Daily Archives: November 29, 2020

Call it a tale of two elections, for it was indeed the best of times and the worst of times. Which year qualified as best and which was the worst depended on what side of the political aisle a candidate occupied.

Greenbrier Valley Democrats had reason to feel the tide had turned in their favor with the midterm election of 2018, when they captured both seats in the 42nd Delegate District, as well as other key offices. Vote tallies were tight, but Jeff Campbell and Cindy Lavender-Bowe, both of Lewisburg, were on their way to the Legislature, having defeated Republicans Denny R. Canterbury and Steve Malcomb.

With a smattering of similar results elsewhere in the state, Democrats found themselves giddy over what appeared to be a blue wave.

Turning the page to 2020, however, the fortunes of the two major political parties had reversed, as GOP candidates wrested away both of the 42nd Districts seats in the House in convincing fashion in the Nov. 3 general election. A red wave swept Barry L. Bruce and Todd Longanacre to the beachhead where Delegates Lavender-Bowe and Campbell once stood.

What accounted for that stark difference in outcomes between two elections held a mere two years apart?

For answers to that question, The Register-Herald turned to the four 2020 candidates and aperson with a longer view of the local political scene to get their perspectives.

Bruce, Lavender-Bowe and Longanacre participated in separate telephone interviews for this article, and Campbell responded in writing to similar questions set forth in an email.

Greenbrier County Commission President Lowell Rose, a Republican who was re-elected for a third six-year term in that office earlier this month, also participated in a telephone interview, offering his assessment of the race for the 42nd.

There are inherent differences between a midterm election like the one in 2018, in which the presidents party is expected to lose ground and voter turnout is typically low, and a presidential election year like 2020, in which more people vote and national issues dominate the airwaves.

In 2018, 22,267 votes were cast for all four candidates in the 42nd District contest, while in 2020 the vote total for that race was 27,951.

The 42nd Delegate District includes 28 of Greenbrier Countys 29 precincts, along with three precincts in Monroe County and one in Summers.

The Trump effect

Both Campbell and Lavender-Bowe stated that a major factor in the Republican victories at all levels this year in West Virginia, not just the 42nd District race, was the popularity hereabouts of President Donald Trump.

The top of the GOP ticket was stronger in 2020 than it was two years ago, Campbell wrote. President Trump is wildly popular in our district and through the state, and everyone was riding his coattails (in 2020).

In 2018, Senator Joe Manchin was at the top of the (Democratic) ticket and, locally, state Senator Stephen Baldwin was on the ballot.

Also, the Greenbrier County Republicans worked hard flipping voter registrations (this year).

By the time the general election was held this fall, registered Republicans outnumbered registered Democrats in the county for the first time in decades.

Commissioner Rose, who has often reached across the aisle in his political career, added his voice to Campbells assertion that the strength of the Republicans perched at the top of the ticket made a huge difference this year.

It had a whole lot to do with President Trump and his popularity here, Rose said. West Virginia has really changed overall from Democrat to Republican, including in voter registration.

Even Greenbrier Countys chief election officer, County Clerk Robin Loudermilk, recently changed parties. Appointed in 2012 and later elected to that same office as a Democrat, Loudermilk flipped her registration to Republican earlier this year.

Longanacre also cited the Trump effect in explaining his own success this year, although for different reasons than those given by his Democratic counterparts.

President Trump has had four years fighting against everyone Democrats and the media, Longanacre said. People were so fed up over all of this hatred of Trump that they flipped parties in revenge.

We rode the red wave.

Loud national messages

The national messaging of both parties loomed large over the local political scene, effectively overshadowing persistent West Virginia issues such as poverty, health care concerns and education, Lavender-Bowe said.

The tone of the election was really different this time, she said. There wasnt much of a national focus in 2018, but the president and the governor were a big factor this year.

She also pointed to the social and civil unrest across the country in the run-up to the election as a related factor that nudged people toward the Republican message.

Being constantly bombarded by scenes of violence and reports about protests on television and social media it was really terrifying for people, especially older people, Lavender-Bowe said. People voted the way they felt would keep them the safest.

Longanacre said he felt the 2020 election reflected a backlash against the Democratic Partys disdain for core American values.

