In Re Peanut: New York Family Moves to Sue State Over the Killing of Beloved Squirrel

Peanut the Squirrel is back . . . at least in court.

The rodent has achieved fame in the last couple of months, which few animals short of Rin Tin Tin have reached. He is certainly the most famous of his genus since Rocket “Rocky” J. Squirrel. After Mark Longo and Daniela Bittner posted cute pictures of Peanut on social media as their companion and friend, New York officials from the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) raided their home on Oct. 30 and seized both Peanut and a raccoon pet named Fred. They proceeded to euthanize both animals. Now the family is lawyering up. Continue reading “In Re Peanut: New York Family Moves to Sue State Over the Killing of Beloved Squirrel”

“Reimagining” the Resistance: Lawfare Warriors Express Regret But Not Remorse After Election

Below is my column on Fox.com on the new effort to “reimagine” the resistance to Trump, including the recognition of the failure of lawfare. While some figures on the left are expressing doubts over the efficacy of weaponizing the legal system, it is doubtful that we have seen the end of it. They are only regretting that it did not work. The center of gravity of lawfare will now likely shift to the states and Democratic attorneys general and District Attorneys. “Reimagination” is rarely a form of self-examination, let alone self-criticism. That is evident in some of the most recent writings of lawfare warriors. They are like wandering Ronin samurai, warriors who lost not just their master but their purpose. What they seem to lack most, however, is principle. Whatever “reimagining” occurs, it should start with a recognition that lawfare was an abuse of the legal system for political ends.

Here is the column: Continue reading ““Reimagining” the Resistance: Lawfare Warriors Express Regret But Not Remorse After Election”

Nothing But Blue Skies Do I See: Times Reporter Finds Happiness in Social Media Safe Spaces

The recent election produced an outpouring of anger and angst on the left, from pledging to leave the country to not having sex with men for four years. For others, the response was to retreat deeper into the echo chamber of the left. Many liberals are leaving X for a Bluesky, which promises the censorship and monitoring that was reduced after Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter. Despite having most of the media and social media as allies, the opposing views of X have become intolerable for many after the election. One such aggrieved user appears to be New York Times tech reporter Kevin Roose, who wrote a column heralding the site as a deliverance for liberals left confused and afraid by the popular vote. Continue reading “Nothing But Blue Skies Do I See: Times Reporter Finds Happiness in Social Media Safe Spaces”

Congress’s Jan. 6 Investigation Looks Less and Less Credible

Below is my column in The Hill on new evidence released by the House related to the January 6th riot. The J6 Committee fueled doubts about the official accounts by using only Democratically-appointed members and skewing the evidence. The new information further undermines the narrative pushed by both members and the media.

Here is the column:

Continue reading “Congress’s Jan. 6 Investigation Looks Less and Less Credible”

Justice Department Indicts Alleged Swatters of Turley, Members of Congress, and Others

Yesterday, I was notified by the Justice Department confirming that a recent swatting indictment includes the person or persons responsible for my own swatting a year ago. One of the defendants, Thomasz Szabo, was arrested a couple weeks ago. Continue reading “Justice Department Indicts Alleged Swatters of Turley, Members of Congress, and Others”

French Government Declares that Abortion Cannot Be Called a “Cause of Death” in Free Speech Crackdown

We have long discussed the collapse of free speech values in France as the left criminalizes an ever-widening scope of opposing viewpoints. Conservative groups are denouncing a new such case targeting conservative media. CNEWS was fined and forced to apologize on air after a journalist referred to abortion as the world’s leading cause of death. Continue reading “French Government Declares that Abortion Cannot Be Called a “Cause of Death” in Free Speech Crackdown”

Great Britain Cracks Down on “Non-Crime Hate” Speech, Including Playground Taunts

In my book, The Indispensable Right, I discuss how free speech is in a free fall in Great Britain, where officials continue to crack down on an ever-widening array of viewpoints. Some of these actions are designated as “non-crime hate” but are still the subject of law enforcement actions. According to the Daily Mail, they now include children who have been pulled in for calling other children schoolyard names like “retard” or saying that other children smell “like fish.” Continue reading “Great Britain Cracks Down on “Non-Crime Hate” Speech, Including Playground Taunts”

Expelliarmus!: HBO Delivers Blow Against the Anti-Rowling, Anti-Free Speech Movement

This week, HBO delivered the corporate version of the Expelliarmus or disarming curse for the long-standing cancel campaign targeting “Harry Potter” creator J.K. Rowling. We have been discussing this campaign against Rowling, a feminist who has opposed transgender policies that she views as inimical to the rights of women. The cancel campaign against Rowling has been extreme and unhinged from blacklisting her books to even barring the playing of Harry Potter games in pubs. Even authors who support Rowling’s free speech have been targeted. Nevertheless, HBO, which has also been targeted in the past, is now saying enough. Rowling’s work will continue to be featured and developed by the company. Continue reading “Expelliarmus!: HBO Delivers Blow Against the Anti-Rowling, Anti-Free Speech Movement”

Report: The Officer Who Killed Ashli Babbitt Had a Long History of Disciplinary and Training Problems

I have previously written about the dubious investigations of the shooting of Ashli Babbitt on Jan. 6th and the alleged violation of the standards for the use of lethal force by the officer who shot her. I strongly disagreed with the findings of investigations by the Capitol Police and the Justice Department in clearing Captain Michael Byrd, who shot the unarmed protester. Now, Just the News has an alarming report of the record of Byrd that only magnifies these concerns. Continue reading “Report: The Officer Who Killed Ashli Babbitt Had a Long History of Disciplinary and Training Problems”

The Layaway Presidency: How Alvin Bragg Would Create a New Constitutional Creature

Below is my column in the New York Post on the effort of Alvin Bragg to suspend the criminal case against President-Elect Donald Trump for almost five years. It would be a terrible choice for the court and for the country.

Continue reading “The Layaway Presidency: How Alvin Bragg Would Create a New Constitutional Creature”

My Bad: Roosevelt University President Joins Other Academic Leaders in Denouncing Election Results

Steep Learning Curve: AAUP President Decries Election Results and Pledges Resistance

I previously criticized the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) for selecting Todd Wolfson as its new president. Wolfson is a controversial voice within the teaching academy and immediately doubled down on the bias against conservatives and those calling for greater intellectual diversity. He is now decrying the election and publicly joining the resistance to the Trump Administration. Continue reading “Steep Learning Curve: AAUP President Decries Election Results and Pledges Resistance”

Gallup: Public Support for Gun Bans Craters

According to Gallup’s latest polling, support for a handgun ban has fallen to just 20 percent and support for an “assault weapons” ban has cratered to just 52 percent. Gun bans were a constant call from both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris over the last four years. President Biden often combined the call with dubious factual, legal, and historical arguments. Continue reading “Gallup: Public Support for Gun Bans Craters”

“Precedent…Doesn’t Matter Anymore”: Democrats Dispense with Pretenses and Principles in Pennsylvania

Below is my column in The Hill on the growing distemper on the left after the loss of both houses and the White House in this election. In Pennsylvania, the politics of despair has stripped away all principle and pretense. There is a concerted effort to reelect Sen. Bob Casey by any means necessary. Even the Washington Post is now criticizing the effort.

Here is the column: Continue reading ““Precedent…Doesn’t Matter Anymore”: Democrats Dispense with Pretenses and Principles in Pennsylvania”