Age of Rage: 26 Million Americans Believe Political Violence is Justified

A poll released by the University of Chicago via the Chicago Project on Security and Threats offers a chilling account of the growing radicalism in America, particularly after the second foiled assassination attempt of former president Donald Trump, the poll found that 26 million Americans believe “the use of force” is justified to keep Trump from regaining the presidency. Continue reading “Age of Rage: 26 Million Americans Believe Political Violence is Justified”

Bretxit: Notorious EU Anti-Free Speech Figure Thierry Breton Resigns in a Huff

We have previously discussed Thierry Breton, the European Union commissioner who has been an unabashed leader of the anti-free speech movement in Europe.  Breton has threatened Elon Musk and others over the lack of censorship, including allowing candidates like former president Donald Trump to speak freely on his platform. For free speech advocates, Breton’s sudden and unexpected demise was reminiscent of the scene in the Wizard of Oz. Despite pledging to get Musk and his little platform too, Breton seemed to melt away faster than Margaret Hamilton after being hit with a bucket of water.

Continue reading “Bretxit: Notorious EU Anti-Free Speech Figure Thierry Breton Resigns in a Huff”

Teaching Joy: L.A. School District Opts for “Educational Enjoyment” Over Standardized Tests

It appears that the Harris-Walz campaign to embrace “joy” has taken hold among educators in L.A. The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) voted 4-3 to allow 10 schools to opt out of standardized tests and test preparation beginning in the 2025-26 school year. LAUSD President Jackie Goldberg declared the move was a blow to “corporate America” and would restore the “enjoyment of education.” Continue reading “Teaching Joy: L.A. School District Opts for “Educational Enjoyment” Over Standardized Tests”

With Fact-Checks Like These, How Does Truth Stand a Chance?

Below is my column in The Hill on the controversial role played by the ABC moderators in the presidential debate. Three false claims in the debate continue to be repeated in what is now our post-truth political environment. (ABC later challenged another claim by Harris on the deployment of U.S. troops).

Here is the column: Continue reading “With Fact-Checks Like These, How Does Truth Stand a Chance?”

IRS Whistleblowers Sue Hunter Biden’s Lawyer Abbe Lowell for Defamation

Last January, I received a letter threatening me with a defamation lawsuit if I continued my criticism of Hunter Biden, including allegations of criminal conduct. It all seemed part of a “Legion of Doom” defense hatched by Biden supporters reportedly to target critics and even potential witnesses. I proceeded to write three more columns repeating the claims, but did not hear again from the Biden team. Now, it is the Biden defense that is being targeted with defamation lawsuits. IRS investigators Gary Shapley and Joe Ziegler are suing attorney Abbe Lowell over public allegations of criminal conduct on their part. Continue reading “IRS Whistleblowers Sue Hunter Biden’s Lawyer Abbe Lowell for Defamation”

Australia Moves Toward Draconian Anti-Free Speech Law

We have previously discussed how Australia has eagerly joined the plunge into censorship and speech controls, including a court system that has repeatedly refused to protect free speech. It is now on the verge of enacting a new censorship bill that replicates the abuses under the European Union’s draconian Digital Service Act (DSA). Continue reading “Australia Moves Toward Draconian Anti-Free Speech Law”

Sixth Circuit Hands Down Major Free Speech Win for Professor Against the University of Louisville

The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit handed down a major victory for free speech this week in favor of a professor challenging his treatment by the University of Louisville. In Josephson v. Ganzel, a unanimous panel ruled for Dr. Allan Josephson who was subject to adverse actions after he publicly expressed skepticism over some treatments for youth diagnosed with gender dysphoria. The decision is important because it deals with qualified immunity and reaffirms liability for the denial of free speech protections.

