Free Speech, Lawyering, Politics

The Disbarment of John Eastman: The California Bar Bags a Trump Lawyer and Leaves Troubling Questions

Below is my column in the California Post and New York Post on the disbarment of John Eastman. I criticized the January 6th speeches while they were being given and disagreed with the legal theories presented to stop the certification. However, this action leaves troubling questions of consistency and clarity in standards used to judge lawyers presenting novel or controversial legal arguments. It also is likely to have a chilling effect on the exercise of free speech by lawyers.

Here is the column:

Continue reading “The Disbarment of John Eastman: The California Bar Bags a Trump Lawyer and Leaves Troubling Questions” →

Academia, Politics

“Civic Action Requires More Than Textbooks”: Chicago to Subsidize May Day Protests By Teachers

The Chicago Public Schools are facing a major truancy problem…among teachers.

The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) was up in arms over suggestions that classes should be held on May 1 when teachers wanted to be out protesting. Called International Workers’ Day, May Day is a global day of protest for socialist, communist, and unionist groups. Continue reading ““Civic Action Requires More Than Textbooks”: Chicago to Subsidize May Day Protests By Teachers” →

International, Politics

“Use the Momentum”: The EU Moves to Destroy the Last Vestiges of National Sovereignty

Below is my column in The Hill on the defeat of Viktor Orban. There was good-faith criticism of Orban as autocratic. However, the irony is that Hungary may have now cleared the way for the final stage of the European Union in overruling individual nations and their citizens on core policies.

Here is the column: Continue reading ““Use the Momentum”: The EU Moves to Destroy the Last Vestiges of National Sovereignty” →

Columns, Criminal law, Lawyering, Supreme Court

Protecting the Plate: Chief Justice Roberts Faces Two Strikes After New Leak Rocks the Court

The legendary baseball player and manager Ted Williams once wrote a letter to the Angels outfielder Jay Johnstone on improving his hitting. Among his pieces of advice was that “with two strikes, you simply have to protect the plate.”

Williams’s advice on not striking out came to mind this week when another leak of confidential information rocked the Supreme Court. (The prior leak of the Dobbs decision went unsolved). For Chief Justice John Roberts, the message is clear: it is a time like this when you have to protect the plate. Continue reading “Protecting the Plate: Chief Justice Roberts Faces Two Strikes After New Leak Rocks the Court” →

Politics

Spanberger Signs Unconstitutional Bill to Strip Confederacy-Linked Groups of Tax Exempt Status

There has been growing criticism (and falling poll numbers) of Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger after she ran as a moderate and then immediately veered to the far left after her election.  Once in power, Spanberger and the Democrats unleashed a slew of tax increases, moved to eliminate all but one Republican district in the purple state, passed an array of anti-gun laws, and enacted other controversial measures. One of these measures is a clearly unconstitutional effort to strip pro-Confederate groups of their tax exemption. Continue reading “Spanberger Signs Unconstitutional Bill to Strip Confederacy-Linked Groups of Tax Exempt Status” →

Congress, Constitutional Law, Politics

“F**k It…Just Do It”: Carville Lays Out Democratic Plan to Add States and Pack the Court To Retain Power

Various Democrats have been openly discussing their plans after retaking power to change the system so they never lose power again. Democratic strategist James Carville has been one of the most vocal and returned to the subject this week in laying out how they will make D.C. and Puerto Rico states and pack the Supreme Court with a liberal majority. Continue reading ““F**k It…Just Do It”: Carville Lays Out Democratic Plan to Add States and Pack the Court To Retain Power” →

Columns, Politics

Hochul Joins Mamdani in New York’s “Eat the Rich” Movement

Below is an expanded version of my column in the New York Post on the Hochul/Mamdani special fee to be imposed on luxury property owners in New York. The new fee comes on top of property taxes and assessments. It is just one of the wealth taxes that Democrats are pushing in various states — and pushing out wealthy taxpayers and businesses.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Hochul Joins Mamdani in New York’s “Eat the Rich” Movement” →

Congress, Politics

Virginia is for Democrats: Spanberger Pushes Gerrymandered Map to Wipe Out Republican Districts

I just returned from voting in Virginia in the special election on the Democratic gerrymandered districts. It was fast and easy. Polling place workers said that they had a couple of hundred voters in just the last few hours.  I hope that you will participate if you live in the state. Continue reading “Virginia is for Democrats: Spanberger Pushes Gerrymandered Map to Wipe Out Republican Districts” →

Criminal law, Lawyering

“Mr. Biden Lives Abroad”: Hunter Leaves Country as Former Lawyers Seek Millions

“Mr. Biden lives abroad.” Those four words in a filing from Barry Coburn confirmed what had long been rumored about his client: Hunter Biden has left the country as his former lawyers and creditors seek millions in unpaid debts. He added, “He cannot pay his current lawyers.”

Continue reading ““Mr. Biden Lives Abroad”: Hunter Leaves Country as Former Lawyers Seek Millions” →

Academia

“To Know Is Not Enough”: Hampshire College Joins Growing List of Failed Academic Institutions

On Tuesday, Hampshire College became the latest academic institution to announce its closure. There was a time when such failures were rare occurrences. That trickle is turning into a torrent, but the media and academics are missing a critical part of the lesson. There is no greater example of how academics are killing higher education than the death of Hampshire College. Continue reading ““To Know Is Not Enough”: Hampshire College Joins Growing List of Failed Academic Institutions” →

Academia, Travel Blog

Spring in Ithaca: A Walk Through Cornell University

This week, I had the great pleasure of returning to Ithaca, New York, to speak on my new book, Rage and the Republic, on the campus of Cornell University. You would be hard-pressed to find a more beautiful campus in the Spring than Cornell. It is simply breathtaking with its historic buildings set off against blooming trees and bubbling creeks. I would recommend a visit even if you are passing through the area. It is an American classic of higher education.

 

Continue reading “Spring in Ithaca: A Walk Through Cornell University” →

Politics, Society

La Marxista: Mamdani Pledges to Open First City-Run Store with Projected $30 Million Initial Cost

Continue reading “La Marxista: Mamdani Pledges to Open First City-Run Store with Projected $30 Million Initial Cost” →

Academia, Politics, Society

Disaster Tourism: California and Other Blue States Become Go-To Destinations for Econ Sightseers

Below is my column in The Hill on how California, New York, Virginia, and other blue states are becoming textbook studies of the price of ignoring basic economics principles. Indeed, these states could become magnets for disaster tourism as economic students come to watch the market implode in real time.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Disaster Tourism: California and Other Blue States Become Go-To Destinations for Econ Sightseers” →

Constitutional Law, Politics, Religion

New York Versus the Nuns: The Dominican Sisters Face Penalties for Refusing to Yield on Religious Values

New York has been a godsend for gun rights in passing a series of unconstitutional limits on Second Amendment rights only to result in major adverse rulings. It may soon do the same for the free exercise of religion. New York is now going head-to-head with a group of Dominican nuns over a law challenged as unconstitutional. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state are being sued over a law that forces religious organizations to adhere to LGBTQ policies.   Continue reading “New York Versus the Nuns: The Dominican Sisters Face Penalties for Refusing to Yield on Religious Values” →

Res ipsa loquitur – The thing itself speaks