Category: Columns

Columns

Child 3930: The Implausible and Wonderful Life of Tom Buergenthal

Below is my column in The Messenger on the passing of one of the greatest figures in human rights law, my former colleague Tom Buergenthal. Tom will be laid to rest this afternoon in Florida. This life was one of the most inspiring stories of human perseverance; an example of sheer will to overcome unspeakable horrors. His book, A Lucky Child, is a moving account of his struggle to live and overcome in a world torn apart by hate and violence. I wanted to share some of Tom’s story with you in memory of one of the most extraordinary figures in our generation.

Here is the column:

Continue reading “Child 3930: The Implausible and Wonderful Life of Tom Buergenthal” →

Columns, Politics

“Safe Harbor”: New Evidence Offers Insight into Hunter Biden and his Collapsing World of Corruption

Below is my column in the New York Post on newly discovered exchanges within the Biden family over the collapsing fortunes of Hunter Biden in 2018. As one of the primary conduits for influence peddling in the Biden family, Hunter appeared to be in a free fall and his Uncle Jim appeared to offer him a “safe harbor” and to guarantee “all the deals are still alive.”

Here is the column: Continue reading ““Safe Harbor”: New Evidence Offers Insight into Hunter Biden and his Collapsing World of Corruption” →

Columns, Society

“Up For Whatever”: Bud Light and Other Companies are Facing Resilient Boycotts Over Media Campaigns
Screenshot/YouTube

Below is my Hill column on the growing backlash of consumers against companies like Anheuser-Busch for controversial media campaigns.  For a brand with a slogan of “Up For Whatever,” Bud Light may not be up for the meltdown unfolding across the country. The company is now effectively giving away beer due to plunging sales. It is not good when your brand comes synonymous with self-destructive marketing. “Bud Lighting” is now being used as a verb, noun, and present participle. When Miller Lite produced a controversial ad to attract women, it was accused of “Bud Lighting” itself. Bud Light has now joined names like Bork (as in “Borked” nominees) or Gerry (as in Gerrymandering) that became negative verbs or nouns. That is hardly good news when you are hoping to be known for your beer.

Here is the column: Continue reading ““Up For Whatever”: Bud Light and Other Companies are Facing Resilient Boycotts Over Media Campaigns” →

Columns, Congress

“I Don’t Want to Do Any of This”: IRS Whistleblower Defies the Biden Administration and the Media
(CBS Evening News/Screenshot via YouTube)

Below is my column in the New York Post on the most recent whistleblower coming forward to publicly accuse the Biden Administration of “slow walking” the investigation of Hunter Biden. The source of the interference with the IRS investigation, according to Gary Shapley, was the Department of Justice. It is the latest chapter in the story of “The Incredibly Shrinking Merrick Garland.”

Here is the column: Continue reading ““I Don’t Want to Do Any of This”: IRS Whistleblower Defies the Biden Administration and the Media” →

Columns, Criminal law

A League of Their Own: The Rollins Decision Follows a Troubling Pattern at the DOJ

Below is my column in The Messenger on the recent decision not to prosecute Rachael Rollins, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts. The decision follows a pattern of DOJ refusing to charge its own. It is a league (and license) of their own.

Here is the column: Continue reading “A League of Their Own: The Rollins Decision Follows a Troubling Pattern at the DOJ” →

Columns, Politics

“It’s Time to Pay”: Democratic Members and Activists Demand Fulfillment of Past Promises from Reparations to Sanctuary Cities

Below is my column on the conflict in Democratic states over the fulfillment of prior political pledges from reparations to sanctuary cities. Democratic states like California cannot blame the opposing party for a failure to fulfill the pledge for cash reparations. That leaves them in a bind. Small payments will belittle a commitment that was called a civic duty and moral imperative. After years of campaigning on the issue, expectations are high and tensions appear to be rising.

Here is the column:

Continue reading ““It’s Time to Pay”: Democratic Members and Activists Demand Fulfillment of Past Promises from Reparations to Sanctuary Cities” →

Columns, Constitutional Law

The Heaven’s Gate Option: Congressional Democrats Beg Biden to Make Them Constitutional Nonentities
Hale-Bopp Comet

Below is a slightly modified version of my column in The Hill on the call of Democratic members for President Joe Biden to circumvent Congress and simply raise the debt limit unilaterally.  It is more than a flawed constitutional theory. It is an abandonment of the core premise of our constitutional system that each branch would jealously protect its own institutional interests and powers. It is reminiscent of when Democrats applauded wildly when President Barack Obama told them that he was going to circumvent Congress entirely after it refused to approve his immigration and environmental legislation. They were applauding their own institutional obsolescence.  I called it a constitutional tipping point and now Democrats are asking to be effectively stripped of their core power over the purse.

