Brickbats: October 2022
News of politicians, police, and bureaucrats behaving badly from around the world.
Politics
Missouri Libertarian Party Declines To Endorse Marijuana Legalization Initiative
Despite opposing the drug war, and indicating that he will even vote for the measure himself, the state LP's chairman said the initiative would not get the party's stamp of approval.
The Woman King Rewrites History for a Feminist Twist on the Slave Trade
Hollywood often takes liberties. But there's a distinction to be made between poetic license and historical revisionism.
Short Circuit: A Roundup of Recent Federal Court Decisions
Padded cells, hidden cash, and official duties.
Netflix's Athena Is a Masterpiece About Police Violence and Social Unrest
A technically astounding film that turns a French housing block into a political warzone.
Italy's Return to Fascism?
Watch a recording of the livestream with Jonah Goldberg, Nick Gillespie, and Zach Weissmueller.
The Government Should Be Pro-Market, Not 'Pro-Business'
Businesses are all in favor of competition, tax cuts, and deregulation only until they aren't—meaning only until subsidies might benefit them.
Government Subsidies Encouraged Millions To Move Into Hurricane Ian's Destructive Path
Plus: Reason livestream on right-wing populism, the government can't solve the fentanyl crisis, and more...
American Elections Are a Mess, and They Always Have Been
The long, weird history of partisan electoral shenanigans
How Should Libertarians Think About Ron DeSantis?
Reason's Zach Weissmueller and the New York Post's Karol Markowicz talk about life under the most controversial governor in America.
IRS Sent $1.1 Billion in Child Welfare Payments to the Wrong People
Possibly the federal government's most efficient pandemic spending effort.
Biden Declares War on 'Junk Fees,' but There's (Thankfully) Not Much He Can Do About Them
Plus: Lessons from the recovered memory movement, Texas fights to keep young adults from owning handguns, and more...
President Biden Lies About Guns. Again.
Amidst official hysteria over “misinformation,” the president continues to willfully misrepresent the facts on firearms.
Trump's Declassification Claims Are Implausible and Irrelevant
The potential crimes that the FBI is investigating do not hinge on the current classification status of the records that the former president kept at Mar-a-Lago.
For Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Political Stunts Are More Important Than Substance
Who cares if it’s legal if it generates politically advantageous outrage and attention?
Iran's Hijab Protests Are Part of a Long, Slow Revolution
Plus: A bevy of bad economic indicators, Italy elects right-wing populist Giorgia Meloni, and more...
Woman Seriously Injured After Colorado Cops Leave Her Handcuffed in Car Parked on Train Tracks
Plus: The ridiculous panic over "rainbow fentanyl" continues, Arizona can enforce near-total abortion ban, and more...
Trial Court Must Hear Challenge to "Islamic Pre-Nuptial Agreement" Before Referring Matter to Arbitration
Though the agreement provided for arbitration, under Texas family law challenges to the validity of a family law arbitration agreement can't wait until after the arbitration takes place.
More States Poised To Ease Marijuana Laws After Election Day
Ten years after Colorado and Washington embraced legalization, the movement looks unstoppable.
Why the Political Grift Won't Stop
What unites Donald Trump, Black Lives Matter, Steve Bannon, and the Lincoln Project? They all got stupid rich by you being big mad.
Short Circuit: A Roundup of Recent Federal Court Decisions
ATV noise, threat threats, and wasting judicial resources.
Occupational Licensing Doesn't Mean Higher Quality Services
Plus: FIRE teams up with Ice-T, self-preferencing shouldn't be an antitrust offense, and more...
First Amendment Limits on State Laws Targeting Election Misinformation, Part V
The need for a comprehensive strategy addressing election misinformation.
Declining Faith in Both Capitalism and Socialism Leaves … What?
Many Americans don’t seem to like any economic systems, and they’re no closer to agreement.
House Passes Electoral Count Act Reform Bill
The bill is similar to that drafted by a bipartisan group of senators. Either version, or a reconciliation between the two, would be a major step forward relative to the status quo.
Most Americans Say Immigrants Make the U.S. Better. So Why Don't Politicians Do Anything About It?
Democrats pander to immigrants but do little to liberalize the system. Meanwhile, Republicans' hostility to immigrants has increased.
Biden-Backed DISCLOSE Act Would Dox Donors to Groups That Run Political Ads
Plus: Student drag shows are protected speech, a bank CEO rebuffs Rep. Rashida Tlaib, and more...
First Amendment Limits on State Laws Targeting Election Misinformation, Part IV
First Amendment implications for state laws targeting election speech.
Gaming Tribes Battle Online Corporations for Control of California Sports Betting
Messy, dueling ballot initiatives await voters in November.
New York Attorney General Sues Trump for Fraud, Seeks $250 Million in Restitution
In a press conference, Letitia James accused the former president of routinely misstating the values of his properties for personal financial gain.
First Amendment Limits on State Laws Targeting Election Misinformation, Part III
A First Amendment framework for analyzing restrictions on election-related speech.
If Ron DeSantis Is So Bad, Why Is Living in Florida So Good?
A live Reason discussion about how libertarians should think about the country's most controversial governor.
The Way To Stop Worrying About Judicial Legitimacy Is To Stop Worrying About Judicial Legitimacy
The answer to any question about the Supreme Court's legitimacy should be "next question."
First Amendment Limits on State Laws Targeting Election Misinformation, Part II
An overview of state efforts to combat election misinformation.
