Category: International

Free Speech, International

Carbon Neutral, Speech Negative: Amsterdam Bans Advertisements Featuring Meat and Fossil Fuels

In ā€œThe Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage,ā€ I write about how censorship often becomes an insatiable appetite once countries go down the road of speech regulation. There is no better example than the Dutch and their recent ban on public ads for meat and fossil fuels. Activists have imposed similar limitations on advertising for products in the United States, from alcohol to tobacco. However, the Dutch law reflects how this tendency can metastasize into shielding citizens from unhealthy choices or influences. Continue reading “Carbon Neutral, Speech Negative: Amsterdam Bans Advertisements Featuring Meat and Fossil Fuels” →

International, Politics

ā€œUse the Momentumā€: The EU Moves to Destroy the Last Vestiges of National Sovereignty

Below is my column in The Hill on the defeat of Viktor Orban. There was good-faith criticism of Orban as autocratic. However, the irony is that Hungary may have now cleared the way for the final stage of the European Union in overruling individual nations and their citizens on core policies.

Here is the column: Continue reading “ā€œUse the Momentumā€: The EU Moves to Destroy the Last Vestiges of National Sovereignty” →

Academia, Bizarre, International, Politics

House of Cards: How Equity Cards Collapsed at Canadian NDP Convention
The recent convention of the Canadian New Democratic Party (NDP) became a microcosm of the inanity of identity politics found in forums ranging from politics to higher education. Participants were given familiar “equity cards” as literal card-carrying members of groups demanding preferred treatment. The problem is when one identity group demands preference over another. The result, as seen in Winnipeg, was calamity and quickly became comedy.

Continue reading “House of Cards: How Equity Cards Collapsed at Canadian NDP Convention” →

International, Politics

International Olympic Committee Imposes Biological Test on Athletes

In the Paris Olympics, media and pundits piled on any commentators expressing opposition to transgender athletes playing in women’s sports. From the opening ceremony to the coverage, these athletes were presented as demonstrably women who could not be barred from competition. Now, theĀ International Olympic Committee has announced on Thursday that it would restrict womenā€™s sports to biological females and establish a genetic test for eligibility. The only question is who is going to apologize to JK Rowling and countless others called bigots for their calling for a biological rule to protect women’s sports. Continue reading “International Olympic Committee Imposes Biological Test on Athletes” →

Academia, International

“Lord, What Fools These Mortals Be!” Shakespeare’s Birthplace to be “Decolonized”

William Shakespeare's birthplace will be de-colonised over fears that portraying his success as the 'greatest' playwright 'benefits the ideology of white European supremacy'In Hamlet, William Shakespeare famously wrote, “To thine own self be true.” The problem is when others want to present a different “truth” long after you are gone. Shakespeare is under an unrelenting attack in the United Kingdom from trigger warnings to censoring his prose. Now, Shakespeare’s Birthplace Trust has announced that it will “de-colonise” the Bard. Continue reading ““Lord, What Fools These Mortals Be!” Shakespeare’s Birthplace to be “Decolonized”” →

International

Iceland Strips Father of Custody After Questioning Gender Transitioning of his Minor Child

We just discussed the horrifying story of a Christian family in Sweden who have been unable to regain custody of their daughters after the government declared them religious extremists. In Iceland, a father has been stripped of his parental rights after speaking out against his 11-year-old autistic son‘s sex change. Alexandre Rocha, a French national who has lived in Iceland for 25 years, lost custody of the child to the childā€™s mother in December after questioning the long-term impacts of puberty blockers and hormone therapies. Continue reading “Iceland Strips Father of Custody After Questioning Gender Transitioning of his Minor Child” →

Constitutional Law, Courts, Free Speech, International

Prosecution of Maltese Man for Discussing Transition from Homosexuality Ends in Acquittal

We have been discussing the erosion of free speech rights across Europe, particularly within the European Union. The crackdowns on free speech in the United Kingdom, Germany, and France are often the focus of these columns. However, a recent case shows how smaller countries like Malta have joined this effort with a repressive vigor. Fortunately, the prosecution of Matthew Grech, 33, ended in acquittal this month, but not for a lack of effort by the government. The case should shock the conscience of anyone who values this “indispensable right.” Continue reading “Prosecution of Maltese Man for Discussing Transition from Homosexuality Ends in Acquittal” →

