Category: International

Criminal law, International

Brazilian Lift: Diplomats Accused of Helping Fugitive “Dr. Frankenstein” to Flee United States

Mugshot of João Batista Cunha de Araujo, a 56-year-old plastic surgeon from Brazil, who was arrested for practicing medicine without a license in Florida.

There is an intriguing story out of Brazil where Joao Arajuo, 57, a plastic surgeon known as “Dr. Frankenstein,” resurfaced after cutting an ankle monitor and fleeing the United States. The infamous plastic surgeon mocked the police and recounted how easy it was to flee the country. However, in detailing his escape, he implicated Brazilian diplomats in actively assisting the flight, making them accessories after the fact. Continue reading “Brazilian Lift: Diplomats Accused of Helping Fugitive “Dr. Frankenstein” to Flee United States” →

International, Torts

Azerbaijan Sues CNN Over Story on Cooperation with Israel in War on Iran

There is a novel (and highly dubious) lawsuit filed in Delaware by the nation of Azerbaijan against CNN for a story claiming that it was cooperating with Israel in attacks on Iran. Republic of Azerbaijan v. CNN, Inc. borders on the legally frivolous, but it is likely politically advantageous to show Iran that it contests the allegations. Continue reading “Azerbaijan Sues CNN Over Story on Cooperation with Israel in War on Iran” →

Congress, Constitutional Law, International

Israel Careens Towards Elections as Radicals Again Play Oversized Role in a Flawed Parliamentary System

As Israel moves toward one of the most impactful elections in its history, radical groups and voices are again using their oversized influence in what I have long argued is a flawed parliamentary system.  The current elections and fragile coalitions, in my opinion, highlight the system’s inherent vulnerabilities. Some of my Israeli friends disagree with me on the parliamentary system and point to our own tensions. It is certainly true that both our major parties can be captive to the more extreme groups due to the need for candidates to win primaries. However, I believe structural problems remain in the Israeli system.

Continue reading “Israel Careens Towards Elections as Radicals Again Play Oversized Role in a Flawed Parliamentary System” →

Free Speech, International

Criminal “Villification”: Australia Court Upholds Fine and Compelled Speech in Transgender Case

We have followed the evisceration of free speech values in the United Kingdom and other Western nations. Australia has been one of the most chilling examples of how a population can be conditioned over time to view free speech as a threat. The country now criminalizes and regulates an ever-expanding range of speech, including political and religious viewpoints. The most recent example is the Supreme Court of New South Wales upholding a conviction for ‘vilification’ after women’s rights campaigner Kirralie Smith and the publication Binary Australia referred to two transgender individuals as men due to their biological sex. That led not only to $95,000 in fines but also to a sentence of compelled speech. Continue reading “Criminal “Villification”: Australia Court Upholds Fine and Compelled Speech in Transgender Case” →

Free Speech, International, Society

UK Politicians Call for More Speech Regulation After the Murder of Ann Widdecombe, Who Opposed Such Measures

The murder of British conservative icon Ann Widdecombe was barely reported when the usual suspects gathered to use her death to call for even greater censorship in the United Kingdom. The move follows Rahm Emanuel’s principle that you “never want a serious crisis to go to waste.” We saw similar moves after the killing of free speech advocates, including the Charlie Hebdo massacre.  For some of the anti-free speech figures on the left, there must be a quiet sense of satisfaction to use the murder of Widdecombe, long a critic of censorship and speech regulations, as an excuse for even greater crackdowns on social media and the Internet. Continue reading “UK Politicians Call for More Speech Regulation After the Murder of Ann Widdecombe, Who Opposed Such Measures” →

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, 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?” →

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” →

Free Speech, International

Merkel Receives the First European Order of Merit and Repeats Call for Crackdown on Free Speech

The European Union recently announced the first recipients of its new European Order of Merit, the organization’s highest award. The headliner was Angela Merkel, former Federal Chancellor of Germany, who indeed personifies the European Union for both her fans and her critics. For many years, some of us have criticized Merkel as one of the leading forces behind European censorship efforts that have eviscerated the “Indispensable Right.” Not surprisingly, Merkel called for more censorship and attacks on free speech to a thrilled audience of EU bureaucrats and globalists. Continue reading “Merkel Receives the First European Order of Merit and Repeats Call for Crackdown on Free Speech” →

Free Speech, International

British Ofcom Investigates Airing of Trump Interview Calling Climate Change a “Hoax”

I have been writing about the decline of free speech in the United Kingdom for years, including in my book The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage.  One of the most critical components of the British censorship system is Ofcom, the Office of Communications, which regulates the broadcasting, internet, telecommunications, and postal industries. The most recent controversy is detailed in the Telegraph, with Ofcom investigating GB News over the simple replaying of a Trump interview in which he called climate change a “hoax.” Continue reading “British Ofcom Investigates Airing of Trump Interview Calling Climate Change a “Hoax”” →

Academia, Free Speech, International

Ressa at Dartmouth : Anti-Free Speech Figure Calls the State of Free Speech in the U.S. “Horrific”

In the global anti-free speech movement, Maria Ressa stands apart. The 2021 Nobel Peace Prize winner and Columbia professor has used her celebrated position to call for censorship in the name of tolerance and diversity. She is showered with accolades as she calls for curtailing speech with a highly sophisticated, though at times Orwellian, pitch. In the cause of tolerance, she calls for viewpoint intolerance, particularly in the regulation of speech on the Internet.

That was evident this week as she spoke at Dartmouth’s Division of Institutional Diversity and Equity Social Justice Awards. The most insidious aspect of this campaign is how academic and other groups regularly portray Ressa as a free speech advocate.

Continue reading “Ressa at Dartmouth : Anti-Free Speech Figure Calls the State of Free Speech in the U.S. “Horrific”” →

Free Speech, International

Starmer Government Doubles Down on Anti-Free Speech Policies

When hundreds of thousands of Britons joined the recent Unite the Kingdom rally, the government of Keir Starmer wanted them to know that they were being watched for possible arrest. By deploying facial recognition systems and invoking the United Kingdom’s anti-free speech laws, Starmer’s government made it clear that it would not tolerate anything it considered hateful or xenophobic, on the heels of its losses to Reform UK in council elections. Continue reading “Starmer Government Doubles Down on Anti-Free Speech Policies” →

Academia, International, Politics

Law Professor Calls for Extension of Copyright Laws to Claims of Cultural Appropriation

Cultural appropriation and microaggressions are common complaints on campuses across the country, including most recently an allegation of cultural appropriation raised after a drum line formed at an event at UC Davis. Now, Miami law professor J. Janewa Osei-Tutu has suggested codifying cultural appropriation claims as copyright violations. It is the type of incredible proposal that is eagerly embraced inside, and largely ignored outside, of higher education.

Continue reading “Law Professor Calls for Extension of Copyright Laws to Claims of Cultural Appropriation” →

Free Speech, International, Religion, Society

Northern Ireland Convicts 78-Year-Old Minister for Preaching Near Abortion Clinic

Northern Ireland is finally safe. Clive Johnston has been convicted and can no longer menace the public.

Johnson, 78, is a retired pastor who committed the heinous offense of preaching near the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine. That was considered within the “safe access zone” under Northern Ireland’s Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act. Continue reading “Northern Ireland Convicts 78-Year-Old Minister for Preaching Near Abortion Clinic” →

Res ipsa loquitur – The thing itself speaks