Academia, Constitutional Law

“American Democracy Doesn’t Survive”: Brown Professor Warns of the “Dangers of the Constitution”
We have been discussing a slew of books and interviews by academics denouncing the Constitution or individual rights as a threat to democracy. The latest is Brown University Political Science Professor Corey Brettschneider who is warning about the “dangers of the Constitution.”

Continue reading ““American Democracy Doesn’t Survive”: Brown Professor Warns of the “Dangers of the Constitution”” →

Media, Politics

“Perceived Criticism”: CEO Katherine Maher Defends NPR’s Coverage and Culture

National Public Radio has had a rough go in the last few years with declining audiences, financial shortfalls, and the recent exposure of its political bias by longtime editor Uri Berliner. However, if you tuned into the comments of NPR CEO Katherine Maher this week at the Texas Tribune Festival,  you would think that the only challenging decision for NPR is picking the design of the next pledge drive tote bag. Continue reading ““Perceived Criticism”: CEO Katherine Maher Defends NPR’s Coverage and Culture” →

Free Speech, International

Get Musk: Leading Investor Calls for the Prosecution of Elon Musk for “Undermining” the Federal Government

Silicon Valley investor Roger McNamee this weekend went on MSNBC’s “Last Word” and called for the arrest of Elon Musk for “undermining” the federal government by sharing his opinions on X. Continue reading “Get Musk: Leading Investor Calls for the Prosecution of Elon Musk for “Undermining” the Federal Government” →

Columns, Media, Politics

The Ghost of Richard Daley: Democrats Aren’t Creating Disorder; They’re Preserving it

Below is my column in the Hill on the effort of Democratic officials to keep Robert Kennedy on the ballot in swing states after seeking to block actual candidates from the same ballots. It is all in the name of democracy.

Here is the column:

Continue reading “The Ghost of Richard Daley: Democrats Aren’t Creating Disorder; They’re Preserving it” →

Free Speech, International

The Blair Witch Project: Former Prime Minister Calls for Global Censorship

In the 1999 cult classic The Blair Witch Project, one character tells his friends “I could help you, but I’d rather stand here and record.” For free speech advocates, we often feel that other citizens have become passive observers as an anti-free speech movement grows around us, threatening our “indispensable right.”

One of the most infamous figures in this movement has been former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who has long been the smiling face of censorship. As the head of the Labour Party, Blair pushed through some of the early crackdowns on free speech in the United Kingdom. He is now calling for global censorship to expand these efforts. Continue reading “The Blair Witch Project: Former Prime Minister Calls for Global Censorship” →

Columns, Criminal law, Politics

Hunter Biden Discovers There is No “Nicer” Way to Say “I’m Guilty”

Below is my column in Fox.com on the Hunter Biden guilty plea. The plea proved vintage Hunter Biden for all of the wrong reasons. The effort to plead guilty without admitting guilt left him looking like the most privileged person since Marie Antoinette. However, it was consistent with a bizarre criminal defense that never seemed connected to a legal strategy. In a twist on the famous tag line from Love Story, Hunter believed that being a Biden “is never having to say you’re guilty.”

Here is the column: Continue reading “Hunter Biden Discovers There is No “Nicer” Way to Say “I’m Guilty”” →

Columns, Criminal law, Lawyering

Hunter Biden Loses Game of Chicken With Himself

Below is my column in the New York Post on the sudden guilty plea from Hunter Biden in his federal tax case. It was not the plea but the timing of the plea that was the surprise. What is missing is any cognizable legal strategy in waiting until the first day of the trial to make a “naked plea” when it offered the least possible benefit to him. It was like waiting for the water to reach the deck of the Titanic before asking about swimming lessons. He was a tad late and then unsuccessfully sought to plead guilty without admitting guilt.

