Columns, Lawyering, Politics

Alaska’s Decoy Scandal Brings Back the Usual Suspects for Shady Election Tactics
(MSNBC/via YouTube)

Below is my column on the return of Marc Elias in another campaign controversy with the Alaskan decoy scandal. The Elias Law Group and other lawyers were tied to the effort to confuse Alaskan voters by The New York Times in its recent investigative report. These lawyers presumably have a growing conflict of interest as dozens of subpoenas shower down on Alaska. What is clear is that this scandal will not end on Tuesday and, if the results are close in favor of Democrat Mary Peltola, there could be a major fight over her taking her seat in the Senate.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Alaska’s Decoy Scandal Brings Back the Usual Suspects for Shady Election Tactics” →

Society, Torts

McHaggis? Court Green Lights Lawsuit Alleging that the McRib Contains Non-Rib Meat

Many were excited when McDonald’s recently announced, “The McRib is back.”  The question is whether it is really back or really a McRib. In an interesting decision out of Chicago, U.S. District Judge April Perry ruled that McDonald’s must go to trial on a class action lawsuit alleging that the popular McRib sandwich is made with non-rib meat. The lawsuit alleges that McDonald’s merely shapes the meat to look like ribs but uses shoulder, heart, tripe, or stomach — making it sound more like McHaggis. McDonald’s vehemently denies the accusation and stands by its representation that the only ingredients are “pork, water, salt, dextrose, and rosemary extract.” The class action was filed under an array of tort, fraud, and misrepresentation theories. In the end, however, the impact on McDonald’s could have the same business impact that the “pink slime” stories had on Taco Bell.

Columns, Congress, Constitutional Law, Politics, Religion

“The Pope Doesn’t Take Sides”: Should a Foreign Head of State Be Able to Vote in United States Elections?
Official State Department photo by Freddie Everett

“So, the Pope doesn’t take sides. Prevost has another opinion, but we won’t do that now.”

That funny quip from Pope Leo XIV (born Robert Prevost) referred to the historic game in Rome when the Villanova and Notre Dame basketball teams play each other.

However, a story this week raised a different question of when the Pope, as opposed to Prevost, can “take sides.”

This month, American-born Pope Leo XIV became the first pope ever to vote in a U.S. election. Continue reading ““The Pope Doesn’t Take Sides”: Should a Foreign Head of State Be Able to Vote in United States Elections?” →

Congress, Media, Politics

“That’s Part of the Process”: Democratic Leaders Embrace Voter Confusion Tactics as Harmless or Humorous

In his work “Politics and the English Language,” George Orwell explains that “In our time, political speech and writing are largely the defense of the indefensible.”  If so, the news this week took a truly Orwellian turn as Democrats rationalized or even praised the effort in Alaska to put a decoy “Dan Sullivan” on the ballot to confuse Alaskans and cause mistaken votes. Other Democratic politicians are entirely silent on the allegation that the campaign of Democratic candidate Mary Peltola engineered this grossly unethical tactic. The very same people running on “saving Democracy” are, once again, defending ballot manipulation designed to negate the votes of citizens. It is the ultimate expression of rage politics, excusing any act needed to achieve power. Continue reading ““That’s Part of the Process”: Democratic Leaders Embrace Voter Confusion Tactics as Harmless or Humorous” →

Courts, Lawyering

“You are White-Presenting”: Texas Judge Ordered to Undergo Psychiatric Testing After Bar Complaint

Judge Ada Brown of the Northern District of Texas has been suspended pending psychiatric testing and the resolution of a bar complaint after a bizarre hearing in April 2026. In the hearing, Brown, a Trump appointee, went on a racial diatribe against a lawyer, Ezra Young, over his race. Young was accused of being White. When Young informed her that he is Hispanic, Judge Brown went on to say that he is “white-presenting” in continuing her racial browbeating. Continue reading ““You are White-Presenting”: Texas Judge Ordered to Undergo Psychiatric Testing After Bar Complaint” →

Hikes, Travel Blog

“The Hush” of Autumn: Radiant Delaware in the Fall

There is an expression in French that says, “Autumn is the hush before winter.” It is a lovely way to describe the tranquility of the fall, and there is no better place to experience it than the East Coast of the United States. I had the opportunity to experience the Fall colors on a trip to Wilmington, Delaware, to speak at the Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI). It was a truly rejuvenating experience. Continue reading ““The Hush” of Autumn: Radiant Delaware in the Fall” →

Criminal law, Politics

“Alaskan Voters Need to Know”: Times Alleges Peltola Campaign Conspired to Confuse Alaskan Voters With Decoy “Dan Sullivans”

The New York Times on Wednesday published a blockbuster story claiming that multiple former staffers on the campaign of Alaska Democratic Senatorial nominee Mary Peltola implicated her and others in the effort to confuse voters with decoy “Dan Sullivan” candidates. Peltola has long denied knowledge or involvement, but the Times reported that she was allegedly aware of the effort that also involved campaign officials, its lawyers and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Rounding out the array of “usual suspects” is the Marc Elias Group. Elias was involved in the Russian hoax and has been previously sanctioned in court. The Times reported that Peltola’s campaign manager told it that “Alaskan voters need to know.”

