Category: International

French Police Identify Antifa as the “Ideologically Distinct Group” Behind the Riots Despite Democratic Denials

Years ago, I called Antifa the Keyser Söze of the left, after the character in “The Usual Suspects.” In the film, the character Virgil explains how Söze stayed in the shadows: he became “a myth, a spook story that criminals tell their kids at night.” The strategy was too simple: “the greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he did not exist.”

Democratic leaders have long fostered the myth around Antifa, the largest and most violent group on the political left. For years, they have denied the existence of the group even as members were charged with crimes (including terrorism). Now, the French authorities have found that the nonexistent group is the largest of three “ideologically distinct groups” responsible for the violence in France. It appears that either the entire French security system is delusional or the trick is up for the American left.

Continue reading “French Police Identify Antifa as the “Ideologically Distinct Group” Behind the Riots Despite Democratic Denials” →

Macron Goes Full Orwell: The French President Makes One More Pitch for Censorship

French President Emmanuel Macron went full Orwell this week. While long the darling of Western media, Macron has been one of the most anti-free-speech leaders in the world. This week, he declared that “The so-called American ‘free speech’ today, which some people have promoted, is the opposite of free speech.” Having Emmanuel Macron holding forth on free speech is akin to Joey Chestnut proselytizing on veganism. Continue reading “Macron Goes Full Orwell: The French President Makes One More Pitch for Censorship” →

Fashion Police: Fifteen-Year-Old Boy is Arrested after Joking about how a Politician Dresses

The leader of the Conservative Party on the Wolverhampton City Council, Simon Bennett, apparently can take anything but fashion criticism. The politician reportedly called the police on a 15-year-old boy for mocking his clothing style at meetings. It is the latest example of the collapse of free speech in the United Kingdom.

Continue reading “Fashion Police: Fifteen-Year-Old Boy is Arrested after Joking about how a Politician Dresses” →

French Feminist Convicted of the Crime of “Public Insult” for Refusing to Call Transgender Mayor a “Woman”

Dora Moutot is a feminist who has dedicated much of her life to fighting for women’s rights and has built a following on social media. Like other feminists, Moutot does not view transgender women the same as biological women. She has now joined others who are facing criminal charges for expressing those views. Transgender advocates have demanded that she be punished for her views in France. Continue reading “French Feminist Convicted of the Crime of “Public Insult” for Refusing to Call Transgender Mayor a “Woman”” →

Palestinian Activist Defaces Churchill Statue and Boasts About it in Court…British Jury Finds Him Not Guilty

Winston Churchill, an avid painter, always said that “audacity” is the key to every artist. If so, Caspar San Giorgi, 39, has a good start on an artistic career in Great Britain. The Palestinian activist, who is reportedly Dutch and also goes by the name of Olax Outis, took a ladder and a box of spray paint in February to deface the famous statue of Churchill in Parliament Square. Despite his admitting to the crime and rejoicing in it, a British jury just found him not guilty in a blatant act of jury nullification. Continue reading “Palestinian Activist Defaces Churchill Statue and Boasts About it in Court…British Jury Finds Him Not Guilty” →

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” →

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” →

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” →

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” →

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” →

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” →

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.

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?” →

“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” →

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” →