There is a curious ruling this week from the Vatican after Cardinal Robert Sarah informed bishops that the Eucharist during must not be gluten-free. It can however use genetically-modified organisms.
Continue reading “Vatican: The Body of Christ Is Not Gluten Free”
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin shared an anti-media moment in Hamburg when they faced journalists and Putin asked “These are the ones hurting you?” Trump responded “These are the ones. You’re right about that.” While I have been very critical of what I see as distortive and biased coverage of the Trump Administration, I have also been critical of Trump’s attacks on the media. This is an example where journalists have a legitimate right to recoil at the scene. Trump was commiserating with a man who has decimated the free press in Russia where dozens of journalists have been killed. With Trump calling for reductions in the protections afforded to media and attacking the media, there is a heightened and understandable sensitivity to these type of scenes.
I recently wrote about my concern over the publication by CNN of a statement that it had identified the man responsible for a satiric wrestling video that was reposted by President Donald Trump. CNN declared that the man had removed not just the video but other material deemed offensive or “ugly” by the networks. In light of his actions, CNN said that it would not reveal his identity — for now. The clear message was that CNN reserved that right to disclose the man’s identity if he resumed posting material deemed ugly by the network. Many of us objected to CNN’s language and rationale as inimical to journalistic standards and free speech. CNN analyst Kirsten Powers insisted that such concerns are groundless and that CNN acted entirely appropriately. She specifically responded to my column in USA Today raising these concerns. Both Powers and I are contributors to USA Today.
Continue reading “CNN and The Search For A Self-Affirming Principle: A Response To Kirsten Powers”
Below is my column in USA Today on the controversy surrounding CNN’s handling of the creator of the Trump wrestling video. The episode shows the deepening tension between CNN and Trump. CNN has increasingly positioned itself as part of the “resistance” while Trump has used CNN as embodiment of all that is wrong with the media. While Trump has said that CNN has done itself serious damage in the controversy, polls show almost 60 percent of Americans disapprove of Trump’s performance as President. While ratings have been up and more people trust CNN rather than Trump, CNN’s journalistic image has been damaged in the relentless anti-Trump rhetoric from both political and legal contributors. Even under the recent poll, some 43 percent trust Trump more and CNN’s ratings continue to roller coaster. Ironically, CNN needs Trump and Trump needs CNN to continue their respective narratives. However, neither is a promising foundation for either a political or journalistic enterprise. It is a case of mutually assured destruction.
Here is the column:
Continue reading “CNN’s Probationary Order To Reddit Poster Raises Serious Journalistic Concern”
We often debate on how one should take a mug shot. Mark Prichard, 59, went with the “I’m really happy” approach. His crime however was less joyful. He was arrested after allegedly making threatening comments toward Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake’s staff that referenced the shooting of House Majority Whip Steve Scalise. There is an interesting First Amendment issue raised by some of the charges against Prichard.
With Congress moving to give the Trump Administration authority to withhold grants from sanctuary cities, California is moving to become a sanctuary state. Under Senate Bill 54, the “California Values Act,” state and local law enforcement would be prevented from cooperating with the federal government in the deportation of illegal immigrants. The bill would bar such actions even for undocumented immigrants who have committed serious crime (given a narrow definition of “serious felonies”).
Meet Steven Marks, 32, a Trump supporter who decided that it was a brilliant idea to write anti-Trump slogans on the Morley Elementary School in West Hartford man to frame liberals. He succeeded (with the help of the school security system) only in implicating himself.
Continue reading “Trump Supporter Admits Writing Anti-Trump Graffiti On School To Frame Liberals”
We have two more felons undone by social media habits. Logan Brooke Larrimore, 18, and Farren Marie Lane, 18, decided to break into a South Carolina water park and then posted pictures on Snapchat of themselves enjoying the slides and Italian ices. It did not take long for the police to track them down and they now facing felony charges.
As many on this blog know, I am hold a near absolutist view of free speech that has led me to long criticize hate speech laws around the world. We are seeing a steady expansion of criminalized speech, often under ill-defined or highly subjective standards. That is why a recent decision of a court in Cape Town caught my eye. A controversial art display inSouth African National Gallery entitled Fuck White People was reviewed by the Cape Town Magistrate. The court declared that the display, including both art, tee-shirts, and other items was not hate speech. I am always relieved when free speech prevails over criminalization. However, there is still uncertainty over the standard. Because the artist invoked the struggle of Albert Luthuli and Nelson Mandela, the campaign was deemed non-hateful speech. Would that have been the same result is an Afrikaner printed works and tee-shirts with the same message about Black people? Again, the point is not to disagree with the ruling. The point is that speech regulation often rests on uncertain and shifting standards.
Continue reading “Court: “F**K White People” Not Hate Speech”
The search of Amelia Earhart is a mystery that seems to deepen by the year. The latest intriguing twist is the photo above. Marked “Jaluit Atoll,” the photo shows a short-haried woman wearing pants and sitting with her back to the camera. Near her is a tall man resembling her co-pilot Fred Noonan. The 1937 photo was taken on a dock in the Marshall Islands and is being cited as support for the theory that the two were captured alive and died in Japanese custody during World War II on the island of Saipan.
Every Fourth of July, some celebrity will attract national attention by denouncing the holiday as a type of slaver’s celebration. This year was no exception. In past years, I have said nothing because these comments reflect understandable conflicted feelings by African Americans and others whose ancestors lived through decades of oppression and discrimination. However, it is time to put part of this criticism to rest . . . at least in part. There is a tendency to ignore those Framers who advocated emancipation at our founding and the recognition of the scourge of slavery that would forever taint our history.
There are various reports confirming that Justice Anthony Kennedy has told staff that he is seriously thinking of resigning and has notably not selected clerks for the October 2018 term. That raises some intriguing issues, including how such a vacancy would play in the midterm elections when there are 33 seats up for grabs in the United States Senate. The vacancy could be used to rally conservatives and liberals alike. As for Kennedy, it could be the difference between a lasting and short-lived legacy.
Recently, President Donald Trump took credit for the move against Qatar as a sponsor or funder of Islamic extremism while again reaffirming support for Saudi Arabia, Qatar’s main critic. It was a curious moment since the ties between Saudi Arabia and terrorist groups, including the 9-11 hijackers, is well established. Now, a report from a respected think tank in England details how Saudi Arabia is the leading sponsor of Islamic extremism in Great Britain. The Henry Jackson Society, a foreign affairs think-tank, has demanded an official inquiry about the “clear and growing link” between Saudi Arabia and other Arab allies and Islamist organisations, hate preachers and Jihadist groups promoting violence. The British government has buried a Home Office report into the existence and influence of Jihadist organisations, commissioned by former Prime Minister David Cameron in 2015.Continue reading “Report: Saudi Arabia Remains Top Sponsor Of Islamic Extremists in Great Britain”
Colonial Williamsburg is one of my favorite spots in Virginia. You can walk around the preserved city and get a sense of colonial life. However, it appears that Williamsburg is high on history and low on profits. The non-for-profit has revealed that it has lost $277 million in the last five years and laid off 71 workers. Despite outsourcing work and cutting back, Colonial Williamsburg is struggling at a time when the city of Williamsburg is threatening to levy a new 7 percent admissions tax and increase both hotel and meal taxes. The tax increases seem rather odd when the venerable institution is already struggling to keep the candles burning. This is the main draw for the area and it would seem that the city and state could do more than impose new taxes to help support this historic area.
It appears that Qatari will be left “waiting for Gadot” for some time after the government banned the move “Wonder Women.” The reason is that lead actress Gal Gadot (who plays Diana Prince) is Israeli. The government joins Lebanon and Tunisia in banning the film. The Muslim countries appear to agree with Wonder Woman in saying ” It’s about what you believe.” Gadot believes in the Torah and that is enough for the Qatar government. (Of course, Wonder Woman added “And I believe in love. Only love will truly save the world.”) That part is clearly not part of this decision.
Continue reading ““It’s About What You Believe”: Qatar Bans Wonder Woman Over Israeli Actress”