People are kind of nervous. Theyre afraid of what they see as Communism being put forward by Democrats as Socialism, he said. Voters didnt like the animosity of the Democratic Party the way they treat people for living by the Bible and being pro-life.

Bruce also reflected on the rightward drift of the electorate.

Theres been a red wave in Raleigh, Mercer and Pocahontas counties as well as the counties of the 42nd, he said. One reason I decided to run this year is that Im a Constitutionalist and a Christian. I see our Constitutional rights eroding away at both the state and federal levels.

We need law and order in this country. Theres fear that what is happening elsewhere will happen in West Virginia.

Campbell wrote, I think the national political climate worked its way down to local races throughout the state. Although Washington politics and Charleston politics are two different things, there are polarizing figures in D.C. that West Virginians dont like.

He said he believes the end result was down-ballot voting in which people voted more for the party than for the person.

A philosophical shift

When Rose looks at the bigger picture, his perception is quite different from the Democrats viewpoint.

While stating that Republicans had stronger candidates in the race for House seats representing the 42nd this year, Rose said the philosophical shift that led local voters to favor the GOP over the Democratic Party was not really about restlessness in the electorate. Its rooted more in the Democratic Partys relocation to the left of center.

The Democrats swung way too far to the liberal side; they left old-time Democrats behind, he said. Theres a big difference in ideals between conservative and liberal candidates. Everybody was ready this year for more conservative tickets. Theres a conservative movement in this country.

Although he characterized both Democratic candidates in the 42nd as liberal, Rose said Lavender-Bowe publicly embraces more liberal ideas than does Campbell.

I was surprised that we (Republicans) got both seats in the House, Rose said. I wasnt surprised that Cindy is out, due to her positions. I have nothing against her personally, but she is liberal on a lot of issues.

Lavender-Bowe said she wanted to run a positive campaign, and for that reason had not responded to Republicans negative mailers that labeled her as a pro-abortion candidate (she self-identifies as pro-choice, as well as pro-mother and pro-child) who was part of the Harris-Biden squad.

Complex issues cant be adequately discussed in a mailer, Lavender-Bowe said. Im not going to run a dirty campaign. I ran as myself.

She added, Its hard for me to think my message didnt resonate with the voters. They got the national message instead, and it really impacted down the ballot.

She said the national message included unfair attempts to link down-ballot Democratic candidates with controversial initiatives such as defunding the police.

Facing an effective Republican campaign filled with what she termed negativity and aggressiveness on social media, Lavender-Bowe said she was personally hampered by the restrictions necessitated by the Covid-19 pandemic, given the fact that both her husband and her son have asthma, making them more vulnerable to the virus.

On the other hand, Longanacre said he had no personal concerns over Covid-19 during the campaign.

I didnt stick my head in the sand over a virus with a 99.9 percent recovery rate, he said. I knocked on doors. I got out and met people. That had a positive impact. My opponents didnt do that. They relied on mailers.

Support for gun rights also loomed large over this years election, according to Bruce.

We are a state that supports the Second Amendment, he said. Both Todd and I were strong there. People just didnt like the positions of the incumbents in this race. West Virginia is a conservative state and wants to remain a conservative state.

Reviewing and revamping

Lavender-Bowe said the states Democratic Party needs to figure out how to better present its message.

The first time I ran (in 2018), there were lots of town halls held around the district, she said. It was easier for somebody to hear your voice and see your face as you discussed issues.

Monetarily, our party doesnt donate to candidates; instead the focus is on getting out the vote, which was fine in 2018. But this year, with the pandemic, our volunteers offered rides to the polls, only to find nobody wanted a ride to the polls. Its harder to get people to get out and vote during a pandemic.

Lavender-Bowe said she and other Democratic candidates are now evaluating the failures of 2020.

Were asking how do we rebuild the Democratic Party in West Virginia, she said. I believe we can best change at the grassroots level by restoring voters face-to-face contact with candidates and capitalizing on our volunteers. In that, were lucky in Greenbrier County with our Democratic Womens Club. So many counties dont have that kind of organization.

Campbell also wrote of the support his modest campaign received this year from the Blue Skies Ahead PAC and the Greenbrier County Democratic Womens Club, which organized a county headquarters and assisted with advertising.

