against threats to school boards in an act many Republicans denounced as an attempt to intimidate parents for pushing back against leftism.
Arnn also criticized the average university system and the rigor of obtaining a degree in education.
“In colleges now, what you hire now is administrators. You don’t get faculty anymore, you get kids to do that, if you can. And the administrators you hire are all diversity people. And that helps you, by the way, with your federal requirements that you have a certain number by color,” Arnn said. “And what do they do? What they do is tell everybody else what to do. And now, because they are appointing all these diversity officers, what are their degrees in? Education. It&#8217;s easy. You don&#8217;t have to know anything.”

Empty auditorium

Hillsdale College President Under Fire After Ripping State Of Public Education: Here’s What He Said.

Hillsdale College President Under Fire After Ripping State Of Public Education. Here’s What He Said.

Education

Hillsdale College

Public Schools

Menu