Tag Archives: society
The Crisis of Civic Illiteracy and Disengagement
For anyone remotely tuned-in to public dialogue on law and policy, the criticism that a proposed action is unconstitutional is a familiar one. But while some exclaim, “That’s unconstitutional!” others just as readily respond, “Who cares?” At least anecdotally, the honest answer to that question seems to be “some, but not others.” One may venture […]
The Papal Style in American Politics
“[T]here is no need to narrate actions that do not affect the truth of the history, if they are going to result in the discrediting of the hero.” —Don Quixote To mark the anniversary of last year’s election, Vice News interviewed a set of the president’s diehard fans to see how they felt things have […]
Justice Don Willett’s Uncontroversial Commitment to the Constitution
The 1905 Supreme Court case Lochner v. New York has long been a lightning rod for the claim that unelected judges have no place in our Constitutional system striking down laws purporting to ensure public health and safety. The periled precedent played its part this week as UT Law student Noah Horwitz dutifully deployed it against […]
The TVPRA: Standing at the Watchtower of Human Freedom
If the TVPRA can bring together Democrats, Republicans, Catholic Bishops, immigrant support groups, and President Donald Trump, that is truly something worth celebrating. And for a bill to create such desperately needed unification over so fundamental a cause, how fitting it should bear the name of a man who dedicated his life to agitating the American conscience: Frederick Douglass.
House Member Chaffetz Wants You To Buy Him A House
Retiring Congressman Jason Chaffetz announced, on his way out the door, that he believes Congress should provide themselves a $2,500 housing allowance, in order to better cope with the obnoxious cost of DC accommodations. Since congressmen maintain a residence in the District in addition to their household commitments back home, the logic goes, the excessive […]
Crying Havoc
Continuing the long tradition of hackneyed attempts to “make Shakespeare relevant,” Shakespeare in the Park this summer chose to stage its production of Julius Caesar with an eye towards current events. The conqueror of Gaul was therefore rendered with ginger hair and a red tie worn long enough to conceal ones manhood. Considering the probable […]
The Way of the Gun
“The mountains are high, and the Emperor is far away.” In the opening paragraphs of To Kill A Mockingbird, Scout ponders the meaning of her brother’s broken arm. “It began with Andrew Jackson,” she decides: “if General Jackson hadn’t run the Creeks up the creek, Simon Finch would never have paddled up the Alabama,” and […]
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. […]
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, […]
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.
Least Dangerous Blog 