Category Archives: Freedom of Speech

The First Amendment and Occupy Wall Street’s Occupation of Zuccotti Park

by Tony Guo Introduction Over Fall Break I visited my fiancée in New York City.  As part of my visit we went to Washington Square Park.  We both graduated from New York University and Washington Square Park is a second … Continue reading

Posted in Civil Rights/Civil Liberties, economy, First Amendment, Freedom of Speech, Media, Uncategorized | Comments Off

Impunity for Journalist’s Killers

A chilling message was sent to journalists worldwide when all three defendants associated with the murder of Russian investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya were acquitted this Thursday.  However, this will not be the end of the case.  Attorneys for the Politkovskaya … Continue reading

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Ice Storms and Blizzards Don’t Mean We’re Cool (Global Warming Still Happening)

Professor Ryan’s ACS contribution emphasized the importance of the new Green Deal for stimulating the economy and saving the planet. However, recent severe winter storms may have some of us wondering, “This can’t be global warming, is the environment okay … Continue reading

Posted in Energy Policy, Freedom of Speech, Uncategorized | Comments Off

WTF? FCC v. Fox Television Stations

On Friday night, a few of the nation’s leading law scholars argued whether fleeting expletives can be publicly broadcast without a fine. The moot court was scheduled as part of the Institute of Bill of Rights Law annual Supreme Court … Continue reading

Posted in First Amendment, Freedom of Speech, SCOTUS | Comments Off

Pastors for Politicians?

The Alliance Defense Fund is calling for Christian pastors to begin endorsing political candidates on September 28, 2008—which has been illegal since 1954. The issue stems from the First Amendment’s Free Speech Clause potentially trumping the IRS tax code 26 … Continue reading

Posted in Election, First Amendment, Freedom of Speech | Comments Off

Apophasis

With all of the chatter around the Supreme Court’s recent Heller, Boumediene, and Kennedy decisions, it has been easy to overlook some interesting cases making their way through other parts of the court system. For instance, Center for Bio-Ethical Reform … Continue reading

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Telecom Spying– You Are Still Not Safe

You’re still not safe because there’s still no terrorism exception to the rule of law. That was the message from the Attorney General this week in his address to the Commonwealth Club of California. After his initial remarks (which were … Continue reading

Posted in Civil Rights/Civil Liberties, Executive Branch, First Amendment, Foreign Affairs, Freedom of Speech, National Security, Science/Technology | Comments Off

Senate Immunizes Warrantless Wiretapping

Jim Webb, John Warner, and a supermajority of the Senate (68-29), just sold you out. The Senate just passed a bill which would excuse the telecommunications companies for violating the rights that same Senate conferred upon you. Make no mistake, … Continue reading

Posted in Civil Rights/Civil Liberties, Executive Branch, First Amendment, Foreign Affairs, Freedom of Speech, National Security, Virginia | Comments Off

Abercrombie & F#t@$

Lynnhaven Mall in Virginia Beach has long held a special place in my heart. Whether attending friends’ birthday parties at Aladdin’s Castle Arcade, or hitting up PG-13 movies at the old upstairs theater, Lynnhaven Mall has always been a place … Continue reading

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Protests, Tasers, and Yearwood

Over the weekend, thousands of peaceful, anti-war protesters converged on Washington, D.C. in the exercise of their constitutional right to call their government to task. The media covered the event quite heavily, and what I recall most poignantly from standing … Continue reading

Posted in Civil Rights/Civil Liberties, Freedom of Speech | 1 Comment