On the other hand, he was blunt in saying he received no help from the state Democratic Party.

But he said he certainly doesnt regret his stint in the West Virginia Legislature.

I worked hard, tried to do a good job, and ran a clean campaign, Campbell wrote. Im glad I got to live my dream. It was an honor working at the State Capitol, and I never took one day for granted.

Ive been surprised by the number of people whove reached out to me since election day. It makes me feel appreciated and that I did something right while I was there.

Both Bruce and Longanacre praised the support they received from the Greenbrier County Republican Executive Committee and Republican Club.

It was remarkable, Bruce commented, citing assistance ranging from door-knocking support to maintaining multiple party offices all across the district,plus a well-attended pre-election rally at the fairgrounds and a Trump Train of vehicles that may have been the largest in the state.

This was a team effort high energy, Bruce said. When you have high school kids walking around with you while youre campaigning, it adds to your energy.

Lavender-Bowe said, as a candidate and a delegate, she has encountered many West Virginians who say theyve never voted. People close to her sons age think their votes dont matter because of what theyve seen in the media about the impact the Electoral College has had on recent presidential elections, at times rewarding the loser of the popular vote with the highest office in the land.

We need to empower our people, Lavender-Bowe said. I saw reports during this election that other states had the highest numbers of voters in history. One reason for that is that those voters had the opportunity to vote in a different way. Meanwhile, in West Virginia, people said the election didnt fit their schedules. They said they didnt have time to vote while the polls were open either on election day or during early in-person voting. And I assume other people didnt go to the polls because they were afraid of Covid.

She said she also heard from constituents who were confused about the process for requesting an absentee ballot. People expected that they would receive an application automatically, as they had before the summer primary, when instead they needed to be proactive and contact their local county clerk to request a mail-in ballot for the general election.

In short, Lavender-Bowe said, the factors that may have affected the outcome of the 42nd House District race were myriad.

Rose sees the race as a simpler affair a clear battle between conservative Republicans and liberal Democrats.

Both Todd (Longanacre) and Barry (Bruce) are pro-Second Amendment and pro-life, he said. People around here care about those issues. Even registered Democrats have voted Republican in the past several elections; it didnt happen overnight.

In fact, Rose said, The Republican Party today is almost where the Democratic Party was in the 1960s and '70s.

Email: talvey@register-herald.com

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A tale of two elections | State & Region | register-herald.com - Beckley Register-Herald

To the Editor:

Re An Unlikely Alliance to Save Lives (Science Times, Nov. 17):

It is encouraging to see the gun-owning community confront the extreme danger of a firearm in the hands of a person at risk of suicide. The article explores a range of strategies for gun dealers and owners to keep guns away from those who might do harm to themselves, and mentions an effective solution when voluntary measures fail: extreme-risk protection orders, commonly known as red flag laws.

These laws provide a means of last resort for removing guns from an individual who is at risk of imminent harm to himself or others. Connecticut was the first state to pass an extreme-risk law, in 1999.

In Connecticut, a study found that for every 10 to 20 protection orders issued, one suicide was averted. Because suicide can be impulsive and guns are far more lethal than other means, these laws lower death by suicide over all, not just by guns.

Extreme-risk protection laws include due-process protections that protect the Second Amendment rights of gun owners. No court has struck down one of these laws, despite opposition by the National Rifle Association.

Jonathan PerloeCos Cob, Conn.The writer is communications director for CT Against Gun Violence.

To the Editor:

Re The Post-Presidency of a Con Man, by Michelle Goldberg (column, Nov. 15):

As the editor of Mad magazine for almost 35 years, I was shocked, disappointed and outraged to see President Trump visually compared to Mads gap-tooth grinning idiot mascot, the What, me worry kid, Alfred E. Neuman.

I worked with Alfred E. Neuman. I knew Alfred E. Neuman. Alfred E. Neuman was a friend of mine. Donald Trump is no Alfred E. Neuman!

John FicarraStaten Island

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Guns and Suicide - The New York Times

Republican candidate for Virginia governor and current state senator Amanda Chase made a stop at The Glenwood Center in Huddleston on Nov. 13 for a meet and greet. This comes almost two months since then-Republican candidates Daniel Gade and Bob Good visited Smith Mountain Lake during an event hosted by the Proud Patriots of SML.

