Below is my column in USA Today on the upcoming hearing on the allegations of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford against Judge Bret Kavanaugh. There has been a strange disconnect as Democrats denounce Republicans for prejudging Ford or denying her an impartial hearing while they announced in advance that they believe her — and by extension they do not believe Kavanaugh. While the Senate is not a court of law, both sides recognize that they are supposed to afford witnesses a fair and unbiased hearing, particularly when the subject is such a serious allegation as attempted rape.
Here is the column: Continue reading “Blind Justice or Blind Rage: The Kavanaugh-Ford Hearing and the Politics Of Belief”
After the Senate agreed to extend the last deadline on Friday to 2:30 today, Christine Blasey Ford has agreed to testify while seeking to continue to negotiate on some details with the Senate. It is not clear how much progress has been made since Ford previously said she would testify but would not agree on the date or conditions. Then she pulled back from that commitment while seeking conditions. Now she is saying again that she would testify but again asking for conditions and negotiations.
Far right political leader, Marine Le Pen, has been ordered into psychiatric evaluations after she posted graphic images of bodies of people executed by the Islamic State. She was accused under the French laws criminalization different forms of speech — laws that I have long criticized as part of a European rollback on core free speech rights. Posting the pictures was 
Below is my column in USA Today on the different outcomes possible in the ongoing Kavanaugh controversy. These scenarios have become more complex after a hearing was schedule for Monday and then Dr. Christine Blasey Ford announced that she would not appear. She has declared that the FBI must investigate her allegations of attempted rape as a condition of her testimony. What is clear is that the last minute allegation has galvanized the Democratic ranked, including 
Imagine if a male United States Senator declared that women just need to “shut up.” It would be a grossly sexist and disturbing statement that lead to calls for censure. However, there apparently is no such concern in the inverse. Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) told men to “shut up and step up” when asked about the allegations against Judge Brett Kavanaugh. Hirono further insists that accused Dr. Christine Blasey Ford 
Donald Trump Jr. has been fueling controversies this week with his
Below is my column in the Hill newspaper on the unfolding controversy surrounding the allegations of attempted rape leveled against Judge Brett Kavanaugh. The Republicans have called for a Monday hearing with both Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and Kavanaugh. However, while saying earlier that she was prepared to testify, the Committee said that Ford had not responded to multiple invitation. 
I am always surprised by commentators who not only predict a historic event but put a specific date on its occurrence. Rudy Giuliani of course predicted that the Mueller investigation would be over by September 1, 2018 (
I have previously written about the continued use of blasphemy laws in the West, including Spain and Ireland. The continued enforcement of medieval concepts of blasphemy as evidenced by the detention of Willy Toledo, who was accused of ridiculing God and the Virgin Mary in court. Toledo is being targeted due to comments made on social media in support of three women who are being prosecuted for blasphemy. It is chilling to think that an actual judge would hold such a hearing in modern times. The nation that gave us the Spanish Inquisition still claims the right to imprison people for insulting God.
George Washington University has found itself in the eye of the storm over Hurricane Maria after President Donald