Continue reading “Sixth Circuit Hands Down Major Free Speech Win for Professor Against the University of Louisville”

Well-Known Antifa Member Sentenced to Jail Despite Journalism Defense

Alissa Eleanor Azar, a well-known Antifa activist, was sentenced to jail recently in Oregon after being convicted of felony riot and disorderly conduct. What is notable about the case was the journalism defense put forward by Azar, who claims that she was not a participant but press. That assertion is belied by not just videotapes of Azar assaulting members of the far-right group The Proud Boys but her long record of violence. Continue reading “Well-Known Antifa Member Sentenced to Jail Despite Journalism Defense”

“American Democracy Doesn’t Survive”: Brown Professor Warns of the “Dangers of the Constitution”

We have been discussing a slew of books and interviews by academics denouncing the Constitution or individual rights as a threat to democracy. The latest is Brown University Political Science Professor Corey Brettschneider who is warning about the “dangers of the Constitution.”

Continue reading ““American Democracy Doesn’t Survive”: Brown Professor Warns of the “Dangers of the Constitution””

“Perceived Criticism”: CEO Katherine Mayer Defends NPR’s Coverage and Culture

National Public Radio has had a rough go in the last few years with declining audiences, financial shortfalls, and the recent exposure of its political bias by longtime editor Uri Berliner. However, if you tuned into the comments of NPR CEO Katherine Maher this week at the Texas Tribune Festival,  you would think that the only challenging decision for NPR is picking the design of the next pledge drive tote bag. Continue reading ““Perceived Criticism”: CEO Katherine Mayer Defends NPR’s Coverage and Culture”

Get Musk: Leading Investor Calls for the Prosecution of Elon Musk for “Undermining” the Federal Government

Silicon Valley investor Roger McNamee this weekend went on MSNBC’s “Last Word” and called for the arrest of Elon Musk for “undermining” the federal government by sharing his opinions on X. Continue reading “Get Musk: Leading Investor Calls for the Prosecution of Elon Musk for “Undermining” the Federal Government”

The Ghost of Richard Daley: Democrats Aren’t Creating Disorder; They’re Preserving it

Below is my column in the Hill on the effort of Democratic officials to keep Robert Kennedy on the ballot in swing states after seeking to block actual candidates from the same ballots. It is all in the name of democracy.

Here is the column:

Continue reading “The Ghost of Richard Daley: Democrats Aren’t Creating Disorder; They’re Preserving it”

The Blair Witch Project: Former Prime Minister Calls for Global Censorship

In the 1999 cult classic The Blair Witch Project, one character tells his friends “I could help you, but I’d rather stand here and record.” For free speech advocates, we often feel that other citizens have become passive observers as an anti-free speech movement grows around us, threatening our “indispensable right.”

One of the most infamous figures in this movement has been former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who has long been the smiling face of censorship. As the head of the Labour Party, Blair pushed through some of the early crackdowns on free speech in the United Kingdom. He is now calling for global censorship to expand these efforts. Continue reading “The Blair Witch Project: Former Prime Minister Calls for Global Censorship”

Hunter Biden Discovers There is No “Nicer” Way to Say “I’m Guilty”

Below is my column in Fox.com on the Hunter Biden guilty plea. The plea proved vintage Hunter Biden for all of the wrong reasons. The effort to plead guilty without admitting guilt left him looking like the most privileged person since Marie Antoinette. However, it was consistent with a bizarre criminal defense that never seemed connected to a legal strategy. In a twist on the famous tag line from Love Story, Hunter believed that being a Biden “is never having to say you’re guilty.”

Here is the column: Continue reading “Hunter Biden Discovers There is No “Nicer” Way to Say “I’m Guilty””

Hunter Biden Loses Game of Chicken With Himself

Below is my column in the New York Post on the sudden guilty plea from Hunter Biden in his federal tax case. It was not the plea but the timing of the plea that was the surprise. What is missing is any cognizable legal strategy in waiting until the first day of the trial to make a “naked plea” when it offered the least possible benefit to him. It was like waiting for the water to reach the deck of the Titanic before asking about swimming lessons. He was a tad late and then unsuccessfully sought to plead guilty without admitting guilt.

Here is the column:

Continue reading “Hunter Biden Loses Game of Chicken With Himself”

Res ipsa loquitur – The thing itself speaks