Known as Trump in heels in Virginia, Chase, who is a graduate of Virginia Tech, has been a well-known political candidate not only in the state but across the country. Her Facebook page has a follower count in the 6 figures, but she has also been featured on Fox News, The Ingraham Angle hosted by Laura Ingraham, and One America News Network (OANN), among other programs.

The decision to run for governor was an easy one for Chase.

I saw what was happening in Richmond during this past session all the attacks on our communities, Second Amendment, the Constitution, the businesses, the churches and our ability to worship. Our way of life here in Virginia was comprised under this new Democratic majority, she said. I knew legislatively I couldnt fix things because we didnt have the votes.

The frustration of not helping Virginians didnt sit well with Chase, and she announced on Presidents Day back in February that she is running for the leading position of the executive branch.

As for the Second Amendment, Chase is a staunch ally, perhaps the most well-known ally of the Second Amendment in the state. Nicknamed Sen. Annie Oakley, Chase mentioned that its personal to her, as she open carries wherever she goes. She also said its the next line of defense in case police arent able to get to the scene quickly to assist.

I dont leave my house without carrying a firearm, ever. Not even when I go for a walk around my neighborhood, she said. Its very important to me.

Recently, defunding the police has been a major talking point in the state and across the country. Chase believes that its a terrible policy to push.

We need to defend our police, not defund our police, she said. Ive said weve never fully funded our law enforcement. I do believe law enforcement is a core function of government. We need to keep our communities safe; we need to keep our businesses safe and our schools safe.

Another topic Chase addressed is health care. She noted that she has fought against Medicaid expansion in Virginia, especially in the Senate. Chase also said that some Republican candidates who will be running for governor have worked with Gov. Ralph Northam to expand Medicaid, which she said is not good.

Medicaid was designed, originally, to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, not able-body people. Its to help people who can least help themselves, she said. Whats happened now, because they have expanded Medicaid, it is a Trojan horse that Virginia is ultimately going to have to pay the price for. Currently, the federal government is footing the bill for most of it, but not for much longer. And Virginians are going to have to pick the tab up through taxpayer money.

Still on the health care topic, Chase mentioned that in the General Assembly, she has supported legislation such as the health care transparency bill. She said it would create greater transparency by forcing hospitals for the first time to let a patient know how much an elective service is prior to services being rendered so they can shop around and get the best price.

One aspect one may realize about Chase is she is strong in her faith and is a big believer in freedom of religion. As for COVID-19, Chase doesnt believe it should interfere with a persons right to practice their beliefs.

I have always said educate, not mandate, she said. Even in a crisis, we must respect peoples constitutional rights and freedoms. I believe what he (Northam) has done by closing down churches is unconstitutional. When our religious freedoms are at stake and on the line, yet again, its time for us to push back. If you can go to a liquor store, you should be able to go to church. If you can go to an abortion clinic and get an abortion, you should be able to go to church. This governor is picking which businesses are essential, which one is not, and in my opinion, thats unconstitutional.

Chase also stands for school choice, letting the parents decide the education for their children. She doesnt believe the government should be mandating vaccines, especially the COVID-19 vaccines. Chase also is 100 percent pro-life, a big supporter of small businesses and seeing them through these difficult times, and for small government. Chase noted that in regard to small government, she has opposed and voted against every tax and every fee increase.

These issues and her policies were the main talking points of the night at the event, and Chase feels it went very well.

I think it went great and everybody received my message, she said.

Ever since Chase first took office as a state senator in 2015, she has made her mark in the state, and it has shown with the rewards she has won. According to her website, in her first two years, Chase received the 2017 Virginia Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Advocate for Virginia Business, the 2017 James River Association Hero Award, and the 2016 Legislator of the Year Award for the Treasurers Association of Virginia.

In her personal life, Chase has the experience of being a small business owner and has worked in executive management in both the private and public sectors. The mom of four believes her experience in the political field combined with the success she has seen is why she feels that she will be ready for the responsibilities that the governor position holds.