Continue reading ““Alaskan Voters Need to Know”: Times Alleges Peltola Campaign Conspired to Confuse Alaskan Voters With Decoy “Dan Sullivans”” →

Columns, Constitutional Law, Courts, Media

Last Stand at the High Court: Catherine Herridge Fights to Protect Confidentiality in Bizarre Case

Below is my column in Fox on the final appeal of respected journalist Catherine Herridge in her case to protect the principle of confidentiality. The Supreme Court has been asked to review a case that has been truly bizarre for the former Fox reporter who uncovered an alleged threat to our national security. However, she has been facing an $ 800-a-day order to turn over her sources to an alleged former colonel in the People’s Liberation Army.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Last Stand at the High Court: Catherine Herridge Fights to Protect Confidentiality in Bizarre Case” →

Constitutional Law, Free Speech, Media, Politics, Society, Supreme Court, Torts

No, CNN Did Not Defame Cenk Uygur by Trashing his Anti-Israel Ad Supporting Abdul El-Sayed

A new ad running to support Democrat senatorial candidate Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan has been widely denounced as anti-Semitic for suggesting that Jews are taking food from Americans. The ad is the work of Rebellion PAC, a political action committee co-founded by The Young Turks host Cenk Uygur. Uygur has now struck out at CNN over a panel discussion that trashed the segment and called it clearly defamatory. For a torts teacher, the claim popped this story to the top of my pile, and I thought it was worthy of addressing. The CNN segment is manifestly not defamatory. Whatever grievance that he may have with the network, it is not a legal one.

Continue reading “No, CNN Did Not Defame Cenk Uygur by Trashing his Anti-Israel Ad Supporting Abdul El-Sayed” →

Constitutional Law, Criminal law, Politics, Supreme Court

Mississippi Lawyer Charged with Criminal Threat Against ICE Officers

Jeremy Bentham once said that “lawyers are the only persons in whom ignorance of the law is not punished.” We will see, apparently, in a case in Mississippi. At age 70, Lisa White is looking at a possible stint in prison after allegedly threatening to shoot Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

Continue reading “Mississippi Lawyer Charged with Criminal Threat Against ICE Officers” →

Politics

Gallup: Republicans Rank “Patriotism” and Democrats Rank “Equality” as Top Needed Value

Gallup released another poll showing just how divided the nation remains on core values. When asked, “which values the country most needs today?,” Republicans ranked “patriotism” as number one while Democrats ranked “equality.” What is most alarming is that no shared value cracks fifty percent overall. Patriotism is only ranked in the top three shared values by 32 percent. (Freedom tops the list at only 38 percent).

Continue reading “Gallup: Republicans Rank “Patriotism” and Democrats Rank “Equality” as Top Needed Value” →

Columns, Congress, Constitutional Law, Criminal law

‘You Have This Superpower”: Jury Nullification Becomes the Latest Attack on the Court System

Below is my column on campaigns on the left to enlist citizens in jury nullification. It is the latest assault on the integrity of our courts. Long supported by far-left law professors and pundits, it encourages potential jurors to disregard the evidence and the law in rendering a form of social justice.

Here is the column: Continue reading “‘You Have This Superpower”: Jury Nullification Becomes the Latest Attack on the Court System” →

Academia

UC Professor: Let’s Convene “People’s Tribunals” for the “Dezionization” of Higher Education

University of California Merced History Professor Sean Malloy is the latest academic to go full Madam Defarge in higher education. Malloy is calling for the assemblage of tribunals to “dezionize” universities. He has explained that “People’s Tribunals” go beyond ridding universities of zionists “but also confronting the role of Zionist organizations, donors, Regents, and administrators in repression targeted at members of the university community.”

Continue reading “UC Professor: Let’s Convene “People’s Tribunals” for the “Dezionization” of Higher Education” →

Columns, Congress, Criminal law

“I am Trying to Figure Out the Way to Do This”: MS NOW, Omar, and the Art of the Evasion

Below is my column in Fox.com on the recent MS NOW interview with Rep. Ilhan Omar. The most impressive aspect of the segment with Chris Hayes was how he could conduct an extended interview without actually asking long-standing, unanswered questions. When it comes to the art of evasion, it was a masterpiece. In case you are curious, here are the questions not asked of Rep. Omar.

Here is the column: Continue reading ““I am Trying to Figure Out the Way to Do This”: MS NOW, Omar, and the Art of the Evasion” →

Res ipsa loquitur – The thing itself speaks