Language of Freedom: Libya’s Amazigh
Creating a pluralistic democracy that recognizes and respects the rights of minority groups.
On the Newsstand:Constitution
Is This Really Justice?
The assassination of Al-Awlaki seems to signal that we are willing to forgo even our most basic rights as citizens in the paranoid pursuit of safety.
Thomas E. Woods, Jr.
A libertarian-leaning thought leader discusses the budget, the supremacy clause, and the size of political units
Pizza and Paranoia: Cain’s Politics of Hate
Herman Cain washes down his politics like he washes down his pizza: with a large glass of Haterade.
The Health Care Constitutional Controversy
Will the Supreme Court uphold the health care act? Probably, but the fight isn't over.
Get Out!
United States intervention in the beleaguered state of Libya will only heighten American concerns on a wide spectrum of issues.
Marijuana From A to Z: Politics of Stupidity
Legalization of the oft-stigmatized drug is the only option. I was eating an absolutely delectable meal at the dining hall several nights ago, minding my own business, and savoring the taste of each bite of my popcorn shrimp, when a random outburst from down the table awoke me from my food-induced reverie. “You know, I used to look down on ... Read More
In Defense of the Filibuster
Forcing senators to become Mr. Smiths in order to filibuster carries little harm, and may indeed be beneficial for the nation; however, disrespecting the sanctity of minority rights in the Senate is utterly unacceptable. The United States Senate must defend the 60-vote cloture threshold, for lowering this margin to 51 votes would give undue power to a simple majority. As Winston Churchill cautioned so many years ago, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. To our Senate: do not allow the upcoming filibuster reform to serve as a classic embodiment of this warning for generations to come. To Democrats and Republicans alike: reject Professor Zelizer's overly majoritarian call to arms. For the sake of the nation, in the name of tradition, today's filibuster as an institution must continue to endure.
Joke’s up.
When Sarah Palin’s first interview with Katie Couric aired, I laughed along with everyone else. I remember marveling at how inept a decision the McCain camp made in selecting Palin as his running mate. How could anyone take this woman seriously? Then when the Tea Party first emerged in early 2009, I thought, alright: there are some “punny” radicals out there who ... Read More
Snyder v. Phelps: A Controversial Look at Freedom of Speech
The Westboro Baptist Church is not afraid to make their extreme views on homosexuality and religion known. In fact, they are infamous for picketing funerals of American soldiers while carrying signs that read “God Hates Fags” and “Thank God for IEDs,” among others. This controversy finally reached the Supreme Court on Wednesday, October 6 in the form of oral argument ... Read More
Will Wealth Bring Democracy to Hong Kong?
As long as Hong Kong’s economy is booming, calls for democracy will remain on the backburner
The New Miranda Decision and Souter’s Harvard Speech
With the predictable 5-4 lineup, the Supreme Court ruled yesterday that, in order to exclude from evidence incriminating statements to the police, criminal suspects must have unambiguously invoked their right to remain silent. The case essentially asked, what constitutes a waiver of one’s Miranda rights? Does sitting silent, unresponsive, for nearly three hours, as did the suspect, Van Chester Thompkins, ... Read More
The Dangers of Direct Democracy
In Federalist No. 63, James Madison wrote that the defining principle of American democracy, as compared to Athenian democracy, “lies in the total exclusion of the people in their collective capacity.” But since Madison wrote those words, several direct-democratic institutions have been introduced into American politics. California became the first state to adopt a ballot-initiative process in 1911, enabling citizens ... Read More