Dont tell her she cant win; Chase wont believe it. She has her reasons as well. She has won every race she has been in, and for this particular one, she started early, which she says has been very important to her. Chase also said she has already exceeded all her financial goals, which is quite the feat considering she announced one month before the pandemic. According to Chase, all the money she has raised has been from the people, none from political action committee or special interests.

For Chase, her personal goal is to return Virginia back to the Constitution, and she feels that its a calling for her. She says she is ready for the challenge.

Day one Ill be ready to be the governor of Virginia, she said.

Read more stories in the current issue of the Smith Mountain Eagle newspaper. Pick up a copy or subscribe atwww.smithmountaineagle.com/subscriber_servicesto view articles in the print and/or e-edition version.

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Republican candidate for Virginia governor Amanda Chase visits Smith Mountain Lake, says she will be ready to lead the state back to the constitution...

photo by: Nick Krug

Free State's Ben Hill and Lawrence High's Stanley Holder III battle it out in the 145-pound class during a dual Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016 at Lawrence High School.

The 2020-21 high school winter sports season will start on time, though there will be a longer break before competition resumes in January. And there wont be any spectators allowed at these competitions until at least Jan. 29.

During a meeting on Tuesday that lasted about four hours and was watched live by more than 6,000 people on YouTube the KSHSAA Board of Directors voted to start the winter sports season on time on Dec. 1 with the amendment of having a longer competition moratorium than usual. The motion ultimately passed, 53-22, after a lengthy discussion that resulted in two amendments to the original proposal.

KSHSAA Board of Directors Special Meeting

The new competition moratorium is now from Dec. 23-Jan. 7, meaning games can resume on Friday, Jan. 8 after the break. After play ends in late December, practices for the high school winter sports teams will resume on Monday, Jan. 4.

The initial proposal on the meeting agenda was to delay the start of all competition until Jan. 15, but Olathe North principal Jason Herman proposed an amendment to allow competition to take place in December. He suggested having competition until Dec. 22, and then not having another game until Jan. 15.

After it passed by a 44-25 margin, Mill Valley Athletic Director Jerald VanRheen offered up a second amendment to that motion to move the restart date up to Jan. 8. That motion was ultimately passed, 41-34, but the final item ended up being passed by a wider margin.

There were 77 BOD members for all such votes, which meant 39 votes were needed for majority. The middle school sports season will mirror the amended high school sports schedule, which ended up passing by a 70-7 margin.

It means that the local sports teams are currently expected to miss just one game on its original schedule. Lawrence High had a home basketball doubleheader with Olathe West on Jan. 5, while Free States basketball teams were slated to travel to Shawnee Mission South on the same day.

While the schedule will remain mostly the same, that doesnt mean the high school winter sports season will be business as usual. KSHSAA voted in favor of no spectators being allowed at high school events from Dec. 1 through Jan. 28, which passed by a 50-26 margin. Middle school sports will not have fans in attendance either.

All participants and attendees of events will be required to wear face coverings, which is a motion that passed by a 76-1 margin. The only exception is athletes and officials actively playing as well as medical exceptions.

No more than four teams can play at one site for basketball, but eight-team tournaments can be held as long as there are multiple gymnasiums. No more than eight schools or 112 wrestlers will be allowed at wrestling events. That all passed by a 59-15 margin.

Regular-season lengths remain untouched for all winter sports programs, which includes a 20-game slate for basketball squads.

All of that voting was preceded by a public discussion forum. During that portion of the meeting, speakers got the opportunity to plead their case for why the winter sports season should take place. One of those individuals was Eudora senior Jayla Pierce, who is committed to play softball at Rockhurst while also being a standout in volleyball and girls basketball.

Pierce begged the board to not delay the start of the high school sports season, a request that was ultimately answered. And that should be considered a win for all the student-athletes, even if they are playing in empty venues for the time being.

Items resulting from the KSHSAA Board of Directors Meeting:

The BOD voted in favor to begin the winter activity competition season on Dec. 1 and continue through Dec. 22 before taking a winter moratorium for practice and competition beginning on Dec. 23.

The winter moratorium usually runs from Dec. 23 to Dec. 27, but the board chose to extend the moratorium on practice and competition through Jan. 3. Practice may begin on Jan. 4 and competition may resume on Jan. 8.

Basketball may have a maximum of 20 games, not including the postseason.

