For those breathlessly tweeting at me about another reporter's "bombshell" and the "disturbing" COVID-19 emails from Mayor Cooper, the emails do NOT say what the reporter implied. There is nothing about "how to keep it from the public." 1/
Take, for example, the reporter's gasping at this exchange: “This isn’t going to be publicly released, right? Just info for Mayor’s Office?"
“Correct, not for public consumption.”
Under HIPAA, info that might identify individuals must be vetted carefully b/f release to public 2/
The @Tennessean publishes this with no hint that the author, @Byzness, is involved with the controversial effort to relocate Christian nationalists from around the country to Tennessee. 1/
Here is the related story: Aiming to 'radicalize Main Street,' Christian nationalists set sights on tiny Jackson County, Tennessee 2/ newschannel5.com/news/newschann…
And here is a hint as to Abbotoy's own views, referring to Spain's Catholic dictator 3/
TIME TO BRING THE RECEIPTS: Podcaster C.Jay Engel (@contramordor) appeared on a local YouTube show on Friday to dispute my reporting regarding the white Christian nationalists moving into Tennessee.🧵Thread on what he claimed vs. what he has really said. 🧵1/
First of all, if you missed my initial report that's being discussed, watch here. 🧵2/
Engel was asked about his desire to return America back to the way it was before the civil rights movement. He claims he just wants to find a different way to get there! 🧵3/
In this message shared with me from a private Jackson County/Gainesboro FB group, developer Josh Abbotoy (@Byzness) claims he did not want to "criticize people who want to buy land from my company."
There's one little problem... 2/
@Byzness In a promotional video by Pastor Andrew Isker (@BonifaceOption), Isker announced he was moving to Tennessee and chosen to "partner with Newfounding and RidgeRunner" - Abbotoy's companies. 3/
Well, the conspiracy theorists are at it again -- SHOCK! - alleging that I must be in cahoots with @TBInvestigation because the Bureau granted my public records request, but did not grant their requests. Learn the law, people! A lesson: 1/
Documents related to administrative functions - such as communications with lawmakers - ARE subject to the Tennessee Public Records Act. Documents directly involving TBI investigations are NOT subject to the Act. 2/
Finally, there were no shenanigans with my making the request. When Shawn Taylor starts telling people that he has the support of some state lawmakers, I am going to go looking for evidence of that support! If he doesn't want me to find such, maybe he shouldn't talk so much. 3/
PLEASE stop listening to political figures who, for the sake of their own fortunes, are willing to lead Americans to their deaths with their denialism. Listen to pros like @JohnMoralesTV who care about their communities and know climate change is real!
And @JohnMoralesTV should NOT need to apologize for being emotional. I cried once on air, but it was because I was witnessing real trauma at the scene from where I was broadcasting. This trauma is also very real!