There is a controversy brewing at Skidmore College where students have demanded the “immediate firing” of three faculty members who were spotted at a “Back The Blue” pro-police rally. It is the latest expression of intolerance for opposing views in higher education.
Category: Uncategorized
Below is my column in the Hill newspaper on the rising concern over compelled speech on our campuses and our streets.
Here is the column:
Continue reading “How “Silence is Violence” Can Become Compelled Speech”
We have previously discussed how some media organizations told their journalists not to call violence after the death of George Floyd “riots,” including the recently much mocked headline of CNN calling the looting and violence in Kenosha “fiery but mostly peaceful.” Now, Chris Cillizza, an editor-at-large for CNN, is under fire for criticizing President Donald Trump for labeling the violence in places like Kenoska as “riots.” Critics have noted that the picture posted by Cillizza with his tweet shows a building engulfed in flames. Lawyers notoriously parse terms in ways that often deny their obvious meaning but this effort by some in the media would make a Philadelphia lawyer blush.
Auburn Lecturer Jesse Goldberg has triggered a firestorm over social media posting containing anti-police sentiments and other controversial comments. The recently hired academic drew critics when, after his hire, he would not use the school’s battle cry of “War Eagle” because of the inclusion of “war.” That was however mild in comparison to later postings targeting police or declaring “Wait til M-Fers find out I’m queer and teach in goddamn heels too. They gonna get madder.” As will come as little surprise to people on this blog, I do not believe that the university should punish Goldberg for his political and social expressions outside of school. We recently discussed such protections for a Texas A&M professor who posted anti-Trump comments.
We have previously discussed the practice on some airlines to ask women move to accommodate ultra-Orthodox Jewish men who refuse to sit next to women. Now, Melanie Wolfson, 38, a British-Israeli woman, is suing EasyJet after she was asked her to change seats on a flight from Tel Aviv to London. Continue reading “Woman Sues EasyJet After Being Told To Switch Seats To Accommodate Ultra-Orthodox Men”
Recently, we discussed a bizarre attack by CNN Legal Analyst and Yale lecturer Asha Rangappa on former Ambassador Nikki Haley for using her middle name. Rangappa declared that the use of “Nikki” rather than her real first name was proof that America is racist and Haley was yielding to it. Nikki however is Haley’s legal middle name and the Hill’s Saagar Enjeti noted it is “a Punjabi name.” Moreover, Rangappa also uses her middle name as have leaders from Mitch Romney to Boris Johnson. Now Rangappa is under fire for doxxing a young intern who wrote Yale about the incident. Twitter took down Rangappa’s tweet and the CNN Analyst then suggested that the doxxing incident was fun. Continue reading “CNN Analyst and Yale Lecturer Asha Rangappa Under Fire For Doxxing A Journalism Intern” 
Yesterday, we discussed the personal attacks against speakers at the Republican National Convention by CNN analysts, including a false attack on former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. The concern is the increasingly personal attacks against anyone who seems to counter a narrative in the media. That adherence of a story line was evident in a much ridiculed graphic from last night where CNN national correspondent’s Omar Jimenez was reporting live from Kenosha, Wis. with a raging fire in the background over a chyron reading, “FIERY BUT MOSTLY PEACEFUL PROTESTS AFTER POLICE SHOOTING.” Not to get “all mavericky,” but claiming these protests are “fiery [but] peaceful” seems a tad oxymoronic.
Continue reading “CNN Criticized For “Fiery But Mostly Peaceful” Reporting On Violent Protests”
President Donald Trump has always demonstrated an almost mocking disregard for the Hatch Act, the 1939 law barring officials from using their official powers or positions to engage in partisan political activities. It is a core protection of good government but it has been primarily honored in its breach in this Administration, including violations by top White House staff that were barely acknowledged, let along addressed, by the President. The White House now faces a series of alleged violations over events and speeches used at the Republican National Convention. Mark Meadows, President Trump’s chief of staff responded that, while no one should violate federal law, ”Nobody outside of the Beltway really cares.” No statement better captures the culture at the White House in erasing the line of separation between official and political work by executive branch officials.
