Archives: October 2023
Excerpts from Reason's vaults
Politics
Mandating Civics in Schools Won't Fix American Democracy
Who cares if Americans can't answer basic civics questions?
Five Years Later, Philadelphia's Soda Tax Is Falling Flat
The city wanted to bring in more money, in part for early childhood education. But such taxes are disproportionately paid by the poor.
Kevin McCarthy Announces Impeachment Inquiry Into Joe Biden
The investigation could look into "allegations of abuse of power, obstruction, and corruption" related to the president's involvement in his son's foreign business dealings.
What's the Libertarian Answer to New York's Migrant Crisis?
Plus: A listener asks the editors to name America's unsung or undersung heroes.
The 5th Circuit Agrees That Federal Officials Unconstitutionally 'Coerced' or 'Encouraged' Online Censorship
The appeals court narrowed a preliminary injunction against such meddling but confirmed the threat that it poses to freedom of speech.
Gavin Newsom Spins Revisionist History of His COVID Record
Plus: internet censorship, outdoor dining land grabs, and more...
Joint Trial of Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro Illustrates the Fuzziness of Georgia's RICO Law
The two alleged racketeers complain that irrelevant evidence concerning distinct, uncoordinated conduct aimed at keeping Donald Trump in office will impair their defense.
Short Circuit: A Roundup of Recent Federal Court Decisions
3,000 years of overdetention, chief lickspittle, and the wrong side of the road.
Did NYC Just Kneecap Airbnb?
"The city is treating our private property as the city's housing stock."
Biden Aims To Give Federal Workers Largest Pay Increase in 40 Years
The White House plans to boost federal workers' pay by 5.2 percent, the largest increase since 1980.
California Lawmakers Approve Bill Decriminalizing Magic Mushrooms
Plus: The Biden administration weighs a "remain in Texas" policy, California slowly but surely reforms its housing-killing environmental review law, and more...
Review: The Big Break Documents Trump's Washington
Washington Post reporter Ben Terris offers a fair treatment to both conservative and liberal activists in the Trump era.
Politicians Say They Want To Fight Climate Change. So Why Are They Fighting China on Electric Vehicles?
Rather than posing a national security threat, the growth of China's E.V. industry is an opportunity for global innovation.
Judge Rules Minneapolis' Zoning Reforms Are Getting Too Much Housing Built
Plus: Political campaigns will have to disclose if they use AI in their ads, the effort to rehabilitate rent control rumbles on, and more...
Posting Condemnation of Ex-Husband, Urging Viewers to Contact Him, Is Protected by First Amendment
So says the New Jersey intermediate appellate court, in a case involving a Jewish wife who was claiming her husband refused to give her a "get" (a Jewish religious divorce).
My New Lawfare Article on Trump and the Use of Section 3 Disqualification as a Tool to Protect Democracy Against Itself
Section 3 disqualification is justifiable as a democracy-limiting tool to protect democracy. But there are slippery-slope issues that deserve serious consideration.
Jared Polis: Democrats Are 'More Pro-Freedom Than Republicans'
The Colorado governor finds common ground with many libertarians. But does he really stand for more freedom?
With 22-Year Sentence, Ex-Proud Boys Leader Enrique Tarrio Pays Hefty 'Trial Penalty'
Plus: New York City's crackdown on short-term rentals, Brazil's UFO investigations, and more...
Do the Proud Boys Deserve To Be in Prison Forever?
Plus: A listener question concerning porn verification laws.
'Free Speech Absolutist' Elon Musk Threatens Anti-Defamation League With Defamation Lawsuit
Plus: The doubling of the deficit, young Americans souring on college, and more...
Climate Liberalism in Public Choice
A nice review of Climate Liberalism by Jordan Lofthouse (and a less nice one by Robert Bradley).
District Court in Florida Concludes Voters Lack Standing to Challenge Trump's Eligibility
A lawsuit to keep Donald Trump off the Florida primary ballot fails.
Short Circuit: A Roundup of Recent Federal Court Decisions
Detroit's forfeiture machine, major nuclear questions, and copyrightable materials.
Jessie Appleby and Bill Blanken: Do California Community Colleges 'Mandate Viewpoint Conformity'?
"Science should have no agenda other than a relentless pursuit of the truth.... With DEI, we're expected to search out racism within science curriculum, and it's just not there," says professor Bill Blanken.
Trump's Tariffs Didn't Reduce the Trade Deficit. Why Would They Work Now?
Donald Trump's latest argument for protectionism is undermined by the realities of his own trade policies.
How Rage Against the Machine Used Capitalism To Sell Communism
A calculated corporate deal propelled these radical rockers all the way to the Hall of Fame.
California Coastal Cities' Housing Plan: Build Elsewhere
Republican-controlled Huntington Beach has sued the state government to stop enforcement of state housing mandates.
Democrats Try To Whitewash Their Starring Role in School Closures
School closers (and too many journalists) want to evade responsibility for a catastrophic decision.
