Main Wednesday, September 17, 2025″Debate Me Bro” and the First AmendmentI mentioned the problem of the right defining free speech to be entirely about Kirk’s performative “debate me” events and not the content of those debates (such that Kirk
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Free speech principle after Charlie Kirk
Main Tuesday, September 16, 2025Free speech principle after Charlie KirkI am quoted in a Miami Herald article (may be paywalled) on the wave of actual and threatened firings of people over online comments about Charlie Kirk. The First Amendment ignorance…
SCOTUS: Facts? We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Facts
Civility in content v. Civility in tone
Main Sunday, September 14, 2025Civility in content v. Civility in toneRight-wing calls for “civility” focus entirely on tone and not on content. They* should be able to say the most hateful, obnoxious, offensive things, free from criticism, opporobrium, or protest;…
Academic discussion,”prove me wrong” debate, and the academic role
Main Saturday, September 13, 2025Academic discussion,”prove me wrong” debate, and the academic roleGreat thread from UNC history prof Joe Stieb on “prove me wrong” debate contrasted with what actually occurs (and should occur) in a classroom and a university.…
Akhil Amar’s New Book–Born Equal
Main Saturday, September 13, 2025Akhil Amar’s New Book–Born EqualI just finished reading Akhil’s new book, which I would highly recommend. No doubt I am a little biased, as I was his student and am a regular listener of his podcast.…
Honoring Charlie Kirk by attacking more speech and speakers
Main Saturday, September 13, 2025Honoring Charlie Kirk by attacking more speech and speakersNow that it appears Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin was steeped in right-wing gamer culture, the Republican/conservative ecosystem seems to be coalescing around attacking the free-speech rights of those…
When a free-speech villain becomes a free-speech martyr and what we even mean
Main Friday, September 12, 2025When a free-speech villain becomes a free-speech martyr and what we even meanI posted my thoughts on the Charlie Kirk murder yesterday, but a Typepad glitch (the platform seems to be going out in a blaze…
Zombie laws!!
Main Friday, September 12, 2025Zombie laws!!Criminal adultery laws remain on the books in Maryland and police and prosecutors occasionally charge under them. The article mentions that legislatures must repeal laws to eliminate them from the books; it does…