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”
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”
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”
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”
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”
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”
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”
We previously discussed the case of a student (known as “D.A.”) in Michigan who was ordered to remove his sweater with the popular phrase “Let’s Go, Brandon.” We now have a ruling from U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney in the Western District of Michigan. In D.A. v. Tri County Area Schools. Judge Maloney rejects the free speech claim and rules that school officials can punish a student for wearing a “Let’s Go Brandon” T-shirt. I believe that he is wrong and that the case sets a dangerous precedent.
Continue reading “Federal Court Upholds Ban on “Let’s Go, Brandon” Shirts in High School”
We have been discussing Democratic leaders and activists who have been calling for revolutionary change and a rejection of the foundation of the American constitutional system. The latest is Human Rights Campaign president Kelley Robinson, who spoke at the National Democratic Convention. In an earlier speech, Robinson rejected what she referred to as the Founders’ “little piece of paper” and called for the reimagining of our constitutional system. Continue reading “Human Rights Campaign President Calls for Rejection of “the Little Piece of Paper” of the Founders”
Over the years, I have written repeatedly (here, here, here, here, and here) about the interesting defamation case brought by Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee, against the New York Times. The judge in the case U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff was previously reversed and proceeded to issue novel and deeply flawed rulings before dismissing her case. He has now been reversed again and Palin will have a new opportunity to sue the newspaper. Given Judge Rakoff’s dismal record in this case, it is concerning that he will be allowed to preside in any new trial.
Continue reading “Palin Wins Appeal on Defamation Case Against New York Times”
Democrats this election have been struggling with maintaining a consistent position on Israel with building pressure to support Palestinians. The result has been conflicting messaging on the conflict, particularly by the Biden and Harris campaigns. No one seems more conflicted than Rep. Susan Wild (D., Pa.) who is being widely ridiculed for sending out two letters to constituents taking diametrically opposed views. The letters express how she is “outraged, devastated” first by the conduct of Palestinians and then by the conduct of Israel. The letters were clearly prepared for voters with opposing views.
Below is my column in Fox.com on the admission of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg that Facebook yielded to pressure of the Biden Administration to censor citizens. The admission, however, appears more contrived than contrite.
Here is the column: Continue reading “Zuckerberg’s Censorship Admission is More Contrived than Contrite”
For months, we have been discussing the concerted effort of Democrats to bar challengers to President Joe Biden from primary ballots and block third-party candidates like Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Cornel West from appearing on the November ballots. As both Joe Biden and Kamala Harris insisted that “Democracy is on the ballot,” their allies sought to deny the ability of voters to cast their ballots for other candidates. Now, a state judge has issued a stinging denial of the effort of Democratic officials to block West from the Michigan ballots. Continue reading “Democrats Lose Effort to Block Cornel West from Michigan Ballot”
Elon Musk put it simply: “#FreePavel.” For many, a hashtag of one billionaire calling for the release of another billionaire is hardly a compelling cause. Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, 39, is neither a familiar nor sympathetic figure for most Americans. However, for free speech advocates, Durov’s arrest is a chilling escalation of global censors in using European laws to control speech on the Internet. Continue reading ““#FreePavel”: Telegram CEO Becomes Latest Target of European Censors”