Swimming and diving may have a maximum of 10 competitions, exclusive of the state meet.

Boys and girls wrestling may have a maximum of 18 events and no more than 30 competitions points, exclusive of the postseason.

Bowling may have a maximum of 10 competitions, exclusive of the postseason.

No spectators will be permitted for high school and middle school contests from Dec. 1 through Jan. 28, 2021.

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KSHSAA allows winter sports to start on time, but with no spectators - Lawrence Journal-World

Indias latest series of amendments to its Patent Rules are likely to hugely benefit startups and small entities seeking patent protection for their inventions. With these amendments, overall filing and prosecution fees for startups and small entities have been significantly reduced. While the fees applicable for small entities have been reduced outright, startups can retain their startup status for up to ten years, thus allowing them the benefit of favourable fees, etc. for an extended period from what was earlier available.

These amendments are in line with various initiatives taken by the government to promote entrepreneurship, and in particular, startups in India. Earlier this year, the Scheme for Facilitating Startups Intellectual Property Protection (SIPP) that was initially launched as a pilot project to assist startups in developing and protecting their intellectual property has been extended for a further period of three years from April 01, 2020 to March 31, 2023.

The first set of amendments the Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2020, notified on 19 October 2020 simplify the procedure relating to the submission of priority applications and their translations, as well as the filing of working statements (Form 27). These amendments will reduce both compliance and prosecution costs for applicants.

The second set of amendments the Patents (Second Amendment) Rules, 2020 (2020 Second Rules), notified on 04 November 2020 further reduce the filing and prosecution costs for applicants that are startups and small entities. These amendments will cumulatively make intellectual property protection affordable as well as accessible to various classes of business, and will likely also boost patent filings.

Fees for Small Entities

The Patent Rules, 2003 previously allowed a 50% reduction in the fees payable by a small entity, compared to that payable by other entities. The amendments reduce this further: now, the fee payable by a small entity is down to 20% of that payable by other entities. This makes the fee payable by a small entity at par with that payable by a natural person and a startup.

Change in the status of startups

The Patent Rules, 2003 previously provided that an entity would no longer be able to claim the status of a startup after a period of five years from the date of its incorporation or registration. The amendments substitute this period of five years by a period during which it is recognised by the competent authority.

At present, an entity ceases to be recognized as a startup by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) on the completion of ten years from the date of its incorporation/ registration or if its turnover for any previous year exceeds 100 crore rupees (see G.S.R. notification 127 (E), available at https://www.startupindia.gov.in/content/dam/investindia/Templates/public/198117.pdf)

Certain benefits to prevail even if the status of startups/ small entity ceases

In an important procedural clarification, the 2020 Second Rules clarify that even if applicants status of startup/ small entity ceases after filing a request for expedited examination, the request made for expedited examination will not be questioned.

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New Indian Patent Rules offer benefits to startups and small entities - Lexology

Georgia Senate Runoffs Will Decide The Fate Of These Bills

Georgia/United States Senate -(AmmoLand.com)-What sort of stakes are we facing with the Georgia Senate runoffs? Perhaps the best way to get a handle on them is to look at some of the legislation that could get a path forward based on the results of those elections. So, we will look at some legislation that could get a potential boost or which could languish unpassed should Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue lose their bids.

So what could get a boost if they lose? Heres six really bad bills that could get new life should Chuck Schumer be in the majority.

When we covered this legislation over the summer, we noted that it did to suppressors what Eric Swalwell wanted to do to modern multi-purpose semiautomatic rifles. Should Joe Biden hold on to win the White House after the litigation has passed, this is the sort of bill Second Amendment supporters could see him push, and if the filibuster is nuked, they would have to trust the likes of Joe Manchin and Jon Tester to keep it from passing.

Biden has vowed to come after firearms manufacturers. This bill, which was also covered over the summer, would be one way for him to do it. It would allow the Consumer Product Safety Commission to regulate firearms. In essence, it hands over the power to ban guns to unaccountable bureaucrats.

This bill, which we covered earlier this year, is a two-fer in terms of violating the Bill of Rights. Not only does it go after our Second Amendment rights, it targets the First Amendment as well. You can bet that this bill will be pushed by a Biden Administration, especially if they control the Senate.

