Ukraine Heads Down The Authoritarian Road With New Restrictions On Speech

Disturbing developments on the part of the Ukrainian government.

David Cameron To Propose Broad Expansion Of Powers To Crackdown On ‘Extremism’

Fresh off an election victory, British Prime Minister David Cameron is set to propose a series of new measures to crackdown on extremism that raise serious civil liberties concerns.

There Is No Distinction Between “Freedom Of Speech” And “Hate Speech”

Some people in the media can’t seem to get it through their heads that speech they consider hateful is entitled to as much protection as speech that they support.

Two Gunmen Killed In Apparent Attempted Attack On Anti-Islam Event In Texas

Two men were killed last night before they could carry out what appears to be a planned attack on an anti-Islam event in Texas.

Supreme Court Upholds Campaign Finance Limitations In Judicial Elections

In a marked departure from recent cases, the Supreme Court rules that states can impose significant restriction on solicitation of campaign contributions in judicial elections.

Rand Paul’s Pandering To Social Conservatives Likely To Turn Off Other Supporters

Rand Paul has been cozying up to social conservatives lately, but he risks alienating the people most likely to support his campaign for the White House.

Supreme Court Remains Silent In Case Involving Students Wearing American Flag Shirts

The Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal of three students disciplined for wearing American flag shirts on Cinco de Mayo

Lee Kuan Yew’s Legacy

Modern Singapore’s founder passed away at age 91 earlier this week.

Expelling Students From A Public University Over Racist Videos Probably Isn’t Constitutional

Freedom of speech means freedom for all speech, even when it is racially offensive.

Obama’s National Security Strategy Is Better Than His ‘National Security Strategy’

My latest for War on The Rocks, “IS OBAMA REAL(IST) CONFUSED?”

Pope Francis: One Cannot Make Fun of Faith

Pope Francis has earned a reputation as a liberal in comparison to recent predecessors but he’s no liberal.

Next Charlie Hebdo Cover Has Muhammad Saying ‘Je suis Charlie’

Their editor and nine colleagues dead, their offices destroyed, the newspaper is not missing a beat.

Catholic League President Blames Charlie Hebdo Publisher for Own Death

Bill Donohue rightly condemns insulting Muslims—but goes way too far.

Rand Paul, Marco Rubio Exchange Barbs Over Cuba Policy Changes

Two potential candidates for the Republican nomination in 2016 traded barbs this week over the President’s new policy toward Cuba.

F.C.C. Rejects Petition To Declare ‘Redskins’ An Obscene Word

Not surprisingly, the F.C.C. has rejected a petition to ban the word “Redskins” from the airwaves.

Sony Seeks To Scare Press Away From Publishing Information Obtained in Hacking Attack

Sony is warning the press not to publish material leaked by hackers, but it doesn’t have much of a legal leg to stand on.

No, Michael Brown’s Stepfather Should Not Be Charged With Incitement To Riot

Michael Brown’s stepfather made incendiary comments in the wake of the Grand Jury announcement, but they do not amount to a crime.

Supreme Court Searches For Dividing Line Between Free Speech And Illegal Online Threats

The Justices of the Supreme Court seemed to struggle yesterday to find an easy way to draw a line between protected speech and the kind of threats that are not protected by the First Amendment.

Supreme Court To Try To Draw Line Between Free Speech Online And Criminal Threats

Next week, the Supreme Court will be asked to determine the line between free speech online and criminal threats

Warnings Of Violence In Ferguson Could Become Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

All the warnings of violence in the wake of an expected imminent announcement from the Grand Jury in the Michael brown case could become self-fulfilling prophecy.

green road signs intersection church st and state st green road signs intersection church st and state st

Idaho City Backs Down In Dispute With Ministers Over Same-Sex Marriage

The City of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho will not force two Christian ministers to open their wedding chapel business to same-sex wedding ceremonies.

Legendary Washington Post Editor Ben Bradlee Dies At 93

The passing of a true legend in American journalism.

green road signs intersection church st and state st green road signs intersection church st and state st

Idaho Ministers Threatened With Jail For Refusing To Perform Same-Sex Wedding Ceremonies

A collision between marriage equality and religious liberty, but it seems clear that religious liberty should win this one.

