Academia, Congress

Warren Calls for Larry Summers to be Fired at Harvard

Sen. Elizabeth Warren has called for Harvard and other institutions to sever all ties with Larry Summers, who was Treasury secretary under President Bill Clinton, after the disclosure of his private communications with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. As in the past, however, Warren seems strikingly selective in her outrage with those “cozying up” to Epstein, given the communications revealed with other Democrats, including Del. Stacey Plaskett, Virgin Islands’ congressional representative.

Continue reading “Warren Calls for Larry Summers to be Fired at Harvard” →

Academia, Free Speech

GW Students Call for RFK, Jr. to be Barred from Campus

Last night, my torts class was briefly interrupted by the sounds of protests on campus over the appearance of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the health secretary, on campus. The large protest itself was not a problem. As the vice president of the Disabled Students Collective (DSC) stated publicly, the students were “using our own free speech to protest Kennedy’s presence on campus.” The problem was the petition circulated by the DSC, signed by hundreds at GWU, calling for Kennedy to be prevented from exercising his own free speech. Indeed, it calls for Kennedy to be barred from campus for spreading “misinformation.” It seems that, once again, the tolerance for free speech only goes so far. Continue reading “GW Students Call for RFK, Jr. to be Barred from Campus” →

International, Politics, Torts

“You Can’t Handle the Truth”: UK Health Watchdog Reportedly Refuses to Release Data on Vaccine Deaths

The United Kingdom’s public health service is reportedly refusing to release data on the potential relationship between the COVID vaccine and excess deaths. The reason? It would upset people to know the truth. The question is whether British citizens have become so passive and yielding that they will support their government, keeping them from learning the facts about vaccines and allowing them to reach their own conclusions.

Continue reading ““You Can’t Handle the Truth”: UK Health Watchdog Reportedly Refuses to Release Data on Vaccine Deaths” →

Academia, Columns

How to Reverse the Dumbing Down of American Higher Education

Below is my column in The Hill on universities reporting soaring grade inflation and failing academic standards. Some of us have been writing about this trend for years, but there is little sign of commitment from departments that they are willing to take action to restore academic standards. Any solution will require a national compact of willing schools, a critical mass of institutions willing to adopt a standard curve and basic admission reforms.

Here is the column: Continue reading “How to Reverse the Dumbing Down of American Higher Education” →

Animals, Columns, Torts

The Canine Menace: Dog Shoots Man in Pennsylvania

Next time your dog begs for a treat, you might want to give it to him. In Pennsylvania, a dog reportedly wounded his owner with a shotgun left on the bed, while in North Carolina, a dog was caught on camera setting a house (of the assistant fire chief no less) on fire with a damaged lithium battery. Since I just finished teaching my torts students about animal liability, these cases offer a teachable moment for humans and canines alike.

Continue reading “The Canine Menace: Dog Shoots Man in Pennsylvania” →

Politics, Torts

Trump Announces Defamation Lawsuit Against BBC

President Donald Trump on Friday announced that he plans to file a defamation lawsuit against the BBC for up to $5 billion over a misleading edit of his January 6, 2021, speech for the investigative documentary series Panorama. While the BBC has apologized, pulled the program, and announced the resignation of two top executives, President Trump is demanding compensation. The lawsuit, however, would be challenging if filed in the United States. (For full disclosure, I previously served as legal analyst for the BBC). Continue reading “Trump Announces Defamation Lawsuit Against BBC” →

Media, Politics

Letitia James Targets Condé Nast Over the Firing of Workers Accused of Disrupting Workplace

New York Attorney General Letitia James has a long history of lawfare, pandering to her political base by targeting Donald Trump, the National Rifle Association, and others. Now, she is thrilling her base by promising to go after Condé Nast after the company fired four employees who had a confrontation with Condé Nast Chief People Officer Stan Duncan outside of his office. Continue reading “Letitia James Targets Condé Nast Over the Firing of Workers Accused of Disrupting Workplace” →

Politics

“Chicagoans Do Not Want Us to Bankroll the Regime”: Chicago Will No Longer Buy Treasury Bonds