When we covered this early this year, we noted that anti-Second Amendment extremists want a gun registry, and are not above methods that create it through the back door. This would be one effort, easily painted as a clerical amendment to disguise its intent of destroying privacy for gun owners.

Another method that could enable a Biden Administration to create a registry of gun sales would be to adjust some of the legal provisions regarding the National Instant Check System. This bill, which we analyzed earlier this year, mandates the retention of records for at least 90 days. Sneaky move but one we will be waiting for.

This legislation, one of the last covered here before the election went into high gear, could also be a priority for a Biden Administration that has an anti-Second Amendment House and Senate to ram bills through. In this case, it would target those who make their own firearms, even though there are already laws in place to target the misuse of firearms or for when prohibited persons have them.

These six bills are just the tip of the iceberg. There are many other anti-Second Amendment proposals that have been introduced in the House and Senate in just this Congress. Not to mention what Biden could do with the stroke of a pen. To build a firewall to protect our rights, Second Amendment supporters need to back Loeffler and Perdue, then also support the National Rifle Associations Political Victory Fund and their Institute for Legislative Action, in order to be ready for 2022 and 2024.

About Harold Hutchison

Writer Harold Hutchison has more than a dozen years of experience covering military affairs, international events, U.S. politics and Second Amendment issues. Harold was consulting senior editor at Soldier of Fortune magazine and is the author of the novel Strike Group Reagan. He has also written for the Daily Caller, National Review, Patriot Post, Strategypage.com, and other national websites.

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Georgia Senate Runoffs Will Decide The Fate Of These Bills - AmmoLand Shooting Sports News

The 2020-21 Kansas winter sports season wont have the exact same look as years past.

But after appearing to be in partial jeopardy of even being held at all because of rising COVID-19 concerns and following a proposal sent forth last week by the Kansas State High School Activities Associations Executive Board, the season will indeed begin on time. And in large part it will resemble seasons past.

At Tuesdays special KSHSAA Board of Directors meeting one that lasted four hours the 2020-21 season was given a green light to begin as scheduled next week. By a 53-22 vote, the board of directors approved a modified revision to the schedule that greatly reduced the limitations outlined in the original proposal by the Executive Board and afford every school in the state the opportunity to enjoy a complete winter season.

The mantra of "Let Them Play" that resonated across the state after last weeks KSHSAA proposal was made hit home with the 78-member Board of Directors, which is made up of representatives of every league in the state as well as a number of other entities.

"Its so important and every person on our staff and every person on our board believes in the value of interscholastic activities," KSHSAA executive director Bill Faflick said. "Their mission is not just words on paper, its about preparing kids to be successful. ... Our board believes its appropriate to have competition immediately and were ready to go."

The original proposal moved forward by the Executive Board last week called for the winter sports season to delay competition in basketball, wrestling, swimming and diving, bowling, debate and scholars bowl for all of December, though practice could occur during that time period. Following a practice moratorium from Dec. 23-Jan. 3, practice would resume on Jan. 4 with competitions beginning Jan. 15.

At Tuesdays meeting, the Dec. 23-Jan. 3 moratorium was approved but the season around it was greatly altered from the original proposal. An amendment proposed by Olathe North principal Jason Herman to allow competition to start in December as scheduled, continue through Dec. 22 and then resume Jan. 15 was approved 44-25. The board then approved a second amendment proposed by Mill Valley principal Jerald Van Rheen that altered the resumption of competition in January from Jan. 15 to Jan. 8, by a 41-24 count.

The amended motion then went to vote and easily passed 53-22.

"Im pleased that the system works and it shows that it works that there was very specific action items that needed to be addressed and the membership had the opportunity to weigh in through their representatives," Faflick said. "Im pleased that kids will have the opportunity to participate. Im pleased that those learning opportunities will be a part of their reality. Anybody thats involved with education is concerned that were doing our part to make sure were working toward a healthier Kansas and making sure all mitigation protocols are being followed. Because thats what its going to take, everybody doing their part moving forward."

The decision at the high school level also applied to middle school activities, many of which have already begun and would have had to suspend their seasons mid-stream.

