Category: Society

Columns, Congress, Courts, Politics, Society

“What’s in a Name?” Courts Could Face a Truly Shakespearean Question Over the “Trump-Kennedy Center”

 

 

“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet.” That question posed by Juliet in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet seems to now occupy much of Washington. Last night at a Christmas party with many media from Washington, the question was put to me more succinctly and repeatedly as “can they do that?” The “that” was the renaming of the Kennedy Center as the Trump-Kennedy Center. Soon courts may have to face this quintessentially Shakespearean question “for never was a story of more woe.” Continue reading ““What’s in a Name?” Courts Could Face a Truly Shakespearean Question Over the “Trump-Kennedy Center”” →

Media, Politics, Society

No, the “Appeal to Heaven” Flag is Not a “Christian Nationalist Flag”

During the ridiculous controversy over flags flying at the house of Justice Samuel Alito, the media and the left went into vapors over the inclusion of the “Free Pine” flag” or “Appeal to Heaven” flag — a flag with origins in the American Revolution. As I wrote at the time, this flag is neither racist nor extremist. Now, the controversy is back after a USA Today article by congressional reporter Zach Schermele, who wrote about how the “controversial Christian nationalist flag is hanging outside the D.C. office of a top Education Department official.” Continue reading “No, the “Appeal to Heaven” Flag is Not a “Christian Nationalist Flag”” →

Bizarre, Media, Politics, Society

“Hatemongers, Homophobes, Fascists, Racists, Flag-Waving Proud Racists”: Fired Radio Host Has Meltdown Over Cubs Infielder Matt Shaw Going to Kirk Funeral

Dan Bernstein is back with a vengeance. Just last year, the sports radio show host was fired after a tirade against critics that led to his threatening to doxx people on social media and asking “want your kids involved?” He later apologized, but is now again in the news with another vicious attack. This week, Bernstein denounced Chicago Cubs infielder Matt Shaw for going to the funeral of Charlie Kirk, who was the victim of a political assassination. Bernstein called anyone attending the funeral effective Nazis and mocked Shaw for his expressions of faith in connection to Kirk. Continue reading ““Hatemongers, Homophobes, Fascists, Racists, Flag-Waving Proud Racists”: Fired Radio Host Has Meltdown Over Cubs Infielder Matt Shaw Going to Kirk Funeral” →

Society

Chicago City Council Approves Resolution Honoring the Life of Angela Turley

 In August, I discussed the passing of my mother, Angela Turley, just shy of her 98th birthday. Through decades of social work and philanthropy, my mother left a lasting impact on the city that she loved so deeply.  I am now able to share the resolution from the City Council honoring her memory and legacy in Chicago. On behalf of our entire family, I would like to thank the city for this kind gesture and particularly 46th Ward Alderwoman Angela Clay and her staff for drafting and finalizing the resolution.

Continue reading “Chicago City Council Approves Resolution Honoring the Life of Angela Turley” →

International, Politics, Society

Do Good Politics Make for Good Grammar? Users of Grammarly Receive Prompts on Supporting Ukraine

This weekend, I had a curious experience in writing my column on the Hill discussing whether Ukraine committed environmental crimes in the destruction of the Nord Stream pipelines and then lied to its allies while receiving billions in aid. While writing the column, the Grammarly program automatically ran to check for typos. Suddenly, a message from the company popped up in the box for possible grammar problems. It was actually a message about my need to support Ukraine. Continue reading “Do Good Politics Make for Good Grammar? Users of Grammarly Receive Prompts on Supporting Ukraine” →

Academia, Congress, Politics, Society

Amy Klobuchar Holds Embarrassing Demonstration of Confirmation Bias in Attack that Goes Wildly Wrong
In academia, one of the greatest concerns with statistical studies is the danger of “confirmation bias” or “myside bias.” A desire to prove a point can lead to a blindness to opposing data or information. This week, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D., Minn.) repeatedly demonstrated the scourge of statistical studies with spectacular and embarrassing success. Continue reading “Amy Klobuchar Holds Embarrassing Demonstration of Confirmation Bias in Attack that Goes Wildly Wrong” →
Politics, Society

Tick, Tick , Tick: Study Shows California is Losing a Taxpayer Every Minute
California is facing a perfect storm in finances, with a crippling deficit and a declining tax base. Now, a study of IRS data by the National Taxpayers Union Foundation found that California is losing a taxpayer roughly every minute, as states like Florida, Texas, and North Carolina attract new residents due to lower taxes and higher standards of living.

