Academia, Bizarre, International, Politics

House of Cards: How Equity Cards Collapsed at Canadian NDP Convention
The recent convention of the Canadian New Democratic Party (NDP) became a microcosm of the inanity of identity politics found in forums ranging from politics to higher education. Participants were given familiar “equity cards” as literal card-carrying members of groups demanding preferred treatment. The problem is when one identity group demands preference over another. The result, as seen in Winnipeg, was calamity and quickly became comedy.

Continue reading “House of Cards: How Equity Cards Collapsed at Canadian NDP Convention” →

Columns, Courts, Free Speech, Supreme Court

“No One Knows What Will Happen Now”: Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson Warns Against Unbridled Free Speech 

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson is again warning of a growing threat to the nation. In her lone dissent in Chiles v. Salazar, Jackson observed that “to be completely frank, no one knows what will happen now.” The ominous tone stemmed from the fact that free speech had prevailed over state-imposed orthodoxy in a Colorado case. Eight justices, including her two liberal colleagues, ruled that Colorado could not prevent licensed counselors from “any practice or treatment” that “attempts or purports to change” a minor’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Continue reading ““No One Knows What Will Happen Now”: Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson Warns Against Unbridled Free Speech “ →

Constitutional Law, Free Speech, Politics, Supreme Court

Supreme Court Asked to Hear “Let’s Go Brandon” Case

I have previously written about D.A. v. Tri-County Area Schools, one of the worst free speech decisions to come out of the appellate courts in years.  In this case, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit upheld a school ban on high school students wearing “Let’s Go Brandon” sweatshirts. Sixth Circuit Judge John Nalbandian was joined by Judge Karen Nelson Moore in a deeply flawed holding that, under the “vulgarity exception,” the action was constitutional. The Supreme Court needs to grant review in this case and reverse this obnoxious decision. Continue reading “Supreme Court Asked to Hear “Let’s Go Brandon” Case” →

Columns, Lawyering, Politics

Whatever the Ruling on Birthright Citizenship, ABA will likely be the Biggest Loser

Below is my column in the Hill on the argument this week in Trump v. Barbara, the birthright citizenship case. There are good-faith arguments on both sides and lawyers are divided on the question. For that reason, the most notable brief may have been the amicus brief of the American Bar Association, which filed a strident defense of birthright citizenship.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Whatever the Ruling on Birthright Citizenship, ABA will likely be the Biggest Loser” →

Congress, Politics

Leading Democrat Calls for Reparations for Illegal Immigrants

As Chicago and other blue cities move toward reparations for African Americans, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D, Wa.) wants reparations for illegal immigrants for the trauma caused by immigration enforcement. At the same time, various Democrats are making clear that they want to entirely defund and eliminate Immigration and Customs Enforcement. So, after the Biden Administration allowed in millions over an open border, Democrats would eliminate ICE and some like Jayapal would pay illegal immigrants reparations. Continue reading “Leading Democrat Calls for Reparations for Illegal Immigrants” →

Politics

Chicago Launches Task Force to Implement Reparations in the Midst of Budget Crisis

We have been discussing the worsening economic conditions in Chicago as Mayor Brandon Johnson and the far-left city council spend wildly while virtually chasing businesses out of the city. The city just floated a massive bond to delay the growing economic meltdown. Despite carrying a roughly $150 million deficit and committing two-fifths of the budget just to debt service and pension costs, Johnson announced that the city has approved $500,000 in funding for the implementation of a reparations program. Continue reading “Chicago Launches Task Force to Implement Reparations in the Midst of Budget Crisis” →

Constitutional Law, Free Speech, Lawyering, Politics

Louisville Shells Out $800,000 for Unconstitutional Demands on Christian Photographer

The city of Louisville, Kentucky, has agreed to pay $800,000 in attorney fees to settle a case with a Christian photographer who fought to protect her religious and free speech rights over the years of litigation. Louisville ultimately spent a fortune to force Chelsey Nelson to photograph same sex marriages under its nondiscrimination laws. When combined with its own litigation costs, the case likely cost the city and the courts millions to deny Nelson her constitutional rights. Continue reading “Louisville Shells Out $800,000 for Unconstitutional Demands on Christian Photographer” →