Here is the column:

Continue reading “Hunter Biden Loses Game of Chicken With Himself” →

Academia, Free Speech

Harvard and Columbia Rank as Worst Colleges for Free Speech in Annual Survey

For the second year in a row, Harvard University is ranked dead last among universities and colleges on the annual survey of free speech on campuses by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). Harvard shares a score of 0.00 with Columbia University. They are followed by New York University, University of Pennsylvania and Barnard College. Continue reading “Harvard and Columbia Rank as Worst Colleges for Free Speech in Annual Survey” →

Free Speech, Media, Politics

“That Has to Stop”: Harris Denounces Unfettered Free Speech in 2019 CNN Interview

I previously wrote how a Harris-Walz Administration would be a nightmare for free speech. Both candidates have shown pronounced anti-free speech values. Now, X owner Elon Musk and former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have posted a Harris interview to show the depths of the hostility of Harris to unfettered free speech. I have long argued that Trump and the third-party candidates should make free speech a central issue in this campaign. That has not happened. Kennedy was the only candidate who was substantially and regularly talking about free speech in this election. Yet, Musk and Kennedy are still trying to raise the chilling potential of a Harris-Walz Administration. Continue reading ““That Has to Stop”: Harris Denounces Unfettered Free Speech in 2019 CNN Interview” →

Free Speech, International, Media

Brazilians to be Fined $9000 a Day for Receiving News from X
Constitutional Law, Politics

California Scuttles Reparations Bills As Supporters Denounce a Political Bait-and-Switch

We have previously discussed (here and here and here and here) the push for reparations in California that has been touted by California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democrats for years. After the Democrats campaigned on the issue in past elections, I wrote a column about how this bill had come due after years of delay for study and recommendations. The legislature, however, just stamped the bill “return to sender” and shelved the two reparations bills with the reported support of Newsom. The reaction is not surprising that there has been a bait-and-switch by Democrats on the issue. Continue reading “California Scuttles Reparations Bills As Supporters Denounce a Political Bait-and-Switch” →

Free Speech, International

Robert Reich Calls for the Arrest of Elon Musk for Resisting Censorship
C-Span Screengrab

We have previously discussed the anti-free speech views of Clinton’s former Labor Secretary, Robert Reich, who has tried to sell citizens on the perfectly Orwellian view that more freedom means tyranny when it comes to the freedom of expression. He also demanded that former president Donald Trump be banned from ballots as a “traitor” — all in the name of protecting democracy from itself. Last week, Reich wrote a column declaring Elon Musk “out of control” in his refusal to censor citizens and appeared to call for his arrest.

Continue reading “Robert Reich Calls for the Arrest of Elon Musk for Resisting Censorship” →

Columns, Media, Politics

Why Musk’s Lawsuit Against Media Matters . . . Matters

Below is my column in the Hill on the victory of Elon Musk last week against the liberal media outlet, Media Matters. This follows similar recent victories by others against CNN and the New York Times to clear paths to trials. For those who have embraced advocacy journalism as the new model for media, a bill is coming due in the form of defamation and disparagement lawsuits.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Why Musk’s Lawsuit Against Media Matters . . . Matters” →

Academia

“The United States Hates Women”: ASU Event Offers Dystopian, Anti-Capitalist Vision of America

In my new book and prior columns I have described a “radical chic” in academia, faculty who thrill audiences with extremist rhetoric and calls for radical reforms, even revolution. The latest example comes from Arizona State University where professors laid out their dystopian vision of America, a vision that apparently can be avoided by “dismantl[ing] capitalism” and “elect[ing] a female president.” Continue reading ““The United States Hates Women”: ASU Event Offers Dystopian, Anti-Capitalist Vision of America” →

Hikes, Travel Blog

Hiking Among the Aspens of Beaver Creek Mountain

I just returned from a book event in Colorado outside of Vail, Colorado. As many on the blog know, it is hard for me to visit places like Beaver Creek without hitting the trails. I have previously written about my love for Colorado and the many wonderful areas for backpacking and hikes. I wanted to share a few pictures from my hikes around Beaver Creek Mountain. Continue reading “Hiking Among the Aspens of Beaver Creek Mountain” →