In my torts class, we just discussed the privilege of self-defense, the Castle Doctrine, and statutory Stand Your Ground laws. There is a new case out of Indiana where Martell Pickens, 30, is facing reckless homicide charges for the shooting of Khadolphee Taylor, 25, outside his Fort Wayne home. The case shows the conflicts that arise in the application of both common law and statutory privileges in the use of lethal force.
Continue reading “Self-Defense or Reckless Homicide? Indiana Homeowner Arrested After Shooting Alleged Felon”
Category: Society
Below is my column in USA Today on the rising support for political violence, particularly among young voters. Citizens are being desensitized to violence, even murder, when committed for a good cause.
Here is the column: Continue reading “Gandhi is Out, Mangione is In: Political Violence is in Vogue in America”
The prison abolitionist movement has been gaining steam across the country with the rise of radical left candidates such as New York’s Darializa Avila Chevalier, who will soon be a member of Congress. Many have asked what will replace prisons in the post-carceral society. Seattle University law professor Dean Spade has the answer: care and accountability circles. If you are having that My Cousin Vinny moment of “you were serious about Dat?,” the answer is, yes, they are indeed very serious about that. Continue reading “The Abolitionist Movement: Professor Argues for “Care and Accountability Circles” as an Alternative to Prisons”
“You better get ready for … war.” Across the country, radicals are openly planning for the next stage of their movement, and notably, the Democratic establishment is not part of their plans. Despite the talk of a “Big Tent Party,” socialists are riding high on a surge of support and talking purges and revolution. Continue reading ““You Better Get Ready for … War”: Socialists Call for “War in the Streets” and the End of Capitalism”
Senate Democrat nominee James Talarico appears ready to bring a touch of Trotsky to Texas. In a video from a climate forum, Talarico is shown declaring capitalism an “oppressive system” linked with white supremacy and that it must be “dismantled” to achieve a better world. It is reminiscent of Leon Trotsky, who denounced the “fundamental evil of the capitalist system” and called on citizens to free themselves from its oppression. The Democratic Socialists of America and radical sites have long called “to dismantle the capitalist state.” Continue reading “The Texas Trotsky? Talarico Declares Capitalism an “Oppressive System” that Must Be “Dismantled””
There was a curious moment this week when Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed expressed shock that people were asking him about a “streamer in California” as he campaigns for the Senate in Michigan. That streamer is, of course, Hasan Piker. Despite El-Sayed’s disbelief, the questions stemmed from the fact that he brought Piker from California to campaign with him in Michigan and embraced him despite condemnations of Piker’s virulent antisemitism and violent rhetoric. However, the problem goes far deeper, as El-Sayed distances himself from views he has previously voiced. Continue reading “Abdul El-Sayed and the Piker Problem”
In Breaking Bad, the character Walter White explains to a major drug dealer why cheaper knockoffs of his signature Blue Sky methamphetamine are just not enough: “So… it’s grade-school tee-ball vs. the New York Yankees. Yours is just some tepid… off-brand, generic cola. What I’m making is classic Coke.”
This week, James Carville released his own uncut, undiluted classic product to a nation of rage addicts. Blue Sky rage. What set off Carville was telling. He and others were outraged that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries met with Trump’s son-in-law and close adviser Jared Kushner to discuss areas of common ground. Such dialogue “with the enemy” is unthinkable in an “age of rage,” particularly for someone like Carville who previously threatened that, once Democrats are back in power, Trump supporters would be treated the same way as Nazi collaborators after World War II. Continue reading “Blue Sky Rage: James Carville Releases His Signature Uncut Product to a Nation of Rage Addicts”
Below is my column in Fox.com on the interview last night of Michigan Democratic Senatorial candidate Abdul El-Sayed with Fox host Jesse Watters. (An earlier version appeared on the blog, but I have replaced it with this shorter version).
Here is the column:
Below is my opinion on recent incidents involving customers being forced out of businesses due to their political views or associations. There is a crushing irony for some who supported efforts to force businesses to prepare products from cakes to websites despite religious and political objections. In these cases, the owners were refusing to offer the same services (not expressive products) that they offer other customers.
Here is the column: Continue reading ““This is My Place of Business”: How Cakes and Coffee Continue to be Groundzero in an Age of Rage”
We have seen protesters on the left around the country mocking the assassination of Charlie Kirk, even reenacting his murder. Hate traffickers like Jennifer Welch have even justified his assassination. It is all shocking and depressing, but none reached the level of Hasan Piker leading a huge crowd in mocking Kirk and his faith. Before he was murdered, Kirk debated Piker and called him a “socialist hypocrite.” What is shocking is not the utter depravity and cruelty of Piker, but the ecstasy of the crowd in relishing the death of someone with opposing views. It is part of the conditioning in an “age of rage.”
In this political season, there is one question that needs no poll: Rahil Prakash is a liar. The other thing we know is that he will likely get away with spreading fake polling results. Lies can be protected speech under the First Amendment and, while Prakash would not likely want to take a popularity poll, he is unlikely to face legal consequences for his “short-term social experiment.” Continue reading ““I Hope it Gives a Really Good Lesson Going Forward”: Rahil Prakash and the License to Lie”
As many criticize higher education for pursuing indoctrination over education, Oregon State University (OSU) appears to be doubling down on a mandatory woke curriculum. The university is under fire for its mandatory undergraduate courses on “Difference, Power & Oppression” (DPO). Much of the rhetoric on the university’s website reads more like the platform of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) than an institution of higher education. Continue reading ““Difference, Power & Oppression”: OSU Requires Students to Take Courses on How to “Disrupt” the “Systems of Oppression” in the United States””
There is a disturbing controversy in Northern Virginia where Jessica Walton alleges that she went to Karimi Salon in Alexandria to get her eyebrows trimmed, only to be pushed out of the salon after the owner, Fatana Karimi, learned that Walton is Israeli. The incident raises a prior issue discussed on this blog: the right of business owners to refuse service based on political or religious beliefs as a matter of free speech. Walton posted a full account and a video on social media. Karimi, however, may not have a constitutional claim to defend against a discrimination complaint. Continue reading “Browbeaten: Woman Forced Out of Virginia Salon Over Her Support for Israel”
Below is my column in The Hill on the familiar bust-and-boom cycle of socialism, where failure is used to call for even more radical changes. While House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries this week reaffirmed that Democratic Socialists are part of the Democratic Party, radical figures are demonstrating how extreme this agenda is for some. For example, Socialist State Assemblywoman Emily Gallagher has declared that stealing should be legal for those in need. If socialism takes hold in New York, many will indeed need five-finger discounts in the Big Apple.
Continue reading “For the American Left, Nothing Succeeds as Much as Failure”
Recent polls show steady growth in support for socialism among Democrats. A new CBS poll shows how popular it is, with 58 percent holding a positive view of socialism—26 points more than the 32 percent with a positive view of capitalism. This may explain why House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, while rejecting core parts of its platform, embraced Democratic Socialists this week as part of the Democratic Party. In addition to a variety of anti-Semitic figures within its ranks, the DSA wants to get rid of the presidency, the Senate, the Supreme Court, and other institutions (as well as borders, immigration enforcement, and much of private property). Yet, Jeffries still believes they share values and wants them to be part of the Democratic party. In other words, there are many “fine people” in the DSA despite being committed to the destruction of our core institutions.
Continue reading “Poll: Almost 60 Percent of Democrats Have a Favorable View of Socialism”