Continue reading “Tick, Tick , Tick: Study Shows California is Losing a Taxpayer Every Minute” →

Constitutional Law, Courts, Society

The Eleventh Circuit Finds that COVID Beach Closures Constituted Unconstitutional Taking

There is an interesting ruling by the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit on the COVID-19 closures in April 2020. The panel found that the closures of private beaches in Walton County, Florida, constituted a taking under the Fifth Amendment. Continue reading “The Eleventh Circuit Finds that COVID Beach Closures Constituted Unconstitutional Taking” →

Politics, Society

“I Hope You Die”: Montana Race Rattled by Latest Example of Rage Rhetoric

This week, I ran a column on how many on the left have discovered the joy and release of unmitigated hate speech. Democratic Helena City Commissioner candidate Haley McKnight is under fire for messages left on the phone of freshman Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., in which she hopes for him to get cancer and die. It comes on the day that voters are going to the polls in Virginia, where the Democratic candidate for Attorney General, Jay Jones, admitted that he previously expressed a desire to kill a political opponent and his children. As a measure of the appeal of rage rhetoric, Jones remains the leading candidate in the race, with most Democrats planning to vote for him. Continue reading ““I Hope You Die”: Montana Race Rattled by Latest Example of Rage Rhetoric” →

Politics, Society

“We May Be Nearing” when “the Resistance Looks Completely Different”: Democrat Leaders Ramp Up Resistance Rhetoric

Despite calls for many Democratic politicians and pundits to temper their inflammatory rhetoric, this week has proven a further escalation in this dangerous form of rage rhetoric. DNC Chair Ken Martin just told MSNBC’s “The Beat” that “we may be nearing” the moment when “elections don’t matter and then the resistance looks completely different.” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called on people to “forcefully rise up.” With political violence on the rise, these leaders are clearly fueling the mob in hopes that they and their party can ride the wave of rage back into power.  History suggests that it is a foolish delusion. Today’s revolutionaries quickly become tomorrow’s reactionaries. Continue reading ““We May Be Nearing” when “the Resistance Looks Completely Different”: Democrat Leaders Ramp Up Resistance Rhetoric” →

Constitutional Law, Courts, Society

Federal Judge Rules for Parents in Case Involving Concealment of Child’s Gender Changes

There is a major ruling, Mead v. Rockford Public School Dist., a potentially precedent-setting case on parental rights in our public schools. Judge Paul Maloney (W.D. Mich.) ruled that Plaintiffs Dan and Jennifer Mead could move forward with their claims that the Rockford Public School district concealed changes to the gender identification of their biological daughter, identified as G.M. As I have previously written, parental rights are shaping up as a major battleground for the Supreme Court after years of decisions in the lower court undermining parental controls and disclosures. Continue reading “Federal Judge Rules for Parents in Case Involving Concealment of Child’s Gender Changes” →

Columns, Constitutional Law, Free Speech, Politics, Society

If You Want to “Stand with Charlie,” Stand With Free Speech

Below is my column that ran earlier on Fox.com on the calls for the termination of academics and others who have criticized Charlie Kirk or expressed satisfaction with his murder. Unfortunately, such hateful remarks are nothing new in academia. However, this is not about them. It is about us, and more importantly, it is about Charlie and what he fought for his entire life. We cannot allow our anger or sorrow to lead us into becoming the very people that Charlie denounced in his life. If you “Stand with Charlie,” you stand with free speech.

Here is the column: Continue reading “If You Want to “Stand with Charlie,” Stand With Free Speech” →

Military, Society

Well Done, Sergeant Jay, and Thank You

I had to share this moving video of the final march of the 41st Sergeant of the Guard, Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Jay. As a military history nut, one of my favorite (and repeated) experiences is watching the changing of the Guard at Arlington. The precision, dignity, and respect of the ceremony should be witnessed by every American. Since 1948, the U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Regiment “The Old Guard” has guarded the Tomb 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This was the final march of the 41st Sergeant of the Guard and it was especially moving as Jay walked his son from this sacred place.

Continue reading “Well Done, Sergeant Jay, and Thank You” →

Columns, Society

Why Pope Leo Is Really a Cubs Fan . . . Even If He Doesn’t Know It
C-Span

Below is a slightly expanded column in USA Today on the recent release of a Vatican photo of Pope Leo XIV wearing a White Sox hat. For Catholic Northsiders, it was the greatest challenge to the unity of the Church since Pope Leo IX faced Great Schism of 1054. While that was just between the East and West church, the North and South division in Chicago is far deeper and seemingly insurmountable. After all, we were grappling with mere ecclesiastical divisions in 1054. This is Chicago baseball. However, where there is faith, there is hope.

Here is the column:

Continue reading “Why Pope Leo Is Really a Cubs Fan . . . Even If He Doesn’t Know It” →