Category: Free Speech

Bizarre, Free Speech, Politics, Society

“What Cheer, Netop”: Providence Destroys Mural to Murder Victim as too “Divisive” and Triggering

John Adams once wrote: “America … the opening of a grand scene and design in providence, for the illumination of the ignorant.”

Unfortunately, this week, the “grand scene and design in Providence [R.I.]” “illuminated” rather than eliminated the ignorance of our times. Liberals in that city, including the mayor Brett Smiley, demanded the removal of a mural in the memory of Iryna Zarutska, a young woman murdered on a train. Unlike memorials to figures like George Floyd or others, a memorial to the young white woman was deemed triggering and “divisive.” Continue reading ““What Cheer, Netop”: Providence Destroys Mural to Murder Victim as too “Divisive” and Triggering” →

Columns, Free Speech, Politics, Society

Poison Ivey: Chicago Bulls Release Forward After He Speaks Out Against Pride Month

Below is my column in the New York Post on the termination of Chicago Bulls guard Jaden Ivey after his posting of religious views on social media. The controversy should allow for a broader debate on the endorsement of political and social causes by sports teams while gagging players and coaches with opposing views.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Poison Ivey: Chicago Bulls Release Forward After He Speaks Out Against Pride Month” →

Columns, Courts, Free Speech, Supreme Court

“No One Knows What Will Happen Now”: Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson Warns Against Unbridled Free Speech 

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson is again warning of a growing threat to the nation. In her lone dissent in Chiles v. Salazar, Jackson observed that “to be completely frank, no one knows what will happen now.” The ominous tone stemmed from the fact that free speech had prevailed over state-imposed orthodoxy in a Colorado case. Eight justices, including her two liberal colleagues, ruled that Colorado could not prevent licensed counselors from “any practice or treatment” that “attempts or purports to change” a minor’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Continue reading ““No One Knows What Will Happen Now”: Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson Warns Against Unbridled Free Speech “ →

Constitutional Law, Free Speech, Politics, Supreme Court

Supreme Court Asked to Hear “Let’s Go Brandon” Case

I have previously written about D.A. v. Tri-County Area Schools, one of the worst free speech decisions to come out of the appellate courts in years.  In this case, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit upheld a school ban on high school students wearing “Let’s Go Brandon” sweatshirts. Sixth Circuit Judge John Nalbandian was joined by Judge Karen Nelson Moore in a deeply flawed holding that, under the “vulgarity exception,” the action was constitutional. The Supreme Court needs to grant review in this case and reverse this obnoxious decision. Continue reading “Supreme Court Asked to Hear “Let’s Go Brandon” Case” →

Constitutional Law, Free Speech, Lawyering, Politics

Louisville Shells Out $800,000 for Unconstitutional Demands on Christian Photographer

The city of Louisville, Kentucky, has agreed to pay $800,000 in attorney fees to settle a case with a Christian photographer who fought to protect her religious and free speech rights over the years of litigation. Louisville ultimately spent a fortune to force Chelsey Nelson to photograph same sex marriages under its nondiscrimination laws. When combined with its own litigation costs, the case likely cost the city and the courts millions to deny Nelson her constitutional rights. Continue reading “Louisville Shells Out $800,000 for Unconstitutional Demands on Christian Photographer” →

Columns, Free Speech

“Will You Help Me Repair My Door?”: Rapper Afroman Wins Major Free Speech Verdict

Below is my column on Fox.com on the victory this week of Joseph E. Foreman, aka “Afroman,” in defending a lawsuit brought by police officers who raided his house. While perhaps lost in the theatrics, the Foreman verdict was a victory for free speech in protecting the right to parody government officials.

Here is the column: Continue reading ““Will You Help Me Repair My Door?”: Rapper Afroman Wins Major Free Speech Verdict” →

Columns, Constitutional Law, Free Speech

How a First-Grader Taught Her School District and a Federal Judge about Free Speech

Below is my column in The Hill on the recent significant victory for free speech out of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. It is a story of how this little first-grade girl schooled her principal and a federal judge on the essence of free speech.

Here is the column: Continue reading “How a First-Grader Taught Her School District and a Federal Judge about Free Speech” →

Constitutional Law, Courts, Free Speech, International

Prosecution of Maltese Man for Discussing Transition from Homosexuality Ends in Acquittal

We have been discussing the erosion of free speech rights across Europe, particularly within the European Union. The crackdowns on free speech in the United Kingdom, Germany, and France are often the focus of these columns. However, a recent case shows how smaller countries like Malta have joined this effort with a repressive vigor. Fortunately, the prosecution of Matthew Grech, 33, ended in acquittal this month, but not for a lack of effort by the government. The case should shock the conscience of anyone who values this “indispensable right.” Continue reading “Prosecution of Maltese Man for Discussing Transition from Homosexuality Ends in Acquittal” →

Academia, Free Speech

Virginia Democrats Move to Require Teaching Jan. 6th as an “Insurrection”

Virginia Democrats are moving to require teachers to tell students that Jan. 6th was an “insurrection” and effectively bar them from referencing “peaceful protests” or election irregularities. The characterization of the riot as an insurrection is historically and legally false. However, any parents who want to send their children to Virginia public schools would have to accept this form of indoctrination as part of their children’s education.

Continue reading “Virginia Democrats Move to Require Teaching Jan. 6th as an “Insurrection”” →

Free Speech, International, Media, Politics

No Laughing Matter: John Cleese Declares “I’m Afraid They are Going to Have to Arrest Me.”

In the classic movie comedy, A Fish Called Wanda, John Cleese lamented, “do you have any idea what it’s like being English? Being so correct all the time, being so stifled by this dread of, of doing the wrong thing.” Now 86, Cleese has a more pressing concern about being English: whether his exercise of free speech will make him a criminal in his own country. Continue reading “No Laughing Matter: John Cleese Declares “I’m Afraid They are Going to Have to Arrest Me.”” →

Free Speech, International, Politics, Society

Algerian Boxer Admits to Having XY Chromosomes and Commits to Hormonal Treatments

With the start of the Winter Games, a story this week resurrected a controversy from the last Summer Olympics. Previously, Olympic officials and pundits denounced those who objected to Algerian boxer Imane Khelif competing as a woman, saying that she was born a female. Female boxers withdrew from the competition rather than fight Khelif. Now, the boxer has admitted to having XY chromosomes and is taking hormone treatments to lower testosterone levels for the next Olympics. Continue reading “Algerian Boxer Admits to Having XY Chromosomes and Commits to Hormonal Treatments” →

Academia, Constitutional Law, Free Speech, International, Media, Politics

Rage and the Republic Becomes an Amazon Bestseller on First Day

Today, my book, Rage and the Republic: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution, has finally hit the shelves. I am delighted to report that the book opened the week on Monday at 4th on Amazon’s bestsellers before the release. It was also ranked 1st on the History, Constitutions, Democracy and other subject categories. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has ordered the book, which was released to coincide with our 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Continue reading “Rage and the Republic Becomes an Amazon Bestseller on First Day” →

Academia, Free Speech

Devouring its Own: Liberal Columnist Ezra Klein Faces Protest at Sarah Lawrence
On Tuesday, my new book for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Rage and the Republic, will be released. It is a book about revolutions, including our own. The book begins with a quote from the French writer Jacques Mallet du Pan, written in 1793: “Like Saturn, the Revolution devours its children.” History has proven him right over and over again. Today’s revolutionaries often become tomorrow’s reactionaries as the mob turns on its former leaders. Continue reading “Devouring its Own: Liberal Columnist Ezra Klein Faces Protest at Sarah Lawrence” →