Category Politics
Imagine A Boot Stamping On A Human Face, Occasionally
George Orwell once pointed out that fascism, in contemporary usage, no longer held any meaning beyond “thing I do not like.” He published that essay in 1944. Matters have not improved much since. To clarify for the record: Fascism was a European movement of the 1920s and 1930s, particularly in Italy, in part in Spain. […]
“…But I Play One On TV.”
There’s an old cliché about the television star who becomes so deluded in his role he begins to believe he possesses the talents of his character in real life, and so the TV doctor attempts to stop a heart attack, the TV cop intervenes to stop a robbery, the TV lawyer advises friends on their […]
Federalism 2: The Revenge
In 1993, Congress passed the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act. Among its various initiatives, it provided for the creation of a national background check system by which to screen prospective gun purchasers. This created a dilemma, however: the United States is a mess of separate and overlapping jurisdictions, and most crime is dealt with at […]
David Hume, Rubber Stamps, and Cognitive Inequality
[Today we welcome our colleague Reilly Stephens as our newest contributor here at LDB. Our agreement with him states that he will be providing insight and analysis of law, politics, and whatever else we demand, except for modern interpretive dance and ERISA, about which he knows nothing…he was particular about those last two for some […]
Headlines Lie and Liars Use Headlines
For about seven years before law school, I worked as a freelance newspaper photographer (I’m not that old, I started in high school). I learned one of my most valued lessons about journalism during a photojournalism course taught by a great friend/mentor/co-worker. My professor displayed two photographs taken during the same political rally. The first photograph displayed a politician, standing at a podium, […]
The Dangers of Democracy: Human Rights and Majoritarianism
Introduction Last week, on December 15, we celebrated the 225th anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights. While many Americans find good reason to celebrate the first ten amendments to the Constitution, not as many pause to appreciate that it is the amendments’ anti-democratic character that makes them so effective. Democracy, after all, […]
Originalism Bootcamp at Georgetown’s Center for the Constitution
Georgetown Center for the Constitution’s Originalism Bootcamp is now accepting applications.
Don’t Mourn Castro, Mourn His Victims
“How should the world mourn a tyrant?” seems like a pretty straightforward question to answer: It shouldn’t. That seems lost, however, on some. It was announced late yesterday that Fidel Castro, long-time authoritarian strongman and hero to unintentionally ironic liberals and progressives, has died. While the diplomatic self-restraint of some world leaders is perhaps understandable, other […]
Excerpts from Sen. Sasse’s Speech to the Federalist Society
Senator Ben Sasse delivered an excellent speech at the Federalist Society National Lawyers Convention. Here are some of my favorite quotes.
2016: Zinn’s Revolt of the Guards Has Arrived
I have the good pleasure to share this piece which Rob Barthelmess invited me to collaborate with him on. The substance is his; the “flair,” as well as all remaining errors, are my own. Gentlemen, he said I don’t need your organization, I’ve shined your shoes I’ve moved your mountains and marked your cards But […]
Least Dangerous Blog 