Outside the Beltway

Sometimes, we just ought to accept the fact that people have disagreements when it comes to hot-button social issues.

A Kafkaesque legal proceeding is unfolding in Kentucky.

The Koch brothers will spend more money in this election cycle than the entire McCain campaign did in 2008.

Congress seems to have gotten the message the Supreme Court sent last month about the Stolen Valor Act.

What does the US Constitution actually provide in terms of guidance for governance?

Opponents of the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United continue to miss the point of what the case was really about.

The US Supreme Court has struck down the Stolen Valor Act, which made it a federal crime to lie about military honors, on free speech grounds.

At least one law student needs a refresher course in the First Amendment.

An unsurprising decision from the Supreme Court.

One law professor suggests that we need to double the size of the Supreme Court. Is he right?

There is a disturbing trend in Western nations toward enforcement of laws against “insulting” religions.

The United States may have slowed down Iran’s nuclear program without firing a shot–not counting the one at our own foot.

A story headlined “American Airlines Rejects Female Passenger Because Political Pro-Choice T-Shirt is ‘Inappropriate'” is going viral.

A blog post lampooning black studies dissertations got a writer fired, setting off a controversy over the limits of free speech.

Marine Sergeant Gary Stein will soon be free to criticize the commander-in-chief all he wants. As a civilian.

A bill that may become law in Arizona could make your Internet comments a crime.

A Reserve Specialist who endorsed Ron Paul’s presidential candidacy in uniform will only be reprimanded, not court martialed.

An lesson from the United Kingdom in the importance of protecting freedom of speech.

Dharun Ravi was convicted of bias intimidation toward Tyler Clementi. It’s not at all clear that he should have been.

What does it mean to have a limited government?

Rush Limbaugh may be a jerk, but he has a right to be a jerk.

China’s government may be more “efficient,” but it’s hardly a model for the rest of the world.

The backlash against the backlash is baffling.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg had some advice on Constitution drafting for Egyptians

Virtually everything Stephen Colbert is doing was legal before Citizens United.

Once again, the punditocracy is bemoaning the rise of so-called “negative campaigning.”

Censorship or sound business practice?

Newt Gingrich was wondering where his audience was last night.

Some questions for opponents of the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United.

Members of Congress are responding to the protests against SOPA and PIPA by withdrawing their support for the bills.

Mitt Romney made a suggestion about how to fix our campaign finance system. It’s a good idea.

Not surprisingly, Rick Perry’s effort to get on Virginia’s primary ballot via litigation has failed

The problem with Europe may not be the Euro, but the fact that there really aren’t any Europeans.

Ron Paul’s opposition to the Fourteenth Amendment would make a Paul Administration an enemy of civil liberties.

For a guy who says he dislikes “activist judges,” Rick Perry sure wants a certain Federal Judge in Virginia to be an activist.

Why we shouldn’t be surprised that police are using tools of violence against protestors.

The Occupy movement is starting to face the reality that they really aren’t engaging in protected speech.

The tents at Occupy Wall Street are increasingly housing the homeless.

When in trouble, sue the messenger.

A case from the U.K. demonstrates why it’s a good thing to have a strong, written, Bill Of Rights.

In Scotland, posting stupid things on Facebook is a “hate crime” punishable by serious jail time.

Legal guidelines for protestors.