Congress, Constitutional Law, International, Military, Politics

More Bark Than Bite: Kaine’s War Powers Resolution is an “Imminent” Failure

We now have a glimpse of the War Powers Resolution promised by Sen. Tim Kaine (D., Va.), which is reportedly scheduled for a vote in the Senate on Tuesday. The resolution purportedly ends all combat operations against Iran … until you reach the very end where there is a hole that you could drive a combat task force through. Continue reading “More Bark Than Bite: Kaine’s War Powers Resolution is an “Imminent” Failure” →

Columns, Congress, Constitutional Law, International, Military, Politics

Epic Fury: Trump Can Rely on Past Democratic Presidents for the Authority to Attack Iran

Below is my column on Fox.com on the legal authority for Operation Epic Fury. There are good-faith arguments that such attacks should require declarations of war. However, President Donald Trump can rely on his predecessors, including Presidents Clinton, Obama, and Biden for the authority to carry out these attacks.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Epic Fury: Trump Can Rely on Past Democratic Presidents for the Authority to Attack Iran” →

International, Media, Politics

“You’re Not Alone”: Reporters Comfort Those Triggered and Traumatized by Scenes of Patriotism

This week, most Americans found a moment of rare unity in our pride over the performance of our athletes in the Winter Olympics. After years of rage politics, there was a brief respite as we joined in cheering our team in representing the United States in Milan and Cortina. Well, most of us. Some in the media found the entire demonstration of patriotism to be intolerable and triggering. What is striking is how this aversion to our flag and country was so openly expressed in major media. Continue reading ““You’re Not Alone”: Reporters Comfort Those Triggered and Traumatized by Scenes of Patriotism” →

Free Speech, International, Media, Politics

No Laughing Matter: John Cleese Declares “Iā€™m Afraid They are Going to Have to Arrest Me.”

In the classic movie comedy, A Fish Called Wanda, John Cleese lamented, “do you have any idea what it’s like being English? Being so correct all the time, being so stifled by this dread of, of doing the wrong thing.” Now 86, Cleese has a more pressing concern about being English: whether his exercise of free speech will make him a criminal in his own country. Continue reading “No Laughing Matter: John Cleese Declares “Iā€™m Afraid They are Going to Have to Arrest Me.”” →

Columns, International, Media, Politics

“You Had Me at Hello”: Newsom and AOC Go to Europe to Pitch High Tax, High Regulation Policies

Below is my column in The Hill on the recent appearance of California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) in Munich. They found the perfect audience for pledging to reverse many current policies and re-embrace a high-taxation, high-regulation platform. The Europeans were giddy with excitement as they doubled down on policies that have stagnated many of their economies.

Here is the column:

Continue reading ““You Had Me at Hello”: Newsom and AOC Go to Europe to Pitch High Tax, High Regulation Policies” →

Free Speech, International, Politics, Society

Algerian Boxer Admits to Having XY Chromosomes and Commits to Hormonal Treatments

With the start of the Winter Games, a story this week resurrected a controversy from the last Summer Olympics. Previously, Olympic officials and pundits denounced those who objected to Algerian boxer Imane Khelif competing as a woman, saying that she was born a female. Female boxers withdrew from the competition rather than fight Khelif. Now, the boxer has admitted to having XY chromosomes and is taking hormone treatments to lower testosterone levels for the next Olympics. Continue reading “Algerian Boxer Admits to Having XY Chromosomes and Commits to Hormonal Treatments” →

Academia, Constitutional Law, Free Speech, International, Media, Politics

Rage and the Republic Becomes an Amazon Bestseller on First Day

Today, my book, Rage and the Republic: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution, has finally hit the shelves. I am delighted to report that the book opened the week on Monday at 4th on Amazon’s bestsellers before the release. It was also ranked 1st on the History, Constitutions, Democracy and other subject categories. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has ordered the book, which was released to coincide with our 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Continue reading “Rage and the Republic Becomes an Amazon Bestseller on First Day” →