Here is the column:

Continue reading “The Heaven’s Gate Option: Congressional Democrats Beg Biden to Make Them Constitutional Nonentities” →

Columns, Criminal law, Media, Politics

“The Impossible Must Be Possible”: How the Durham Whodunit Became Who Didn’t Do it

Below is my column in the New York Post, which turned out to be the theme for the cover. Despite impressive efforts at spinning the findings by the media, the Durham Report highlighted two scandals. First, there was a comprehensive effort of the political and media establishments to perpetrate one of the great hoaxes in history — a political hit job that ultimately derailed an American presidency. Second, there was no real accountability for that effort for the main players from Clinton to Comey to Congress. It was much like The Murder on the Orient Express. The question is not “whodunit” but who didn’t do it. Spoiler alert: they all did it so no one was punished.

Here is the column:

Continue reading ““The Impossible Must Be Possible”: How the Durham Whodunit Became Who Didn’t Do it” →

Columns, Congress, Politics

The Immunity Option: How Congress Could Have the Final Say on the Russian Collusion Scandal
(MSNBC/via YouTube)

For those interested in the truth about the Russian collusion investigation, the Durham Report has hundreds of pages of details of the alliance of political, government and media figures behind arguably the greatest hoax in U.S. history. The only thing it does not have is an actual indictment or true accountability for the critical players in an effort to derail an American presidency. Indeed, some witnesses associated with the Clinton campaign appear to have refused to cooperate with the investigation. Congress could change that. Continue reading “The Immunity Option: How Congress Could Have the Final Say on the Russian Collusion Scandal” →

Columns, Justice, Politics

Durham Report Condemns the FBI’s Russia Probe — But Don’t Expect It to Make a Difference

Below is my column in The Messenger, the new digital news platform created by Jimmy Finkelstein (the former owner of The Hill).  Finkelstein’s signature has always been balanced publications where all viewpoints are represented and objectivity remains the touchstone for reporters. That puts him at odds with the “advocacy journalism” model sweeping other publications. The start of the new platform is good news for many of us who believe that the media is facing an existential choice in the coming years. I am happy to be able to contribute to the rollout of the site and look forward to working again with Jimmy and my old Hill editors.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Durham Report Condemns the FBI’s Russia Probe — But Don’t Expect It to Make a Difference” →

Columns, Media, Politics

America’s State Media: The Blackout on Biden Corruption is Truly “Pulitzer-Level Stuff”

Below is my column in The Hill on the continued media blackout on evidence of influence peddling and corrupt practices by the Biden family. The coverage of the recent disclosure of dozens of LLCs and bank accounts used to funnel up to $10 million to Biden family members captured the growing concerns over a de facto state media in the United States. Under the current approach to journalism, it is the New York Times that receives a Pulitzer for a now debunked Russian collusion story rather than the New York Post for a now proven Hunter Biden laptop story.

Here is the column: Continue reading “America’s State Media: The Blackout on Biden Corruption is Truly “Pulitzer-Level Stuff”” →

Columns, Politics

The Trouble with Hunter: President Biden Repeats Claim that his Son Has “Done Nothing Wrong”

In the hilarious 1955 classic, The Trouble with Harry, a group of people in a small New England town struggle over what to do with a body that keeps popping up. In one scene, the character Capt. Albert Wilesa declares “Blessed are they who expect nothing, for they shall not be disappointed.”

President Joe Biden has clearly taken Capt. Wilesa’s words to heart. In an interview with MSNBC, President Biden repeated the same mantra that he has maintained since the 2020 election when his son’s laptop revealed an array of possible criminal acts: Hunter has “done nothing wrong.” Continue reading “The Trouble with Hunter: President Biden Repeats Claim that his Son Has “Done Nothing Wrong”” →

Columns, Politics

Risky Business: Appearance of ‘Risk’ Manager Sends Oberlin Students into Frenzy over the Danger of ‘Risk Aversion’

Below is my column in the Hill on the recent controversy at Oberlin College where students are alarmed by the appearance of a risk manager on campus to address the costly lawsuits draining the school.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Risky Business: Appearance of ‘Risk’ Manager Sends Oberlin Students into Frenzy over the Danger of ‘Risk Aversion’” →

Columns, Media, Politics

Blinken’s Immaculate Conception Defense: Why Things Are Likely to Get Worse for the Secretary of State

Below is my column in the New York Post on the response of Secretary of State Antony Blinken to allegations that he was the original source for the Russian disinformation claim behind the Hunter Biden laptop. I wrote previously that Blinken is struggling to avoid the look of a “made man” who earned his bones in the Biden Administration. Things are now likely to get worse after a U.S. senator added an alleged false statements charge to Blinken’s controversies.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Blinken’s Immaculate Conception Defense: Why Things Are Likely to Get Worse for the Secretary of State” →

Columns, Constitutional Law, Politics, Supreme Court

Daily Condemnations with Al Franken: Former Senator Denounces John Roberts and the Supreme Court
YouTube Screengrab

This morning, Chief Justice John Roberts should get up, look into the mirror and declare “I deserve good things. I am entitled to my share of happiness. I refuse to beat myself up. I am an attractive person. I am fun to be with.” That mantra from SNL’s “Daily Affirmation with Stuart Smalley” seems appropriate after the former Smalley comedian (and former U.S. Senator) Al Franken declared Roberts a “villain” and his Court “illegitimate” in the latest attack on the institution. Continue reading “Daily Condemnations with Al Franken: Former Senator Denounces John Roberts and the Supreme Court” →