Zoom Conversation Tonight, 8 pm Pacific, with Michael, Will, Orin, and Me—Come Watch and Ask Questions
See the URL below, as promised in my mark-your-calendars post Sunday.
Month: March 2020
Mere Violations of Consumer Site Terms of Service Aren't Crimes
So says a federal district court, citing three articles by our own Orin Kerr.
District Court Finds Bump Stock Ban May Constitute a Taking, Because the Federal Government Lacks a Police Power
"The Court will allow the federal government to try again and explain which enumerated power justifies the federal regulation and whether it allows a taking without compensation."
The Response To Coronavirus 'Is Central Planning on Steroids': Rep. Thomas Massie
The Kentucky congressman who insisted Congress record its vote on history's biggest spending bill is unapologetic and outspoken about limited government.
L.A. Bureaucrats Shut Down Restaurants for Selling Groceries Without a Permit
"You cannot just decide you want to sell groceries," said Barbara Ferrer, the director of L.A. County Public Health.
America Could Import Countless More Face Masks if Federal Regulators Would Get Out of the Way
Markets are trying to meet spiking demand for face masks, but importers are stymied by the FDA and CDC
The Vice Cops Who Arrested Stormy Daniels Now Face Federal Charges for Fraud and Conspiring to Violate People's Civil Rights
Two former Columbus, Ohio, police officers are accused of harassing strip club owners, patrons, and staff without legal justification.
'Let's Do a Manhattan Project Against This Virus': Thomas Massie
The Kentucky Republican took on Donald Trump and Nancy Pelosi to fight against the $2 trillion coronavirus spending package. He's just getting started.
The FBI Is Routinely Screwing Up FISA Warrants Targeting Americans
Carter Page was not an anomaly.
Federalism and the Coronavirus Crisis
States have so far taken the lead in battling the coronavirus, and there is some merit to this decentralized approach, which fits the original meaning of the Constitution. But it also has flaws, and there is still a good chance the crisis will ultimately lead to an expansion of federal power.
How Will Coronavirus Pandemic Deaths Compare to the 1957 Flu Pandemic?
Social distancing and lockdowns today are why deaths from the two pandemics might be comparable.
The World Health Organization Classified Video Game Addiction as a Disorder. Now It's Telling People to Play Video Games.
Global health group supports industry-supported initiative to promote gaming, educate players about COVID-19.
Fifth Circuit Temporarily Stays Order Blocking Texas Coronavirus-Related Abortion Restrictions,
calls for complete briefing by Friday.
Not Even COVID-19 Can Shake New Jersey's Fear of Letting Drivers Pump Their Own Gas
But Oregon grudgingly relents. For now.
Health Care Workers Need Masks (and the Rest of Us Need Them, Too)
DIY manufacturers scramble to reduce shortages, as public health officials send mixed messages about the efficacy of broader use.
Seattle Police Chief Tells People To Call 911 If They Hear 'Racist Name-Calling'
Don't the authorities have better things to do with their time right now?
2.2 Million American Deaths from Covid-19?
The strange career of a fanciful projection
Wake Forest Dean Apologizes for Constitutional Law Professor's Quoting the Word "Nigger" from a Leading Supreme Court Case
A word that appears >10,000 times in court cases, in a wide range of fields -- yet some insist that law professors not be allowed to quote it.
U.K. Cops Remind Us Why We Should Resist the Government's Coronavirus Power Grabs
Threatening shops for selling chocolate Easter eggs and mocking people who are actually following the law undermines citizens’ trust.
Spanish Flu Experience Might Indicate That Public Policy Interventions Don't Have Long-Term Economic Effects
Though focused on manufacturing and banking, this study sees economic optimism in quick and thorough interventions to keep people isolated.
Possible Good News: Fewer Fevers Reported Nationwide, Says Smart Thermometer Company
Social distancing and lockdowns appear to be working to slow the coronavirus pandemic.
COVID-Era Abortion Bans Blocked in 3 States—For Now
Plus: "Netflix for 3-D guns," viral authoritarianism, COVID-19 behind bars, and more…
How the Government Bungled the Coronavirus Response
"We have the capacity to keep this contained," Mayor Bill de Blasio told New Yorkers on March 2.
How Techies Ignored the Bureaucrats and Helped the COVID-19 Response
They were mocked for sounding the alarm. Now they're the ones providing the solutions.
Take the #100Cases challenge, Receive An Autographed Bookplate
Tweet about each of the 100 cases in an "Introduction to Constitutional Law," Randy and I will send you a free autographed bookplate
L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva Says Gun Dealers Are 'Nonessential.' The Department of Homeland Security Disagrees.
The county's ban on firearm sales is inconsistent with a new federal advisory as well as the Second Amendment.
How Government Screwed Up Coronavirus Response
From masks to tests, suppression to stimulus, the Reason Roundtable podcast reviews the mistakes that got us to this precarious point.
Environmentalists Look on the Bright Side of COVID-19
The coronavirus pandemic has led to less air pollution...unless you count all the germs.
The Singapore location app that could elect a President
Not to mention control the coronavirus outbreak
Parents, Let the Coronavirus Quarantine Be an Excuse To Give Kids Some Free Time
You don't need to plan every minute of their day.
Hey FDA! There's a Massive Blood Shortage. Let Gay and Bisexual Men Give Blood Already.
The agency should relax the yearlong deferral period.
FDA Approves Emergency Use of Hydroxychloroquine and Chloroquine to Treat COVID-19
The agency concludes that the possible benefits outweigh the risks.
Notre Dame Law School Adopts Modified Pass/No Credit Grading System
"For the Spring 2020 semester, students would be given the option of electing to have the grades for all of their Law School courses converted to Pass/No Credit; students would have until the last class day before the start of the study period to make this election."
Early and Broad Testing Helps Explain Why COVID-19 Looks Less Lethal in Germany
Germany's crude case fatality rate is currently less than 1 percent, compared to 1.8 percent in the U.S., 6.4 percent in the U.K., and 11.4 percent in Italy.
Why Are the Mainstream Media Ignoring Tara Reade's Sexual Assault Accusation Against Joe Biden?
So far, it's been silence from The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, and others.
This Business Is Suing the Government Over a Coronavirus Closure Order
"These uncompensated seizures violate the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment."
"Wuhan COVID-19 Death Toll May Be in the Tens of Thousands"
This contradicts the Chinese government's reports that the death toll in Wuhan was only about 2500.
As Trump Imagines '2.2 Million Deaths' From COVID-19 in the U.S., a Top Federal Disease Expert Cautions Against Believing Worst-Case Scenarios
"They always overshoot," Anthony Fauci says. "Generally, the reality is somewhere in the middle."
You Say "Epidemic"; He Says "Great Time to Go Surfing!"; …
... Costa Rican government says "you're under arrest."
The World Must Not Mimic China's Authoritarian Model to Fight COVID-19
Its rulers tried to cover up an epidemic, then declared war on their people to control it.
Vin Diesel's Bloodshot Is the Perfect Movie For the New Direct-to-Streaming Era
This occasionally competent sci-fi action film is best enjoyed from the comfort of a couch.
