Defense of Free Thought in the Face of Illiberalism – The Pillars of Free Thought

We live in interesting times.  They are times of uncertainty and danger. They are times that threaten our core principles of freedom and the fabric of our society.  It is time to make a defense of free thought.

Illiberalism and a Defense of Free Thought

A growing tide of illiberalism surrounds us from both sides of the political spectrum.  An illiberalism that burns in our hearts, that forces us further apart. An illiberalism that seers our conscience and spreads through our communities.  Some on the right lead it.  They promote social inequalities and class vitriol that threaten the left.  Some on the left also lead it. They repudiate tolerance and free expression and seek to muzzle and silence those with whom they disagree. Both sides seek to use government – force – to impose their views on others.  Both are unwilling to lay down their arms and compete in the open marketplace of ideas. Continue reading “Defense of Free Thought in the Face of Illiberalism – The Pillars of Free Thought”

No Illicit Relationship Between President Trump and the Russian Government – Here’s the Analysis

There is enough information in the public domain to conclude, with a high degree of confidence, that there is no illicit relationship between President Trump and the Russian government.  Similarly, there is very likely no relationship of any consequence between associates of the President and the Russian government.  We now believe that political motivations and agendas drove these suspicions.  These suspicions are not supported by facts.

We examine in detail the bases for these critical conclusions.  We review the events surrounding the Democratic National Committee (DNC) hacking affair, the major arrests inside of Russian intelligence and what those arrests tell us, and the circumstances surrounding U.S. intelligence and Michael Flynn.  It’s a long story to tell, but it leads to a critical conclusion contrary to the oft-repeated claim of an untoward relationship between the President and the Russians.  It’s a story that screams for further analysis.

Here’s what we can piece together so far regarding any possible illicit relationship between President Trump and the Russian government. Continue reading “No Illicit Relationship Between President Trump and the Russian Government – Here’s the Analysis”

The Media Distortion of Michael Flynn – Truth Suffers Another Blow

Yet again our most revered news organizations let us down.  We must read between, over and above their written lines to try to get to the truth. Reporters no longer take photographs of what they see, or simply record and report what they hear.  Instead, they paint pictures with broad brushes, using shades and color to reveal their personal portraits.  They weave a web instead of knitting a stitch.  The “stories” of former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, and of “contacts” between persons involved with the Trump administration and Russia, are just the latest sorry watercolors.  The media distortion of Michael Flynn is another sad tale of truth taking a shot to the jaw.

We take a look in this piece at the reporting of the Flynn “story.” We save for another piece the ongoing reporting addressing Russian “connections” to the Trump administration. Continue reading “The Media Distortion of Michael Flynn – Truth Suffers Another Blow”

Impeach President Trump, So Says Congresswoman Waters – But There’s the Constitution…

That didn’t take long. It’s time to impeach President Trump.  So says California Congresswoman Maxine Waters.  She is ready for articles of impeachment barely three weeks into his presidency.  Now we may or may not be fans of the President.  Staying faithful to the rules of our blog, we take no side on this one.  At least not yet.  But Congresswoman Waters does a disservice to herself, her constituents, and the country, with talk of impeachment.  There is no constitutional basis for it.  The Congresswoman would do well to bury herself in the constitution that she took an oath to uphold.

Impeach President Trump
Maxine Waters

So we will take a look at the impeachable offenses, according to Congresswoman Waters.  We see four possible counts, according to the Congresswoman.  And we also turn to the Constitution, and history, for a little guidance on what’s required to impeach a president.  Is Ms. Waters right? It is already time to impeach President Trump?

Continue reading “Impeach President Trump, So Says Congresswoman Waters – But There’s the Constitution…”

New Immigration Executive Order From President Trump, and the Many Flaws in the Ninth Circuit’s Ruling

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling on the Trump immigration order (the “Trump Order“) is flawed on several levels.  The court’s analysis is shockingly poor and disturbing for a variety of reasons.  We do not reach this conclusion because we agree with the Trump Order, for we take no position on it.  Rather, the court’s ruling would set dangerous precedents, particularly regarding a president’s power to act quickly to protect the country.  At the least, the key parts of the ruling addressing (or failing to address) constitutional issues for non-resident aliens will likely not survive the Supreme Court.  But the court’s ruling makes clear at least one thing.  The Trump Order was poorly drafted.  President Trump will likely soon follow with a new immigration executive order, if he truly believes national security requires it.

