I have long been critical of the erosion of free speech in Italy and other Western European countries, including the use of criminal libel laws against critics of the police or government. This week a Milan court has ordered a journalist to pay Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni damages of 5,000 euros ($5,465) for making fun of her in a social media post. Giulia Cortese was also given a suspended fine of 1,200 euros for a joke on X. It is the latest absurd example of the expanding crackdown on free speech.
McKenna Geer, who is a competitive rifle shooter on Team USA for the Paralympics, is the latest person to be censored on social media. In her case, the offense was merely posting pictures with the guns that she uses in competitions. While possessing a gun is a protected individual right, Instagram will flag your posts and bar you from some sites if you post a picture with a gun . . . even if it is part of your sport at the Olympics or Paralympics. Continue reading “Instagram Censors Paralympian Because of Photo with Competition Gun”
We previously discussed how Hunter Biden adopted the arguments of the National Rifle Association (NRA) and other gun rights groups to challenge the law that his father has championed as a key gun control reform. In his effort to challenge his various charges, Hunter Biden has gone full Trump. Now, Hunter has adopted the Trump argument that special counsels are unconstitutional in seeking to toss out all of the charges by Special Counsel David Weiss, it is the very argument that Democrats and liberal law professors have denounced as meritless and menacing. Having recently embraced the conservative justices in challenging gun laws, Hunter is now channeling Justice Clarence Thomas on the unconstitutionality of special counsel appointments — an argument that his father denounced as wrong and “specious.”
Below is my column in USA Today on the decision to dismiss the Florida case against former president Donald Trump. The decision will soon force the Eleventh Circuit and possibly the Supreme Court in the wonderland of Special Counsels.
Here is the column: Continue reading “Of Ravens and Writing Desks: How the Trump Decision May Force the Supreme Court in the Wonderland of Special Counsels”
Today C-Span is airing a long interview on my new book, The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage, at 8 p.m. tonight on C-Span Book TV. It will then air at later times and be available on the C-Span website. Continue reading “C-Span to Air Full Interview on The Indispensable Right Tonight”
France’s Sports Minister, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, has announced that French Muslim athletes will be barred from wearing hijabs at the Olympics. The decision is a gross violation of the religious freedom of Muslim athletes and should be condemned throughout the world.
Continue reading “France Bans Muslim Hijabs from the Olympics for French Athletes”
Carnegie Mellon University Professor Uju Anya has joined the ranks of academics spreading the conspiracy theory that the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump was “staged.” As for the killing and wounding of bystanders, Anya explained that “that’s exactly what they do.” Continue reading ““They Lie and People Die”: Carnegie Mellon Professor Claims Trump Assassination Attempt was “Staged”” 
President Joe Biden and the Democratic Party insist that “Democracy is on the ballot” this election. While some of us have challenged that hyperbolic claim, one thing that may not be on the ballot is choice, if the defenders of Democracy have anything to say about it. Georgia Democrats have joined counterparts in other states to prevent citizens from being able to vote third-party candidates. Continue reading “Georgia Democrats Move to Block Kennedy and Others in the Name of Saving Democracy”
Winston Churchill once famously said that “nothing in life is so exhilarating as to be shot at without result.”
For Donald Trump, the failed assassination attempt in Pennsylvania could prove politically exhilarating. After rising with a fist pump and a call to fight on, Trump seems to have gone from being a movement to a mythological figure with his supporters. All he needs now is a big blue ox named Babe to return to the campaign trail. Continue reading “Trump’s Churchillian Moment: How the Near Miss Assassination Hit the Mark with Press and Pundits”
University of Virginia Assistant Professor Sethunya Mokoko took a break from teaching students to get the word out this week that the entire assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump was a staged event for suckers. Mokoko explained that it was just a ploy to get the votes of “idiots.” He, however, is available to offer sage-like clarity that the Secret Service, local police, and the Trump campaign conspired to fake the assassination, kill a bystander, and seriously wound others to get the sucker vote. He is not alone in this theory while others on the left are simply bemoaning that Thomas Matthew Crooks missed. Continue reading ““Staged Theatrics to Win Idiots’ Vote”: Virginia Professor Declares Trump Shooting Was Faked”
Below is my column in the New York Post on the opinion of Judge Aileen Cannon. Once again, Democracy is “under attack” because a judge ruled against the prosecution in a Trump case. Indeed, law professors and legal experts are demanding the removal of Cannon for having the temerity to adopt an opposing view of the underlying constitutional claim.
Here is the column:
Below is my column in the Hill on the recent report of the House Judiciary Committee and the disclosure of yet another effort to silence opposing viewpoints by squeezing the revenue of individuals or groups, including Elon Musk and Joe Rogan.
Here is the column: Continue reading “Elon Musk is Right: End the Online Censorship Racket”
Below is my Hill column on the assassination attempt of former president Donald Trump. We all watched as the horrific scene unfolded on television. It was a traumatic moment for the entire country, but it was hardly surprising given this age of rage. We are still learning about the suspected shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, was from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. He was able to use a roof top 130 yards away from the rally for the assassination attempt. He is being described as a registered Republican but donated to a Democratic political organization.
Here is the column: Continue reading “The Attempted Assassination of Trump is Not Nearly as Surprising as it Should Be”
Today I am returning from a few days in Nashville. I have always loved this city and came back with two of my sons as part of my book tour. We had a ball from the great food to the amazing music to the outstanding historical sites. Even with temperatures at 100 (and even higher with humidity), we loved every minute in Nashville. Continue reading “A Southern Classic: Exploring the History, Food, and Music of Nashville”
Below is my column in Fox.com on renewed attacks on free speech and the apologists for this anti-free speech movement, including most recently comedian Jon Stewart. From moves to amend the First Amendment to mocking those being targeted, the left is pushing back at polls and efforts to restore free speech values.
Here is the column: