Europe's Proto-Trumpism, Venezuela's Useful Idiots, and Kmele Foster's L.P. Ambivalence
The Fifth Column discusses whataboutism, third-party challenges, J.K. Rowling's defense of Trump's free speech, and more
Civil Liberties
Judge Won't Halt San Francisco's Forced Nanny State Soda Warnings
Did you know sugar helps make you fat? Of course you did.
Does Virginia's Governor Mean It About Restoring Rights for Felons?
Will they be able to exercise their right to own a gun again, or just to vote for their leaders?
Federal Judge Tells D.C. to Stop Demanding a 'Good Reason' for Carrying a Gun
A preliminary injunction upholds the Second Amendment right to armed self-defense outside the home.
That Time the Pennsylvania State Police Disguised a Spymobile as a Google Street View Car
But didn't disguise it very well
Ron Wyden, Rand Paul Team Up Again to Halt New Computer Surveillance Expansion
Download malware? The feds may use that as an excuse to infiltrate your computer as well.
Police to Be Trained on Concept of Free Press As Part of Ferguson Journalists' Lawsuit Settlement
St. Louis County PD adopts new "public information and news policy" following lawsuit alleging reporters were denied constitutional rights.
Big Brother is Coming to a Music Festival Near You
Police in the U.K. and U.S. have used facial recognition technology on concertgoers.
Appeals Court Says the Second Amendment Protects Firearm Sales
The 9th Circuit reinstates a challenge to a California ordinance that blocked a gun store.
The EU Should Be Focusing on Its Own Countries' Transgender Laws, Not North Carolina's Bathrooms
Several nations within the union require sterilization before gender-change recognition.
Woody Allen Defends Nasty Jokes, Even Made at His Own Expense
"I am completely in favor of comedians making any jokes they want," says Allen after being the target of a child-molesting jab at Cannes.
Free Speech Breaks Out at Univ. of Minnesota, Kansas, Elsewhere
Extreme political correctness is (finally) sparking a reaction that places free expression as "the bedrock" upon which higher education rests.
Why Vape? E-Cig Companies Are Not Allowed to Say.
The FDA is suppressing potentially lifesaving information about the health advantages of e-cigarettes.
Obama Blasts Political Correctness, 'Fragile' Students in Rutgers Speech
"Don't feel like you got to shut your ears because you're too fragile and somebody might offend your sensibilities," said Obama.
Los Angeles Sheriff's Department
L.A. County Sheriff Deputies Get Prison Time for Trying to Hide Jail Beating
It's the latest story of abuse at the nation's largest sheriff's department.
Charles Koch and Michael Bloomberg: College Administrators Need a Free Speech Intervention
To save free speech on campus, Congress or the courts must rein in an out-of-control federal agency.
Flying Dog Brewery Wins First Amendment Battle, Uses Proceeds to Promote Free Speech
The brewery will use damages from its case against the Michigan Liquor Control Commission to launch a 1st Amendment Society.
The Government's Attitude on Data Security: There's Too Much and Also Not Enough
'Let us in, but do a better job at keeping others out!'
Trump's Threat Against The Washington Post Is Yet Another Reminder That He is a Bully and an Authoritarian
Trump's lack of respect for freedom of speech is deeply worrying.
The FDA's Deadly Censorship of Lifesaving E-Cigarette Information
Regulators won't let manufacturers of vaping hardware and e-liquids tell their customers the truth.
Obama to Issue Demand That Schools Accommodate Transgender Bathroom Access
Possible threat of legal action?
The Office of Inclusive Excellence Sounds Like a Cult
Milo Yiannopoulos elicits predictable condemnation from the University of California-Irvine.
Facebook Trending Topics are Curated by Editors, Not an Algorithm, Leaked Documents Reveal
Documents show no evidence of political bias, but do contradict the company's claim that topics trend organically.
FBI Director Blames 'Viral Videos' for Rising Murder Rates
James Comey says watched cops are not aggressive enough.
Academic Freedom Is On the Decline, and Here's the Data to Prove It
An analysis of 50 years of U.S. court cases shows professors seldom win in speech battles with school administrators, and it's only getting worse.
Enviros Shun While Pro-Life Conservatives Embrace Population Control Restrictionists. Go Figure.
Immigration makes the strangest bed fellows
Feds Gave $2.2 Billion Worth of Military Gear to Local Police Departments Since 2006
Despite calls to end the militarization of police, new report says "2014 and 2015 were peak years" for local PDs acquiring weapons, armored vehicles, and more.
Calling a Politician, Any Politician, a "GoatF**ker" Is Free Speech
Turkish President Erdo?an Seeks to Get German Government to Shut Up His Critics
Rep. Thomas Massie: 'Republicans Want to Spend More Money Just as Much as Democrats Do.'
The Kentucky Congressman on Trump, House of Cards, and the plot to kick out Boehner.
Flemming Rose Wins 2016 Milton Friedman Prize for Advancing Liberty
Danish journalist and author of The Tyranny of Silence published Muhammad cartoons in free speech fight against self-censorship
Arkansas Trooper Steals $20,000, Because Nobody Innocent Carries That Much Cash
Prosecutors tried to drop the forfeiture case, but the judge would not let them.
President Obama Tells Graduates to Embrace Free Speech, But He Hasn't Always Done the Same
The Obama administration's record on free expression lies in contrast with the president's advice to college kids.
The University of Oregon's Thought Police Investigate Students for Saying Anything
A fascinating, frightening glimpse into the activities of the Bias Response Team.
Facebook's Trending Section Is Now the Business of US Senate Commerce Committee
Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) wants answers from Mark Zuckerberg and company over allegations of political bias in curated news feed.
Why We Should All Care About Brazil's War on WhatsApp
Because WhatsApp is so popular, it is a prime target for government data mining-and not just in Brazil.
Hillary Clinton Picks a Doomed Fight With Americans Over Guns
Future President Clinton may well impose new restrictions on guns. Getting Americans to obey them will be a tougher trick.
Social Conservatives Call for Stricter TV Ratings
Why the V-chip will never please everyone, and soon will hardly please anyone at all
High School Can Suspend Student for Facebook Bomb Joke, Court Rules
"The medium is not the issue," says a U.S. District Court, if the message itself is "problematic."
Maine Legalization Initiative Would Force Merchants to Hide Marijuana Magazines
MPP, which decried the behind-the-counter rule as "absurd" and "unconstitutional" in Colorado, is backing it in Maine.
Uber and Lyft Defeated by Voters in Austin, Texas
City desire to fingerprint all drivers will drive the e-hailing companies out of the city.
Are Facts Turning the Tide Against Soda Taxes?
New data out of Mexico pour cold water over heated rhetoric.
Harvard Will Punish Students Who Join Fraternities Because They're 'Privileged'
Free association is a liberal value, but not at Harvard.
Antioch College Learns That Criticizing the Transgender Movement Is Always 'Hate Speech'
It's not enough to support transgender rights: one must also use the right pronouns, or risk being called a Nazi.
After Arresting Driver for Silence, Cops Tell Her She Has a Right to Remain Silent
New Jersey state troopers said declining to answer a question is a crime.
The FBI Is Ramping Up Use of Informants to Snoop on Muslims
'Shared Responsibility Committees' recruit neighbors to provide info-often with little training.