We have been following the dubious work of Rev. Jim Bakker after his release from prison, including pitching “cures” for the corona virus. There is now an interesting twist. While Bakker is being pursued by the government for possible fraud for selling fake cures for Covit-19, the government just gave him a loan to help him continue his work during the Covit-19 pandemic. Ironically, Bakker begged supporters for money to help him fight off the government. The government appears to have responded.
We have previously discussed courts in the United States seeking to punish lawyers for making critical comments about judges or legal commissions on social media. We have also followed such actions taken against lawyers in other countries like Saudi Arabia. As will come as no surprise on a blog emphasizing free speech, I have long been critical of such actions. However, India is facing a far more serious controversy after the Supreme Court demanded an apology from one of India’s most prominent lawyers for, among other things, blaming the Supreme Court for its role in undermining democracy in India. The justices proceeded to make his point by threatening him with jail unless he offered an unconditional and public apology. Continue reading “Prominent Indian Lawyer Accuses Supreme Court Of Destroying Democracies . . . Supreme Court Threatens Imprisonment”
We have previously discussed rising cases of politically motivated violence, including attacks on people wearing MAGA hats. In Delaware, two women reached a particular low point by stealing the hat of a 7-year-old and then screaming profanities, ripping up signs, and one assaulting an individual in a parking lot near the Democratic National Convention on Thursday. The Delaware police hit Olivia Winslow, 21, and Camryn Amy, 21, with an array of well-earned charges, though one charge remains unclear in terms of the relevant conduct. What is remarkable about the videotape is the sense of utter entitlement to attack those with opposing views.
There is an interesting ruling in the ongoing saga over Stormy Daniels and the Trump Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). A California court ordered President Donald Trump to pay $44,100 to Stephanie Clifford, aka Stormy Daniels, to cover her legal fees regarding her nondisclosure agreement. The amount is trivial but the symbolism could not be greater. The decision is based on the view that not only was Daniels the prevailing party in the dispute but that President Trump cannot claim that he was a non-party to the NDA or by extension the controversy. Continue reading “Court Orders President Trump To Pay Stormy Daniels’ Attorneys Fees”
On the lighter side, I had to share a story that brought back fond memories of “This is Spinal Tap” and the famous Stonehenge scene. Microsoft Flight Simulator players have been noting a giant mountain-high obelisk is now present in Australia. The unique structure was the result of an edit by University student Nathan Wright who meant to type in 2 for the floors of a structure but ended up specifying 212 stories, making the tallest Obelisk ever built and an engineering marvel.
Continue reading “This Is Microsoft: Typo Produces Mountain-High Obelisk In Australia”
Politicians are continuing to promise trillions of dollars in free education, housing subsidies, universal health care and other programs. Recently, BET founder Robert Johnson called for $14 trillion in reparations alone. Kamala Harris has a $10 trillion climate plan. On the Republican side, President Trump has shown little restraint in spending throughout his term while cutting revenue (and borrowing at a record rate). It is not surprising therefore that, last month, the United States passed the long-discussed red line for economists. Our debt is now greater than than our gross domestic product. In June, we passed $25.5 trillion in debt and this figure may be overly conservative. It is now roughly $27 trillion. Yet, neither party seems a bit concerned as this political ship of fools floats toward a collision with economic reality.
Continue reading “$26,578,000,000,000: U.S. Debt Passes Redline at 106 Percent Of GDP”
Last night, we passed the 44,000,000 mark in views on the blog. The blog continues to grow at a record and accelerating pace. The continued growth is due primarily to our loyal readers who return every day to discuss contemporary legal, political, and occasionally bizarre stories. We have used these moments to give thanks for our many regular readers around the world and give you an idea of the current profile of readers on the blog. We continue to rank with the top legal blogs in the world and I am particularly proud of our growing international readership. As always, I want to offer special thanks for Darren Smith who has continued to help manage the blog and help out folks who encounter posting problems. Continue reading “Res Ipsa Hits 44,000,000”