Columns, Congress, Constitutional Law, Courts, Supreme Court

Democrats Dismiss Our Constitutional Traditions as ‘Nostalgia’

Below is my column in The Hill on the latest spin from the left to convince Americans to abandon core constitutional institutions and values as part of a radical agenda in the upcoming elections. Those who defend our traditions, on the 250th anniversary of our Republic, are now being accused of being “nostalgic” rather than progressive. It is a nostalgia that will take on a truly tragic element if professors, pundits and politicians are successful in this effort.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Democrats Dismiss Our Constitutional Traditions as ‘Nostalgia’” →

International, Politics, Society

The DSA and the Myth of Scandinavian Socialism

This week, Darializa Avila Chevalier was asked if there has ever been a “successful model of socialism anywhere in the world outside the United States in terms of both human rights and widespread economic justice.” The member of the Democratic Socialists of America responded by citing Sweden and Norway. It is a common false claim made by socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders and others. I address the claim head-on in Rage and the Republic.  Continue reading “The DSA and the Myth of Scandinavian Socialism” →

Constitutional Law, Courts, Politics, Supreme Court

No Mahalo for You: Hawaii Supreme Court Issues Unhinged Screed Denouncing the U.S. Supreme Court

This week, the Hawaii Supreme Court just issued a truly shocking opinion that unleashed a torrent of rage and recrimination against the majority of the United States Supreme Court, including suggesting that they are de facto racists. The opinion by Justice Todd W. Eddins is devoid of judicial restraint and decorum. The fact that other justices would join in such an unhinged screed is a disgrace to the court and the Hawaii bar. Continue reading “No Mahalo for You: Hawaii Supreme Court Issues Unhinged Screed Denouncing the U.S. Supreme Court” →

Travel Blog

A Gathering at the Iconic Chautauqua, New York
This week, I had the pleasure of speaking at Chautauqua, New York, the historic town about an hour and a half outside of Buffalo. The Chautauqua Institution has been an iconic American tradition for an annual gathering of art, spiritual, and educational events spread throughout its 856-acre property. I was not, however, speaking at the invitation of the Chautauqua Institution. I was brought in by the Advocates for Balance at Chautauqua (ABC), but more on that later. First, I wanted to share some of my experiences at this unique, beautiful town. Continue reading “A Gathering at the Iconic Chautauqua, New York” →
Columns, Congress, Constitutional Law, Politics

“Start Spreadin’ the News”: New York Losing Billions as Millionaires Flee the Big Apple

Below is my column in the New York Post on the sharp decline in millionaires in New York, costing the state billions as many flee. The exodus has been building for years but may now be accelerating. As Mayor Mamdani holds another press conference promising to end the “violence of evictions,” businesses are reading the writing on the wall. Rather than work to make the state more attractive to wealthy residents and businesses, Democrats are seeking to diminish the appeal of two-tax states. They want to tap into a long-barred area of taxation: the wealth rather than just the income of citizens. By passing a national wealth tax, Democrats will reduce the benefit of fleeing high-tax states like California and New York.

Here is the column:

Continue reading ““Start Spreadin’ the News”: New York Losing Billions as Millionaires Flee the Big Apple” →

Academia, Free Speech

“Frozen Out of Academic Life”: Law Professor Calls for “Repercussions” for Those Who Do Not “Recant” Views on Birthright Citizenship

The stifling intolerance and lack of intellectual diversity are a crushing reality in higher education today. There are few remaining conservatives or libertarians on law school faculties, which have been purged of dissenting voices through a biased hiring and promotion system. Despite years of complaints and declining public trust in higher education, faculty members continue to reinforce bias and orthodoxy in our schools. There is no better example than Fordham University School of Law professor John Pfaff, who recently called for “repercussions” for professors who do not “recant” their view that birthright citizenship is not protected by the 14th Amendment.

Continue reading ““Frozen Out of Academic Life”: Law Professor Calls for “Repercussions” for Those Who Do Not “Recant” Views on Birthright Citizenship” →

Academia, Politics

University of California Suspends Move to Restore Standardized Testing

A University of California advisory board suspended the much-celebrated planned review of the system’s admissions policies to bring back standardized testing requirements for undergraduate applicants. The decision of the academic senate’s Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools is not surprising to many of us who have been critical of the system in abandoning objective standards for admissions. Continue reading “University of California Suspends Move to Restore Standardized Testing” →

Academia

Gallup: Higher Education Hits Another Low in Public Trust as the Public Rejects Institutional Bias

