Free Republic

Are we still permitted to question and debate the mask and lockdowns, or is the new inquisition muzzling us in more than a figurative way? Many – including physicians and health-care workers of all stripes – have been skeptical of the mask (as well as the curfews and ‘stay at home’ orders) and their prophylactic efficacy: What do these layers of fabric do to stop a virus that is so small it almost obeys the rules of the quantum world? People speak of ‘particularates’ and ‘expectoration’ with solemn and grave tones, as though viruses could vector no other way, when...

There have been many strange scenes in this era of coronavirus pandemic, anti-racism unrest, and woke recriminations, but perhaps none have been stranger than one that took place on Zoom late last month, when 115 people, appearing in little squares on computer screens, held a kind of trial, a somewhat secret one at that, closed to the press, its participants barred from talking about it to outsiders afterwards. The episode illustrates the tense workings of cancel culture preoccupying an American institution. In the dock, and visible in his own little square, was Carlin Romano, a writer, philosopher, book critic and,...

"The government can now take your home and sell it to a private developer." Those are the words of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor in her dissent from the draconian Supreme Court ruling in the case of Kelo v The City of New London.. The Kelo decision is an outright repudiation of the most basic American principle -- constitutional protection for life, liberty and property. But we are not about to take this assault on our God-given liberties lying down!When we heard of this decision on Thursday, we immediately went to work. And Senator John Cornyn has already answered the call.Just...

The 1973 Supreme Court abortion decision Roe vs. Wade was decided by a 7-2 margin, legalizing abortion throughout pregnancy. One of the two dissenters from that decision was the current Chief Justice, William Rehnquist, who has served on the Supreme Court since 1971, and as Chief Justice since 1986. His dissent from Roe is less than 1500 words, and points out several of the many errors and weaknesses of what is, beyond doubt, the most damaging decision the Court has ever issued. Justice Rehnquist objected both to the conclusions of the majority and to the methods they used to reach...