In addition to approving the slightly altered competition schedule, the board also passed restrictions on holding large in-person invitational tournaments during the season (59-15 vote). High school and middle school basketball tournaments can be held with no more than four schools playing concurrently, while wrestling events are limited to no more than eight teams or 112 individual participants.

However, the board did not place restrictions on the maximum number of events that could be held per sport. An item to reduced the basketball season to 13 games was amended to allowing the current maximum of 20 games and then approved 66-7 while items to reduced the number of competitions in wrestling, swimming/diving and bowling were voted 69-2 to not take action on.

While the allowance for winter sports to continue pretty much as previously scheduled was widely well-received, the other major action the board took was met with far more mixed response.

The caveat to letting the kid plays is that almost nobody will be there to watch them.

By a 50-26 vote, the board approved an item that calls for events to be held without spectators from Dec. 1 until Jan. 28. At that time, fan attendance will be limited to allow for appropriate distancing for the facility and in accordance with local admission and attendance policies.

The debate among board members was greatest during this item discussion with many in support of allowing fans and others seeking a uniform direction from the KSHSAA.

An amendment to allow no more than two spectators per student participant was proposed by Burlington principal Stacy Reed and went to a vote, but failed 46-29.

While largely unpopular among parents in particular, the different applications of fan limitations across the state during the fall sports likely played a role in Tuesdays vote for a uniform mandate by the KSHSAA.

"It has been emotion and emotional every time theres been restrictions put in place where people havent been able to attend contests involving their kids, alma mater or favorite school," Faflick said. "Weve seen that through the fall. But somethings not working because community spread is continuing. ... Weve got to start somewhere. Can we dial it back eventually? Certainly thats a possibility. But right now the board has deemed that the cleanest, safest way to do this based on what doctors are saying is this is primarily a disease that is spread through adults and their interactions and if we can limit those interactions we will be better for that.

"It takes some of the burden off the schools to have that uniform policy and knowing this is the expectation whether Im home or away, league game or non-league game. Its not going to be well-received and will cause a lot of concern for our parents and school communities."

Faflick said the spectator policy could be revisited by a special board meeting prior to the expiration of the current mandate on Jan. 28.

"Every decision we make is continually assessed and re-assessed and this will be one of those where we monitor the data and monitor the response of our member schools," Faflick said. "The reason this meeting existed was we had a number of member schools contact us and say We need to be considering this. There needed to be decisions made in regard to attendance policies, competitions and moratoriums. ... That balance between benefit and risk is what we will continue to evaluate and that assessment will be ongoing."

Prior to the board votes, a public forum allowed eight people to speak to the board in three-minute increments. Many spoke in favor of allowing the winter season to occur as close to regularly scheduled as possible.

Among the points made included:

"There is no evidence to suggest that kids are either superspreaders or very susceptible to this virus to begin with," Craig Holtzen of Louisburg said among three points in his presentation. "I would dare go far enough to say that kids are practicing better better virus protocol when they are in school or activities than when they are locked down.... Fall activities were largely successful because of our ability to be flexible and adaptive to the many changing things that happened over that season."

"Canceling only competitions but still allowing practice rests on a point of contradiction," said Chanutes Kellen Adams. "Our focus should be on minimizing risk while also keeping every practice and competition in line with that. Create a plan, communicate that plan and then execute that plan when appropriate."

"It seems like were taking a group of people who are not at risk and putting a significant punishment on them for people who are at risk and wont take the precautions necessary," said Sean Wheeler, a sports medicine physician in Overland Park who cited studies at both the collegiate and prep level. "Im not sure that putting restrictions on these kids does anything to help them."

"Were in the fourth quarter now," said Dr. David Smith, University of Kansas Health Systems and team physician for the Kansas City Royals. "We had spring, summer, fall and now winter. I will predict we will have overtime because this is not ending. The data is clear we are not ending this soon despite the promising vaccines that are coming through. With that said, the sports advisory committee stands firm in recommending that one compromise we can make is hold off on competition, but all winter sports to start. I agree we need to have students doing something, they are much safer practicing than out there doing whatever else they choose to do. With that said, risk mitigations must be followed. ... If we are going to proceed with winter sports, we must adhere to risk mitigations properly."

Read the rest here:
KSHSAA Board of Directors vote to start winter activities on time - Leavenworth Times