International, Politics

International Olympic Committee Imposes Biological Test on Athletes

In the Paris Olympics, media and pundits piled on any commentators expressing opposition to transgender athletes playing in women’s sports. From the opening ceremony to the coverage, these athletes were presented as demonstrably women who could not be barred from competition. Now, the International Olympic Committee has announced on Thursday that it would restrict women’s sports to biological females and establish a genetic test for eligibility. The only question is who is going to apologize to JK Rowling and countless others called bigots for their calling for a biological rule to protect women’s sports. Continue reading “International Olympic Committee Imposes Biological Test on Athletes” →

Columns, Torts

“Don’t Be Evil”: Google’s Motto Becomes a Jury Verdict in Calfornia

Below is my column in the New York Post on the California verdict against Google and Meta. Google’s “Don’t Be Evil” went from a motto to a jury verdict. The jury clearly believed that these companies were malicious and manipulative toward minors, but there remain considerable questions over the basis for the liability of social media companies.

Here is the column: Continue reading ““Don’t Be Evil”: Google’s Motto Becomes a Jury Verdict in Calfornia” →

Courts, Lawyering

What is Not to Like: Delaware Judge Kathaleen McCormick Draws Fire Over “Liking” Musk Loss

I have long been a critic of Judge Kathaleen McCormick of Delaware over her absurd rulings against Elon Musk and his compensation package at Tesla. In my view, her rejection of the decision of shareholders to approve a generous compensation package reflected a deep bias against the billionaire. Now, McCormick is in hot water after “liking” a story about Musk losing a major case in California. McCormick’s LinkedIn message has prompted Musk’s team to demand that she recuse herself from any future proceedings involving Musk. Continue reading “What is Not to Like: Delaware Judge Kathaleen McCormick Draws Fire Over “Liking” Musk Loss” →

Academia, Columns, Politics

USC Cancels Gubernatorial Debate Due to Absence of Candidates of Color

The University of Southern California (USC) is under fire after canceling the California gubernatorial debate with less than 24 hours’ notice.  The reason? None of the polling candidates are people of color. It was a crushingly revealing moment in a state where universities have long defied voters who demanded an end to affirmative action in admissions. Continue reading “USC Cancels Gubernatorial Debate Due to Absence of Candidates of Color” →

Courts, Society

Ohio Court Rejects View that Opposing a Child’s Gender Change is Evidence of Parental Unfitness

There was an interesting decision from the Ohio Court of Appeals last week on parental rights and transgender identity. In In re S.B., Judge Matthew R. Byrne (joined by Judges Robert A. Hendrickson and Robin N. Piper) ruled that the state was wrong in suggesting that the failure to accept a child’s gender change was evidence of being unfit parents. It is a notable conclusion given our recent discussion of a case out of Iceland where a father was stripped of his custodial rights after criticizing the gender transition of his minor child.

Continue reading “Ohio Court Rejects View that Opposing a Child’s Gender Change is Evidence of Parental Unfitness” →

Academia, International

“Lord, What Fools These Mortals Be!” Shakespeare’s Birthplace to be “Decolonized”

William Shakespeare's birthplace will be de-colonised over fears that portraying his success as the 'greatest' playwright 'benefits the ideology of white European supremacy'In Hamlet, William Shakespeare famously wrote, “To thine own self be true.” The problem is when others want to present a different “truth” long after you are gone. Shakespeare is under an unrelenting attack in the United Kingdom from trigger warnings to censoring his prose. Now, Shakespeare’s Birthplace Trust has announced that it will “de-colonise” the Bard. Continue reading ““Lord, What Fools These Mortals Be!” Shakespeare’s Birthplace to be “Decolonized”” →

Columns, Criminal law, Media, Politics

Truth Will Out: A Grand Jury Investigates the Real Russian Collusion Conspiracy

Below is my column in The Hill on the news that former FBI Director James Comey has been subpoenaed in Florida as part of the Russian collusion investigation. Yes, there was a Russian collusion conspiracy, but not the one that the media relentlessly pushed during the first Trump term.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Truth Will Out: A Grand Jury Investigates the Real Russian Collusion Conspiracy” →