“It’s a bold statement, isn’t it?” Those words of  Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin hardly capture the moment. Yesterday, Conyears-Ervin declared that her office would no longer invest in U.S. Treasury bonds to protest what she called the “authoritarian regime” of President Donald Trump. It is more bonkers than bold. It makes about as much sense as President Trump saying that he will not eat deep-dish pizza to protest Chicago. Continue reading ““Chicagoans Do Not Want Us to Bankroll the Regime”: Chicago Will No Longer Buy Treasury Bonds” →

Academia, Free Speech

The Justice Department Launches Investigation into Security Failures at the Berkeley TPUSA Event
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced this week that it is investigating the University of California, Berkeley, over the security arrangements for the Turning Point USA (TPUSA) event. Antifa and others threatened many entering or leaving the event, including reportedly blocking hundreds from the sold-out event to celebrate free speech and the legacy of murdered Charlie Kirk.

Continue reading “The Justice Department Launches Investigation into Security Failures at the Berkeley TPUSA Event” →

Academia

MSU Under Fire for Radical Teacher Training Materials on Race and Capitalism

Michigan State University’s College of Education is under scrutiny for its radical training materials for teachers as part of its program, “Social Foundations of Justice and Equity in Education.” The material includes radical race theories and a video of Communist and Black Panther Angela Davis explaining that “racism is integrally linked to capitalism.” Continue reading “MSU Under Fire for Radical Teacher Training Materials on Race and Capitalism” →

Constitutional Law, Courts

Sixth Circuit Issues Major Ruling Striking Down District’s Pronoun Policy

There is a major ruling out of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit on both free speech and student rights. The court, sitting en banc, ruled 10-7 that “the mere use of biological pronouns does not entail ‘aggressive, disruptive action.'” In the lengthy opinion, the court split along political lines with every Republican appointee voting with the student challengers and every Democratic appointee voting with the school district. Continue reading “Sixth Circuit Issues Major Ruling Striking Down District’s Pronoun Policy” →

Columns, Congress, Constitutional Law, Media, Politics

In Vino Veritas: Punch-Drunk Pundits Reveal Plans to Pack the Supreme Court

Below is my column in the Hill on moments of honesty after the recent Democratic victories in California, Virginia, New Jersey, and New York. In the euphoria that followed, Democratic politicians and pundits admitted that they intend to pursue radical changes, including packing the Supreme Court, once they retake power.

Here is the column: Continue reading “In Vino Veritas: Punch-Drunk Pundits Reveal Plans to Pack the Supreme Court” →

Criminal law, Torts

Housecleaner Shot and Killed in Indiana After Trying to Enter Wrong House

We have another Castle Doctrine or Stand Your Ground controversy this week. In Whitestown, Indiana, Maria Florinda Rios Perez, 32, died in her husband’s arms after the couple went to the wrong address to clean a house. The unidentified homeowner reportedly shot through the door. A GoFundMe site has been set up for her family. She was the mother of four.

Continue reading “Housecleaner Shot and Killed in Indiana After Trying to Enter Wrong House” →

Media

BBC Finds Presenter in Violation of Network Standards in Correcting “Pregnant People” Reference on Air

There is a controversy at the BBC over a correction made by presenter Martine Croxall on air when she changed a reference to “pregnant people” to “women.” The network later received 20 complaints and agreed that Croxall had violated network policies. (For full disclosure, I previously worked as the legal analyst for BBC). Continue reading “BBC Finds Presenter in Violation of Network Standards in Correcting “Pregnant People” Reference on Air” →

Academia, Criminal law

Iowa Student Arrested After Two Attacks on Conservative Displays on Campus

Justin Calhoon mugshotThis week, we have another attack on a display by conservative students at a U.S. university. Student members of Turning Point USA watched as a student, Justice Calhoon, flipped over their table at the University of Iowa. Notably, Calhoon had previously tossed a table of the school’s Young America’s Foundation (YAF) just days before. Calhoon has now been arrested. Continue reading “Iowa Student Arrested After Two Attacks on Conservative Displays on Campus” →

Res ipsa loquitur – The thing itself speaks