The Supreme Court Has A First Amendment Problem Right At Its Front Doorstep

The Roberts court has been very good on First Amendment issues, but it needs to address the First Amendment issue right outside its front windows.

Court Rules That “Creepy” Photos Taken in Public Aren’t A Crime

A District of Columbia Judge has ruled that photographs of women taken in public do not violate the law.

Implementation Of Europe’s ‘Right To Be Forgotten’ About As Absurd As You’d Expect

Judging by the early results, the so-called “Right To Be Forgotten” recently created by Europe’s highest court is creating more problems than it will solve.

Citizens United And Hobby Lobby Are About Individual Rights, Not ‘Corporate Rights’

Much of the criticism of Hobby Lobby, and Citizens United before it, is based on a fundamental misunderstanding of what those decisions stand for.

Belief In ‘American Exceptionalism’ Is Declining, And That’s a Good Thing

A new poll shows that Americans don’t buy into the idea of “American exceptionalism” as much as they used to. That’s a positive development rather than a negative one.

Supreme Court Rules Some Employees Can Opt Out Of Public Employee Unions

The Supreme Court has limited the ability of public employee unions to force people to join their ranks.

US Capitol Rotunda US Capitol Rotunda

Supreme Court Strikes Down Abortion Clinic Buffer Zones

Another solid victory for the First Amendment from the Roberts Court.

Where’s The Line Between Protected Online Speech And Criminal Threats?

Next term, the Supreme Court will try to decide when online speech crosses the line and becomes a criminal threat.

Supreme Court Allows Challenge To Law Against Election “Lies” To Go Forward

A hopeful First Amendment decision from the Supreme Court.

New Dictator Wins Egyptian Presidential Election

Different name, same result in Egypt.

Texas High School Student Suspended For Refusing To Stand During Pledge Of Allegiance

A pretty clear violation of the First Amendment.

New Russian Law Requires Bloggers To Register With The Kremlin

Vladimir Putin wants to put the Internet genie back in the bottle.

Condoleeza Rice Backs Out As Rutgers Commencement Speaker After Protests

The right decision, or the triumph of mob rule?

Supreme Court Thinking About Whether People Can Be Fired For Telling Truth Under Oath

A bizarre case in Alabama highlights a more bizarre judicial precedent.

Hate Crimes, Freedom Of Speech, And Equal Protection Of The Law

Continuing the discussion from earlier this week on hate crimes.

green road signs intersection church st and state st green road signs intersection church st and state st

Michigan Mayor Permits ‘Prayer Stations’ At City Hall, Bans Atheists, Violates Constitution

Someone needs to give the Mayor of Warren, Michigan a lesson on what the First Amendment means.

Supreme Court To Decide If Politicians Can Be Sued For Lying During A Campaign

The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments next week in an important First Amendment case.

Supreme Court Declines Case Of Photographer Who Refused Service To Gay Couple

An appeal declined, but an issue that remains outstanding.

Mozilla CEO Resigns In Wake Of Controversy Over Gay Marriage Stance

The CEO of Mozilla resigned today amid controversy over his position on same-sex marriage. The triumph of “political correctness,” or just the will of the marketplace?

US Capitol Rotunda US Capitol Rotunda

What’s More Important To the House GOP, The Constitution Or A Partisan Political Scandal?

Fifth Amendment? They don’t need no Fifth Amendment, apparently.

Supreme Court Strikes Down Aggregate Limits On Campaign Contributions

Once again, the Supreme Court reminds us that limiting political speech is unconstitutional.

green road signs intersection church st and state st green road signs intersection church st and state st

Contraceptives And Hobby Lobby At The Supreme Court

Hobby Lobby has a strong argument under RFRA but the precedent would be dangerous.

Supreme Court Declines To Hear About “I ♥ Boobies” Bracelets

The Supreme Court turns down a case dealing with student’s First Amendment rights.

Explaining The Conservative Love Affair With Vladimir Putin: It’s All About Opposing Obama

The bizarre conservative love affair with Vladimir Putin continues.