Good Samaritans in Southern California Cited for Feeding the Homeless
El Cajon is just the latest city to abuse "public safety" fears to control how people help each other.
Culture
Court Kills Most of Idaho's Law Against Secret Farm Recordings
A likely-fatal blow to to the state's censorious "ag gag" law
Looking for Electoral Reform via Baseball's Hall of Fame
Is Edgar Martinez the Gary Johnson of baseball? No, but his inevitable election to Cooperstown can teach us something useful about politics.
Putting Asterisks in S***hole Is F***ing Stupid
When offensive words are the story, why wouldn't they be in the story?
Matt Taibbi on Misogyny, the Left vs. Free Speech, and the Killing of Eric Garner
"I'm just sort of accidental collateral damage to a larger thing that's going on."
Utah Elementary School Fires Art Teacher for Showing Students Classical Nudes
Parents complained about postcards that were part of an educational set kept in the school library.
Exchanging Dirty Jokes Is Now a 'Sexual Relationship' at George Washington University
Fired chemistry professor is suing the school.
Why on Earth Are We Talking About 'Oprah 2020'?: Podcast
What the Golden Globes #MeToo protests and Dave Chappelle's latest specials tell us about the current political moment.
Duped by State Detectives, Pennsylvania Police Chief Shows Up at Sheetz Gas Station for Sex With Underage Girl
Chief Michael Diebald was allegedly undeterred when the "girl" said she was in eighth grade-"everyone has to have a first time," he told her.
'Food Police' Thriving Under Alleged Deregulator Trump
When it comes to the FDA and USDA, where's the scaling back of rules?
The Best Sex Work Writing of 2017
We rounded up the year's best writing, reporting, and research on erotic industries, those who work in them, and how they're getting screwed by U.S. authorities and laws.
Canada's Food Laws Ban the Best Burgers
America's neighbor to the north also has a host of dumb regulations.
What Feminists—and Islamists—Don't Get About Burqas: Podcast
Rafia Zakaria talks about veils, Islamic politics, and feminism.
Atheist Arrested in Bangladesh -- Atheism Might Be Banned in Egypt
Two recent stories in the news, plus a third item about Malaysia.
Public Ignorance and GMO Foods
Fear of GMO foods is an example of the broader problem of political and scientific ignorance.
More Food Trucks May Be Coming to Your Baltimore Neighborhood
A judge suspends oppressive city regulations as too vague, but the fight's probably not over.
GMO Opponents Are Immoral, Argues Purdue University President Mitch Daniels
It's past time to tell your anti-GMO friends, family and neighbors they are helping to kill poor people.
Sorry Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg: If Daniel Ellsberg Is a Hero, So Is Edward Snowden
The crew of The Post celebrates leaking the Pentagon Papers but gets all touchy when Obama's secret surveillance is mentioned.
Family Court Must Not Discriminate Against Religious Schooling
Nevada Supreme Court holds that trial court wrongly rejected father's preference for religious schooling just because of mother's religious objection.
Upstate N.Y. Town Defeats Anti-Farming Bill
A dispute with neighbor spurred a measure to crack down on smaller properties. But the town's large agricultural community fought back.
A Special Reason Festivus Airing of the Grievances: Podcast
How has the fight for freedom changed from January 2017 to December, whether vis-a-vis Trump, Congress, or music? Well for one thing, Star Wars-spoiler norms have gone out the window in the Suderman household....
Clifford Irving and His Fakes
Friday A/V Club: The con man as artist and the artist as con man
The Year in Teen Sexting Panic
From cops to Congress, overreactions to teen sexting have reached new heights in 2017.
Report All Inappropriate Christmas Decorations to the Proper Authorities
At the University of Minnesota, wrapped gifts could get you on the naughty list.
D.C. Allowed to Exclude Religious Ads from Buses
Seems inconsistent with a 1995 Supreme Court precedent, but the D.C. federal court allowed this, and the D.C. Circuit seems to agree.
GW Students Organize to Fight Oppression By Oppressing Reading Choices
Obvious propaganda should be labeled propaganda, obviously.
My Take on the Politics of 'The Last Jedi'
"The Last Jedi" focuses on the value of institutions, not just individual heroes. But it's still hard to tell what the rebels are fighting for.
King County Cops Illegally Recorded Sex Stings
The good news? Many whose lives they tried to ruin are now off the hook.
House Republicans Push Symbolic Nonsense Abortion Bill
Congressional conservatives want to ban "discrimination against the unborn on the basis of sex."
Trump and Associates Can't Stop Scapegoating Immigrants
The concern about radicalization by Muslims in the U.S. is a red herring intended to make Americans distrust foreigners and immigration in general.
States Partner to Sue Massachusetts, California Over Costly Livestock Bans
Two states attempt to dictate how farmers outside their boundaries treat their animals.
The Original Rock 'n' Roll Guitar God Was Actually a Goddess
Friday A/V Club: All hail Sister Rosetta Tharpe
But What Does Star Wars *MEAN*?
All culture is participatory culture, and none more so than Star Wars. A debate hotter than the twin suns of Tatooine.
Political Journalists Have Themselves to Blame for Sinking Credibility
Sloppy work creates self-inflicted wounds.
Book recommendations from me and my colleagues
Time travel and originalism (not in the same book!)
Why Won't the FDA Let Me Shove Chocolate Up My Nose?
The nanny state may force snortable cacao off the market.