According to the latest Gallup poll, only 38% of U.S. adults have a “great deal” or “quite a lot” of confidence in higher education. One of the Gallup experts told Fox News that one of the key reasons for the continued slide in public trust is “the perception that there’s a political agenda being taught.” That perception is well documented after most departments purged their ranks of any republican, conservative, or libertarian faculty members. At the same time, many faculty oppose the long-standing principle of institutional neutrality for universities, the subject of a recent debate that I had with the President of the American Association of University Professors. Continue reading “Gallup: Higher Education Hits Another Low in Public Trust as the Public Rejects Institutional Bias” →

Columns, Congress, Constitutional Law, Politics

Ro Khanna Launches Bid as Class Warrior with Expanded Wealth Tax Pledge

Below is my column in the California Post and New York Post on Rep. Ro Khanna confirming that the Billionaire Tax is really not a Billionaire Tax, but rather should be used to target the wealth of others. It is the latest manifestation of the class warfare being unleashed before the midterm elections.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Ro Khanna Launches Bid as Class Warrior with Expanded Wealth Tax Pledge” →

Constitutional Law, Courts, International, Torts

The Absurdity of the Hunter Biden Defamation Case

I have taught torts, including defamation for over 30 years, but I have never seen the like of the Hunter Biden defamation case. The defendant made defamatory statements and then just refused to appear. That led to an equally bizarre $1.7 million award by U.S. District Judge Stephen Wilson of the Central District of California to Biden, consisting of just $1 in nominal damages and the rest in punitive damages.

Academia, Criminal law, International

Tehran Rose: Will Far-Left Influencers Face Charges in Rallying America’s Enemies?

Below is my column in The Hill on the controversies involving far-left influencers rallying support for Iranian and anti-American interests. One figure, Calla Walsh, could face legal consequences for her participation in alleged Iranian propaganda videos. The question is whether she will be treated as a type of Tehran Rose by the U.S. government.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Tehran Rose: Will Far-Left Influencers Face Charges in Rallying America’s Enemies?” →

Columns, Constitutional Law, Politics

“Well Regulated” But Not Well Read: James Talarico Makes Curious Claim on Second Amendment

A virtual cottage industry has emerged among people finding James Talarico clips espousing everything from declaring his campaign meat-free to there being six genders to God being non-binary. One recently uncovered video from a meet-and-greet, however, attracted my interest and deepened my concerns about Talarico. It shows Talarico explaining why sweeping gun control laws do not violate the Second Amendment. The reason, he declared, is that the Second Amendment expressly embraces gun controls by referring to the right as “well regulated.” Continue reading ““Well Regulated” But Not Well Read: James Talarico Makes Curious Claim on Second Amendment” →

Congress, Politics

The Passing of Lindsey Graham, American Patriot and Politician

I am in Chautauqua, New York for a book event this week and was shocked to wake up to find that Lindsey Graham has died at 71. I knew and worked with Lindsey since his time in the House of Representatives.  We would correspond regularly on legal and constitutional issues. He was an extraordinary man with a deep and unshakable faith in this nation. His death is a great loss for our nation. Continue reading “The Passing of Lindsey Graham, American Patriot and Politician” →

Congress, Politics, Supreme Court

Slaughter Leaves Zombie Commission: Trump Fires Election Assistance Commissioners After Major Ruling

With the recent decision in  Trump v. Slaughter affirming the right of presidents to fire members of the “independent” commissions, President Donald Trump took out the newly recognized power for a spin by removing the members of the Election Assistance Commission (EAC). He removed the commissioners over their failure to implement voter identification and security policies. The question now is how the EAC will operate as a zombie commission without active commissioners. It turns out that this is not the first time that the EAC has been devoid of living members, though critics are likely to say that the EAC has always been moribund.

Continue reading “Slaughter Leaves Zombie Commission: Trump Fires Election Assistance Commissioners After Major Ruling” →

Criminal law, International, Politics

“It’s a Constitutional Thing”: Rubio Deports Convicted Rapist Protected by Walz and Minnesota Pardon Board

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has failed in his extraordinary effort to protect a Laotian rapist from deportation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has confirmed that he revoked Tue Lue Vang’s legal status and removed him from the United States. After repeatedly raping a 10-year-old girl between 2002 and 2004, Vang insisted it was “a cultural thing.” Well, this is a “constitutional thing” that the Secretary of State, not the Governor of Minnesota, determines who may remain in the United States after such a serious offense. Continue reading ““It’s a Constitutional Thing”: Rubio Deports Convicted Rapist Protected by Walz and Minnesota Pardon Board” →

Res ipsa loquitur – The thing itself speaks