We briefly look at the what and why of a new order.  Then we provide a detailed review of the numerous flaws in the Ninth Circuit’s analysis. Continue reading “New Immigration Executive Order From President Trump, and the Many Flaws in the Ninth Circuit’s Ruling”

Judge Gorsuch’s Path to Confirmation is Open – His Fate is in His Own Hands

The road for Supreme Court confirmation for Judge Neil Gorsuch is clear. The likelihood of Democrats using the filibuster to prevent a vote on Judge Gorsuch is diminishing.  There are now three avenues towards confirmation, and the first and easiest (an actual direct vote) is becoming more probable.  Judge Gorsuch’s path to confirmation thus appears wide open.  His fate is likely in his own hands.  He will have to successfully navigate the waters of the Senate hearing process, which no doubt will be hazardous – but the way is open.

Judge Gorsuch's Path
Supreme Court Nominee Neil Gorsuch

Let’s take a look at the three available roads to confirmation, and why it is highly probable Judge Gorsuch will have his vote. Continue reading “Judge Gorsuch’s Path to Confirmation is Open – His Fate is in His Own Hands”

Judge Gorsuch is His Own Man – His Criticism of Trump Proves It

Democrats wondered aloud, and loudly, whether Judge Neil Gorsuch was independent of President Trump. Well we now know that, indeed, Judge Gorsuch is his own man.  Just three days ago a Washington Post story styled “Trump Blasts at Judge Raise Questions for Gorsuch on Independence” highlighted Democrats doubts.  Democrats, the Post stated, challenged Judge Gorsuch “on an important but elusive issue.  Is Gorsuch independent enough, they ask, to stand up to the president who picked him?”  Today we received the most reassuring, and gratifying, answer.  Judge Gorsuch is independent.  He can think for himself and is beholden to no one.  He is no lackey to President Trump. Continue reading “Judge Gorsuch is His Own Man – His Criticism of Trump Proves It”

Trump’s Moral Leadership – It’s Time to Start, Mr. President

When America leads from the moral high ground, it leads best.  The United States is an imperfect country, but it need make no apologies for its imperfection.  Others have a different moral compass than Americans. They do not share our country’s vision for human life. We think Russia, Iran, and China, for starters.  They may prefer control, restriction, repression, and more over their own peoples.  They have visions of imperialism and domination over others, and a willingness to utilize force and murder to achieve that domination.  We expect American leaders to face down these philosophies of tyranny, oppression and domination.  And that starts with moral leadership on the world stage.  Which leads us to President Trump’s recent comments regarding Russia.  And to Trump’s moral leadership.

Trump's Moral Leadership
Seneca, the Stoic

A leader must persuade.  To persuade he must have integrity; he must be trusted.  Moral leadership requires a leader who can guide by example.  A moral leader for the United States is someone who understands America’s core values, and who will represent them.  He represents those values accurately and consistently. As the stoic Seneca put it, “noble example stirs us up to noble actions.”  Can President Trump be a moral leader for the United States? Continue reading “Trump’s Moral Leadership – It’s Time to Start, Mr. President”

Federal Court Analysis of Trump Order is Flawed – Boston Court Has it Right

U.S. District Court Judge James Robart entered a temporary restraining order on Friday, preventing implementation of President Trump’s immigration order.  Judge Robart applied his directive on a nationwide basis.  The only problem with this Federal court analysis and the monumental judgment is that it is wrong.  Judge Robart’s written opinion cited no authority, constitutional or otherwise, to support his judgment that the States involved “are likely to succeed on the merits . . . [and that] the States are likely to suffer irreparable harm . . . [and that] the balance of the equities favor the States.”

We aren’t surprised by Judge Robart’s failure to cite legal authority.  His was an extraordinary decision.  In a case where the President of the United States cited a national security purpose for his executive action, Judge Robart struck down that judgment and substituted his own.  At the very least, a Federal court judge owes the American public a complete dissertation explaining why the President is wrong and he is right.  He offered up nothing.

Continue reading “Federal Court Analysis of Trump Order is Flawed – Boston Court Has it Right”

Wave of Illiberalism Across America – The Worst Angels of an NYU Professor

A wave of illiberalism is rolling across America.  Once our great universities were the brightest beacons of free thought and free expression.  They were great bulwarks against intolerance.  Today, they are devolving into bastions of bombast, fanaticism, dogmatism and hatred.

We have great faith in the power of freedom of speech.  Our country was founded on it.  Our future depends on it. Without freedom of speech, the grand traditions of liberalism will perish.  So long as we cherish and preserve free speech in the United States, wisdom will ultimately triumph.

We fear no idea in the marketplace of ideas.  The American tradition welcomes them all, including offensive and even abhorrent ideas.  Perhaps, especially offensive and abhorrent thoughts.  Because those ideas and thoughts will not, in the end, survive the raging rapids of human turmoil. They will not prevail against the essential light of the human spirit.  And it is the failures of those offensive ideas, laid bare for all to see, that push humanity ever closer to the better angels of its nature.

We Must Roll Back the Rising Wave of Illiberalism

Continue reading “Wave of Illiberalism Across America – The Worst Angels of an NYU Professor”

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